The upcoming marriage plans of director Kim Jo Kwang Su have created headlines in South Korea and sparked some controversy. That's because Kim, one of the nation's few openly gay film directors, is planning to marry his partner Kim Seung Hwan, a film producer.
The marriage is controversial because unions between people of the same sex are not legal in South Korea. While homosexuality is not illegal, it is still considered a taboo subject that has only recently been approached in films such as "The King and The Clown" and "Frozen Flower" and in dramas such as "Personal Taste."
Kim Jo Kwang Su wants to change Korean attitudes and he plans to use his wedding to advocate for change. While his ceremony may have no official legal weight, he will use the event to make a statement.
He will start with the guest list. Kim plans to invite South Korean President Park Geun Hye, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and other influential policymakers.
"I'm planning to invite many people who are in leading positions in Korea," said Kim Jo Kwang Su. "I hope they can help advance the rights of sexual minorities. Homosexuals should be given the same rights as heterosexuals. We're going to work hard to legalize gay marriage in Korea."
It is a bold move in a country where same sex couples are rarely seen in public and an entertainer's career can suffer if he or she admits to being homosexual. Kim has always been very public about his opinions. Although he first worked in film production on projects such as "Happy End" and "Old Miss Diary," he began directing in 2005 and focused on gay themes. He worked with director Lee Song Hee Il to produce the film "No Regret," considered the first Korean gay feature film. He also directed and wrote the film, "Boy Meets Boy." And "Love 100 Degrees."
The director, 48, and his partner Kim Seung Hwan, 29, announced their wedding plans at a recent press conference.
"We will hold the wedding on September 7," said Kim Jo Kwang Su. "We are still looking for a venue where many people can gather."
All cash wedding gifts will be used to create an LGBT center.
The couple plans to officially register their marriage after the ceremony, but they expect that their registration will not be accepted.
"It will most definitely be denied," said Kim Jo Gwang Su. "But then I will file a constitutional appeal. And I will fight to legalize gay marriage."
Kim says attitudes are changing in Korea but he is realistic enough to realize that it may take some time to affect legal change.
