Hong Seok-cheon

In this Korean name, the family name is Hong .

Hong Seok-cheon
Hong in March 2018
Born	(1971-02-03) 3 February 1971 (age 53) Cheongyang County, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea
Nationality	South Korean
Alma mater	Hanyang University – Theater and Film (1989)
Occupation(s)	Actor, television personality, restaurateur
Years active	1994–present
Agent	Foresta Company
Children	2 (adopted)
Korean name
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, television personality, restaurateur and member of the dissolved Democratic Labor Party. He caused considerable controversy in his home country when he came out as gay in 2000, and remains the most prominent openly gay celebrity in Korea. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Career

Hong Seok-cheon was born in Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province. He began his entertainment career as a male model, and made his screen debut in 1994 as a reporter for Live TV Information Center. In 1995, he won the bronze prize at the KBS Comedian Festival (for college students). Due to his versatility and comic timing, Hong went on to a prolific career on South Korean television, appearing in children's programs and variety shows, as well as sitcoms and dramas. ^{[4] [3]}

In 2000, Hong was asked a question regarding his sexuality on a variety show, and he chose to answer honestly that he was gay. Though the show's producers initially edited out the exchange, a journalist got wind of the story and pressed Hong to confirm his admission. ^[5] After Hong revealed his homosexuality, he was fired from his network television programs and advertisements amidst public uproar, and no longer landed any major acting roles. ^[6] He faced massive stigma after becoming the country's first openly gay celebrity, and later said he experienced shunning, verbal abuse and discrimination that he rarely stepped out of his social circle. ^[7] He then wrote his memoir My Heart Still Throbs for Forgotten Love, in which he recounted his failed romance with a Dutch man named Tony. ^[8]

Forced out of the entertainment business, Hong wanted to leave the country to study in New York, but he said he decided stay in Korea to prove to his detractors that he could be a success. He started his first restaurant Our Place in 2002, two years after he came out. He now owns and runs nine high-end restaurants in Itaewon, home to a large expat community in Seoul. ^[9] Hong's restaurants are all characterized by the prefix "My," namely: My Hong, My Chi chi*s, My Thai, My Thai China, My X, My Chelsea, My Noodle, and My Suji. ^{[10] [11]}

In 2004, he joined the Democratic Labor Party and was selected by Time magazine as the year's Asian Hero. ^[12] Hong also continued appearing regularly on talk shows, notably Yeo Yoo Man Man, on which he guested with his parents and discussed his life since coming out. Acting-wise, Hong starred in the thriller Puzzle (2006) and the stage play A Midsummer Night's Dream (2009). ^{[13] [14]} He also founded the internet shopping mall Ne2Nom in 2007, and became a professor at Korea National University of Arts (teaching Broadcast Content Production in 2010 and Fashion Arts in 2011).

After his sister's divorce, Hong adopted her two children and changed their last names to his. ^{[7] [15]} In 2008, he hosted his own talk show Coming Out, which featured gay issues. ^[16] Despite Korean society's continuing conservatism, Hong overcame initial public disapproval and gradually gained more mainstream acceptance, especially among the younger generation, in part because of his activism in fighting for LGBT rights. ^[17] From bit parts and cameos, he now emcees shows on cable television and has a sizeable following on social media. ^[5]

In 2015, Hong announced that he plans to run for district head of the Yongsan District Office in the 2018 local elections. ^[18] Having lived in Yongsan District for ten years, he said he aims to promote cultural spaces for young artists and small businesses, while providing welfare for sexual minorities. If elected, he will become the first openly gay person to become a publicly elected official in Korea. ^[19] In 2016, he participated in the program Law Of The Jungle. ^[20]

In 2018, he revealed that he is third cousins with Taeyong of NCT. ^[21]

