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Harisu Redefines Gender Identity By Martin
<Extracted from THE KOREA TIMES>
It's been only four months since we first saw Harisu in a TV commercial for a cosmetic company. She was sitting, gazing at an indefinite point, with her long, dark hair flowing down her chest. Then she laughed, pulling her head back and letting her throat show conspicuously. At that moment you may have noticed an Adam's apple on her throat. You may have wondered, ``Is she really a man?'' But as is widely known now, the Adam's apple was a computer graphic fake.
She is definitely a woman, only someone who became one later than most, 19 years after birth, in fact. She is the first entertainer in Korea who has made it publicly known that she has had a transgender operation. And now she has become one of the most sought-after figures in the entertainment business, with only one TV commercial to her name.
``We are truly surprised. Using a transgender model, we had prepared all the possible scenarios, including the worst one _ that we would withdraw the commercial,'' said Choi Kyu-keun, president of the cosmetic company, DoDo, which employed Harisu as a model.
The company was very cautious about the unusual gender identity of their model. But the results were unexpectedly successful. People were more curious about her than felt repulsed by her.
What made her a star even before her first movie or album was released? Why do people like this new face with an unfamiliar gender identity? Is Korean society more tolerant now after going through Oh Hyon-kyong's and Paik Ji-young's sex videos and Hong Sok-chon's coming out of the closet?
``I think it is good for us to have an opportunity to have an open discourse about gender problems. I like Harisu's frank and dignified attitude as she says to the public `I am a transgender.' But what I feel a bit bitter about is the lightness of our society that puts the value of a person, especially of a woman, only on the outward appearance,'' said Han Chae-yun, chief editor for Buddy, a gay and lesbian quarterly magazine.
Harisu is pretty. She is often described as ``even prettier, sexier and more glamorous than a woman,'' even though many consider these remarks politically incorrect to her and to women as a whole. While some are fascinated with and praise her feminine beauty, some might wonder whether, if she were not pretty, would people be as generous to this transgender person as they are now?
And they don't mince their words appraising how sexy and beautiful she is, how perfect her body is and how womanly she is even compared to ``real women.'' They are very curious about her, and are much fascinated with the charm of the woman who once was a man.
In an interview with The Korea Times, Harisu seemed to understand that her current popularity can be a transient success that can pass by when people feel no more curiosity about a transgender entertainer.
It is true that she quickly got famous in part because she is a transgender, and that she is pretty, which was quite a sensation to a tired and fun-seeking public. But it is even more true that she has rare talent and quality as a popular entertainer. As a model she was very successful. And she already revealed her riveting dance skills in the group Turbo's new music video, ``History.'' By the end of this July we will also be able to judge her talent as a singer and an actress with her first movie and first album coming up.
<QUESTIONS BY MARTIN>
1. Have you ever heard or seen Harisu in masmedia? If yes, how did you feel?
2. As mentioned above, do you think if Harisu has common face and figure she cant get so much concern and curiosity?
3. What do you think the most difficult thing is in social life for transgenders?
4. Have you ever thought about trans of your sex? What situation made you think so?
Harisu Redefines Gender Identity By Martin
<Extracted from THE KOREA TIMES>
It's been only four months since we first saw Harisu in a TV commercial for a cosmetic company. She was sitting, gazing at an indefinite point, with her long, dark hair flowing down her chest. Then she laughed, pulling her head back and letting her throat show conspicuously. At that moment you may have noticed an Adam's apple on her throat. You may have wondered, ``Is she really a man?'' But as is widely known now, the Adam's apple was a computer graphic fake.
She is definitely a woman, only someone who became one later than most, 19 years after birth, in fact. She is the first entertainer in Korea who has made it publicly known that she has had a transgender operation. And now she has become one of the most sought-after figures in the entertainment business, with only one TV commercial to her name.
``We are truly surprised. Using a transgender model, we had prepared all the possible scenarios, including the worst one _ that we would withdraw the commercial,'' said Choi Kyu-keun, president of the cosmetic company, DoDo, which employed Harisu as a model.
The company was very cautious about the unusual gender identity of their model. But the results were unexpectedly successful. People were more curious about her than felt repulsed by her.
What made her a star even before her first movie or album was released? Why do people like this new face with an unfamiliar gender identity? Is Korean society more tolerant now after going through Oh Hyon-kyong's and Paik Ji-young's sex videos and Hong Sok-chon's coming out of the closet?
``I think it is good for us to have an opportunity to have an open discourse about gender problems. I like Harisu's frank and dignified attitude as she says to the public `I am a transgender.' But what I feel a bit bitter about is the lightness of our society that puts the value of a person, especially of a woman, only on the outward appearance,'' said Han Chae-yun, chief editor for Buddy, a gay and lesbian quarterly magazine.
Harisu is pretty. She is often described as ``even prettier, sexier and more glamorous than a woman,'' even though many consider these remarks politically incorrect to her and to women as a whole. While some are fascinated with and praise her feminine beauty, some might wonder whether, if she were not pretty, would people be as generous to this transgender person as they are now?
And they don't mince their words appraising how sexy and beautiful she is, how perfect her body is and how womanly she is even compared to ``real women.'' They are very curious about her, and are much fascinated with the charm of the woman who once was a man.
In an interview with The Korea Times, Harisu seemed to understand that her current popularity can be a transient success that can pass by when people feel no more curiosity about a transgender entertainer.
It is true that she quickly got famous in part because she is a transgender, and that she is pretty, which was quite a sensation to a tired and fun-seeking public. But it is even more true that she has rare talent and quality as a popular entertainer. As a model she was very successful. And she already revealed her riveting dance skills in the group Turbo's new music video, ``History.'' By the end of this July we will also be able to judge her talent as a singer and an actress with her first movie and first album coming up.
<QUESTIONS BY MARTIN>
1. Have you ever heard or seen Harisu in masmedia? If yes, how did you feel?
2. As mentioned above, do you think if Harisu has common face and figure she cant get so much concern and curiosity?
3. What do you think the most difficult thing is in social life for transgenders?
4. Have you ever thought about trans of your sex? What situation made you think so?
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