Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Daughter of former basketball star Woo Ji-won, crowned Miss Korea 2026
Woo Seo-yun, right, the grand prize winner of the 70th Miss Korea pageant, poses with her father, former basketball player Woo Ji-won, after the beauty contest at Coex Auditorium in Seoul's Gangnam District, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Yu Su-kyeong
By Lee Hae-rin
Woo Seo-yun, the 22-year-old daughter of former professional basketball player Woo Ji-won, was crowned Miss Korea 2026 on Saturday at the 70th Miss Korea pageant in Seoul.
The final competition, hosted by Global E&B, an affiliate of the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, took place at the Coex Auditorium in Seoul. Woo, who has advanced to the national contest after winning second place in the Miss Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon regional pageant, emerged as the winner among 26 finalists selected through eight regional competitions nationwide.
Oh Su-min, 25, a student of international liberal studies at Waseda University, was named first runner-up, while Lee Min-sol, who studies economics at Yonsei University’s Underwood International College, was named second runner-up.
Visibly emotional after receiving the crown, Woo thanked her fellow contestants, family and supporters.
“I truly did not expect this at all,” she said. “My 70th-class peers worked so hard, and I am so happy. I am grateful to my family and friends for supporting and cheering me on.”
Winners of the 70th Miss Korea pageant pose with their crowns and trophies at Coex Auditorium in Seoul's Gangnam District, Saturday. From left are special "Jae" award winner Lee So-min, second runner-up Lee Min-sol, grand prize winner Woo Seo-yun, first runner-up Oh Su-min and special "Ye" award winner Noh Hyang. Korea Times photo by Yu Su-kyeong
She added that the stage was made possible through the effort and dedication of many people, praising contestants for completing what she described as a memorable performance “stitch by stitch.”
As the eldest daughter of Woo Ji-won, she has drawn public attention before through appearances on Korean television programs, including SBS’ “Star Junior Show Bungeoppang” and tvN’s “Leaving the Nest 3.” She also appeared on tvN STORY’s dating reality program “My Child’s Romance 2” in February.
Woo is currently studying fine arts at Tufts University in Boston.