IF YOU bump into Harisu on the street, you won't be able to tell that she was actually a "he" many years ago.

Born in Songnam, near Seoul, in 1975, as Lee Kyoung-eun, Harisu felt from early childhood that "he" was really a female, and underwent sex reassignment surgery at the age of 23.

The newly minted lady was "discovered" by a talent agency while studying hair design in Japan and soon began modelling. Using the stage name "Harisu" which means "Hot Issue", she was soon appearing in print and TV advertisements. Her first major commercial shoot for make-up company Dodo turned Harisu into a star overnight. In 2001, she released her first album. Temptation, and starred as a transsexual woman n the semi-fictional movie, Yellow Hair 2.

She subsequently released a few other albums and made numerous appearances on television. Earlier this year, Harisu promoted menstrual pads in a series of advertisements for the Taiwanese company UTF.

Harisu is beautiful and friendly in person. She also speaks four languages - her native Korean, Japanese, English and Mandarin.

Last week, the Korean diva was in Malaysia to sign a three-year contract with Hock Star Entertainment, a local film production house. Under the agreement, the company will secure advertising and endorsement deals for her.

Last Friday, Harisu also released her latest compilation album, Foxy Lady, comprising 16 Korean and three Mandarin songs, distributed by Acclaim Music in Malaysia. She will also star in her first Malaysian horror film, Possessed later this year.

theSun spoke to Harisu, who is also known as "Kylie Minogue of the East", about her life as a singer and actress, and her hopes for the future.

You sing three Mandarin songs in Foxy Lady.
I'm not fluent in Mandarin. I had a tutor who helped me in the pronunciation of the Chinese words. Now, it's okay.

Tell us about your role in the movie, Possessed.
We haven't started work on the movie yet. Can I tell him? (Harisu looks at her manager.) It's a horror movie. My character is a singer from Korea who comes to Malaysia to perform. During her stay here, she is possessed by an evil spirit.

You are also known as "Kylie Minogue of the East".
The Taiwanese recording company gave me the label. It feels great to be compared to Kylie. She's a superstar.

What do you think of Malaysian men?
I thought that all Malaysian men have dark skin. Actually, a lot of you guys look like people in China. It's as though I'm in China.

What would you say is your biggest achievement to date?
The recognition that fans in Asia have given me ... be it for my acting or singing career. That is the most precious thing to me.

Do you prefer acting or singing?
I like both. I enjoy all my work, including modelling, too.

How do you deal with rumours and gossip?
Of course, I used to get upset previously. But they (the rumours) are not true. I don't care anymore. I just ignore them.

If you were not an entertainer, what would you be?
I will still want to be an entertainer.

When you decided to be a woman, what was your family's reaction?
There wasn't any reaction at all. When I was young, I was already "Hirasu". They treated me as their son. I am still me. It's just that I have changed my sex.

What do you think is the secret of your popularity?
I just be myself. I'm in this line to earn a living and to take care of my parents, family, myself and my company's staff. I just give my best at work and do things my way.

What's your advice to those who want to follow in your footsteps?
For those who feel trapped in their bodies, destiny is in their own hands. It's like if your ambition is to be a teacher, you attend a teacher's training course.

If you want to have a sex change, it's your choice. For those who want to be an entertainer, they have to work hard at it.

Staying beautiful

• How do you reward yourself?
  Sometimes I go for a massage. I don't go for facials. I enjoy playing the PlayStation to relax my mind.
• How do you keep fit?
  I do yoga and pilates.
• What about your skincare regime?
  (She laughs.) I just wash my face with an ordinary cleanser. I don't apply moisturiser.
• Do you take a long time to get ready before you go out?
  No. I don't apply make-up unless for work.
• Do you think women are envious of you?
  I don't know.

Soundbites

• Do you consider yourself a role model?
  I don't think I am a role model.
• Do you have a boyfriend?
  I used to. Now, I am so busy with my career that I don't have time for one.
• Do you plan to get married?
  Of course, someday. But now career comes first for me.