This 81-year-old model becomes the oldest Miss Universe Korea contestant
Age is just a number!
Choi Soon-hwa made history by becoming the oldest Miss Universe Korea contestant at the age of 81.
Although she fell short of winning the crown against 31 other candidates of younger age brackets, Choi bagged the "Best Dresser" Award.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old fashion school student, Han Ariel, will represent the country in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant to be held in Mexico City in November.
The pageant was held last Monday, Sept. 30, at a hotel in Seoul, South Korea.
An inspiration
In an interview with the Associated Press, Choi, a former hospital care worker, said that by joining Miss Universe Korea at her age, she hopes to inspire others to "live healthier and find joy in life when you find things you want to do."
"Even at this age, I had the courage to grab onto an opportunity and take on a challenge,” Choi told the media outlet before the pageant.
Choi, who also began her modeling career in her 70s, was featured in various international magazines like Pump Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle.
Choi also made her runway debut at Seoul Fashion Week when she was 74.
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) announced in September 2023 the removal of age restrictions across all Miss Universe and associated pageants.
Back then, the MUO only allowed women between the ages of 18 and 28 to compete in the beauty pageant. This is one of the new rules mandated by the international pageant, such as the inclusion of transgender women, divorced women, wives, and mothers.
The Miss Universe 2024 coronation night is set to take place on November 16, 2024, in the Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico.
Bulacan's Chelsea Manalo will represent the Philippines and aim for the fifth crown following the wins of Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).