Nell Fox is the leader of Seoul’s first-ever burlesque team, WhiteLies BurlesqueRevue. Nell has been in Korea nearly a decade and performing for over six years. We take a deep dive on what burlesque is, the difference between subject and object, sexism and lookism in Korea, expression, and experiences navigating a sexually conservative society. You can learn more about WhiteLies at www.whitelies.me and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wl.burlesque.
Show Notes
00:52 what is burlesque / sexual subject vs sexual object
03:40 on acclimating to Korea / the stares (and stairs)
08:30 jumping in to burlesque / creating a safe space
14:35 what is a burlesque show like
18:00 Korean reactions
24:00 why burlesque is empowering / “everyone is welcome”
35:24 grievances and bad experiences in Korea
38:20 sexual assault in Korea
44:15 is Korea becoming a better place to live
47:27 on community
49:10 what makes WhiteLies successful
51:10 rapid fire
56:40 book recommendations
People, Places, Things Mentioned on the Show
Bedrock (베드록)
Burlesque (뷔를레스크)
Casablanca (카사블랑카)
Dding Dong LGBTQ Youth Crisis Support Center
Guide to raising pet hedgehogs
Haebangchon (해방촌)
Hagwon (학원)
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Sillim-dong (신림)