Filmography

Television shows

Year	Title	Notes
1994	Live TV Information Center	Reporter
1999	Laughter Festival
	Music Champ
	Sisa Touch! Comedy File
	Field Experience of Life
2000	Ppo Ppo Ppo (Kiss Kiss Kiss)
	TV Star Festival
2001	Challenge, Ajumma Goes	Host
2008	Coming Out	Host
2009	We Got Married
	Immutable Law of Loving Bad Boys – Season 7
2011-2012	Rebirth Variety: Havana
2012	Queen of Beauty – Season 2
	Talk Show Shocking
	XY Her
2013	Golden Fishery
	Chef's Midnight Snacks	Host
	Splash
	Millionaire Game: My Turn
	I Live Alone	Guest
	Witch Hunt	Cast member [22]
2014	Shopper Man	Host
	Cook King Korea	Host
	Roommate – Season 2	Guest
	Running Man	Guest
	Flying Fox in New York
2015	Saturday Night Live Korea – Season 6	Cast member
	King of Mask Singer	Contestant, episode 7 [23] [24]
	Please Take Care of My Refrigerator	Cast member [25]
	A Meal's Dignity
	Hello Counselor	Guest
2016	Vocal War: God's Voice	Panelist; pilot episode, episodes 1–2, 9-10
	Battle Trip	Contestant with Bong Man-dae; episodes 5-6
	Law of the Jungle: New Caledonia	Cast member
	Golden Tambourine	Guest
2017	Battle Trip	Contestant with Yoon Park; episodes 54-55
2018	4 Wheeled Restaurant	Cast member
2020	Radio Star	Guest MC
2022	Restaurant Forgotten 2	Cast Member [26]
	Angel Island	Regular Member; with Park Jin-hee [27]

Web shows

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2021	Berry Store	Mentor	[28]
2022	Mary Queer	Host	[29]
	If you like it, it will ring!		[30]

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1995	LA Arirang
1996	Three Guys and Three Girls	Hong Seok-cheon
2000	Paradise
2001	Why Can't We Stop Them
2003	Perfect Love	Hong Seung-jo
2005	Sad Love Story	Charlie
	18 vs. 29
	Fashion 70s
2006	Hyena
2007	Kid Gang
	Golden Bride
2008	Life Special Investigation Team
	Aeja's Older Sister, Minja	Heo Goo-hyung
	The Secret of Coocoo Island	Professor of Korean language and literature
2009	Can't Stop Now
	The Accidental Couple	Movie director	Cameo
	Swallow the Sun	Jimmy
	Assorted Gems	Director Hong
	Joseon Mystery Detective Jeong Yak-yong	Cheol-du	[31]
2011	Baby Faced Beauty
	Bravo, My Love!	Julien	cameo)
	Ojakgyo Family
	Saving Mrs. Go Bong-shil	Seok-cheon
2012	Dummy Mommy	Hairdresser	(cameo)
	Vampire Prosecutor 2	Gabriel Jang	Cameo (episode 6)
2013	Blue Tower	Platoon first lieutenant Hong
	A Tale of Two Sisters		(cameo)
	Reply 1994	ROTC cadet	Cameo (episode 2)
2014	Triangle	Man-kang
	Everybody Say Kimchi	Wedding dress shop owner	(cameo)
	My Secret Hotel	Chef Andre Hong
2015	The Man in the Mask	Pi Sung-ho
	Sense8	Referee
	The Time We Were Not in Love	Airplane passenger	Cameo (episode 1)
	Yumi's Room
2016	My Horrible Boss	photographer	Cameo
2017	Saimdang, Memoir of Colors
	Suspicious Partner	monk
2018	Player		Cameo [32]
	Lovely Horribly	Kang Hyun-seok
2019	My Absolute Boyfriend		[33]
2020	Touch	Kim Dong-min
	Itaewon Class	Himself	Cameo (episodes 2, 4, 9 & 16)
	Missing: The Other Side	Mr. Hong	Cameo (episode 9)
2021	Dali & Cocky Prince	Chef Hong Seok-cheon	Cameo (Episode 1) [34]
	Young Lady and Gentleman	Real estate president	Cameo (Episode 2) [35]
2022	The Driver		Cameo [36]
	Jinxed at First	Hong President	[37]
2023	Perfect Marriage Revenge	Clothing store owner	Cameo (episode 5) [38]

Web series

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2022	Free		[39]
	Fantasy Spot	Shim	[40]

Films

Year	Title	Role
1997	Do the Right Thing	Henchman
	No. 3	Adulterous man
	Man with Flowers	Lee Joo-il
1998	Rub Love	Stop Bar bartender
	Tie a Yellow Ribbon	Dong-gyu
1999	Ghost in Love	Subway passenger
2001	Last Present	Cheong-chun
	A Tearful Story	(cameo)
	Hera Purple	Min-seok
2003	Dying or Live	Charlie Choi
2005	The Art of Seduction	DJ
2006	Good Luck	Skinhead Hong
	Puzzle	Noh
2008	The Accidental Gangster and the Mistaken Courtesan	Tailor shop owner (cameo)
2009	Sky and Sea	Hair designer (cameo)
2011	Dream the Good Dream (short film)	Russian mafia Kalashnikov
2012	Runway Cop	Show director
2014	Fashion King	MC Seok-cheon (cameo)
2015	Love Forecast	My Thai China restaurant owner (cameo)
	Mongolian Princess	Movie actor (cameo)
	Love Clinic	Psychiatrist (cameo)

