Ms Choi Soon-hwa, 81, may not have won the crown at the Miss Universe Korea pageant on Sept 30, but she left a lasting impression by taking home the “Best Dresser” award. Ms Choi Soon-hwa, 81, may not have won the crown at the Miss Universe Korea pageant on Sept 30, but she left a lasting impression by taking home the “Best Dresser” award. The Miss Universe Korea title ultimately went to 22-year-old fashion student Han Ariel, who will go on to represent South Korea at the Miss Universe competition in Mexico City in November.
Dressed in a shimmering white gown, the grey-haired model confidently walked the stage at a hotel in Seoul, capturing attention with her poise. Ms Choi was up against women decades her junior in the competition. Ms Choi, who started her modelling career in her seventies after years of working as a hospital caregiver, was one of 32 finalists of the Miss Universe Korea competition in September.
Speaking to The Associated Press hours before the pageant on Sept 30, she said: “Even at this age, I had the courage to grab onto an opportunity and take on a challenge.” Ms Choi’s participation at her age was made possible by a recent rule change . Previously, Miss Universe limited contestants to those between the ages of 18 and 28.
In 2024, that age restriction was lifted by the Miss Universe Organisation in a bid to promote diversity and modernise the competition. The Miss Universe Korea pageant also eliminated requirements related to education, heig.