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The winners of the Korean preliminary of the Mr. World 2009 competition pose with the Hankook Ilbo-Korea Times media group Chairman Chang Jae-ku, fourth from left. From left, Talent Award winner Kim Hyun-jong, Top Model Award winner Shim Kyu-gong, Grand Prize winner Ryu Ji-kwang, Gold Award winner Park Hyun-woo and Silver Award winner Choi Jae-ung. The Mr. World 2010 competition will be held next year, with contestants from 71 countries gathering in Incheon. / Korea Times Photo by Yim Jae-bum |
 By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The race to become the most desirable man in the world has officially started, with five Korean winners chosen at the Korean preliminaries for the Mr. World Korea 2010 competition at Songdo, Incheon, Saturday.
A total of 20 contestants were given the chance to compete for the final five spots, and Ryu Ji-kwang was given the honor as the Grand Prize winner. The five winners will have the chance to compete at the final Mr. World Korea competition in 2010.
The contestants, who were narrowed down in an audition last month, went through various programs at the final event, including a fashion show, talent show, interviews and a special dance performance.
 Ryu, 24, a freshman at Hansei University majoring in theology, entered the competition with the belief that men can be as beautiful as women.
``At first, I simply joined because I thought it would be fun, but now I feel great responsibility. I have been preparing to become a singer for a long time, and thanks to the competition, I learned so much and also met many interesting people along the way,'' Ryu told The Korea Times.
Compared to other contestants, Ryu did not have a full list of volunteer activities, and he admitted he thought his lack of experience would have worked as an obstacle.
``I would have to say I am not the best contestant in the competition, but I think the jury saw my potential and passion. I would not only like to thank the jury for believing in me, but also all of my friends, fellow contestants and also the Hankook Ilbo that sponsored the event and gave me the chance to enter such an exciting contest,'' he said.
Meanwhile, four other winners also achieved the ticket to the final round of Mr. World.
Yonsei University student Park Hyun-woo, 27, won the Gold Award, while 31-year-old Choi Jae-ung from Aukland University of Technology won Silver. Kim Hyun-jong, 22, a Korea University student, received the Talent Award, while 27-year-old Shim Kyu-gong won the Top Model Award.
Park, a student majoring in political science and international studies who has a number of hobbies including weight training, singing, playing the violin and swimming, dreams of becoming an announcer and building a peace foundation for northeast Asian countries. Choi, the oldest winner, can speak English and Japanese, and has participated in various volunteer and modeling projects.
Talent Award winner Kim joined the competition despite suffering from allergies, while Top Model Award winner Shim worked as a model and barrister before entering the competition.
The Mr. World contest is not just about finding the most handsome or muscular man in the world, but a truly modern, all-around man. Male contestants from 71 different countries will undergo a series of events that test their strength, originality, performance, leadership, fellowship and team spirit over two weeks.
Not only will the final winner be crowned Mr. World, but he will also take home a cash prize of $50,000.
The competition will be held next year in Incheon. For more information, visit www.mrworld.co.kr
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
What is Mr. World?
 First held in 1996, Mr. World is a biennial competition where the main goal is to discover a ``James Bond-style’’ contender who represents creativity, leadership and endurance. It incorporates various sports including a marathon, mountain biking and water skiing, and also fundraising activities for breast cancer and famine releif. The Hankook Ilbo-The Korea Times media group, led by Chairman Chang Jae-ku, and the Miss World Organization, led by Chairwoman Julia Morley, will co-host the event, which will be held early next year in Incheon.
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