Theater

Year	Title	Role	Reprised
1994	Save the Last Dance for Me
1995	A Midsummer Night's Dream	Francis Flute	2009
1999	A Chorus Line
2002	Godspell
2006	Footloose	Willard Hewitt
2010	The Rocky Horror Show	Narrator
2013-2014	Nunsense A-Men	Sister Mary Leo

Books

Year	Title	Publisher	ISBN
2000	My Heart Still Throbs for Forgotten Love	J-pub	ISBN   9788983755315
2008	Design Your Own Restaurant	M-Books	ISBN   9788996048459

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Blue Dragon Series Awards	2023	Best Male Entertainer	Merry Queer	Nominated	[41]

References

1. Cho, Joohee (May 27, 2009). "Breaking the Gay Taboo in South Korea". ABC News . Retrieved September 9, 2014.
2. "Hong Suk-chun talks about coming out of the closet". The Korea Herald . February 4, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
3. Glionna, John M. (March 5, 2012). "South Korean actor throws open closet door". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 14, 2014.
4. Lee, Seung-heon (April 12, 2001). "Hong Seok-Cheon of "coming-out" returns to TV". The Dong-a Ilbo . Retrieved August 14, 2015.
5. Pearson, James; Rashid, Raphael (November 2, 2012). "Gay Korea comes out". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
6. Chun, Su-jin (June 1, 2001). "Defying the Stigma of a Gender Change". Korea JoongAng Daily . Retrieved August 14, 2015.
7. Kim, Tong-hyung (February 5, 2013). "Hong shares painful experience as first openly gay celebrity". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
8. Han, Hyon-woo (December 26, 2000). "Hong Seok-cheon Comes Out Some More with Mini-bio". The Chosun Ilbo . Retrieved August 14, 2015.
9. Kim, Young-jin (February 14, 2013). "Itaewon: Going Gangnam Style?". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
10. "Businesses Hiring Hunks to Woo Customers". The Chosun Ilbo . September 12, 2007. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
11. "Celebrity reveals restaurant sales figures". The Korea Times . July 1, 2015. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
12. "Time Magazine Selects Korean Actor Hong Seok-cheon as Asian Hero". The Chosun Ilbo . September 24, 2004. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
13. Chung, Ah-young (June 9, 2009). "Star Actors Team Up in Shakespeare Play". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
14. Park, Sun-young (June 5, 2009). "Reunion for Midsummer Night revival". Korea JoongAng Daily . Retrieved August 14, 2015.
15. Kim, Jae-heun (August 11, 2015). "Hong shares secret of success with students". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
16. Han, Sang-hee (April 13, 2008). "Actor Hong Suk-Chun to Host Coming Out". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
17. Lee, Sung-eun (September 30, 2014). "Star restaurateur launches ramen line". Korea JoongAng Daily . Retrieved August 14, 2015.
18. "Gay TV star chases political career". The Korea Times . March 20, 2015. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
19. Kim, Jae-heun (February 23, 2015). "Hong Seok-cheon turns his eye to politics". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
20. Park, Jin-young (2016-05-16). "홍석천, '정글의 법칙' 합류..뉴칼레도니아 간다". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2016-05-11.
21. "[스브스타] 홍석천의 '8촌' 친척 동생의 정체는?…"NCT 멤버 태용"". SBS News (in Korean). January 16, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
22. Chun, Su-jin (January 9, 2014). "Breaking taboos gets green light on Witch Hunt". Korea JoongAng Daily . Retrieved August 14, 2015.
23. Kwon, Ji-youn (May 19, 2015). "Mask King finds hidden singing talent". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
24. Ko, Dong-hwan (July 1, 2015). "Revealing true self behind mask". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
25. Kwon, Ji-youn (March 10, 2015). "Growing appetite for Cook TV". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
26. Lee Se-bin (June 22, 2022). "주문을 잊은 음식점2' 메인 포스터 공개…홍석천·진지희 합류" [The main poster for ‘The Restaurant Who Forgot to Order 2’ was released… Hong Seok-cheon and Jin Ji-hee join] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports . Retrieved June 22, 2022– via Naver.
