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Born in Songnam, Korea as Lee
Kyoung-eun in 1975, Harisu (which means "Hot
Issue") underwent sex reassignment surgery in 1998 at the age of 23.
She began modeling in Japan while studying hair design, and after
her first major commercial shoot for the make up company DODO,
Harisu became an overnight star and the most recognizable model in
China. She recorded her first album called Temptation,
which was released in 2001 and has been called the Kylie
Minogue of the East. Harisu has become so mainstream that she
was the first transsexual to ever be featured in a Menstrual Pad
ad, and has also been in several movies. When asked: When
you decided to be a woman, what was your family's reaction? She
said, "There wasn't any reaction at all. When I was young, I
was already "Hirasu". They treated me as their son. I am
still me. It's just that I have changed my sex." When asked
about advice to those who want to follow in your
footsteps? She said "For those who feel trapped
in their bodies, destiny is in their own hands. It's like if your
ambition is to be a teacher, you attend a teacher's training
course.If you want to have a sex change, it's your choice. For
those who want to be an entertainer, they have to work hard at it.
Harisu speaks four languages (her
native Korean, Japanese, English and Mandarin). Her photos reveal
the beautiful and friendly spirit she is known for. |
