| Hong Seok-cheon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 February 1971 Cheongyang, South Chungcheong, South Korea[1] |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Alma mater | Hanyang University (B.A. Theater, 1989)[1] |
| Occupation | Actor, restauranteur and politician |
| Hong Seok-cheon | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 홍석천 |
| Hanja | 洪錫天 |
| Revised Romanization | Hong Seok-cheon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Hong Sŏkch'ŏn |
Hong Seok-cheon (born February 3, 1971) is a South Korean actor, restauranteur and politician for the Democratic Labor Party. He was a male model and actor before causing considerable controversy in his home country when he came out as gay in 2000. Hong is the most prominent openly gay celebrity in Korea.
Hong Seok-cheon appeared on South Korean television, including children's programmes and variety shows. After revealing his homosexuality, the network fired him from his prime-time variety show, and he went on to be selected by Time Magazine as the 2004 Asian Hero. He also appeared in the thriller films Ggotcheul deun namja (English release title Man Holding Flowers) in 1997, and the 2001 film Hera Purple as well as a 1998 romantic release entitled Tie a Yellow Ribbon.
In 2005 he appeared with his parents on the Korean talk show Lee Honglyol, Park Ju-mi's Yoyumanman to discuss his life since coming out.[2]