Born in Busan, South Korea, Jungle, korean trans activist, is extremely dynamic. Militant, model, performer, vocalist… She engages in various fronts and positions herself without fear or shame, hoping to be someone other LGBTQIAPN+ community members can lean on. Her activism, however, emerged amidst pain: when she began hormone therapy at 20, she faced the harsh reality of South Korean conservatism. Without family support, Jungle had to be resilient. She traveled to Europe, experienced other cultures and customs, returned to Korea, and put into practice the dynamism of her personality.

In 2022, Jungle began a new phase in hormone therapy. Accompanying this was a new self-awareness, self-acceptance. From then on, the activist began to open up more and more, sharing her entire journey with the community. Out of this movement came Transparent, an event to gather trans people in South Korea. “Just as the name suggests, I want to be transparent,” she comments in an interview with Vogue magazine.

This Pride month, K4US had the opportunity to interview this amazing artist, learn more about the incredibly important work she does in South Korea (which resonates globally, right?) and even receive a special message for us Brazilians!

Check out the full interview below.

1. We have many LGBTQIAPN+ readers who already know you, but don’t quite understand the Transparent proposal. Can you explain it better?

Transparent is a community event where trans people get to meet other trans people and build the relationship and the community together. I did not have anyone to talk to or find the support I needed when I started my HRT back in 2021. The information on the internet was easy to access but I wanted to meet a real person who is going through the same experience and find out what is like to transition in Korea. There were a lot of things I could only guess about and I had to explore things on my own.

We are not trying to be someone else but rather to be who we are and we are not deceiving or hiding.

Jungle

Because of this, I had so many concerns regarding whether or not I’m doing things right. At the very least, I wanted to talk about all the changes about body and mind with HRT. So after a year of HRT, I started Transparent on the Transgender Day of Visibility of 2022. I simply wanted to reach out to the people so that we can support each other and be there for each other. The name ‘Transparent’ came from the idea that we want to live ‘transparent’; as who we are. We are not trying to be someone else but rather to be who we are and we are not deceiving or hiding. Also, often times, we get to self-parent as trans people, and I wanted us to have the idea of parenting one another in the trans community.

2. Will there be a Transparent edition this Pride Month? If so, can you give us a spoiler of what’s going to happen?

We have a new Transparent coming up on the 28th July at Kockiri Bar in Itaewon. We’re planning to celebrate 3 people who have the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year anniversary of their HRT journeys. I personally don’t feel the need to follow the Pride calender as there is so much going on for pride month. We want to be independent and plan out our own thing.

3. Recently, we had the celebration of the LGBTQIAPN+ Pride Parade in several countries. The one in Brazil even made it to the Guinness Book as the world’s largest, with 2.5 million people. In the capital of South Korea, thousands took to the streets to celebrate pride despite opposition from conservative authorities and politicians. Do you believe it will take many years to have more policies geared towards the community in South Korea? And what is the importance of this celebration in the country?

K-pop might have led people to believe that South Korea is a progressive society, but in actuality it is still very conservative.  Therefore, these types of celebrations are very importante in the culture here. Be proud, be visible, be connected. We are all in this together and we each can make a difference in the culture here.

4. As the fourth largest economy in the world, South Korea still does not recognize same-sex marriage and lacks in public policies to protect the LGBTQIAPN+ community. As a public figure, role model, and trans activist, how do you perceive the issue of LGBTQIAPN+ rights in your country?

There is not much awareness here of trans issues. People don’t talk about it and trans people are quite invisible in society. So we need to make ourselves more visible and talk and continue the conversation of trans rights and womens rights and human rights. We still have a long way to go here, but we’re doing our best in our own position and I believe that its going to eventually change. I have huge respect for the people that walked before us and helped get us to where we are. I believe in a better future for humanity.

K-pop might have led people to believe that South Korea is a progressive society, but in actuality it is still very conservative.

