Harisu

{{Short description|South Korean entertainer (born 1975)}} {{Family name hatnote|Lee|lang=Korean}}  {{Update|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox model | name = Harisu | image =2018 LBMA STAR 라바우먼 패션쇼 (2).jpg | caption =Harisu in 2018 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|02|17}} | birth_place = Seongnam, South Korea | height = {{convert|1.68|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | haircolor = Black | eyecolor = Brown | other_names = He Li Xiu (Chinese name) | spouse = {{marriage|Micky Jung|2007|2017|reason=divorced}} | website = | module = {{Infobox Korean name/auto |hangul = %이경은 |hanja = 李慶恩 |hangulstage = %_하리수 |hanjastage = 河莉秀 |child=yes }} }}

'''Lee Kyung-eun''' ({{Korean|hangul=이경은}}; born February 17, 1975), better known by her stage name '''Harisu''' ({{Korean|hangul=하리수|labels=no}}), is a South Korean pop singer, model, and actress. In 2002, she became the second person in Korea to legally change their gender. Her stage name is an adaptation of the English phrase "hot issue".

She first gained public attention in 2001, after appearing in a television commercial for DoDo cosmetics. The commercial was a success and marked the launch of her career, which allowed her to branch out into other fields such as music and acting. She has recorded five Korean musical albums, switching genres between techno and R&B, and her overseas releases have featured songs recorded in Mandarin. Her first major acting role was in the 2001 film ''Yellow Hair 2'', and since then her credits have included ''Hi! Honey'', a Taiwanese drama series, and ''Colour Blossoms'', an erotic drama by Hong Kong filmmaker Yonfan. On May 19, 2007, Harisu married Micky Jung, but the couple divorced in 2017.

== Early life and transition == Harisu was born in Seongnam, Korea, and is one of five children.<ref name="Eve from Adam">Li Ee Kee, "Eve from Adam", ''The Star Online'', September 19, 2005. A copy of this article can be read at [https://groups.yahoo.com/group/TNUKdigest/message/17335 TNUKdigest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405011155/https://www.yahoo.com/ |date=2021-04-05 }}. Retrieved on April 27, 2007.</ref>{{ref_label|A|a|none}} Although assigned male at birth, she knew she was female from an early age,<ref name="Eve from Adam" /> recalling, "I was always a girl who loved playing with dolls."<ref name="Makeup Ad Features First Transsexual on TV">Kang Kyong-hee, [http://www.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200103/200103290413.html "Makeup Ad Features First Transsexual on TV"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012204030/http://www.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200103/200103290413.html |date=2007-10-12 }}, ''The Digital Chosun'', March 29, 2001. Retrieved on April 27, 2007.</ref> This did not go unnoticed by her family or school friends, who often remarked that she looked and acted like a girl.<ref name="Eve from Adam" /><ref name="Adam to Eve">Gina Choon, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071017204309/http://www.pathfinder.com/asiaweek/magazine/YourSpace/0%2C8782%2C173902%2C00.html "Adam to Eve"], ''Asiaweek.com'', September 14, 2001. Retrieved on April 27, 2007.</ref> A failed relationship with a boy during her teenage years convinced Harisu of the need to change her sex,<ref name="Adam to Eve" /><ref name="Ha Ri-Soo, Who Became a Woman: Story Behind" /> and by the time she graduated from the all-boys Naksaeng High School,<ref name="This Way Out NewsWrap">Cindy Friedman et al., [http://www.qrd.org/qrd/media/radio/thiswayout/summary/newswrap/2001/N706-10.08.2001 transcript for "NewsWrap" on This Way Out program #706] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012203650/http://qrd.org/qrd/media/radio/thiswayout/summary/newswrap/2001/N706-10.08.2001 |date=2007-10-12 }}, October 10, 2001. Retrieved on May 5, 2007.</ref> she was already undergoing hormone replacement therapy.<ref name="Transsexual entertainer testing the boundaries of South Koreans' Confucian ideals">Christopher Torchia, [http://search.hankooki.com/times/times_view.php?term=harisu+harisu++&path=hankooki1/kt_culture/200109/t2001092017284446110.htm&media=kt "Transsexual entertainer testing the boundaries of South Koreans' Confucian ideals"]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''The Korea Times'', September 20, 2001. Retrieved on April 27, 2007.</ref> It was for this reason that she was exempted from the military service usually required of males in the Republic of Korea, being rejected on the grounds of "mental illness".<ref name="Transsexual entertainer testing the boundaries of South Koreans' Confucian ideals" /><ref name="Harisu Superstar">Markus Augustus, "Harisu Superstar", ''Giant Robot'', issue #28 p.56-59.</ref> By the end of the 1990s, Harisu had undergone several surgeries in Korea and Japan, including breast augmentation, sex reassignment surgery, rhinoplasty, and surgery to increase the size of her hips.<ref name="Eve from Adam" />{{ref_label|B|b|none}}

