Woo Seo-yoon, the daughter of a former national basketball player, has been crowned Miss Korea 2026, with the 22-year-old Tufts University student setting her sights on a career as a global art curator.
Woo won the top title of “Jin” at the 70th Miss Korea pageant held at the Coex Auditorium in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Saturday.
Woo turned emotional as her name was announced, after which she thanked those who had supported her throughout the competition.
“I was able to come this far thanks to the support of so many people,” she said. “Even people who have never met me supported me online and showed me so much interest. I believe that helped lead to today’s result. I am sincerely grateful.”
Woo also said she understood the responsibility that came with the crown.
“I know the responsibility that comes with the crown I received today, and I want to become someone who has a positive influence on society,” she said.
Twenty-six finalists who advanced through eight regional preliminary competitions across the country competed in this year’s pageant.
Oh Soo-min, 25, a student in the School of International Liberal Studies at Waseda University in Japan, was named “Sun,” or first runner-up, while Lee Min-sol, 21, an economics student at Yonsei University’s Underwood International College, took “Mi,” or second runner-up.
Noh Hyang, 20, a Korean traditional music student at Seoul National University, and Lee So-min, 27, who studies at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media in Germany, received special awards.
Father watches daughter win crown
Woo Seo-yoon is the eldest daughter of Woo Ji-won, a former Korean national basketball player who later became a television personality. She previously appeared on the tvN Story reality show “My Kid’s Romance 2,” where her plans to compete in Miss Korea drew attention.
Her father attended Saturday’s final to watch her take the crown.
In an interview with the Hankook Ilbo shortly after her victory, Woo said her parents were the first people who came to mind when she was crowned.
“I thought of my parents first. I’m so grateful that they have always supported and encouraged me,” she said. “This stage was made possible by the hard work and effort of so many people.”
Looking back on the competition, Woo said the effort she had put into it made the victory especially meaningful.
“I did my very best over what could be considered either a long or short period of time,” she said. “There were many difficult moments, but because of today’s result, I think all of them will remain valuable memories.”
Asked what may have helped her stand out among the finalists, Woo pointed to an unexpected side of her personality.
“I think it may be my personality, which can be full of surprises,” she said. “Perhaps the honesty I showed throughout the process of getting to today’s stage became part of my appeal.”
From Miss Korea to global art curator
Woo is majoring in art at Tufts University in the United States, where she said she has developed an appreciation for empathy and communication. She has also served as captain of a basketball team, an experience that helped her develop leadership and a sense of responsibility.
Her long-term ambition is to become a global art curator.
“While studying art, I became fascinated by the idea that you can create stories through works of art,” Woo said. “Above all, I want to build a global image as Miss Korea.”
Woo also thanked her fellow contestants, saying the three days they spent together ahead of the final created a strong sense of camaraderie.
“I’m grateful to the other contestants, with whom I became very close during our three-day, two-night stay before the finals,” she said. “When my name was called, I was happy, but I also had mixed emotions thinking about those who must have felt disappointed.”
Woo said she hopes to use the attention that comes with the Miss Korea title to support causes she has cared about since childhood.
“I’ve long been interested in social issues and problems, and I’ve organized donation campaigns and participated in related activities,” she said. “I want to continue using my influence in a similar direction.”
“I’ve received a great deal of attention, and I hope I can use that attention to speak up and have a positive impact in more areas,” she said.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
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