Cocona, a member of the Japanese hip-hop and R&B group XG, has publicly come out as AFAB (assigned female at birth) transmasculine and non-binary. The singer shared the announcement on the group’s Instagram channel on their 20th birthday, posting a message in both Japanese and English.
“I am AFAB transmasculine non-binary. I was born and perceived as female but that label never represented who I truly am. I live in a way that feels more masculine and true to who I am,” Cocona wrote. They also revealed they had undergone top surgery earlier this year, a procedure that removes or reshapes breast tissue to create a more traditionally masculine chest.
Cocona described accepting and embracing themselves as the “hardest thing” they had done, but said it opened a new door and gave them courage. “Now, I can finally say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with who I am inside,’” they added. The rapper thanked the other six members of XG, the group’s producer and label CEO Simon Jakops, and their parents for their support.
Jakops shared a message on his personal Instagram expressing “deep admiration and respect” for Cocona, vowing to continue supporting each member as individuals. XG, created by XGALX and based in South Korea, debuted in 2022 and has built a global identity with rap-heavy tracks and street-dance aesthetics, setting themselves apart from traditional J-pop and K-pop girl groups.
The announcement comes amid a conservative environment in South Korea regarding gender identity and sexuality. While same-sex relationships are not criminalised, they face discrimination and stigma. Other K-pop idols, such as Bain from Just B and Holland, have previously come out as LGBT, with Holland reporting homophobic abuse.