Harisu lived in Japan for several years, where she studied to be a hair stylist.<ref name="Eve from Adam" /><ref name="Harisu Superstar" /> It was while working as a nightclub singer that she was discovered by a talent agency,<ref name="Harisu Superstar" /><ref name="Court makes it official - he's now a woman" /> and soon after she began her career as a model.<ref name="Eve from Adam" /><ref name="She's a lady" /> After returning to Korea in 2000,<ref name="Eve from Adam" /> she signed with management company TTM Entertainment, and first began using the stage name "Harisu", derived from the English phrase "hot issue".<ref name="She's a lady" /><ref name="Who is the Real 'Hot Issue'?">[https://web.archive.org/web/20040906124457/http://kn.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2003/11/29/200311290046.asp "Who is the Real 'Hot Issue'?"], ''Korea Now'', November 29, 2003. Retrieved on May 5, 2007.</ref>{{ref_label|C|c|none}}

== Career ==

=== Debut === [[Image:Harisu DoDo commercial.jpg|thumb|right|Harisu first gained public attention when she appeared in this TV commercial for DoDo cosmetics. The appearance of an Adam's apple was added digitally.]] Harisu made her acting debut in 1991—prior to her transition—as a supporting actor in a high school TV drama series,<ref name="10 Minutes With Harisu" /> and this was followed by other minor film and TV roles as an extra during the 1990s.<ref name="South Korea Loosens Its Collar" />

Her big break came in early 2001, when she appeared in a TV commercial for DoDo cosmetics. The commercial hinted at the fact she is transgender, zooming in to reveal her Adam's apple (although this was added digitally, since Harisu herself does not have a prominent Adam's apple).<ref name="Makeup Ad Features First Transsexual on TV" /><ref name="Harisu Superstar" /> DoDo were initially cautious about using the commercial and had been prepared to withdraw it if the response was negative, but the commercial turned out to be a big success and quickly established her as a celebrity. As the Republic of Korea's first transgender entertainer, there was a great deal of media interest in Harisu, and she was routinely described as being "more beautiful than a woman".<ref name="Harisu Superstar" /><ref name="Harisu Redefines Gender Identity" /> Explaining her reasons for "coming out", she said, "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."<ref name="Harisu Redefines Gender Identity">Park Soo-in, [http://search.hankooki.com/times/times_view.php?term=harisu+harisu++&path=hankooki1/kt_culture/200106/t2001062817032846110.htm&media=kt "Harisu Redefines Gender Identity"]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''The Korea Times'', June 28, 2001. Retrieved on May 6, 2007.</ref> In June 2001, Harisu was the subject of a television documentary produced by KBS, which covered her childhood, family relationships, and debut as an entertainer.<ref name="Ha Ri-Soo, Who Became a Woman: Story Behind" />

Later that year she was cast in the film ''Yellow Hair 2'', her first leading role. In addition to contributing songs for the film's soundtrack, Harisu played a transgender woman who goes on the run after the apparent death of a convenience store owner. Regarding her decision to appear in the film, she said, "I wanted to break the stereotype of transsexuals — the demureness and extreme weakness with which they are often portrayed."<ref name="Transsexual entertainer testing the boundaries of South Koreans' Confucian ideals" /> The film was released on July 21.

In 2001, Harisu published her autobiography, ''Eve from Adam'', and appeared in a music video for dance group Turbo. In September, she entered the K-pop music scene with her debut album, ''Temptation'', a mix of techno-style pop music and slow ballads, which peaked at number 32 on the MIAK (Music Industry Association of Korea) K-pop albums chart.<ref name="MIAK 09/01" /> She released her second album, ''Liar'', in October 2002, describing it as "a high-energy dance record with a very upbeat rhythm."<ref name="Harisu Superstar" /> ''Liar'' became her biggest domestic chart success, reaching number 23 in its first month of release.<ref name="MIAK 10/02" />

=== 2003–2005 === In October 2003, Harisu made the decision to leave her management company, TTM Entertainment. However, TTM claimed to hold the rights to her stage name, and announced their intentions to use that name to promote other artists.<ref name="Who is the Real 'Hot Issue'?" /> The matter was taken to court, and in early 2004 the ruling went in favour of Harisu, allowing her to keep the name. She subsequently set up her own company, G&F Entertainment, in order to make her own decisions regarding her career.<ref name="Harisu: Woman Revealed">Krista Kim, "Harisu: Woman Revealed", ''The Korea Herald'', February 11, 2004. A copy of this article can be read at [https://groups.yahoo.com/group/TNUKdigest/message/8075 TNUKdigest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405011238/https://www.yahoo.com/ |date=2021-04-05 }}. Retrieved on May 12, 2007.</ref> In February she released her third album, ''Foxy Lady'', which marked a change from the sound of her previous albums towards a more hip-hop/R&B style,<ref name="Harisu Superstar" /> with Harisu saying "now I am on my own, and showing my true colors, doing exactly the kind of music that I've always wanted."<ref name="Harisu: Woman Revealed" /> The album, however, failed to make the top 50 in the Korean charts.

