There’s a famous Korean who raised awareness about transgender people and changed so many people’s perspectives over two decades ago.
Meet Harisu, the first Korean transgender celebrity!
Quick Summary
- Harisu is the first transgender celebrity in South Korea.
- She’s a singer, actress, and model who challenged the norms and opened the door for more inclusivity in the country.
- In December 2002, she received permission from the Incheon District Court to change her gender. She also changed her name to her current name, Lee Kyung-eun.
- After her case, many transgender people were allowed to change their gender legally.
Who Is Harisu?
Born in 1975, Harisu grew up in Seongnam, South Korea.
From an early age, she identified as female. But her father didn’t recognize her sexual identity and disciplined her, even more, to raise her as a strong son.
After undergoing gender-affirming surgery in the 1990s, she began living openly as her authentic self.
Her stage name, Harisu, is from “hot issue” in English. She was so brave and determined to break barriers.
When she first debuted in a TV commercial for DoDo cosmetics in 2001, it went viral and everyone asked, “Who’s the model?”
Her beauty captivated the Korean public, and her openness about being transgender sparked widespread conversations on gender identity across South Korea.
What Does Harisu Do?
Harisu wasn’t just a one-hit wonder in a commercial.
She’s a singer, actress, and model.
She leveraged her fame to build other careers in the show biz.
She released her debut album, Temptation, in 2001, showing her talent as a singer.
Harisu went on to release several more albums, ranging from dance tracks to ballads.
As an actress, she starred in films like Yellow Hair 2.
How Did Harisu Break Barriers and Change Perceptions?
Harisu’s openness about her identity started conversations about the LGBTQ+ community in South Korea, where such a topic was largely taboo at the time.
Her success was a significant step toward more acceptance for transgender individuals in Korea.
Now there are more celebrities like Poongja, another famous transgender YouTuber!
What Is Harisu’s Personal Life Like?
In 2007, Harisu made headlines again when she married her longtime boyfriend, Micky Jung.
That made her the first transgender celebrity in Korea to tie the knot publicly.
Although the couple later divorced, Harisu continues to be an advocate for the community and remains an icon of courage and authenticity.
Why Does Harisu Matter?
Harisu showed that success is possible even in a super conservative society like Korea.
She paved the way for the Korean entertainment industry to be more diverse and inclusive.
Her story is a reminder that being true to oneself is one of the most powerful ways to inspire change.
