K-Pop’s First All-Transgender Idol Group And The Extreme Lengths They Went To Achieve Fame

Did you know there was once a K-Pop group consisting of all-transgender members? They were called Lady, and they weren’t your typical girl group! They were the very first transgender group hailing from South Korea.

Inspired by transgender Korean singer Harisu, Lady was a four-member group consisting of Sinae…

…Sahara…

…Yoona…

…and Binu.

In an interview with The Chosun Ilbo, they described themselves as having always been women, and the only difference they have from natural-born women is that they have an “an extra scar.”

We love chocolate, shopping and gossip. Mentally we were always women, the only difference being that we changed something physical, simply we are women with an extra scar.

— Lady

The women competed and won against over 400 others to attain a spot in the group, so they weren’t just pretty faces—they were proud of their singing and dancing skills. “Soon we’ll show everyone what we’ve got on stage,” they said confidently.

They went on to debut in 2005 with a self-titled album that included eight tracks, most being remixes of their songs “Attention” and “Ladies Night.”

And just like the name of their song, they received considerable attention from the media both locally and internationally. Unfortunately, they were only able to perform at music shows a few times due to the country’s conservative beliefs. Their music was ultimately not well-received by the public.

In the hopes of gaining recognition following their failed debut, they agreed to release a mature photobook called “Women, Reflect!” It featured illicit photos of the members where they posed with men and went full nude.

This was not a decision they made overnight. Knowing that they will be on the receiving end of controversy for it, they thought long and hard about whether to push through. They ultimately decided to do the photoshoot after realizing that it was an opportunity for them to be seen as real women.

Moreover, they hoped that the photos will be viewed as art and not in a sexual manner.

We thought it would be an opportunity for us to get recognition as real women. We ask that you think of the photographs as works of art.

— Lady

However, the photobook failed to catapult the girls into stardom, and they disbanded in early 2007.

Not much is known about the members’ current whereabouts. Hopefully, they are doing well wherever they are!

Meanwhile, watch Lady’s music video for “Attention” below.