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Ikko
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In a bold choice, the cross-dressing Japanese celebrity Ikko was on Friday appointed honorary goodwill ambassador by the Korea Tourism Organization. Looking radiant in a flowery dress at the event, Ikko said, "I can't imagine myself without Korea."
Ikko is a versatile entertainer whose professional pursuits range from makeup and hair to singing and presenting. Whatever he mentions becomes a bestseller the next day. So influential is he in the Japanese fashion and beauty industry that the term "Ikko effect" has been coined. After he introduced Korea's blemish balm on a talk show, Japanese tourists in Korea bought over 3,000 tubes of the cream a day.
He is interested in Korean style of beauty and even published a book last year. "Korean women have better skin than Japanese women. I want to introduce the lifestyle of Korean women, who constantly detox their bodies and minds, to Japan," he said.
His interest was sparked by watching TV soap operas such as "Winter Sonata" and "Autumn in My Heart." "I love the everyday food Koreans eat," he says. "I especially love japchae (mixed vegetable noodles), and I cook it everyday when I'm home," IKKO said proudly, "I can feel the vibe, the right-minded energy from the life of Koreans. To take in that energy, I walk the bustling streets of Seoul whenever I come to Korea."
The KTO will publish a guide to Seoul for Japanese tourists based on Ikko's experiences and recommendations.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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