Lee Si-yeon (; born July 24, 1980인물검색 (People Search) NAVER 23 May 2014 ) is a South Korean actress and model. In 1999, Lee participated in the Anti-Miss Korea competition. In November 2007, Lee underwent sex reassignment surgery트렌스젠더 배우 이시연 가수 변신···"난 여자가 됐어" 강원일보 2010.04.13 and changed her name to Si-yeon. Lee is the niece of Seo Jae-hyuk, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, member of Boohwal.
Life Lee debuted as a male model, becoming known for her feminine appearance and wearing women's clothing on the catwalk, but ultimately wished to pursue a career as an actor. She appeared in the films My Boss, My Hero (2001) and Sex Is Zero (2002), providing comic relief in effeminate male roles, but felt pressured into cutting her 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 transition.Chang May Choon, "I have started my second life as a woman" , Asiaone, 31 January 2008. Retrieved on 2 February 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 reassignment prior to the release of the film, but was apprehensive about the reaction from audiences.Park Si-soo, "Male-Turned-Female Actress Appears in Sex Is Zero Sequel", The Korea Times, 12 November 2007. Retrieved on 16 January 2008. Co-star Shin Yi observed that surgery had not 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, 3 December 2007. A free copy of this article can be found at HanCinema . Retrieved on 16 January 2007.
Filmography
Film Year Film Role 2001 My Boss, My Hero Shin Jin 2002 Sex Is Zero Lee Dae-hak 2007 Sex Is Zero 2 2008 The Devil's Game
Discography Studio albums I Became a Woman (2010)
See also Harisu Hong Seok-cheon Jin Xing
References
External links Lee Si-yeon at Buto ken Uki
이시연 "남자로 산 27년, 행동과 표정 모두 거짓"(인터뷰) 트랜스젠더 가수 이시연, 부활 서재혁과 5촌 당숙지간 스포츠투데이 2011.04.21 큰 용기 이시연, '누가 그녀에게 돌을 던지랴' 데일리안 2007.11.09 트렌스젠더 배우 이시연 가수 변신···"난 여자가 됐어" 강원일보 2010.04.13 [거꾸로 사는 사람들] '트랜스젠더' 하리수와 이시연 스포츠조선 2009.07.06 트랜스젠더 이시연 가수 데뷔 '여자가 됐어 뉴시스 2010.05.06 .