It’s Japanese entertainer Ikko. For the Hangeul-challenged amongst us, yes, Ikko is a transgendered person, and a rather youthful-looking one at 47 years old. The KNTO needs a new slogan to go along with its new spokesperson. Your suggestions are welcome on this thread.
Meet the KNTO’s Newest Spokesperson
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
It will be good to see Asia’s transgendered crowd conventioning in Korea. Make sure they’re paired up with the best-looking parking lot adjoshis and you’ll have the makings of a TV show.
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One really needs to read hangeul to figure that out? Gotta love the spokeswoman’s name.
Korea – Ick’o.
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And for those of you who don’t speak Japanese – #2 made a funny.
‘Ikko’ is an informal way of saying ‘Let’s go’.
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#3,
Thanks for clarifying that for us.
So, picking her as a spokesperson in Japan may actually be a good idea.
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Ikko’s pretty hot for a guy .. girl .. ah, I give up!
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Well, I must credit the KNTO for having more balls than I had once thought.
Incidentally, the Japanese slang for “I’m cumming” as when in coitus is i-koo. To the Japanese ear, the difference between Ikko and ikoo is quite distinct, but I still can see some fun coming our way over this name and personality.
This should definitely put Seoul on the map, if nothing else. Roll over, André Kim!
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KNTO slogan: “Sorry, Djamila was busy”
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I think it should be “cross-dresser” or “transvestite,” not “transgender.”
But my Korean is getting rusty here in California, so correct me if I’m wrong.
DLB
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The first paragraph describes Ikko as a transvestite (여장남자) but later on refers to Ikko as a transgender/ transsexual (트랜스젠더/ 성전환자). Transgendered people identify as the opposite sex but may not have had any sex reassignment surgeries.
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I see. I stand corrected, though in my defense I think “transgender” is an evolving term, since in the Bay Area it definitely leans toward referring to transsexuals.
But great story, Sonagi. Good catch.
DLB
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He(She?) used to be teased being called 玉一個（tama ikko). I have 玉二個. Sonagi doesn’t have any ball(tama). Got it ?
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You mean “jewels,” right? Or is my kanji/hanja rusty also?
DLB
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In any case, check out her music videos on Youtube. She’s no Harisu, that’s for sure.
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By the way, if they are trying to present Korea as being hip and modern to Japanese tourists, why didn’t they hire Harisu? She studied in Japan, so I’m guessing she’s fluent in Japanese.
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Technically, the transgender category includes anyone who dress, act, or surgically alter themselves to the opposite sex. But among the TG community, they only like the word to be used for people who want to live as the opposite sex full time, excluding casual cross-dressers.
The process of going TG starts with psychological evaluation, counseling, then HRT (hormone replacement therapy) before surgery. Besides ex reassignment surgery, there are many cosmetic ones like facial feminization/FFS (for male to female) that can be very complex.
I’ve known several friends from the Japanese Anime fan community who went TG. For whatever the reason, anime seems to have a lot of gender bending stuff that attracts the TG crowed.
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“ex reassignment surgery”
thats when you’re dumped by your ex right!!
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#6,
I believe 가다 is used (or was) the same way.
#9,
성전환자 – sex change patient?
And just a general comment – if the idea is to attract Asian or Western tourists in general, what the hell are they thinking? Don’t these ideas ever get vetted or did someone say ‘Hey, nobody’s coming here when we have ‘regular’ make or female spokepersons. Let’s get a TG personality!’
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