81-year-old Miss Universe Korea candidate Choi Soon Hwa misses out on crown

Choi Soon Hwa, an 81-year-old candidate in the Miss Universe South Korea, fell short in taking home the crown on the coronation night of the pageant.

Nevertheless, she did not go home empty-handed.

According to a report by the Associated Press, Soon Hwa won the Best Dressed award at Miss Universe Korea on coronation night held Monday in Seoul, South Korea, where she competed against 31 other candidates. She is considered as the oldest Miss Universe Korea contestant.

The model and beauty queen donned a white lace and tulle gown on coronation night, and also performed in the pageant's singing contest.

Han Ariel, a 22-year-old fashion school student, was crowned Miss Universe Korea 2024. She will represent South Korea at the Miss Universe pageant in November in Mexico.

Soon Hwa is a former hospital worker who pursued modeling in her 70s, according to a report by the BBC. She has since become a successful model in South Korea and even walked the runway during their fashion week.

Soon Hwa participated in Miss Universe Korea in the hopes of having an international modeling career.

“Just being able to participate is an amazing and honorable experience,” she told BBC of her experience joining Miss Universe Korea.

Soon Hwa also shared that the contestants supported her during the pageant.

"The participants were surprised to see me, and when they learned I was 80, they expressed admiration, saying, I want to age like you," she said.

Her grandchildren, who are in their early 20s, also expressed their admiration for her.

"My grandchildren cheer me on, saying, 'Our grandma is so cool, pretty, beautiful, and the best!'" she said.

Soon Hwa hopes that more seniors can compete in beauty competitions and challenge the status quo.

"Since this is still new, there’s a lot of buzz, but as more seniors participate, perspectives on them will shift, and there will come a time when seniors can compete in world competitions," she said in the report. "But for now, it’s still time for the young to take the stage."

In recent years, the Miss Universe Organization removed the age limit for candidates, and opened the competition to wives, mothers, and transgender women.

— Nika Roque/CDC, GMA Integrated News