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3 Jun 2008

Seoul's spring forecast: More visibility for Korea's queers

Although South Korean society continues to resist acceptance of homosexuality, two new LGBTQ media projects and an annual queer pride parade last weekend suggest that the climate is warming a little on the Korean peninsula this spring.

New "Coming Out" Television Series Airs in South Korea

Recently, late night television viewers in South Korea may have seen something unexpected: a same-sex kiss. An advertisement on the cable channel TvN quickly shifts between a smartly dressed man and woman as they appear to race towards each other. But rather than meeting, the woman briskly exits the frame while the man stops abruptly to kiss his waiting male lover. The ad was created to generate interest in South Korea's first television talk show series about homosexuality, called, Coming Out.

Co-hosted by actor Hong Seok-cheon (bottom pic) who was dropped from a popular television show after becoming the nation's first actor to come out as gay in 2000 and heterosexual actress Jung Kyung-soon, the 12-episode series includes dramatisations and interviews with the duo giving advice on gay issues.

The 12-episode series debuted on April 14 and is aired at midnight. The show includes dramatic profiles of people who have come out to family, friends and coworkers with advice proffered by co-hosts Hong Seok-cheon and Jung Kyung-soon. Hong is a 37-year-old actor who was dropped from a popular television show after becoming the nation's first "out" actor in 2000. After several-years off-air, Hong's entertainment career has slowly restarted.

At a press conference held on April 7, Hong told reporters that when he first heard about the project, he thought it was "crazy" for Koreans to out themselves on national television. Based on his painful personal experiences, he said he sympathises with young Koreans who remain in the closet. "I don't advise people to come out because I know it is a hard decision. But as for myself, I have never been happier. I don't have to lie to myself any more."

Hong's co-host Jung, who is heterosexual, told reporters she was happy to participate. At the outset, she said that she encouraged producers to focus on people's humanity. She told reporters, "So many minorities are being discriminated against [in Korea]. Korean society needs more programs like this."

The series' producer, Choi Seung-jun, feels that the project has helped him to empathise with the struggles faced by many queer Koreans. He told reporters: "Five percent of Korea's population is considered homosexual, but who knows if the number is higher? These people who are living with us right now and the suffering they go through is unimaginable."



For more information: comingout.or.kr.


South Korea's Human Rights Commission Celebrates the "Six-Coloured Rainbow"

This spring, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea produced an animation series titled, A Different Story of Two Persons: The Six-Coloured Rainbow. The programs hope to promote diversity and fight discrimination by highlighting the experiences of marginalised groups in Korean society. The disabled, women, mixed heritage families and sexual minorities are profiled in the six-part series, which was released for public distribution on April 17. The animation film, Cover Up, was created by Park Yong-Jae, and addresses the pervasive discrimination faced by homosexuals in Korea.

Last fall, the Commission made news when draft legislation for a historic non-discrimination bill created with their input generated controversy. South Korea's powerful conservative Christian lobby persuaded the Ministry of Justice to remove protections for gays, lesbians and six other groups, prompting Korean queers to mobilise. Protests from Korean and international gay rights groups helped table the proposed legislation for further review. The draft bill has stalled under the conservative administration of South Korea's new president, Lee Myung-bak.

For more information: humanrights.go.kr.


Koreans Celebrate 9th Annual Korea Queer Culture Festival

This past weekend, the 9th annual Korea Queer Culture Festival (KQCF) kicked-off with a parade in Seoul's Jongno district. The 15-day festival, which is South Korea's equivalent to other pride events around the world, is sponsored by Art Council Korea, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, and LGBT Korea. Although modest in scale when compared to many other summer pride festivals, the KQCF has become a popular event for Koreans and foreigners living in the Greater Seoul area.

An estimated 300 participants took advantage of gorgeous spring weather and gathered at Berlin Plaza along the Cheonggye Stream. Approximately one dozen booths offered information about local organisations and LGBT publications. Special events included a performance by the Korean transgender activist group, Jirungyi, and an exhibition by the Youth Sexual Minority Community group, Rateen. A Korean folk music troupe comprised of gays and lesbians also performed. The evening concluded with a "Queer Scandal" after party at Club Reball in Itaewon. KQCF 2008 will wrap up June 4-8 with screenings for the Seoul LGBT Film Festival (SeLFF).

For more information: www.kqcf.org.

Matt Kelley is a gay mixed-race Korean-American living in Seoul. He is currently writing a book about the intersections of race and sex in Korea. His website: www.mattkelley.info.

