Miss Universe Korea 2024 oldest contestant: In a bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant, 81-year-old model Choi Soon-hwa faced formidable competition from contestants much younger than her in the South Korean pageant. Despite her remarkable performance in a beaded white gown and showcasing her talent in a singing contest at the Miss Universe Korea pageant held in Seoul on Monday, Choi fell short of clinching the crown but did secure the prestigious “best dressed” award.
Han Ariel, a 22-year-old fashion school student emerged as the contest winner and is set to represent South Korea at the global Miss Universe pageant in November, to be held in Mexico City. Choi, a former hospital care worker who embarked on her modelling journey in her 70s, was named a finalist for Miss Universe Korea earlier this month, alongside 31 other contestants.
Expressing her resilience and determination, Choi shared with The Associated Press before the pageant, “Even at this age, I dared to grab onto an opportunity and take on a challenge. I want people to look at me and realize that you can live healthier and find joy in life when you find things you want to do and challenge yourself to achieve that dream.”
Choi’s participation in the pageant was made possible by the recent lift of the age limit imposed by Miss Universe, which previously restricted participants to women between 18 and 28 years old. The decision to remove age-related constraints was aimed at modernizing and diversifying the competition, paving the way for individuals like Choi to pursue their dreams despite societal norms.
In a bid to promote inclusivity, the Korean pageant organizers also made significant changes by eliminating the swimsuit competition and eligibility criteria based on education, height, and foreign language abilities, thereby creating a more open platform for women to showcase their talents and aspirations.
Choi Soon-hwa’s inspiring journey serves as a testament to the power of determination and the ability to challenge conventional standards, reinforcing the belief that age should not be a barrier to pursuing one’s dreams.