Lee Hyori was chosen as the most popular vegetarian celebrity by the Korea Vegetarian Union (KVU).
On December 2, KVU chose 10 popular figures among vegetarians in Korea, and ranked them from no. 1 to no. 10. The top spot went to singer Lee Hyori, setting her in the same spot for two years in a row.
On December 2, KVU chose 10 popular figures among vegetarians in Korea, and ranked them from no. 1 to no. 10. The top spot went to singer Lee Hyori, setting her in the same spot for two years in a row.
Lee Hyori came to be a vegetarian after she got involved in volunteer work for animal shelters as the member of an animal protection group. Before, she loved meat and was even a promoter of Korean beef, but now she′s become more known as a full-fledged vegetarian. She also refuses to wear animal furs, and refrains from appearing in commercials that promote messages against animal protection or vegetarianism.
The no. 2 spot went to actress Kim Hyo Jin. Kim Hyo Jin has been active as a vegetarian with her husband, Yoo Ji Tae, for four years running, in order to protect the environment and animals.
At the Cannes International Film Festival in May, Kim Hyo Jin said, "I′m not against meat eating. I agree with the argument that animals can be eaten if they were given proper treatment while they were alive. Such instances are impossible, however, so I try not to eat meat."
No. 3 is the former Miss Korea winner Honey Lee. She started on the road of vegetarianism because her brother couldn′t properly ingest proteins and thus was forced to avoid meat. She later got more involved after reading the book Beyond Beef by Jeremy Rifkin. She has been a vegetarian for nine years.
No. 4 is film director Im Soon Rye, who has been vegetarian for 10 years. She is an animal lover, and currently works as the representative of an animal protection group, promoting a stoppage to dog eating and better treatment of lab animals, animals exploited for play and farm animals.
No. 5 is M.D. Hwang Sung Soo, who released many books on vegetarianism. No. 6 on the list is actress Han Ga In and no. 7 went to TV personality Kim Je Dong. No. 8 was taken over by Head CEO Yoo Young Jae of VegeDoctor, a group of doctors who promote vegetarianism. No. 9 is singer Kim Jong Seo and no. 10 went to the musical couple Bae Da Hae and Jo Kang Hyun.
A rep from KVU said about the list that "[popularity and] public awareness was taken into consideration," and added, "We hope in 2013 more popular vegetarians will appear. We plan to release a list of popular vegetarians in Korea every year."
Photo credit: Hea Jung Min
The no. 2 spot went to actress Kim Hyo Jin. Kim Hyo Jin has been active as a vegetarian with her husband, Yoo Ji Tae, for four years running, in order to protect the environment and animals.
At the Cannes International Film Festival in May, Kim Hyo Jin said, "I′m not against meat eating. I agree with the argument that animals can be eaten if they were given proper treatment while they were alive. Such instances are impossible, however, so I try not to eat meat."
No. 3 is the former Miss Korea winner Honey Lee. She started on the road of vegetarianism because her brother couldn′t properly ingest proteins and thus was forced to avoid meat. She later got more involved after reading the book Beyond Beef by Jeremy Rifkin. She has been a vegetarian for nine years.
No. 4 is film director Im Soon Rye, who has been vegetarian for 10 years. She is an animal lover, and currently works as the representative of an animal protection group, promoting a stoppage to dog eating and better treatment of lab animals, animals exploited for play and farm animals.
No. 5 is M.D. Hwang Sung Soo, who released many books on vegetarianism. No. 6 on the list is actress Han Ga In and no. 7 went to TV personality Kim Je Dong. No. 8 was taken over by Head CEO Yoo Young Jae of VegeDoctor, a group of doctors who promote vegetarianism. No. 9 is singer Kim Jong Seo and no. 10 went to the musical couple Bae Da Hae and Jo Kang Hyun.
A rep from KVU said about the list that "[popularity and] public awareness was taken into consideration," and added, "We hope in 2013 more popular vegetarians will appear. We plan to release a list of popular vegetarians in Korea every year."
Photo credit: Hea Jung Min
