An 81-year-old South Korean fashion model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the country's national pageant

South Korean Choi Soon-hwa, 81-year-old, competes during the 2024 Miss Universe Korea in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) South Korean Choi Soon-hwa, 81-year-old, competes during the 2024 Miss Universe Korea in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

When Choi Soon-hwa steps onto the runways of South Korea’s Miss Universe competition on Sept. 30, she will be competing with beauties young enough to be her granddaughters.

An 81-year-old South Korean fashion model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the country’s national pageant against rivals old enough to be her grandchildren.

An 81-year-old South Korean fashion model fell short in her bid to become the oldest Miss Universe contestant after competing in the country's national pageant against rivals old enough to be her grandchildren.

An 81-year-old South Korean has reached the finals of the Miss Universe Korea pageant. Choi Soon Hwa was up against 31 other contestants for a chance to participate in the Miss Universe final, scheduled to take place in Mexico this November.

A Korean grandmother is defying beauty stereotypes in her quest to represent the East Asian country at this November’s Miss Universe pageant in Mexico.