Hong Seok-cheon

Who is Hong Seok-cheon?

Hong Seok-cheon is a South Korean actor, restaurateur 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 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. After his sister's divorce he adopted her children and changed their last names to his. In 2012 he appeared on popular variety show Strong Heart. He also appeared on Korean variety show Happy Together in 2013 as a guest.