Jin So-ri wins Miss Chunhyang and lands musical lead amid online criticism

Jin So-ri, the second daughter of Kim Bong-gon—who gained public fame as the 'Cheonghak-dong Teacher'—is rapidly expanding her professional scope after winning the Miss Chunhyang title and landing a leading role in a musical. Building on her career as a singer and broadcaster rooted in Pansori, she is accelerating her full-scale entry into the entertainment industry by extending her reach into beauty pageants and musical theater.

However, the news has been met with mixed reactions, as some online users have directed critical comments toward the family's involvement in the entertainment industry.

Kim Bong-gon and his two daughters, Jin So-ri and Kim Da-hyun, appeared on the 'Famous Together' segment of KBS 1TV's 'Morning Forum' on the 1st to share their recent updates.

Jin So-ri revealed that she participated in this year's Chunhyang Festival Global Chunhyang Selection Contest and was selected as '2026 Miss Chunhyang Jeong.' The Chunhyang Selection Contest is an annual event held to modernly inherit traditional culture and the symbolism of Chunhyang, establishing itself as a major cultural event that promotes Korean traditional culture and tourism.

Beyond her Miss Chunhyang title, Jin So-ri has also been cast as the female lead in the musical 'The Thousand-Year Flame, Kim Yushin.' Having majored in Pansori, she is successfully leveraging her vocal training and musical expression to expand her range into acting.

Currently a Pansori major at Dongguk University, Jin So-ri debuted in 2021 as the main vocalist of the girl group Pastel Girls before transitioning to a solo career. Last year, she gained wider recognition through her appearance on MBN's 'King of Singers 3.' Her career path—spanning traditional Pansori, pop music, broadcasting, beauty pageants, and musicals—reflects the modern trend of breaking down boundaries between genres.

Pansori is a complex genre that requires more than just vocal technique; it demands breath control, narrative delivery, and dramatic acting skills. Jin So-ri's transition to the musical stage serves as a prime example of how traditional artistic training can be integrated into modern performing arts.

Her younger sister, Kim Da-hyun, has also been active in music and broadcasting since childhood. As a trot singer, Kim has gained fame through various competition programs. With the sisters pursuing Pansori and trot respectively, the Kim Bong-gon family has formed a unique narrative within the broadcasting industry.

Watching his daughters' success, Kim Bong-gon expressed deep pride. "I consider raising children to be very important," he said during the program. "When I go out, I often hear people call me 'Sori's Dad' or 'Da-hyun's Dad.'" He added that people often tell him he has "struck gold" because of his daughters' achievements.

Since becoming known as the Cheonghak-dong Seodang teacher, Kim has built a unique persona by appearing in programs that combine traditional culture with family-oriented variety shows. As his children's growth and careers have been continuously documented, the family's trajectory has naturally become a subject of public interest.

However, the news of Jin So-ri's Miss Chunhyang selection was not met with universal acclaim. Some online commenters criticized the family, suggesting they are "trying to raise the daughters as celebrities," while others directed sarcastic remarks toward her appearance and the selection results.

Critics note that it is unfair to judge a parent's intentions simply because their children are active in the industry. Given that beauty pageants and musical casting involve rigorous judging and production processes, unverified speculation and personal attacks should not be equated with an evaluation of professional achievement.

Jin So-ri shared that she has lived in Seoul for eight years, having moved there during her first year of middle school. While she appreciates the convenience of city life, she admitted to occasionally missing her hometown of Cheonghak-dong, recalling the swing her father built for her when she was a child.

Having grown up in the traditional environment of Cheonghak-dong, Jin So-ri is now bridging the gap between traditional arts and modern stages. While her family's fame may have provided her starting point, her journey from a Pansori major to a singer, broadcaster, and musical lead is a testament to her own individual pursuit of artistry.

For Jin So-ri, winning Miss Chunhyang and landing a musical lead represents a significant opportunity to expand her professional identity. As she and her sister, Kim Da-hyun, continue to excel in their respective genres, the public remains eager to see how they will continue to shape their unique musical and performing arts identities.