Hong Sok-Chon
(1971 - living) South Korea
Comedian, actor and singer
Sok-Chon was the first Korean celebrity to acknowledge being gay. Print media began to circulate the story in mid-September, but in early October 2000 Hong spoke for himself in an interview on national television.
It was not a moment of pride for Hong, who wept and sobbed and apologized profusely. But having gotten over that hurdle, Hong seemed to grow stronger with every interview, helped by an outpouring of support from hundreds of friends and activists. Hong had grown tired of being the subject of rumors about his sexuality that had people saying one thing to his face and another behind his back, so when a reporter questioned him directly he simply told the truth.
He quickly paid a high price for his honesty. After coming out he was immediately fired as a host from TV and radio, which infuriated gay rights activists and some celebrities who formed a Hong Sok-chon support group.
TV:
Radio:
- Nobody Can Deal with My Family
CD:
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