Multitalented Singer Is Giving Sex Advice On Korean Web Site

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Multitalented Singer Is Giving Sex Advice On Korean Web Site

Hong Seo-bum, a popular singer, is a man of many talents, a "mannung entertainer" as Koreans say.

Lately Mr. Hong has started a new career. He is now the resident expert on matters of sex and life at Miclub (www.miclub.com), a local Internet portal. He is joined on the site by a psychiatrist, a urologist, a novelist and another popular singer - his wife. Together they chat with visitors, most of whom are women, and offer advice.

"I'm not a trained sex counselor," Mr. Hong said. "All I know about specifics on sex is based on my own experiences with my wife and on my natural instinct."

"Sex is the most beautiful and natural human act," he said. "However, these days it is misused by many people who lack a proper knowledge about sex or are simply obsessed by it." Visitors can seek his opinions in the Gojajil (tale telling) corner, one of the pages that make up the "Sex and Romance" section at Miclub. Mr. Hong also attempts to explain how men usually interpret a woman's reaction to sex.

"I think sex should be taught and discussed in a more natural way," Mr. Hong said. "That's what I'm here for."

Besides his work on the Web site, he makes regular appearances on TV shows such as SBS's "Beautiful Life." His fans may remember his debut in 1980 with the group Oxen 80s and its prize-winning song "Firework." His later releases include the hits "Prayer of the Poor Lovers," "A Help-Wanted Advertisement" and "To You," the first duet with his wife.

On the Web site, Mr. Hong's wife, Jo Kap-kyung, is in charge of the pages called "Toys Elevating EQ (Emotion Quotient)" and "Today's Cosmetic Products." She passes on beauty tips and offers child-care advice.

Ma Gwang-soo, a professor at Yonsei University, whose sexually explicit recent novel, "Human Being," created a national stir, contributes a column to the "Sex and Romance" page. His Web column deals with love techniques, sex etiquette, orgasm and masturbation.

"Overall we aim to fill the site with practical information meant to improve women's lives," said Lee So-yeon, a public information officer at Miclub. "Among all the channels offered by our site, Mr. Hong's Gojajil is the most popular page." Miclub is aimed at women from 20 to 40 years old. The site has a total of 14 pages and claims to have 800,000 regular members.

by Kim Jae-seon

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