Lee Si-yeon
Encyclopedia
Lee Si-yeon is a South Korea
n transsexual actress and model.
Lee debuted as a male model under her birth name Dae-hak, becoming known for her feminine
appearance and wearing women's clothing on the catwalk, but ultimately wished to pursue a career as an actor. She appeared in the films My Boss, My Hero
(2001) and Sex Is Zero
(2002), providing comic relief
in effeminate male roles, but felt pressured into cutting her hair and building up muscle. Lee recalled that, "once I entered showbiz, I was forced to live a life I didn't like", and growing increasingly unhappy, made several attempts at suicide
before deciding to become a woman.
Adopting the given name Si-yeon, Lee underwent sex reassignment surgery
in 2007, and admitted to having doubts over her sexuality
since being in secondary school
. She returned to acting later that year in the sequel Sex Is Zero 2
, with her character from the original film now also a transsexual. Lee publicly announced her sex change prior to the release of the film, but was apprehensive about the reaction from audiences. Co-star Shin-ee observed that surgery had not changed her image much, and stated that she had always regarded Lee as a "kid sister".
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n transsexual actress and model.
Lee debuted as a male model under her birth name Dae-hak, becoming known for her feminine
Femininity
Femininity is a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles generally associated with girls and women. Though socially constructed, femininity is made up of both socially defined and biologically created factors...
appearance and wearing women's clothing on the catwalk, but ultimately wished to pursue a career as an actor. She appeared in the films My Boss, My Hero
My Boss, My Hero
My Boss, My Hero is a 2001 South Korean film. It is the first of a trilogy with My Boss, My Teacher in 2006 and The Mafia, The Salesman in 2007.-Synopsis:...
(2001) and Sex Is Zero
Sex is Zero
Sex Is Zero is a 2002 South Korean film written and directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, starring Lim Chang-jung, Ha Ji-won and Yoo Chae-yeong. In the style of American gross-out comedies like American Pie, it follows the exploits of a group of college students, which eventually takes a serious turn...
(2002), providing comic relief
Comic relief
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.-Definition:...
in effeminate male roles, but felt pressured into cutting her hair and building up muscle. Lee recalled that, "once I entered showbiz, I was forced to live a life I didn't like", and growing increasingly unhappy, made several attempts at suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
before deciding to become a woman.
Adopting the given name Si-yeon, Lee underwent sex reassignment surgery
Sex reassignment surgery male-to-female
Sex reassignment surgery from male to female involves reshaping the male genitals into a form with the appearance of and, as far as possible, the function of female genitalia. Prior to any surgeries, trans women usually undergo hormone replacement therapy and facial hair removal...
in 2007, and admitted to having doubts over her sexuality
Human sexuality
Human sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
since being in secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
. She returned to acting later that year in the sequel Sex Is Zero 2
Sex Is Zero 2
Sex Is Zero 2 is the 2007 sequel to the South Korean comedy film Sex Is Zero, and is the directorial debut of Yoon Tae-yoon. Starring Im Chang-jeong and Song Ji-hyo, the film reunites most of the cast from the original film, though Ha Ji-won only makes a cameo appearance...
, with her character from the original film now also a transsexual. Lee publicly announced her sex change prior to the release of the film, but was apprehensive about the reaction from audiences. Co-star Shin-ee observed that surgery had not changed her image much, and stated that she had always regarded Lee as a "kid sister".
Filmography
- My Boss, My HeroMy Boss, My HeroMy Boss, My Hero is a 2001 South Korean film. It is the first of a trilogy with My Boss, My Teacher in 2006 and The Mafia, The Salesman in 2007.-Synopsis:...
(2001) - Sex Is ZeroSex is ZeroSex Is Zero is a 2002 South Korean film written and directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, starring Lim Chang-jung, Ha Ji-won and Yoo Chae-yeong. In the style of American gross-out comedies like American Pie, it follows the exploits of a group of college students, which eventually takes a serious turn...
(2002) - Sex Is Zero 2Sex Is Zero 2Sex Is Zero 2 is the 2007 sequel to the South Korean comedy film Sex Is Zero, and is the directorial debut of Yoon Tae-yoon. Starring Im Chang-jeong and Song Ji-hyo, the film reunites most of the cast from the original film, though Ha Ji-won only makes a cameo appearance...
(2007)
External links
- Lee Si-yeon at HanCinema