Korea's first transsexual celeb marks 9th wedding anniversary

/Courtesy of Ha Ri-su's Instagram

By Lee Jin-a

Korea’s first transsexual celebrity, Ha Ri-su, celebrated her ninth wedding anniversary on Thursday with husband Mickey Jung.

Ha, 41, who had sex-reassignment surgery in 1997, debuted in 2001 as an actress. She married rapper Jung, 37, in May 2007.

Ha posted a photo on Instagram Thursday of her sitting in a car’s back seat with Mickey, with a memo: “Honey, thank you for being with me for nine years.”

She said: “After helping our dog to deliver puppies, we are heading to the airport to work in Yeosu. Working is the best way to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary.”

Ha had a tough beginning in show business due to her sexual identity. Conservative groups tried to block her appearances on TV and at other events. Nevertheless, she has successfully built her singing career with five albums, including “Temptation” (2001) and “Liar” (2002).