Encounter the 80-year-old competitor in the Miss Universe Korea pageant, defying the notion that age holds significant weight.
Late this month, she was named as a finalist in the yearly Miss Universe Korea contest. On Monday, Choi will compete against 31 other contestants for the crown—and a chance to represent South Korea at the Miss Universe final in Mexico this November.
“I want to impress the world, like, ‘How is a 80-year-old woman so fit? How did she maintain her figure? What’s your secret?’” she told CNN over the phone before the pageant. “When you get old, you gain weight... So, I want to show that you can live healthily even as you get older.”
For many years, the Miss Universe Organization had strict age limits, permitting only women aged 18 to 28 to participate. However, starting in 2024, as part of a campaign to modernize, the upper age limit has been removed. Last year, the organization also scrapped a longstanding ban on pregnant women or mothers, as well as women who were—or had ever been—married.
National-level Miss Universe pageants, while not all directly controlled by the Miss Universe Organization, were required to follow suit. This year, 58-year-old Lorraine Peters and 60-year-old Alejandra Marisa Rodríguez participated in Miss Universe Canada and Miss Universe Argentina, respectively, but neither advanced to the November final.
“Now that the age limit has been lifted, I decided to give it a try,” Choi said. “Whether I make it or not, I was determined to seize this opportunity.”
Set to become the oldest person ever to enter a national Miss Universe pageant, Choi—should she win and advance to Mexico—would be more than twice the age of the next oldest finalist (40-year-old Beatrice Njoya of Malta, currently the oldest confirmed participant, and the mother of three children, although several nations have yet to select their representative).
Changing landscape of pageants
Miss Universe Korea announced this year’s competition by emphasizing in promotional materials that “age is irrelevant when it comes to dreams.” They also eliminated the swimsuit segment.
Monday’s pageant will feature Choi in a singing contest, alongside other finalists performing dances or showcasing traditional Korean clothing known as “hanbok.” The winner of Miss Universe Korea will be determined based on a combination of online voting and judges’ evaluations, according to Choi, which considers both “outer and inner beauty.”
“Looking good on the outside is important, but you need to have inner peace as well, and know how to respect others,” she said. “Also, you need to maintain a positive outlook. So many people are negative these days.”
Korean pageants have faced criticism in recent years for promoting a narrow definition of beauty, with some detractors alleging that this is reinforced by contestants' use of cosmetic surgery, which is typically not regulated by organizers. However, Choi remains unfazed by this development.
“It’s hard to find people who haven’t had some kind of cosmetic work done, and I think we should just accept it,” she said. “Many people get their eyes done or their noses lifted... In the past, it was something people looked down upon, but that’s not the case anymore. It’s not just Korea—women worldwide are undergoing cosmetic procedures.”
Second act
Although Monday’s contest will mark Choi’s pageant debut, she has already made a name for herself in the Korean fashion world. After retiring due to financial difficulties and working as a hospital caregiver in her 50s, Choi began modeling at 72 to help pay off her debts.
“One of my patients suggested I try modeling,” recalled Choi. “I thought it was ridiculous... but at the same time, it revived my old dream of becoming a model, wearing stylish clothing, and doing photo shoots. So, I agreed, ‘Yes, I used to dream of that before, I should give it a try.’”
Choi attended weekly modeling classes at an academy, practicing her runway walks in the hospital hallways during her shifts. She signed with her teacher's agency in 2017 before making her Seoul Fashion Week debut, at 74, the following year. Since then, she has appeared in the Korean editions of magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar and Elle, as well as advertising campaigns for popular South Korean brands like Cass beer.
“Becoming a model was like opening a new door for me, so I set a goal for myself. I said, ‘I will be successful and work hard.’ When my dream came true, I thanked God and continued to work hard. It’s so much fun, and I love it.”
Expanding opportunities
With a rapidly diminishing birth rate, South Korea is among the world’s fastest-aging countries. This year, the number of South Koreans aged 65 or older surpassed 10 million for the first time, representing almost 20% of the population. According to government projections, this figure is expected to rise to 36.7%—higher than any other country—by 2044.
In turn, opportunities and attitudes towards older models are evolving, according to Choi.
“There are a lot of senior models these days,” she said. “But maybe only a small fraction of them work and get paid. It’s different compared to 10 or 20 years ago, though. Back then, no one really looked for senior models. Older models were just doing it for fun, not as a career.”
Choi feels her modeling background will be beneficial in the pageant sphere: "Strutting down a catwalk is a synergy of shoulders, joints, and hips. The Miss Universe hopefuls are all proficient at walking like models. Some even outperform professional models."
The matriarch of three, about to celebrate her 81st birthday, shared with CNN her enthusiasm for this international opportunity: "I've long harbored a desire to perform on a foreign stage, so my mindset is geared up. Japan is the only other country I've visited, and I assume (pageant coordinators) would educate the victor in all aspects, so I'm all set!"
She has the backing of her offspring and grandchildren as well. "They express their pride saying, 'Grandma, you're truly outstanding!'... My son declared his pride in me, urging me to relish the experience no matter the outcome."
"Choi's unique style and inner beauty will be showcased during the singing contest at the Miss Universe Korea pageant, where she will compete against other finalists."
"After winning Miss Universe Korea, Choi would set a record as the oldest contestant to represent South Korea at the Miss Universe final, surpassing the current record holder, 40-year-old Beatrice Njoya of Malta."
