Lee Honey 3rd Runnerup in Miss Universe
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Miss Korea Lee Honey, 24, finished third runner-up at the 2007 Miss Universe beauty pageant in Mexico, Monday. This was Miss Korea's best finish at the Miss Universe pageant since Chang Yoon-jung finished first runner-up in the 1988 contest.
Riyo Mori, a 20-year old from Japan, was crowned Miss Universe, beating out 77 contestants from all over the world. Rounding out the top five beauties were first runner-up Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil, second runner-up Ly Jonaitis of Venezuela and fourth runner-up Rachel Smith of the U.S.
Lee wore a stunning beaded gown that showed off her curves, earning high marks during the evening gown competition.
Before the pageant finals, Lee was one of the early favorites among the 77 participants, impressing judges with her beauty and brains.
Global Beauties, a beauty pageant Web site, selected Lee as its Miss Universe winner, followed by Jonaitis and Mori. She also received `The Face of the Universe Award for her smooth complexion and brilliant smile, and the GB Best National Costume Award for her exquisite traditional Korean hanbok.
Lee graduated with honors from the prestigious Seoul National University. She is also a professional player of the gayageum (12-string Korean traditional instrument) and was named a gayageum prodigy by the Kumho Art Center.
``I have two goals. One is to become a cultural ambassador for Korea as a gayageum player and professor of traditional Korean music. The other goal is to become a volunteer missionary in developing or undeveloped countries including North Korea,'' she said, in a pre-competition interview posted on the Miss Universe Web site.
Lee said she loves learning foreign languages such as English, ancient Hebrew, Chinese, and Japanese. She is currently involved in volunteer work for UNICEF, Compassion and World Vision.