By Park Soo-in
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.
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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? In the daily newspapers and weekly, monthly magazines and TV shows that chase after Harisu, she is repeatedly asked questions like, ``Are you a man or a woman?'' ``Why did you decide to take the transforming operation?'' ``Do you have a boyfriend?'' and ``Do you go to the public baths, and to which side?'' 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. ``I really wanted to get in on this business. I like to sing and dance. That's what I do when I feel happy or bad. I know that this surge of limelight cannot last long unless I show my ability as an entertainer to the public,'' said Harisu. That's why she doesn't turn down any request for interviews or photographs.
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. Didn't she consider debuting as a woman, concealing that she is a transgender?
``Of course I have. But as you know the concept of the commercial was a transgender and I didn't want to lose that chance to debut as a model. I don't want to face people dishonestly. I won't be able to hide it after all. It's better to make it clear from the start,'' Harisu said. ``I don't think I am a `transgender.' That's the name this society gave to me. They call me a trans, neither man nor woman. I don't think this label of trans will be removed from me ever, successful as I may be. But I don't care, because I already made it public for myself.'' Harisu is lively and vivid, laughing a lot, using big gestures and being playful. At the same time she was thoughtful and confident, which only can be obtained by people who don't avoid the pains and hardships of life and get over them on their own. ``When I go to be photographed for magazines, they ask me to pose as a sexy and elegant, chic and voluptuous, and simultaneously cute and innocent woman. Quite much, yeah?'' Harisu said, laughing. Is this a real male fantasy about a perfect woman, a vamp, a mother, a sister and a lady at the same time? ``Well, I am simply a free and easy person,'' she laughed, again, with her sleek, long arm carrying her hand to her mouth. Her major interest? ``My first album! Wow, I hope it comes out OK.'' This year's wish? ``An award for the best new singer, and a concert.'' Her face turned all smiles with this subject. She is a newcomer full of dreams to this fancy and harsh industry. She seems ready to set out, young, talented, thoughtful and confident.
``Even if I fail, I have no regret. I will have done what I've wanted all along, and that as a woman. I'll have no regret.
Well, I may open a beauty salon because hair design is what I studied in Japan for two years,'' said Harisu.
Looking at her leaving, hopping along lightly, it seemed that Harisu, despite all the public scrutiny, really did have no regrets.
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At such a young age, Harisu, is already a TS success story! Global CD’s, commercials, television, modeling, the sky’s the limit for this young angel!