Harisu (하리수, born Lee Kyung-eun), a prominent South Korean transgender entertainer, has built a career spanning modeling, singing, and acting. She gained early recognition in the entertainment industry after starring in an advertisement for Korean cosmetics brand DoDo, becoming one of the most iconic transgender figures in Korean entertainment.
Harisu recently opened up about painful past experiences in the entertainment industry, revealing that when she announced her marriage, a reporter brazenly questioned her about her and her husband's "sex life." She expressed her anger, exclaiming, "How could someone ask such a dirty question?" Furthermore, she also recounted being propositioned for sex and even asked to undress to verify her gender due to her transgender identity. These unreasonable treatments have once again drawn public attention.
On October 10, Harisu appeared in a video released on the YouTube channel "Studio830," where she discussed the disrespectful questions she faced at a press conference when she announced her marriage. She recalled a reporter directly asking her, "What is your sex life with your husband like?" The unexpected question left her shocked and angered by the reporter's behavior.
Harisu stated that such a question was inappropriate to begin with, especially since they were not close enough to discuss such private matters. She explained, "Even close friends would find such a question rude, but I never imagined someone would ask it so suddenly at a formal press conference."
Recalling the incident, Harisu still couldn't hide her displeasure, wondering, "What was going through that person's mind? What kind of life do they live to ask such a dirty question?" She also revealed that she directly and sternly admonished the reporter at the time, demanding that they reflect on their behavior.
In fact, Harisu faced even more unacceptable treatment during her career in the entertainment industry. In September of last year, she publicly discussed the discrimination and unreasonable demands she endured as a transgender person on the online variety show "Sister Party."
She disclosed that some individuals had demanded sexual relations with her, claiming it was to "confirm if she was a woman," and even directly asked her to remove her clothes. These actions made her deeply uncomfortable and highlighted the lack of basic respect some people have for transgender individuals. Harisu expressed her frustration, stating that due to such unreasonable demands, she was repeatedly forced to give up acting roles, and many collaboration projects fell through, causing significant setbacks in her entertainment career.
From intrusive questions about her private sex life at her wedding press conference to demands for sex and to undress during her acting career, Harisu's personal experiences have once again brought attention to the prejudice and disrespect transgender individuals may face in their professional and daily lives.
Harisu debuted in 2001 through a cosmetics advertisement and subsequently became active in the entertainment industry as a singer, actress, and host. She married singer Jung Young-jin (정영진) in 2007, and their marriage lasted 10 years, concluding with a divorce by mutual agreement in 2017.
Regarding her relationship with her ex-husband after their divorce, Harisu revealed in a YouTube program in August of this year that they still support and encourage each other. However, out of respect for her ex-husband's current marriage, she deliberately limits their contact. As for her own plans for remarriage, Harisu clearly stated, "I have no intention of getting married at the moment." She is currently focusing on her own life and has no plans to remarry.