In 2004, Harisu began to develop her career overseas, expressing frustration at being "pigeon-holed" as a transgender individual in Korea. She starred in the Taiwanese drama series ''Hi! Honey'' alongside local celebrity Pace Wu, despite not being fluent in Mandarin (her lines were spoken in Korean and later dubbed).<ref name="Harisu: Woman Revealed" /> She drew attention by promoting sanitary napkins in a series of advertisements for Taiwanese company UFT, for which she was paid an estimated ₩100 million per ad. Although she had been initially reluctant to take on the project, observers hailed the casting of a trans woman in such a campaign as a sign of progress.<ref name="Transgender Singer to Do Menstrual Pad Ads">Hwang Su-cheol, [https://web.archive.org/web/20080123132036/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200404/200404130027.html "Transgender Singer to Do Menstrual Pad Ads"], ''Digital Chosunilbo'', April 13, 2004. Retrieved on May 18, 2007.</ref><ref name="Transsexual star to do feminine hygiene ads">Tom Musbach, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071013205812/http://planetout.com/news/article.html?2004%2F04%2F13%2F4 "Transsexual star to do feminine hygiene ads"], ''PlanetOut.com'', April 13, 2004. Retrieved on May 18, 2007.</ref> Towards the end of the year Harisu appeared in Yonfan's ''Colour Blossoms'', an erotic drama film from Hong Kong in which she shared a role with veteran Japanese actress Keiko Matsuzaka. Released on October 18, 2004, it was poorly received at the box office and by the media, though it had some success at film festivals, and picked up several awards and nominations.<ref name="A filmmaker bucks Hong Kong trends">Alexandra A. Seno, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/06/features/yon.php "A filmmaker bucks Hong Kong trends"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012204717/http://iht.com/articles/2005/02/06/features/yon.php |date=2007-10-12 }}, ''International Herald Tribune'', February 7, 2005. Retrieved on May 19, 2007.</ref>

Harisu made a return to Korean screens in early 2005, after being cast in the MBC miniseries ''Beating Heart'', her first major role in a Korean drama. She starred in several episodes as a transgender woman, returning to her family after a lengthy absence in a bid to gain acceptance.<ref name="TV Drama to Show Life of Transsexual">"TV Drama to Show Life of Transsexual", ''The Korea Times'', March 21, 2005. A copy of this article can be read at [https://groups.yahoo.com/group/TNUKdigest/message/14031 TNUKdigest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405011155/https://www.yahoo.com/ |date=2021-04-05 }}. Retrieved on May 19, 2007.</ref> Later that year her ''Foxy Lady'' album was released in Taiwan and China with the inclusion of songs re-recorded in Mandarin, and she was even promoted by her Taiwanese record label as the "Kylie Minogue of the East".<ref name="She's a lady" /> In September 2005, Harisu gained a foothold in Malaysia after signing a three-year memorandum of understanding with Hock Star Entertainment, a deal which included the production of two feature films and secured the Malaysian release of her album.<ref name="She's a lady" /><ref name="The 'Foxy Lady' Spell In Malaysia">Nurliana Kamaruddin, [http://www.cinemaonline.com.my/news/news.asp?search=foxylady "The 'Foxy Lady' Spell In Malaysia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930102257/http://www.cinemaonline.com.my/news/news.asp?search=foxylady |date=2011-09-30 }}, ''Cinema Online'', September 3, 2005. Retrieved on May 19, 2007.</ref>

=== 2006–present === After a prolonged absence from the Korean music scene, Harisu returned in January 2006 with her fourth, self-titled album. Although her comeback was originally scheduled for the summer of 2005, this had been prevented by other commitments overseas. The album was preceded by a digital single, "Winter Story",{{ref_label|D|d|none}} and marked a change in her image, with an emphasis on being "cute" rather than "sexy".<ref name="Ha Ri-su makes comeback">Kim Yoon-mi, "Ha Ri-su makes comeback ", ''The Korea Herald'', January 11, 2006. A copy of this article can be read at [https://archive.today/20130111132614/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TNUKdigest/message/19166 TNUKdigest]. Retrieved on May 23, 2007.</ref> ''Harisu'' charted at number 46 in Korea,<ref name="MIAK 01/06" /> and as with her previous album it was released in Taiwan and China with extra songs recorded in Mandarin. Her fifth Korean album, ''Summer'', was released just six months later, though it failed to chart in the top 50.

