Korean-Nigerian model becomes honorary ambassador for multiculturalism
Korean-Nigerian model Han Hyun-min holds a certificate by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family recognizing him as honorary ambassador for multiculturalism at Wonju, Gangwon Province, Thursday. / Yonhap
By You Soo-sun
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family named Korean-Nigerian model Han Hyun-min, 16, as the honorary ambassador to promote awareness of multiculturalism in Korea, Thursday.
Having risen to stardom at a young age, Han hopes to remove the prejudices against biracial youths and professionals that still very much exist.
“I really wanted to do something about this problem for a long time. The opportunity came earlier than I had expected, and I am grateful for that ― it’s an honor,” Han told the Korea Times, Friday.
Growing up, he encountered many instances in which he felt subject to racism ― often in the form of gazes that lasted too long.
“People would just continue to stare at me for no reason,” Han said. He recalled his childhood when students from other schools would stare at him as they encountered each other during field trips.
“It was really difficult,” he said.
As the eldest-born in his family, he didn’t want his four younger siblings ― now seven, six, five and four years old ― to go through the same ordeal.
“My mom really encouraged me and just filled me with this positive energy,” Han said when asked how he was able to overcome the many hurdles he met along the way.
“I was really lucky. Just last year, in March, my agency signed me right after I showed them my walk on the streets. That same month, I had my stage debut,” he said.
No matter how dire the circumstances, he believes, anyone can achieve their dreams if they put in the effort. “But it’s really important that our society becomes free of prejudice.”
Han is the ministry’s first honorary ambassador. And just as Han wishes, he was deemed the perfect candidate to bring about change in people’s perceptions of biracial people.
“It wasn’t an easy decision. We considered both foreigners who migrated to Korea as adults, and children who were born here and grew up as Koreans,” a ministry official explained.
“But we came to the conclusion that Han, as a public figure with a growing presence on the global stage, would be an inspirational figure for children who come from multicultural backgrounds.”