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12 August 2026

K-Pop star faces backlash over resurfaced anti-LGBTQ+ comments and Charlie Kirk support

In a conversation shared by a fan online, TRY THAT's Hyukjin appeared to echo Kirk’s anti-trans views

By Aaron Sugg

Korean boy band TRY THAT
Korean boy band TRY THAT (Image: TRY THAT/Instagram)

Hyukjin, a member of the upcoming Korean boy band TRY THAT, is facing backlash over alleged anti-LGBTQ+ comments that have resurfaced online.

Fans are calling for Hyukjin to leave the band after posts featuring anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, anti-feminist language and expressions of support for Charlie Kirk recently resurfaced on social media.

In a conversation shared by a fan online, Hyukjin appeared to echo Kirk’s anti-trans views while mourning his death. He was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Utah on 10 September 2025.

Hyukjin allegedly expressed anti-trans views

When asked by a fan why he was grieving the late political commentator, Hyukjin appeared to echo Kirk’s belief that there are only two genders: male and female.

“God only created two genders, male and female. If a man gets sex reassignment surgery, does that change his thoughts or his true nature? Can a man who transitions get pregnant? Just because a man wears makeup and a skirt doesn’t make him a woman.”

This is not the first time his comments have caused public outrage. The same conversation allegedly prompted Hyukjin to address his support for Kirk in an online statement.

Hyukjin allegedly defended his support for Charlie Kirk

“Some people say Charlie was homophobic and misogynistic, but Charlie loved his wife and children dearly, cherished his family, and valued the life of the unborn child more than anyone else,” the statement reads.

Many TRY THAT followers are calling on the company to remove HYUKJIN ahead of the group’s debut on 18 August 2026 with MakitStudio.

“BRO JUST KICK HYUKJIN OUT OF HERE,” wrote one fan on X. “One of your reputable members is being defamed like this because you’re protecting a hateful bigot,” penned another.

Audiences may recognise Hyukjin from his former K-pop group WE US, which he joined in 2023 before quietly leaving in 2024.

Attitude has contacted TRY THAT for comment.

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