<Republic of BerryBerry :
What happend to Trans-Bloomed Soldier part 1.>
2024, Video/Animation
Duration : 00:07:20
//
This project, envisioned as a series, addresses Anti-LGBTQIA+ (specially for Anti-Trans) sentiments in South Korean society, drawing upon archived events. It will be presented through 3D animations set in the fictional "Republic of BerryBerry," a world inhabited by humanoid plant creatures, specifically berry types, with male-flowered Strawberries as the dominant group.
The inaugural episode focuses on the discrimination against transgender individuals in Korea, epitomized by the case of Sergeant Hee-soo Byun since 2019. This episode aims to reconstruct the societal backlash and discrimination she faced into a faux documentary within the BerryBerry context. Unlike the tragic real-world outcome, the BerryBerry version grants the protagonist victory in their legal battles.
Characters are depicted with blue or pale purple skin, horns, and plant-like hair, creating a visually distinct and allegorical representation of the issues at hand. The narrative incorporates elements from Korean culture, such as a 49th-day memorial requiem, adapting them to fit the vibrant yet solemn atmosphere of the animation's setting.
By abstracting real-world issues into this imaginative universe, the series intends to foster reflection on prejudice without directly invoking the pain of actual events, ensuring a respectful and thought-provoking engagement with sensitive topics.
//
Background stroy of Sgt. Hee-Soo Byun
Hee-soo Byun was South Korea's first openly transgender soldier, who sought gender reassignment surgery in Thailand during her service, a decision made after enduring gender dysphoria and starting hormone treatment under military hospital guidance. Despite her surgery being a continuation of this treatment, the Military Medical Investigation Committee deemed her unfit for service, citing "mental and physical disability" from testicular damage, and discharged her in December 2019. Her legal gender was officially recognized as female on February 10, 2020.
- December 2019: The Military Medical Investigation Committee discharges Hee-soo Byun from service due to a "mental and physical disability" diagnosis, linked to testicular damage after undergoing gender reassignment surgery in Thailand.
- February 10, 2020: Hee-soo Byun's gender change to female is officially recognized by law.
- July 2020: Byun's request for military re-examination is rejected by the Military Personnel Appeals Review Committee.
- August 11, 2020: Byun files a lawsuit to overturn her military discharge.
- September 2020: The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights labels Byun's forced discharge a violation of international human rights law and demands an explanation from the Korean government, which responds dismissively.
- December 14, 2020: The National Human Rights Commission of Korea finds Byun's forced discharge to be an unfair human rights violation, though their findings carry no more weight than a recommendation.
- March 3, 2021: Hee-soo Byun is found dead in her home, about a month before the first hearing for her administrative lawsuit for reinstatement.
- April 15, 2021: The first hearing date for the administrative litigation for reinstatement occurs.
- August 19, 2021: The administrative litigation pleading concludes.
- October 7, 2021: The Daejeon District Court rules the military's discharge of Byun as illegal, marking a posthumous victory for her case.
Still image 1
Still image 2
Still image 3
Still image 4
Still image 5
Still image 6
Still image 7
//