Ikko, a crossdressing makeup artist from Japan

[barbie]

Newspapers here in S. Korea report on Ikko from Japan. Articles here denote Ikko as "he", although Ikko identified herself as a woman.

Japanese Transgender Celeb Becomes Korea Tourism Amb.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/03/139_40486.html

The 47-year-old makeup artist and ``actress'' has developed ``beauty charisma'' in Japan by presenting fascinating hair and makeup styles on televisions, magazines and stages and became a trendsetter among the Japanese youth in beauty management, and beauty products he recommends usually become hits within a week.

In recent years, Ikko has promoted Korean culture to Japan, particularly the beauty industry. He published a travel guidebook titled ``Make Your Beauty Up in Korea'' last May. After his introduction of Korea's major tourist destinations, food, shopping and cosmetics, the book created a Korean boom among Japanese youngsters.

[mattkelley]

Hello,

I'm writing an article about transgender and transsexual Koreans for Fridae.com, an Asian  LGBTQ web site. The goal of the article is to provide Fridae.com's readers with a greater understanding of Korea's trans community.

I noticed from your post that you are living in Korea. If this is so, are you interested in being interviewed for the article? There are links to some of my other articles at http://www.mattkelley.info.

If you, or someone you know might be interested, I'd be grateful for your assistance. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Matt Kelley
matt@mattkelley.org

[Genevieve Swann]

Ikko (she) is very pretty. Now I'll have to become a lesbian.

[barbie]

I especially like her hair style.

A few days ago, I had a chance to meet a Japanese guy, chatting for a while. I asked whether he knows about Ikko. He replied that he knew her (or him) very well because Ikko is so famous in Japan. He said he purchased several BB (bright balm) creams for his relatives in Japan. I replied that I also purchased a BB cream after hearing about Ikko.

Barbie~~
Post Merge: March 17, 2009, 09:21:06 AM

Hello,

I'm writing an article about transgender and transsexual Koreans for Fridae.com, an Asian  LGBTQ web site. The goal of the article is to provide Fridae.com's readers with a greater understanding of Korea's trans community.

I noticed from your post that you are living in Korea. If this is so, are you interested in being interviewed for the article? There are links to some of my other articles at http://www.mattkelley.info.

If you, or someone you know might be interested, I'd be grateful for your assistance. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you,
Matt Kelley
matt@mattkelley.org

Hi, Matt,

Thanks for your interest, but I am sorry to say that I should decline your proposal. It would be a long story to explain why, but my appearance in TV news sometimes caused a fuss in my work place, and I do not want it repeated.

My photo in the avatar was taken in Seattle during last summer (near UW).

Barbie~~