homosexuality
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KÉ Interview: Growing up Gay and Korean
On Saturday, Jul. 14, the 19th Seoul Queer Parade will take place, drawing thousands of people from South Korea’s vibrant queer community, as well as supporters and opponents of LGBT rights. Just before last year’s event, Korea Exposé contributor Chris P sat down with Choi Han-min (not
"Gay Blacklist": Retired Officer Acquitted for Having Gay Sex in Army
A former South Korean soldier, accused of having sexual intercourse with another soldier, has been found not guilty by a civilian court in Seoul. “Lieutenant B” was an active army officer when he fell victim to the South Korean army’s systematic “gay blacklist,” according to the Military Human Rights
Jungle: A Drag Queen and Man
“Have you heard of Junglé?” Alex, a young French director, asked me with excitement. On Jun. 16, I met up with Team Ohioh, a Seoul-based French-Korean video production team at their office in Seoul. The only thing I had been told in prior to this rendezvous was that we would
KÉ Interview: Singing Against Homophobia
In the middle of Unnie Choir’s last number, Enan Ahn started to cry. She was one of the fifteen women singing “Into the New World,” a 2007 single by K-pop group Girls’ Generation. The lyrics were admittedly corny — “there’s no use in waiting for a miracle, it’
Military Prosecutors Seek Jail Sentence for Gay Soldier
South Korea’s military prosecutors are seeking a two-year prison sentence for “Lieutenant A,” a soldier accused of having anal intercourse with a colleague. A military court is due to pass sentence on May 24. Lieutenant A is thought to have been caught as part of the army’
Find the Missing Gay Emoticons on Samsung's Galaxy S8
After the debacle of Samsung Electronics’ combusting Galaxy Note 7, the company’s latest phone — Galaxy S8 — appears to have been launched successfully. Despite reports of minor technical defects, the reviews of the product have been positive, and pre-order sales of the S8 and S8+ have been Samsung’
"You Didn't Even Have Oral Sex?": S Korean Military's Gay Witch-hunt in Depth
“You didn’t even have oral sex?” “I didn’t even get to see his thing.” In an audio recording, a senior military officer grills a young soldier with questions about his “gay friends.” The officer says: “We have all the information about you and your relationship with YYY on
Allegation of "Gay Blacklist" Surfaces In S Korean Army
The South Korean military is currently accused of systematically tracking down homosexual soldiers. According to the Military Human Rights Center for Korea (MHRCK), Jang Jun-kyu, Chief of Staff for the South Korean army, had ordered a probe to track down gay men in the military (not just the army). The
Justin Lim, South Korea's Unsung LGBT Icon, Dies at 32
Though I did not know Justin Lim personally, it is difficult for anyone having ventured into the wild Itaewon gay scene to not know of Lim or his legacy. Some of the best nights out in Seoul were created thanks to Lim, a South Korean man who was open to
Girls Like Girls: Lesbian Couple in Sistar's New MV "One More Day" Takes Revenge
Two girls walk anxiously, pulling a suitcase down a dark road. What’s in the suitcase? K-pop girl group Sistar released a MV of their new single just yesterday. “One More Day,” composed and produced by Giorgio Moroder, shows two women in love, who end up killing the abusive
Gay Jongno: Hidden in Plain Sight
The central district of Jongno is synonymous with high-rise office buildings, language academies, the bustle of Insadong, street barbecues, and end-of-week drinks. But a closer look will reveal another world unfamiliar to even veteran Jongno-goers, tourists, and residents alike: gay Jongno. Many are unaware that the streets of Jongno
A South Korean in Paris, as a Refugee
“Diego” could easily pass for one of many South Korean tourists who flock to Paris for food, shopping, and that legendary ‘je ne sais quoi’ appeal of the French capital. He is actually among a rare few: South Korean asylum seekers who demand protection from foreign governments because