Letter 2 U

Part 51 - The Unsaid

Netizens were going wild. The movement We Are All 2Jae took over the world. Within weeks, the ship that used to be expressed by #2Jae became a phenomenon. Even more popular than #2Jae the #weareall2jae suddenly became prominent both online and in the mainstream. When the epic kiss between the two male idols of Got7 during a press conference was shown in front of several cameras, no one expected such a kind of response from the public. The uproar started when a group of anti-fans banded with a group of unsatisfied fans and started a petition online in order to get JYPE to fire the two idols Choi Youngjae and Lim Jaebeom for their 'shameful and obscene behavior' in front of cameras. The company apologized publicly for their 'unaceptable conduct' and assured that group of 'fans' that the two idols would be properly 'dealt with'. That announcement lighted the fuse of an online riot. Through social media, multiple high-profile Asian artists and also newcomers, opened up about the discrimination they suffered in the entertainment industry due to their sexual orientation. Actors, actresses, singers, dancers, models, TV presenters, and even journalists, politicians and athletes, decided to support the two idols, while describing their own experiences in an LGBTQ intolerant environment. In many Asian countries, the LGBTQ communities were organizing several "We Are All 2Jae" events, marches and festivals. Protests popped up everywhere in Seoul. South Korean citizens urged the government to reinforce anti-discrimination laws in the country, which could offer protection for the LGBTQ people in their workplace and against hate crimes.

The movement turned out to be a source of solidarity for gay women and men from all backgrounds who had experienced prejudice after coming out. A series of demonstrations of gay kisses were trending on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Even heterosexual old-school idols joined the cause and uploaded kisses between themselves and same sex colleagues. At the end of each video they'd never fail to shout 'We are all 2jae!'. Conservative churchgoers and influential close-minded groups of the South Korean society tried to fight back the movement, but it was too late to stop the overwhelming positive transformation the country was facing. The effort to effect social change brought to light how common LGBTQ people were often seen by the society as disabled or mentally ill individuals, or by powerful religious groups as a bunch of sinners courting hell.

Several countries in Asia and other parts of the world which still hadn't' legalized same-sex marriage or had denied same-sex couples the right to adopt were already being pressured to consider the idea. A less than one-minute kiss was the origin of all of it. All of it came from a whim. Lim Jaebeom and Choi Youngjae from Got7 had just made history. JYP Entertainment wouldn't dare to fire those idols, they didn't even try to. They just embraced them. Their company and many others could only accept the fact that they were composed by a diversity of individuals and that those employees should be treated fairly, and share the same rights equally.

Got7's families were the problem. The Wangs never had a problem with their son being bisexual, but being in a band in which two members were publicly dating, it meant that Jackson could also be a target of prejudice in China and Hong Kong. Team Wang and other business he carried in both countries could suffer a real set back. The Chois, The Lims and the Kims were not happy about what they considered a 'shameful scandal'. Bambam's family, the Tuans and the Parks were the only ones being supportive of the #weareall2Jae phenomenon. To remain together, some members of the group would have to go against their relatives' wishes and fight their battles as a group.

4 weeks earlier

"You'll have to forgive us for not offering you a drink or providing you a warm welcome. We hoped we would never have to meet you again." Jinyoung said acerbically as he eyed the woman on the couch.

"I don't understand the animosity. Last time we saw each other I prevented your boyfriend from putting a bullet through his skull. I cleaned up my little brother's mess and kept Got7 out of jail. Even some really inappropriate material that Tae-U acquired during his stalking days was destroyed on your behalf. All the 7 of you should see me as an ally, or even a friend." She smiled without much emotion as the others sighed and grunted.