Harisu (하리수, born Lee Ha-ri), a prominent South Korean transgender entertainer, has built a career across modeling, singing, and acting. She gained widespread recognition early on after being scouted by the entertainment industry and starring in a commercial for the Korean cosmetics brand DoDo, establishing herself as one of the most iconic transgender figures in Korean entertainment.
Recently, Harisu spoke candidly about the physical changes she experienced after gender confirmation surgery and her health status in recent years. She revealed that long-term female hormone therapy had taken a significant toll on her body, and about six years ago, she was diagnosed with early-stage osteoporosis, a revelation that came as a shock.
In a YouTube video released on May 18, Harisu reflected on her career journey. She shared that she first entered the entertainment industry in 1991, participating in films, dramas, and commercials. However, due to her transgender identity, she was unable to secure a formal contract at the time and remained largely unknown for a decade.
Her life took a significant turn when she landed an opportunity to star in a cosmetics advertisement. Harisu explained that she became the first Korean newcomer to gain fame as a “makeup beauty model,” earning approximately 60 million Korean Won (about 1.35 million New Taiwan Dollars) in just six months. She recalled that the cosmetics company's CEO at the time insisted, “It must be Harisu” for the commercial.
Harisu, who shot to fame overnight with the advertisement, reminisced about her glory days, laughing, “My twenties were my prime, and that was also the most brilliant period for the transgender community.”
However, with age, her body and appearance have undergone several changes. Harisu revealed that she recently visited a dermatologist for the first time in eight years and noticed bruising on her face, along with changes in her skin condition. Regarding Botox, she admitted that its effects typically last only two to three months, adding, “It’s not really that effective.”
Harisu also discussed her exercise habits, confessing that she isn't someone who exercises frequently. She disclosed that she underwent gender confirmation surgery quite early, stating, “The surgery was done in 1995, so it’s been 30 years now.”
Nevertheless, long-term hormone therapy has taken a toll on her body. Harisu shared that due to continuous female hormone intake over an extended period, her body experienced considerable stress, and she has since stopped hormone therapy.
Even more surprisingly, she was diagnosed with early-stage osteoporosis about six years ago. Harisu recalled her shock upon receiving the diagnosis, even stating, “My bone condition is worse than my 80-year-old mother’s.”
Today, she admits that restarting female hormone therapy is not easy, revealing her biggest current challenge: “It’s difficult to restart female hormone therapy now.” She also expressed some resignation, stating that she now “lives outside the gender world,” making relevant information quite limited.
