Lee Si-yeon

Infobox actor
name = Lee Si-yeon
birthname = Lee Dae-hak
birthdate = birth date and age|1979|7|24
location = South Korea
occupation = Actress, model
yearsactive = 2001–presentInfobox Korean name
hangul = 이시연
hangulborn = 이대학
title = Korean name
tablewidth = 254
color = khaki

Lee Si-yeon (born Lee Dae-hak, July 24, 1979) is a South Korean transsexual actress and model.

Lee debuted as a male model, becoming known for his feminine appearance and wearing women's clothing on the catwalk, but ultimately wished to pursue a career as an actor. He appeared in the films "My Boss, My Hero" (2001) and "Sex Is Zero" (2002), providing comic relief in effeminate roles, but felt pressured into cutting his 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.Chang May Choon, [http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/News/Celebrities/Story/A1Story20080131-47570.html "I have started my second life as a woman"] , "Asiaone", January 31, 2008. Retrieved on February 2, 2008.]

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.Park Si-soo, [http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/special_view.asp?newsIdx=13579&categoryCode=178 "Male-Turned-Female Actress Appears in "Sex Is Zero" Sequel"] , "The Korea Times", November 12, 2007. Retrieved on January 16, 2008.] Co-star Shin-ee observed that surgery hadn't changed her image much, and stated that she had always regarded Lee as a "kid sister".Yang Sung-jin, "Sex is Zero 2" sticks to toilet and bawdy humor", "The Korea Herald", December 3, 2007. A free copy of this article can be found at [http://www.hancinema.net/-sex-is-zero-2-sticks-to-toilet-and-bawdy-humor-11596.html "HanCinema"] . Retrieved on January 16, 2007.]

Filmography

* "My Boss, My Hero" (2001)
* "Sex Is Zero" (2002)
* "Sex Is Zero 2" (2007)

References

External links

* [http://www.hancinema.net/korean_Lee_Si-yeon.php Lee Si-yeon] at HanCinema
*

Persondata
NAME=Lee Si-yeon
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Lee Dae-hak (birth name)
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Actress
DATE OF BIRTH=July 24, 1979
PLACE OF BIRTH=South Korea
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=