Her next film—the first as part of the deal with Hock Star Entertainment—was ''Possessed'', a Malaysian horror film released on November 30, 2006, in which she starred alongside Amber Chia. Harisu played Lisu, a murdered pop singer who becomes a vengeful ghost, and also performed the films theme song, though it was necessary for her dialogue to be spoken in Korean and later dubbed. She was praised by director Bjarne Wong for her hard work and professionalism, and has hinted that they may collaborate on another film in the future.<ref name="The singer">[http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2006/11/24/movies/16104218&sec=movies "The singer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510211905/https://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=%2F2006%2F11%2F24%2Fmovies%2F16104218&sec=movies |date=2020-05-10 }}, ''The Star Online'', November 24, 2006. Retrieved on May 23, 2007.</ref><ref name="The director">[http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2006/11/24/movies/16104244&sec=movies "The director"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510211910/https://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=%2F2006%2F11%2F24%2Fmovies%2F16104244&sec=movies |date=2020-05-10 }}, ''The Star Online'', November 24, 2006. Retrieved on May 23, 2007.</ref>

In early 2007, Harisu was cast as the lead actress in ''Police Line'', a Korean drama series produced for cable network On-Media. The series, based around a special unit for victims of sexual abuse, starred Harisu as a policewoman who was molested as a child by her stepfather.<ref name="Harisu to star in TV series">[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2007-03/28/content_837885.htm "Harisu to star in TV series"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208004104/http://chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2007-03/28/content_837885.htm |date=2007-12-08 }}, ''China Daily'', March 28, 2007. Retrieved on May 23, 2007.</ref><ref name="Korean dramas lock horns with their American rivals">Kim Pil-kyu, [http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2874452 "Korean dramas lock horns with their American rivals"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012203325/http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2874452 |date=2007-10-12 }}, ''JoongAng Daily'', April 14, 2007. Retrieved on May 23, 2007.</ref> Filming for ''Police Line'' began in April 2007, and the series was launched in June with Harisu's husband Micky Jung making a cameo appearance.<ref name="Transgender Star and Fiancé Pose for Wedding Photos">[http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200704/200704130027.html "Transgender Star and Fiancé Pose for Wedding Photos"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519031850/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200704/200704130027.html |date=2007-05-19 }}, ''Digital Chosunilbo'', April 13, 2007. Retrieved on May 23, 2007.</ref> In December 2007, Harisu released a digital mini-album, ''Winter Special'', which featured a duet with her husband on the track "First Snow".<ref name="Other transsexual celebs in Korea">Chang May Choon, [http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/News/Celebrities/Story/A1Story20080131-47571.html "Other transsexual celebs in Korea"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227224756/http://www.asiaone.com/Just+Woman/News/Celebrities/Story/A1Story20080131-47571.html |date=2009-02-27 }}, ''asiaone'', January 31, 2008. Retrieved on February 23, 2010.</ref>

Harisu published a collection of essays in Japan in March 2008, titled ''Haris Beauty'' (sic). The essays formed a comprehensive guide to beauty, diet and fashion, and contained photographs of Harisu taken by Yamagishi Shin, who had traveled to Seoul the previous December for a four-day photo shoot.<ref>[http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1511762_11858.html "Ha Risu to Publish Essay Collection in Japan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410194305/http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1511762_11858.html |date=2008-04-10 }}, ''KBS Global'', March 6, 2008. Retrieved on February 23, 2010.</ref> Harisu also provided narration for the visually impaired for the 2008 film ''If You Were Me: Anima Version 2'', an animated film about human rights.<ref>Lee Hyo-won, [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2008/06/236_23213.html "Sensitive Consumption Products Appeal to Five Senses"], ''The Korea Times'', April 27, 2008. Retrieved on February 23, 2010.</ref>

As of 2008, Harisu believed that she still faced discrimination within the entertainment industry, saying on television, "Many people pretend to smile and welcome me, but after the filming, they'd scold me behind my back".<ref name="Other transsexual celebs in Korea" />

== Personal life == Harisu's decision to undergo sex reassignment surgery placed a strain on her relationship with her family, and she noted that when her parents first found out they "were very upset. They weren't angry, but very sad."<ref name="Adam to Eve" />{{ref_label|E|e|none}} Her father in particular had great difficulty accepting his child as a daughter, but her family have since accepted this and show great pride in her career.<ref name="Ha Ri-Soo, Who Became a Woman: Story Behind" /><ref name="Harisu Superstar" />