Jungle

5. You’ve traveled to various countries for work, which has allowed you to observe different discourses and phases of the LGBTQIAPN+ movement. How do these diverse perspectives influence your work, especially in the Transparent project and your artistic expression? What reflections do you have on the movement within the South Korean community after observing these different views, and is there any perspective of hope for increased engagement and openness to debates about LGBTQIAPN+ rights? 

I see very big diferences depending on the culture I am working with. In my role at Acne Studios, a European company, I never feel any judgement regarding my transness. But working in Korean Society I always feel like it affects how people perceive me. But I believe the biggest difference comes from ignorance (most average Korean people have never engaged with a trans person as a person) so we have to be visible and meet people and remove the negative stigma that exists.

6. What is the significance of the Transparent movement for you, and how do you believe it benefits individuals in the LGBTQIAPN+ community? In a society where the pain and other mental health issues can’t be openly expressed, as you mentioned to Seoul Community Radio, how do your projects, especially Transparent, contribute to those involved in celebrating their beauty and creating a space of acceptance and well-being?

In Korea there is a strong tendency for people to celebrate trans people who are particularly gendered, but I hope that with our Transparent Community we are creating an environment where all types of beauty and appearance are accepted and celebrated. We’re beautiful when we’re unique to each other.

7. Fashion is a way to express ourselves and place ourselves into the world, how did your journey into fashion begin? What were your biggest influences in this process?

I was always an insecure kid and felt like I was always different (usually it wasn’t positive). And there was a rigid standard of beauty that I found myself outside of, but I chose to explore fashion in order to express myself. Fashion is non-verbal communication: you can express who you are and if you’re lucky you get to find the same tribes.

8. Working with various brands, do you feel that fashion has become more inclusive, or do you feel it still needs to progress in that regard?

Fashion started paying attention to diversity, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is inclusive. They sell images of who you may want to be, but without actually knowing who you are it doesn’t mean anything. I think it’s most important to learn about yoursel when it comes to the journey of fashion.  

We’re beautiful when we’re unique to each other.

Jungle

9. When thinking about references from Brazil, what type or style of clothing would you incorporate into your productions?

Vivid colors, various body shapes and overall faboulous-ness come to mind when I think of Brazilian style. Brazilian people seem to be confident, expressive and alive; I wanna look sexy like Brazilians.

10. How do you balance the different areas of work in your routine? We know you work as a model, performer, activist, and also as the vocalist of a band.

All of the projects I’m doing are really fun, so the process is enjoyable. Except deadlines. I am surrounded by a lot of brilliant friends who support me, and that really helps.

11. Within so many areas covered in your routine, is there any other project or dream you would like to pursue? 

Actually, yes there is. I’m slowly getting back into acting. My debut short film directed by Yoon Gyun Lee will release later this year. I’m very excited about it.

12. Art has been walking alongside you for a long time and is always an incredible form of communication with people. What inspires you currently? Is there any artist you look up to? 

Music always inspires me. What’s different now is that I’m making music with my band. I’ve been learning from them, playing and recording with them and it has been inspiring to me. So I look up to my bandmates.

13. Of all the travels you’ve done while performing your art and exploring new artistic genres, is there any culture or country that has left a stronger impression on you? 

I was born and raised in Busan, South Korea and as a kid, before the internet was a thing, I had access to Japanese culture as Busan is quite close to Japan. So Japanese culture is always a core influence for me. On the other hand, England helped me to grow into a whole different context of culture that expanded my viewpoint of art. Both of them are islands so there’s something in common there.

14. We know there are still many challenges to be faced by the LGBTQIAPN+ community in various social aspects. Do you have any advice to offer? 

Growing is always pain. You’re stronger than you believe you are. As my Mexican friend used to tell me that the bad news is that nothing lasts for ever, but the good news is also that nothing lasts forever. Everything will be alright.

15. Could you leave a message for your readers and the LGBTQIAPN+ community in Brazil? 

Bring our band to Brazil! I can’t wait to meet you!

Want to know more? You can follow Jungle over her Instagram, listen to her work as a vocalist and bassist in othersmayforgetyoubutnoti and see what’s going on at Transparent.