Kim Min-seo and Shin Su-hyeon, second-year students in the Modeltainer Department at Yeungnam University of Science and Technology, pose for a photo. [Yeungnam University of Science and Technology]
Kim Min-seo and Shin Su-hyeon, second-year students in the Modeltainer Department at Yeungnam University of Science and Technology, pose for a photo. [Yeungnam University of Science and Technology]

Students from the Modeltainer Department at Yeungnam University of Science and Technology swept three awards at the 2026 Dokdo Hanbok Fashion Show Senior Hanbok Model Competition, taking the top prize of "Jin" along with the "Mi" and "Dokdo Love" awards.

The competition was held Friday at the Yeongildae Maritime Pavilion in Pohang. Second-year student Kim Min-seo, 61, won the Jin award — the highest honor — while Lee Gang-seok, 60, claimed the Mi award and Shin Su-hyeon, 53, took the Dokdo Love award.

Held under the theme "A Second Act Shining in Hanbok, Beginning at Dokdo," the competition was organized to promote senior citizens' cultural and social participation while raising awareness of the beauty of hanbok and the significance of Dokdo.

Contestants were judged on hanbok expression, poise, walking technique and posture, confidence and stage manner. The Yeungnam University of Science and Technology students drew strong marks for conveying the beauty of traditional culture and their affection for Dokdo through distinctive stage performances.

The achievement carries particular meaning as a demonstration of what is possible when people challenge themselves in new fields and pursue learning regardless of age.

The Modeltainer Department has consistently performed well in competitions. Last year it won the grand prize and a silver award at the "Find Mungyeong's Fashion King!" fashion contest, and this year it has added a bronze at the Women Farmers' Farm Work Runway Fashion Model Competition and an excellence award at the 2nd Senior Model Contest, among other honors.

"It is deeply meaningful that our students have proven their own potential by overcoming prejudices about age," said An Gyeong-mi, a professor in the Modeltainer Department. "We will actively support their endeavors so that their passion for learning can open new opportunities in the next chapter of their lives."


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