Korea (South)

Reader's Comments

Comment #1 was deleted by its author
Comment #2 was deleted by its author
3. 2008-06-03 22:52  
...cont'd

Gay people do not need the approval of others to love another and can live their own lives respectfully. Dun incite unenlightened minds in public unnecessarily with PDA for your partner. If u must be loud/flamboyant (applies to st8 people too), join the arts/creative services and showcase all that you've got there; at least u get paid for your talents.

I genuinely believe that Man is just another animal, sometimes better, more often worse than those that walk on all-fours, who, because of his "divine spiritual and intellectual development," has become the most vicious animal of all!

PS: Fridae is becoming a drag...having problems posting longer comments...fix it ladies..;P
4. 2008-06-03 22:53  
Last fall, the Commission made news when draft legislation for a historic NON-Discrimination bill created with their input generated controversy.
=That's Justice! Bravo.

South Korea's powerful conservative Christian (yawn x nth) lobby persuaded the Ministry of Justice to REMOVE Protections for gays, lesbians and six other groups..
=Depriving anyone of basic protection?? Geez...Is that justice? Is that even of Christ?

Many so callled self professed "christians" like to believe they are saving others, when in reality, they cannot even save themselves if their own damned miserable lives depended on it. Instead, they abuse the licence to judge and control others. Hello pharsisee wannabes, calling yourself a "christian" & showing up in church, does not mean u can do anything u like and expect to go to hair-vent! Get a grip!

cont'd...
Comment #5 was deleted by an administrator on 2013-05-21 11:48
Comment #6 was deleted by an administrator
Comment #7 was deleted by an administrator
Comment #8 was deleted by an administrator
Comment #9 was deleted by an administrator on 2013-05-21 11:48
10. 2008-06-04 07:59  
Please bring COMING OUT to Australia!!

Is there anywhere to download it from?? (with English subtitles!)

love,
'OzRealDeal'
11. 2008-06-04 10:32  
the writer of this tatty article obviously must be from the USA and once again inflicting their gay american cultural imperialistic pollution on the Koreans ( & the rest of us) by terming them collectively by the squalid term of 'queer' not an enobling term, especially given so many have been brutalised or murdered while having it (queer) spat at them while suffering this physical brutality.you can't complain oif some one calls your a 'faggot' or a 'poof' if you term your self a 'queer' there is no difference, they are all the same slur
12. 2008-06-04 12:31  
it is about time to let general public awared that gay life is normal and should be acceptance without any harrassment.. as long as the paces of change still carry society foundation with responsibilities of each individual .. gay or straight ..
13. 2008-06-04 17:26  
Hey aztlan_oz, the word "queer" has been accepted internationally as an inclusive term that incorporates gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc. people. Although it's a hurtful term to some people, I should assure you that in Singapore and many other countries it doesn't have those connotations.

Some words can be reclaimed - you don't have to be hurt by them if you don't want to be. I was once called a faggot on a messageboard, and my response was, "Yes I am. What's your point?"

I think this is great for South Korea. For such a sophisticated society, their level of gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/queer tolerance is still very low. Improving awareness is always the first step.
14. 2008-06-04 23:25  
I've watched few episodes of 'Coming Out' and personally I didn't like it at all. I mean..come the fcuk on! The show is totally off track and just focuses on how pathetic & shitty life Korean gay guys have.
Even if that's the way of K-gay dudes' life in Korea, at least this show which claims off the very first Korean talk show about dealing with homosexuality and the host is a homosexual, shouldn't this show supposed to try focusing on filming the bright side? shame.. They could bring a positive image of gay guys to the Korean society if the show is all about happy stuff and how decent life K-gay dudes' have. well.. my $0.02.
It's actually kinda depressing to watch the show. Always crying crying..oh yeah even Mr. Hong, the host of the show..wtf..he was crying out so loud during the show. geeeeeeeeeeez. Korean gay fellas including me don't even need a Korean society's sympathy. We are not cripples, nor freaks.
15. 2008-06-06 12:43  
seoul's annual festival is called the "korea queer culture festival" and this year's theme is "queer scandal". so while the word, "queer" may have been more popular in the "west" and among younger generations, it looks like some koreans like it too.

(or perhaps it's just my "gay american cultural imperialistic pollution"...) ^^
16. 2008-06-12 12:34  
Are they also playing Eminem's "Lose Yourself" during the show? Russia Today reference.

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