The story of Choi Soon-hwa (80), who attempted the Miss Universe contest, is a hot topic.
On the 28th (local time), CNN highlighted Choi’s life in an article titled ‘Meet the 80-year-old Miss Universe Korea contestant who proves that age is just a number.’
On the 22nd, Ms. Choi passed the document review and preliminary round of Miss Universe Korea and was selected as a finalist. Miss Universe had previously limited the age of contestants to 18 to 28 years old, but after criticism that it was anachronistic, the age limit was removed starting this year. In addition, pregnant women, married people, and women who had been married were also eligible to participate.
“I want to shock the world so that people will ask questions like ‘How can an 80-year-old woman be so healthy?’, ‘How did she maintain that body?’ and ‘What’s her diet like?’” Choi said in a phone interview with CNN. “I want to do it,” he said.
“It’s important to look beautiful on the outside, but it’s also important to feel comfortable and respect others,” he said. “People are too negative these days. “You have to think positively,” he emphasized.
Born in 1943, Choi dreamed of becoming a model after seeing models wearing fancy clothes in a magazine her father bought. However, because his circumstances were limited, he got a job at a textile factory at the age of 18. Afterwards, Ms. Choi got married and lived as a wife and mother of two children. Mr. Choi, who became old, began working as a caregiver after lending money to an acquaintance and not receiving it back. One of the patients I met while working as a caregiver recommended I become a senior model, saying, “You’re tall and you’d look great as a model.”
Choi said that she thought it was ridiculous at first, but because it was her dream to become a model, she took on the challenge. He attended a modeling academy and joined the academy instructor’s agency. Eventually, she debuted on the Seoul Fashion Week runway in 2018 at the age of 74. It later appeared in fashion magazines and beer advertisements.
Mr. Choi said, “Attitudes toward and opportunities for older models are improving.” He continued, “There are a lot of elderly models these days,” and “although only a few of them actually make money through modeling, it has definitely changed compared to 10 years ago when no one was looking for elderly models.”
The Miss Universe Korea final competition will be held at the CG Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 30th. If Choi is selected as a final candidate, she will become the oldest contestant at the Miss Universe pageant to be held in Mexico in November. Among the currently confirmed participants, the oldest is Malta’s Beatrice Njoya (40).
Choi said she was excited about being able to represent Korea abroad. He said, “I have always dreamed of performing on an overseas stage, so I am mentally prepared,” and added, “My family is also proud of me.”
Hyewon Lee, Donga.com Reporter [email protected]
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2024-10-01 08:19:34