LGBTQ+
British Influencer Who Underwent 15 Surgeries Reveals They Now Identify As ‘Non-Binary Korean’
“This is my choice, my decision; it’s not hurting anymore.”
In 2018, Influencer Oil London hit the news after spending over £75,000 on surgeries to look like K-pop star Jimin from Korean Boyband BTS. For over 5years, the white influencer strived to appear like the singing sensation and had at a point furthered the surgery, spending an estimated $150,000 on 15 surgeries.
Oil London has revealed that they would now be using the pronouns ‘they/them/Korean/Jimin.
Oil London’s dream appearance had been met with reactions. Many people expressed support, while a few were left unimpressed. However, the influencer has again hit the headlines. This time around, they are being slammed for coming out as a non-binary person who identifies as Korean.
Before this, they’ve spent£75,000 on surgeries to look like K-pop star Jimin from Korean Boyband BTS.
On June 16th, Oil London shared an Instagram post, and in it, they stated their pronouns have changed to they/them/Korean/Jimin. In a separate post shared to Twitter, the influencer penned a note, which reads: “It feels so good to finally come out as a Korean non-binary person after being trapped in the wrong body and wrong culture my whole life.”
Their coming out as a non-binary has been met with no-so pleasant reactions.
On the same platform, they shared a photo of “My new official flag for being a non-binary person who identifies as Korean.” It featured the same shapes as the Korean flag but with the rainbow colors of the LGBTQ pride flag. So far, Oil London has faced a backlash from social media users regarding the new identity. Several users found the flag and the influencer’s claims to a new nationality highly offensive.
Internet users found the influencers’ flag and claims to a new nationality offensive.
A few people accused them of cultural appropriation and disrespect towards South Korea. “Playing with a flag from another country? Man. That is serious. Every flag has a history about it, and he has the audacity to change it.” One user commented.
A few people accused them of cultural appropriation and disrespect.
Another added: “I am a person belonging to the non-binary umbrella, and this offends me A LOT being Korean is a nationality, not a gender; you are making fun of all the non-binary umbrella, the neo pronouns, and the entire Lgbtqa+ community! Really stop, please.” While a third stated: “You may fetishize Koreans, but you will never be a Korean.”
“I am Korean; whether people accept it or not, this is how I identify; this is what makes me happy,” Oil London said following the backlash.
Following the backlash, Oil London responded, saying: “My new official Korean name is Park Jimin HueningKai Taeyong Imnida. I’m officially KOR/EAN. I am Korean; whether people accept it or not, this is how I identify; this is what makes me happy. This is who I am. It’s in my DNA.” According to an interview with Daily Mail, Oil London has claimed that the same people who preach about tolerance are the same people who send them death threats every day.
“I’m Non-Binary Korean,” They reiterated on YouTube.
They added: “These same woke people make up false rumors and threatens me or tell me to take my life. Despite all this and the difficulties I endure at the hands of these radical woke trolls; I will always celebrate who I am and identify as Korean and embrace the Korean culture.” In a YouTube clip, they further reiterated identifying as a Korean, adding that it’s their choice, decision, and not hurting anyone.