An 80-year-old model has won an award at the Miss Universe Korea beauty pageant – but narrowly missed out on the crown.
Choi Soon-Hwa took part in the national beauty contest yesterday (30 Sept).
She competed against 32 finalists and took home the ‘best dresser’ award.
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However, the OAP model narrowly missed out on becoming the oldest ever Miss Universe Korea.
Fashion school student Han Ariel, 22, will go on to represent South Korea at the international Miss Universe event in November.
Choi was still the oldest finalist the beauty pageant has seen.
She stated: “After seeing that the Miss Universe competition has no age limit, I said ‘I’m taking part in this’.
“I want to stun the world, like ‘how is an 80-year-old lady this healthy? How did she maintain that body? What is her diet?’”
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“Even at my age, I had the courage to grab an opportunity and take on the challenge.
“I want people to look at me and realise that you can live healthier and find joy in life when you find things you want to do.”
Choi, who was born in Masan on 11 October 1943, first started modelling 10 years ago while working as a nurse.
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A patient told her that she would probably do well despite her advancing years.
She said: “Her remark hit me like a ray.”
Choi joined a modelling school and made her catwalk debut at Seoul Fashion Week three years later when she was 75-years-old.
She has since appeared in fashion magazines such as Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, as reported by What’s The Jam.
She said: “I was born and raised in a very tough time, and I still have that resilience to fight, to survive my own battles.
“But the young generation has no idea.”
Choi, who raised her two children alone after her husband walked out on them, stated: “During my years as a single parent of two kids, I would wear the same clothes for as long as 20 years.”
Despite losing out on the Miss Universe Korea crown, Choi still believes she will go on to become a global phenomenon.
She said: “I saw a lot of nice models other than Koreans, and I want to explore and have adventures on global stages.
“That was the idea, and a Miss Universe can do this, but I have no worries about losing.
“I’ll find another opportunity to go global.”
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