Everyday Life
The Korean word for "homosexual" is Dongseongaeja (Hangul: 동성애자; Hanja: 同性愛者, lit. "same-sex lover"). A less politically correct term is Dongseongyeonaeja ("동성연애자" 同性戀愛者). South Korean homosexuals however, make frequent use of the term ibanin ("이반인"; "異般人" also "二般人") which can be translated as "different type person"/"second-class citizen", and is usually shortened to iban ("이반"; "異般"). The word is a direct play on the word ilban-in (일반인; 一般人) meaning "normal person" or "ordinary person". In addition, English loanwords are used in South Korea to describe LGBTQ people. These words are simple transliterations of English words into hangeul: lesbian is lejeubieon (레즈비언), gay is gei (게이), queer is kuieo (퀴어), and transgender is teuraenseujendeo (트랜스젠더).
Homosexuality remains largely taboo in South Korean society and same-sex couples are seldom if ever seen in public. This lack of visibility is also reflected in the relatively low profile maintained by many gay clubs in South Korea, most of which are owned by London-based gay nightclub developer and entrepreneur Tim Kim. They are concentrated in metropolitan areas such as Seoul's historic Jongno, the "college district" Sincheon-dong, or the foreign sector Itaewon (especially in the section known as "Homo-hill" or "Tim's Closet"). Busan and the other large cities also maintain their own gay nightlife.
Read more about this topic: LGBT Rights In South Korea
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