Interview video added to Miss Korea's official social media

'Judges probably thought I had a better personality than expected'

Woo Seo-yun. [Miss Korea pageant live broadcast capture]
Woo Seo-yun. [Miss Korea pageant live broadcast capture]

Woo Seo-yun, 22, the eldest daughter of former basketball player Woo Ji-won and winner of the 2026 Miss Korea title, has drawn attention after an interview video in which she described her personality as her greatest charm was released amid plastic surgery allegations.

On Sunday, Miss Korea's official social media accounts posted two videos — "Miss Korea Jin: A Story Just Beginning" and "Miss Korea Jin: The True Feelings Shared After the Stage" — featuring a previously unreleased interview with Woo recorded after she competed in the Aug. 22 final.

Former basketball player Woo Ji-won and his daughter Woo Seo-yun. [Newsis · SNS capture]
Former basketball player Woo Ji-won and his daughter Woo Seo-yun. [Newsis · SNS capture]

"There are so many people who have never actually seen me in person, yet they have cheered me on from afar and shown me so much support — I am truly grateful," Woo said in the video.

On her plans going forward, she said she hoped to use her platform to raise awareness of social issues. "Since I was young, I have had a strong interest in social problems. I have run donation campaigns and taken part in various activities, so I want to show my influence in that area," she said. "With all the attention I have received, I want to use it to speak up and draw more interest to important issues."

Asked who came to mind most at that moment, Woo said her parents were the first. "I also think a lot about my fellow contestants, with whom I trained and lived together and built a real sense of camaraderie," she added. "I am happy, but the other candidates may have a lot of regrets, and that weighed on my mind too."

Woo said her greatest charm was what she called a "surprising personality." "Of course, I was not able to show it on stage, but during the judging process, as I spoke one-on-one with each of the judges, I think they probably found my personality better than they expected," she said.

Woo was named Miss Korea Jin at the 70th Miss Korea pageant held at COEX Auditorium in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Aug. 22. She had previously won the top prize at the 70th 2026 Miss Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon regional pageant, earning her spot in the national final.

After her win, online reactions comparing her current appearance with footage from past television appearances alongside her father sparked plastic surgery allegations.


jshan@heraldcorp.com