Harisu has been given credit for raising social awareness of transgender people in the Republic of Korea,<ref name="Doctor overhauls attitudes by changing Koreans' sexes">Howard W. French, [https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Doctor-overhauls-attitudes-by-changing-Koreans-2607908.php "Doctor overhauls attitudes by changing Koreans' sexes"] , ''San Francisco Chronicle'', June 23, 2003. Retrieved on May 27, 2007.</ref> and has said in interviews that she hopes to be a role model for other trans people.<ref name="10 Minutes With Harisu" /> In April 2007, she came to the aid of a Chinese trans woman unable to afford surgery, giving her the financial support needed to undergo this costly procedure.<ref name="Wannabe woman funded by transsex celeb">Li Qian, [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-04/09/content_846545.htm "Wannabe woman funded by transsex celeb"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516160729/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-04/09/content_846545.htm |date=2007-05-16 }}, ''Chinadaily.com.cn'', April 9, 2007. Retrieved on May 27, 2007.</ref> Affected by the 2008 suicides of gay actor Kim Ji-hoo and transgender television personality Jang Chae-won, Harisu opened a transgender club "Mix-Trans" in Apgujeong-dong, southern Seoul, in June 2009.<ref>Hyun Ji-hyang, [http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/06/01/200906010129.asp "Ha Ri-su opens transgender club"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608062952/http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/06/01/200906010129.asp |date=2009-06-08 }}, ''The Korea Herald'', June 1, 2009. Retrieved on February 23, 2010.</ref>

=== Legal recognition of gender === On November 29, 2002, Harisu filed a petition with the Incheon District Court to have her sex corrected on her family register, and that her birth name be changed to Lee Kyung-eun.<ref name="Ha Ri-soo Appeal to the Law">[http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2002120559988 "Ha Ri-soo Appeal to the Law"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012204408/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2002120559988 |date=2007-10-12 }}, ''dongA.com'', December 4, 2002. Retrieved on May 24, 2007.</ref> The subsequent court ruling went in her favour, and on December 13, 2002, she became the second person in the Republic of Korea to legally change their sex.<ref name="Court makes it official - he's now a woman" /><ref name="Ha Ri-su now Legally Female">Park Don-kyu, [http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200212/200212130035.html "Ha Ri-su now Legally Female"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012204038/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200212/200212130035.html |date=2007-10-12 }}, ''Digital Chosunilbo'', December 13, 2002. Retrieved on May 24, 2007.</ref><ref name="Now, I am a Perfect Woman">[http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2002121415808 "Now, I am a Perfect Woman"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012204415/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2002121415808 |date=2007-10-12 }}, ''dongA.com'', December 13, 2002. Retrieved on May 24, 2007.</ref> Speaking of the difficulties she had previously encountered, Harisu has said: "My most embarrassing moments were when I have had to show my personal identification card in public... I couldn't get a passport, visa or even my own bank accounts because I was legally a man".<ref name="S. Korea in dilemma over transgender citizens' right to choose">Shim Sun-ah, [http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/20060523/480100000020060523094019E8.html "S. Korea in dilemma over transgender citizens' right to choose"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817101936/http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/20060523/480100000020060523094019E8.html |date=2007-08-17 }}, ''Yonhap News'', May 23, 2006. Retrieved on May 24, 2007.</ref>

=== Marriage === Since her debut in 2001, Harisu has consistently expressed a desire to marry and have a family of her own.<ref name="Eve from Adam" /><ref name="Harisu Superstar" /> In 2005, she began dating Micky Jung (real name Jung Yong-jin), a rapper whom she had met online.<ref name="Top transgender beauty ties the knot">[http://www.news.com.au/sundaymail/story/0,,21761185-23109,00.html "Top transgender beauty ties the knot"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012211515/http://www.news.com.au/sundaymail/story/0,,21761185-23109,00.html |date=2007-10-12 }}, ''The Sunday Mail'', May 19, 2007. Retrieved on May 26, 2007.</ref> Jung, who had been a member of dance group EQ during the 1990s, later joined Harisu's management company and worked on her fourth and fifth albums.<ref name="Transgender Star to Tie the Knot in May">[http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200702/200702220024.html "Transgender Star to Tie the Knot in May"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618110703/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200702/200702220024.html |date=2007-06-18 }}, ''Digital Chosunilbo'', February 22, 2007. Retrieved on May 26, 2007.</ref> The couple briefly separated in 2006, but were reunited after Jung saw her dating another man on a TV show.<ref name="Harisu to Get Married Early Next Year">Cathy Rose A. Garcia, "Harisu to Get Married Early Next Year", ''The Korea Times'', November 15, 2006. A copy of this article can be read at [http://news.empas.com/show.tsp/cp_kt/20061115n11981/?kw=knot%20%3Cb%3E%26%3C%2Fb%3E empas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826232217/http://news.empas.com/show.tsp/cp_kt/20061115n11981/?kw=knot%20%3Cb%3E%26%3C%2Fb%3E |date=2007-08-26 }}. Retrieved on May 5, 2007.</ref> Rumours that the two were to marry began circulating in November 2006,<ref name="Harisu to Get Married Early Next Year" /> and a date for the wedding was announced in February, following meetings between their respective families.<ref name="Transgender Star to Tie the Knot in May" /> Harisu and Jung starred in a reality television show on cable network Mnet showing their everyday lives and preparations for their wedding, but the couple were subjected to harsh criticism from netizens.<ref name="Transgenders Face Difficulty in Adoption">Kim Rahn, [http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1710&categoryCode=117 "Transgenders Face Difficulty in Adoption"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008040357/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1710&categoryCode=117 |date=2010-10-08 }}, ''The Korea Times'', April 24, 2007. Retrieved on February 23, 2010.</ref><ref>Cho Jae-eun, [http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2880425 "A modern economy, an antiquated morality"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022011212/http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2880425 |date=2010-10-22 }}, ''JoongAng Daily'', September 13, 2007. Retrieved on February 23, 2010.</ref>

