24-year-old Jeong Yeon-woo (Department of Electrical and Electronic Communication Engineering, Chungnam National University) has been crowned the winner of the 69th Miss Korea pageant.
On the 5th, the finals of the 69th Miss Korea pageant, hosted by Global E&B, took place at the COEX Auditorium in Gangnam, Seoul. The 63rd Miss Korea 'Sun' Woo Hee-jun and the 67th Miss Korea 'Sun' Jeong Gyu-ri co-hosted the event, showcasing stable hosting skills.
This year's competition introduced various changes in line with the times, including the first-ever resurrection round for losers, a survival format, a combination of public voting and judge voting to enhance fairness, and expanded eligibility for participants from diverse backgrounds, signaling the discovery of multifaceted female talents.
Jeong Yeon-woo, the winner of Miss Korea 'Jin', expressed her overwhelming feelings, saying, "I want to thank everyone who helped me stand here. There were many difficult moments, but I want to applaud all the candidates who completed the process well."
Jeong Yeon-woo stated, "I naturally developed a dream of becoming an educator while pursuing my dream of being a person who has a positive influence on many people," and added, "Now that I am Miss Korea, I want to be someone who has a good influence on a broader society."
The honor of 'Sun' went to Kim Bo-geum (25, Department of Dance, Kyung Hee University). The title of 'Mi' was awarded to Yoo Eun-seo (26, Department of Aviation and Tourism, Suwon Science University). Yoo Eun-seo, the younger sister of Yoo Si-eun, the 'Sun' of the 66th Miss Korea pageant, celebrated her victory in the finals after knocking on the door again through the resurrection round following her challenge in 2023, earning the Miss Korea crown alongside her sister.
In the newly established category 'Art (藝)', Park Ji-yoo (20, Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment, Dongduk Women's University) was recognized, while Lee Seo-hyun (22, Department of East Asian Studies/Venture Management, Seoul National University) was acknowledged in the 'Talent (才)' category. Following the traditional virtues symbolized by 'Jin-Sun-Mi', the newly established 'Art' and 'Talent' categories selected candidates with artistic talents and creativity in dance, music, and acting, as well as those with competitive skills and unique, professional specialties. This change aligns with Miss Korea's direction to discover a broader range of talents.
The special awards for Popularity and Friendship were awarded to Lee Gyu-ri (21, Department of Theater and Film, Chung-Ang University) and Yoo Eun-seo (26, Department of Aviation and Tourism, Suwon Science University), respectively.
Breaking away from the existing stereotypes of 'Beauty (美)', the 69th Miss Korea pageant presented a progressive image of modern women who possess intelligence, character, physical strength, creativity, and talent. The stage showcased the diverse charms and capabilities of the candidates, leaving a deep impression. The confident appearances of the candidates, armed with the bold charm of Generation Z, drew cheers and applause from the audience.
The special collaboration stage with Jeon So-mi also garnered a hot response. In particular, Jeon So-mi completed a collaboration stage with the participants in line with the concept of her new album's title track 'Closer', which will be released on the 11th, highlighting the beauty of healthy and progressive women, adding significance to the event.
The finals of the 69th Miss Korea pageant will be broadcast on the official Miss Korea YouTube channel on the 18th at 6 PM.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