27. Cho Hyun-jung (October 18, 2022). "박진희X홍석천, 바다구하기 나서..SBS ESG예능 '천사도'로 15년만에 재회" [Park Jin-hee X Hong Seok-cheon, after saving the sea.. Reunited after 15 years with SBS ESG entertainment 'Angel'] (in Korean). Sports Seoul. Retrieved October 18, 2022– via Naver.
28. Kim Seung-jin (October 21, 2021). "홍석천, 베리스토어와 힘든 자영업자 위해 상담 진행" [Seokcheon Hong, Consulting with Berry Store for the Self-Employed] (in Korean). Maeil Broadcasting Network . Retrieved October 21, 2021– via Naver.
29. Kang Da-yun (June 27, 2022). "신동엽X홍석천X하니, 국내 최초 커밍아웃 예능 '메리퀴어' 3MC 확정 [공식]" [Shin Dong-yeop X Hong Seok-cheon X Hani confirmed as 3MCs for Korea's first coming-out entertainment show 'Mary Queer' [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved June 27, 2022– via Naver.
30. Jang Ah-reum (November 23, 2022). "판타지 연애 게임 '좋아하면 울리는 짝!짝!짝!'…진영·홍석천·이은지·츄 4MC" [Fantasy dating game 'If you like it, it will ring! Jinyoung, Hong Seokcheon, Lee Eunji, Chuu 4MC] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved November 23, 2022– via Naver.
31. Han, Sang-hee (November 17, 2009). "Cable TV OCN to Present Joseon's Sherlock Holmes". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on December 27, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
32. "Hong Suk-chun and Krystal in the Making of "The Player"". HanCinema . Xports News. June 17, 2018.
33. "[Oh!쎈 컷] '절대그이' 여진구·민아·홍종현, 첫 대본 리딩부터 환상 케미". Osen (in Korean). July 10, 2018.
34. Park Pan-seok (September 21, 2021). "달리와감자탕' 홍석천, 감자탕 셰프 특급 카메오 출연..김민재 만난다" [Dali and Gamjatang' Hong Seok-cheon, chef Gamjatang's special cameo appearance.. Meet Kim Min-jae] (in Korean). OSEN. Retrieved September 21, 2021– via Naver.
35. Kim Ye-rung (October 14, 2021). "홍석천부터 양치승까지…'신사와 아가씨' 감초 열전" [From Hong Seok-cheon to Yang Chi-seung... 'Gentleman and Lady' Licorice Enthusiasm] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved October 14, 2021– via Naver.
36. Kang Nae-ri (August 18, 2021). "김승우 연출작 '더 드라이버', 안재욱·이태란 등 출연…9월 첫 촬영" ['The Driver' directed by Kim Seung-woo, Ahn Jae-wook, Lee Tae-ran, etc. first shoot in september]. YTN (in Korean). Naver . Retrieved August 18, 2021.
37. Lee Min-ji (August 24, 2021). "징크스의 연인' 윤지혜-이훈-홍석천-정욱 출연 확정(공식)" ['Yunjin's lover' Yoon Ji-hye - Lee Hoon - Hong Seok-cheon - Jung Woo-sung (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved August 24, 2021– via Naver.
38. Lee, Seul (November 8, 2023). "홍석천, '완결정' 특별출연…'사랑의 큐피드' 드레스 숍 사장" [Hong Seok-chun, 'Wanjungdetermination' special appearance...'Love Cupid' dress shop owner]. X-ports News (in Korean). Retrieved November 8, 2023– via Naver.
39. • Ryu Jeong-min (November 3, 2021). "안내상+홍석천, 역대급 라인업의 고품격 병맛 드라마 온다 ('공기타짜')" [Ahn Nae-sang + Hong Seok-cheon, a high-quality, sick-tasting drama of the all-time lineup is coming (‘Gonggi Tazza’)] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved November 3, 2021– via Naver.
    • Ha Ji-won (March 28, 2022). "안내상X홍석천 출연 '공짜' 영화화…31일 OTT로 공개" [Ahn Nae-sang X Hong Seok-cheon starring 'Free' movie adaptation... Released through OTT on the 31st] (in Korean). xportsnews. Retrieved March 28, 2022– via Naver.
40. Kim, Bo-ra (September 29, 2022). "하니x배우희, 섹스 이야기 솔직하게 전한다…'판타지스팟' 올 하반기 방송[공식]" [Hani x Actress Bae Woo-hee tells the story of sex frankly... 'Fantasy Spot' to be broadcast in the second half of this year [Official]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved October 2, 2022– via Naver.
41. Moon, Ji-yeon (June 26, 2023). "[공식] '더 글로리'·'SNL코리아3' 최다 노미..제2회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보 발표" [[Official] 'The Glory'-'SNL Korea 3' Most Nominations...2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards Nominations Announced] (in Korean). Sports Chosun . Retrieved June 28, 2023– via Naver.

External links

• Hong Seok-cheon on Twitter
• Hong Seok-cheon at HanCinema
• Hong Seok-cheon at the Korean Movie Database
• Hong Seok-cheon at IMDb