On May 19, 2007, Harisu and Jung were married at Central City Millennium Hall in the Seocho District of Seoul. The ceremony was presided over by KBS anchor Shin Young-il, and officiated by Kim Seok-Kwun, a Dong-A University professor who had performed Harisu's sex change surgery in the 1990s. The couple honeymooned on the Thai island of Ko Samui, and began their married life at Harisu's family home in Nonhyun-dong, in the Gangnam District of Seoul. The couple have said that they plan to adopt four children,<ref name="Top transgender beauty ties the knot" /> though the news prompted a mixed public reaction. A poll by Mnet found that 69% of 1,300 respondents were in favour of Harisu's decision to adopt, while in a similar poll by Daum, 58% of 8,094 respondents were against the idea.<ref name="Transgenders Face Difficulty in Adoption" /> Harisu and Jung divorced in 2017 after ten years of marriage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kim |first=Jung-kyoon |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3034529 |title=Harisu and Mickey Jung announce divorce |date=June 13, 2017 |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |access-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810130758/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=3034529 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Maala |first=Jon |url=http://www.ibtimes.sg/koreas-first-transgender-celeb-husband-divorce-after-10-years-11327 |title=Korea's first transgender celeb, husband divorce after 10 years |date=July 13, 2017 |work=International Business Times |access-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723152227/http://www.ibtimes.sg/koreas-first-transgender-celeb-husband-divorce-after-10-years-11327 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Welfare and politics === In November 2007, Harisu unveiled plans to build and run an orphanage, stating that it was one of her "long-cherished dreams". With the support of her husband and mother-in-law, she purchased a {{convert|3300|m2|sqyd|abbr=on}} plot of land in Janghowon, Gyeonggi Province, and studied for a community service license.<ref>Park Si-soo, [http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/special_view.asp?newsIdx=14648&categoryCode=178 "Transgender Singer to Open Orphanage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512220842/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/special_view.asp?newsIdx=14648&categoryCode=178 |date=2012-05-12 }}, ''The Korea Times'', November 29, 2007. Retrieved on 23 February 2010.</ref> Harisu campaigned for the New Progressive Party in the 2008 Republic of Korea legislative elections, supporting the legalization of marijuana.<ref>Park Si-soo, [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/06/117_22045.html "Stars Spruce Up Campaign Rally"], ''The Korea Times'', April 6, 2008. Retrieved on February 23, 2010.</ref>

== Discography == As of 2007, Harisu has released five Korean language studio albums, though her song lyrics typically include English as well. While her early work has been described as "techno-flavored K-pop", her more recent albums have leaned towards the R&B, hip-hop, and disco genres. She has named Madonna and Janet Jackson as her musical influences; of her contemporaries, she holds Chae Rina in high esteem.<ref name="Harisu Superstar" />

