Teenage male model Han Hyun-Min's long legs and powerful strut have made him a rising star on South Korean catwalks, but his agent knew there would be a problem in the ethnically homogenous country: he is half black.

Han, 16, has a Nigerian father in a society where racial discrimination is widespread and people of mixed race are commonly referred to as "mongrels".

"A dark-skinned fashion model like Han was unheard of in South Korea, so recruiting him was a big gamble," said agent Youn Bum.

Now Han is posing for top glossy magazines as the country's first black fashion model.

South Korea has for years sought to foster the image of a modern, sophisticated and tech-savvy nation whose pop culture has made waves across Asia.

But behind the facade of an economic and cultural powerhouse lies a deeply-rooted racism -- even as its immigrant population creeps up, doubling over the last decade but still only four percent of the population.

Most foreigners in the country are from China and Southeast Asia, migrant workers or women who marry rural South Korean men unable to find local spouses willing to live in countryside.

Discrimination against them is widespread. Many are openly mocked at public transport for being "dirty" or "smelly", or refused entry to fancy restaurants or public baths.

A government survey in 2015 showed that 25 percent of South Koreans do not want a foreigner as a neighbour -- far higher than the 5.6 percent in the US and China's 10.5 percent.

Mixed-race children are bullied at school and constantly taunted as "tuigi", a derogatory term that literally means cross-bred animals.

Many complain of poor opportunities in many aspects of life, including difficulties socialising, getting a job or finding a spouse.

Han was no exception.

- Game over -

"When I was playing with other kids at school, some mothers whisked them away from me, saying things like, 'Don't play with a kid like that'," he told AFP.

He was regularly stared at in public, with an elderly woman once asking him: "What are you doing in someone else's country?"

https://in.fashionnetwork.com/news/S-korea-s-first-black-model-faces-widespread-racism,849087.html

No picture of the model?.

He is making a name for himself... One day, he will be a pillar of strength to stand up against racism in the country.

dawnomike:
He is making a name for himself... One day, he will be a pillar of strength to stand up against racism in the country.

I think you're receiving this thread much different than how it was intended.

I'm in no way celebrating this person. Furthermore, if you actually think that their "success" will change anything in that disgusting country, I have a bridge to sell you.

Una no dey tire to play race card?

He should run with his long legs back to Africa.. this whites are dingbat racist

Theses koreans that look like baby ratlinggs and furless Cats mtewwmtew

Nna mhen, some kind cross-breeding get as e be o!
Africa-Asia, I am not correlating.

Be strong my man.

The self hatred of Nigerians is too much. Stop breeding with racist people just because they aren't black. Why put your children through this hatred?

If you're self hatred compels you to marry and procreate with these people at least bring your children into a country where there are others like himself and yourself.

khiaa:
The self hatred of Nigerians is too much. Stop breeding with racist people just because they aren't black. Why put your children through this hatred?

If you're self hatred compels you to marry and procreate with these people at least bring your children into a country where there are others like himself and yourself.

Nigerians mainly mix with nonblacks for citizenship, and that's only if they think there's no other (or easier) way to get it. Very few actually want these people.

Cousin9999:


Nigerians mainly mix with nonblacks for citizenship, and that's only if they think there's no other (or easier) way to get it. Very few actually want these people.

It doesn't matter what the reasons are once you procreate with them. Think about your offsprings.

Also, I disagree with you, Nigerian men are obsessed with non black women, just look at the many many topics here about their worship of white women. They don't want them for a green card, they're sick with self hatred.