An 80-year-old South Korean model has entered the Most Universe Korea pageant, making her the oldest contestant in the competition. Choi Soon-hwa, a contestant with white hair and a youthful personality, is among the contestants who are many years younger than her, but she also wants to show that age is but a number.

Being born in 1943, which is nine years prior to the first ever Miss Universe pageant of 1952, Ms. Choi stands a chance to make history and become the first Miss Korea and thus South Korea’s Miss Universe when she gets to clinch the triumph and then represent her country in the final that shall be hosted in Mexico in November this year. She stands a chance to go up against 31 other women for the crown on Monday.

While speaking to CNN, Miss Choi stated "I want to stun the world, like, 'How is an 80-year-old lady so healthy? How did she maintain that body? What's your diet?”

Miss Universe Korea
Image Source: Malay Mail

Ms. Choi’s participation came following the Miss Universe Organization, which has sought to advocate for a change in format due to popular demand, allowing contestants’ upper age limit to be raised from 28. ”Now that the age restriction was removed, I said to myself, ‘I should give it a try,’” she said.

Ms. Choi ventured into pageantry merely after a successful modeling career and later as well. She struggled in her youth to make ends meet and became a hospital caregiver at age 50; she started modeling at age 72. At the age of 74, she came to Seoul Fashion Week and started by modeling for the runway. Since then she has graced the pages of Harper’s Bazaar and Elle and also even featured in South Korean commercials. She stated, "Becoming a model was like opening a door to a new path for me.”

The Miss Universe Korea event scheduled for Monday is supposed to feature some dramatic performances, and Ms. Choi plans to compete in a singing contest. The annual event shall therefore consider the physical beauty both internally and externally as well as votes for the online competition.If she triumphs, Choi Soon-hwa will be the oldest contestant to compete in the international Miss Universe pageant.

You might also be interested in - North Korea’s Kim Jong Un executes 30 officials for failing to stop flooding