=== Studio albums === {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="width:138px;"| Title ! style="width:138px;"| Release date !width="78"| Chart position ! style="width:104px;"| Sales ! Notes |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''Temptation'' | style="text-align:center;"| September 22, 2001<ref name="Harisu Official Website">[http://www.harisu.net/ Discography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520130108/http://www.harisu.net/ |date=2007-05-20 }}, ''Harisu Official Website''. Retrieved on June 6, 2007. {{in lang|ja}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"| 32<ref name="MIAK 09/01">[http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200109.htm K-pop album chart, September 2001] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927032642/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200109.htm |date=2007-09-27 }}, ''Music Industry Association of Korea''. Retrieved on June 3, 2007. Note: although the information was verified on the retrieval date, the website has since been taken down and no archive copy is available.</ref> | style="text-align:center;"| 25,474<ref name="MIAK 10/01">[http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200110.htm K-pop album chart, October 2001] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927031503/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200110.htm |date=2007-09-27 }}, ''Music Industry Association of Korea''. Retrieved on June 3, 2007. Note: although the information was verified on the retrieval date, the website has since been taken down and no archive copy is available.</ref> (as of October 2001) | Also released in Taiwan. |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''Liar'' | style="text-align:center;"| October 28, 2002<ref name="Harisu Official Website" /> | style="text-align:center;"| 23<ref name="MIAK 10/02">[http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200210.htm K-pop album chart, October 2002] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927032812/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200210.htm |date=2007-09-27 }}, ''Music Industry Association of Korea''. Retrieved on June 3, 2007. Note: although the information was verified on the retrieval date, the website has since been taken down and no archive copy is available.</ref> | style="text-align:center;"| 15,760<ref name="MIAK 10/02" /> (as of October 2002) | |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''Foxy Lady'' | style="text-align:center;"| February 2, 2004<ref name="Harisu Official Website" /> | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | Released in Taiwan, China and Malaysia in 2005, with extra tracks recorded in Mandarin. |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''Harisu'' | style="text-align:center;"| January 24, 2006<ref name="Harisu Official Website" /> | style="text-align:center;"| 46<ref name="MIAK 01/06">[http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200601.htm K-pop album chart, January 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927032734/http://www.miak.or.kr/stat/kpop_200601.htm |date=2007-09-27 }}, ''Music Industry Association of Korea''. Retrieved on June 2, 2007. Note: although the information was verified on the retrieval date, the website has since been taken down and no archive copy is available.</ref> | style="text-align:center;"| 1,596<ref name="MIAK 01/06" /> (as of January 2006) | Also released in Taiwan and China, with extra tracks recorded in Mandarin. |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''Summer'' | style="text-align:center;"| July 25, 2006<ref name="Harisu Official Website" /> | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | |}

=== Other releases === {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="width:138px;"| Title ! style="width:138px;"| Release date ! Notes |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''Yellow Hair 2 OST'' | style="text-align:center;"| July 23, 2001<ref name="Harisu Official Website" /> |Film soundtrack by various artists; includes two songs by Harisu, "Paradise" and "Sad Love". |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''The First Live Concert'' | style="text-align:center;"| July 29, 2002<ref name="Tube Music">[http://www.tubemusic.com/listening/listening_aod_artist.aspx?p_artist_code=6494 Harisu discography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051113142306/http://www.tubemusic.com/listening/listening_aod_artist.aspx?p_artist_code=6494 |date=2005-11-13 }}, ''Tube Music''. Retrieved on June 6, 2007. Note: although the information was verified on the retrieval date, the website has since been taken down and no archive copy is available.</ref> |Live concert, released on VHS and VCD. |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''Dance Fever #01'' | style="text-align:center;"| June 12, 2003<ref name="Tube Music" /> |Compilation by various artists; includes Harisu's version of "The Cheeky Song", originally recorded by The Cheeky Girls. |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| "Winter Story" | style="text-align:center;"| December 5, 2005<ref name="Tube Music" /> |Digital single, taken from the album ''Harisu''. |- style="height:44px" | style="text-align:center;"| ''Winter Special'' | style="text-align:center;"| December 6, 2007<ref name="Harisu Official Website" /> |Five track digital mini-album; includes a Korean language version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town". |}

=== Compilation albums === The Queen/11th Anniversary(2012)

=== Single albums === Re:Su(2018)

=== Music videos === * "History" by Turbo (2001) * "Temptation" (2001) * "Always" by Kang Sung (2002) * "Liar" (2002) * "Foxy Lady" (2004) * "Reaction" (2006) * "Shopping Girl" (2012) * "Make Your Life" (2018)

== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2001 | ''Yellow Hair 2'' | J | Also performed two songs on the soundtrack. |- |rowspan=2| 2002 | ''City Horror Series'' (TV) | General Bai Lan | Appeared in "The Song of the Dead". |- | ''Emergency Act 19'' | Herself | Brief cameo appearance. |- |rowspan=3| 2004 | ''Hi! Honey'' (TV) | Lu Jia Ling | |- | ''Colour Blossoms'' | Madam Umeki | |- | ''Free As Love'' | | |- | 2005 | ''Beating Heart'' (TV) | Kim Hae-jung | Appeared in episodes 3, 4, 9 and 12. |- | 2006 | ''Possessed'' | Lisu | Also sang the films main theme song. |- | 2007 | ''Police Line'' (TV) | | |- | 2009 | ''The Return of Iljimae'' (TV) | Ki Seon-nyeo | |}

== Bibliography == * ''Eve from Adam'' (2001) Dai San Media, {{ISBN|89-372-0868-7}} * ''Beauty Goddess's Change'' (2002) Taiwan Kadokawa, {{ISBN|986-7993-33-0}} * ''Perfect Woman'' (2005) Bo Shi, {{ISBN|986-7224-80-9}} * ''Haris Beauty'' (2008) Takeshobo, {{ISBN|978-4-8124-3425-3}}

