39page

39 3 Mini Han November 2011 Mini Han has become the face of transgender beauty in Korea after being crowned win- ner of Miss International Queen 2010 at the world’s most prestigious and largest beauty pageant for transgender people. Held in Pattaya, Thailand, the objective of the pageant is to highlight awareness for transgender rights in the international community. As a fashion design- er, she also won the award for Best National Costume at the competition. She is now working in Pattaya for Tiffany’s Show, one of the world’s most famous drag cabaret shows with more than 2,000 people enjoying the performances every night. 2 Eshe Yildiz May 2011 Easily the best-known professional belly dancer in Korea, Canadian Eshe Yildiz has re- turned to Groove’s pages several times for a reason: She is sexy, and she is an inspiration to entrepreneurs and dancers across Seoul and elsewhere in Asia. The Seoul resident received intensive training in Cairo and Istanbul, and her last name, meaning “star” in Turkish, was gifted by the famous Roman Turkish belly dancer Sema Yildiz. Now she teaches at her own Dream Dance Studio in Seoul and directs two performing troupes, Navah and Mahadevi. She told Groove Korea that her ultimate goal is to popularize belly dance as a rich cultural and moving artistic phenomenon. Recently, she performed at Shake Shop 13, a concert series presented by Korea Gig Guide and Dream Dance Studio, collaborating with local indie bands. 1 Seoul Sisters November 2010 The mighty women of the Seoul Sisters Rugby Club made a name for themselves — and pulled in a significant amount of funding — by launching a calendar series. A nude one. When Groove Korea visited their photo shoot for the 2011 calendar, the club was teaming up with photographers Penelope Brook and Katrin Guete with a different approach from the previ- ous year. “Compared to last year when it was completely nude, we used props and sometimes clothing this year,” club member Bridget Tunnicliffe said at the time. “I think the calendar is more sporty this time and has a fun feel to it.” Now they have three teams — Touch, Central and West End. Practices are held every Saturday at Jamwon Pitch in Apgujeong. 4 The Roller Derby girls January 2012 Korea’s first roller derby league was founded by four women in 2010. “It was real campy when it started,” O’Neill said of derby’s early days. “As time’s gone on it’s gotten more serious and now it’s really a sport.” The league’s first practice in April 2012 had only 12 mem- bers, but now they have local teams in Seoul and Busan. The skaters practice every weekend, alternating between Seoul and Daegu. For team member Monique Dean, a fun part about roller derby is “thinking of a name and alter ego.” On the track, the names they create allow them to express another side of their personalities. One of the sport’s more significant messages, however, is that a woman can be strong and assertive without losing her feminine identity.