==Awards== {|| width="75%" class="wikitable sortable" |- ! width="10%"| Year ! width="30%"| Award-Giving Body ! width="25%"| Category ! width="25%"| Work ! width="10%"| Result |- |align="center"| 2001 | Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best New Female Artist<ref name="MAMA_2001nom">[http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=6487 "2001 MMF part 1"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615055532/http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=6487 |date=2018-06-15 }}. ''MAMA''. Retrieved 2014-07-23.</ref> | align="center"| "Temptation" | {{nom}} |- |align=center|2002 |Mnet Asian Music Awards | Best Dance Performance<ref name="2002_nom">[http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=6490 "2002 MMF part 1"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819125536/http://mwave.interest.me/mnettv/videodetail.m?searchVideoDetailVO.clip_id=6490 |date=2014-08-19 }}. ''Mwave''. Retrieved 2014-08-17.</ref> |align=center|"Liar" |{{nom}} |}

== Notes == * '''a.'''{{note_label|A|a|none}} Although the cited source states that Harisu has an older brother, other sources refer to her as being an "only child".<ref name="Ha Ri-Soo, Who Became a Woman: Story Behind">Lee Seung-Heon, [http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=130000&biid=2001060406018 "Ha Ri-Soo, Who Became a Woman: Story Behind"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306093128/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=130000&biid=2001060406018 |date=2007-03-06 }}, ''dongA.com'', June 3, 2001. Retrieved on April 27, 2007.</ref><ref name="Court makes it official - he's now a woman">"Court makes it official – he's now a woman", ''The Straits Times'', December 22, 2002. A copy of this article can be read at [https://archive.today/20130105102918/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TNUKdigest/message/5478 TNUKdigest]. Retrieved on April 27, 2007.</ref> * '''b.'''{{note_label|B|b|none}} The exact dates that Harisu underwent surgery are unclear. Some sources state that she had sex change surgery in 1995,<ref name="10 Minutes With Harisu">Su Aziz, "10 Minutes With Harisu: A role model for transsexuals ", ''New Straits Times'', August 12, 2006. A copy of this article can be read at [https://archive.today/20130210091439/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TNUKdigest/message/22849 TNUKdigest]. Retrieved on May 5, 2007.</ref><ref name="South Korea Loosens Its Collar">Anthony Faiola, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A2984-2003Dec15?language=printer "South Korea Loosens Its Collar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208232550/https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A2984-2003Dec15/?language=printer |date=2020-12-08 }}, ''washingtonpost.com'', December 16, 2003. Retrieved on May 5, 2007.</ref><ref name="Transgender Star Ties the Knot">[http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200705/200705210008.html "Transgender Star Ties the Knot"], ''Digital Chosunilbo'', May 21, 2007. Retrieved on May 26, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524030159/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200705/200705210008.html |date=May 24, 2007 }}</ref> while others give the year as 1998 (or when she was 23 years old).<ref name="Eve from Adam" /><ref name="Makeup Ad Features First Transsexual on TV" /><ref name="She's a lady">Peter Yap, [http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=10975 "She's a lady"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060108144446/http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=10975 |date=2006-01-08 }}, ''Sun2Surf'', September 6, 2005. Retrieved on May 5, 2007.</ref> * '''c.'''{{note_label|C|c|none}} Harisu is sometimes written as Ha Ri-su, Ha Ri-soo, or Ha Risu. * '''d.'''{{note_label|D|d|none}} The actual title for this song is in Korean. Alternative translations include "When it Snows" and "Falling Snow". * '''e.'''{{note_label|E|e|none}} In a more recent interview, Harisu seems to contradict herself by saying that "There wasn't any reaction at all" from her family.<ref name="She's a lady" />

== References == {{reflist|2}}

== External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070523125756/http://ameblo.jp/harisujapan/ Harisu Official Blog (Japan)] {{in lang|ja}} * {{HanCinema person}} * {{IMDb name|id=1040215|name=Harisu}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070824202357/http://www.formularecordings.com/projects/harisu/ Harisu discography] at FormulaRecordings {{in lang|ja}}

Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:Actresses from Seongnam Category:Singers from Gyeonggi Province Category:20th-century South Korean women singers Category:20th-century South Korean actresses Category:21st-century South Korean women singers Category:21st-century South Korean actresses Category:K-pop singers Category:South Korean female models Category:South Korean women pop singers Category:South Korean film actresses Category:Transgender female models Category:South Korean television actresses Category:Nightclub performers Category:South Korean expatriates in Japan Category:Mandarin-language South Korean singers Category:South Korean LGBTQ singers Category:South Korean transgender actresses Category:20th-century South Korean LGBTQ people Category:21st-century South Korean LGBTQ people Category:South Korean transgender women Category:LGBTQ women singers Category:Transgender women singers