Woo Seo-yoon wins Miss Korea title, daughter of Woo Ji-won

Woo Seo-yoon (22), daughter of former basketball player Woo Ji-won, has claimed the highest honor, 'Jin' (winner), at the 70th Miss Korea Pageant, once again drawing attention to her striking beauty, proportions, and her history of broadcasting since childhood.

Woo was named 'Jin' during the finals of the 70th Miss Korea Pageant held at the COEX Auditorium in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 22nd. Having previously secured a spot in the finals by winning 'Sun' (second runner-up) at the 2026 Miss Seoul·Gyeonggi·Incheon Pageant, she ascended to the top position in the national competition, becoming the protagonist of the 70th anniversary Miss Korea.

The intense focus on Woo is not solely due to her physical attributes. Her tall stature and long limbs—seemingly inheriting the physical characteristics of her father, Woo, a former 191cm basketball star—combined with a small face to create a balanced, near '9-head ratio' proportion that caught the eyes of the judges and audience alike.

In particular, Woo is no stranger to the public eye. She first gained recognition as a child appearing on SBS's 'Star Junior Show Bungeoppang' alongside her father, and later appeared on variety programs such as 'My Child's Romance 2' as she grew up. Moving away from her cute childhood image, she has established herself as an adult by showcasing her unique individuality and career path.

Her academic background is also noteworthy. Woo is currently majoring in Fine Arts at Tufts University in the United States. As her background as an art major intersects with the traditional beauty pageant stage, many are evaluating her as an individual who possesses not only beauty but also deep artistic sensibility and self-expression.

She had already demonstrated her potential during the regional preliminaries. At the Miss Seoul·Gyeonggi·Incheon Pageant held last May, she secured her spot in the finals by winning both 'Sun' and a sponsor award. At the time, Woo expressed her gratitude for standing on the "glorious stage of the 70th anniversary" and stated she would continue to grow.

Even during the finals, Woo admitted the win was a surprise. Immediately after being named 'Jin,' she expressed her gratitude to her family and friends, saying, "I didn't expect this at all." While she was already a strong candidate following her regional success, seizing the final crown was an unexpected triumph.

Woo Ji-won was a major star during his basketball career, enjoying immense popularity due to his looks and 191cm height. After playing for the national team and in professional leagues, he expanded his career into broadcasting and has frequently appeared alongside his daughter during her upbringing.

In that sense, Woo Seo-yoon's victory cannot be viewed merely as a 'star second-generation' headline. The girl who appeared on television with her father as a child has become an adult and risen to the highest position of Miss Korea under her own name. While her parents' fame provided the initial spotlight, she has now entered a new stage where she must stand before the public through her own merits and choices.

With Miss Korea celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, the symbolism of the crown is particularly significant. As the pageant has evolved from a traditional competition of 'Korean beauty' to one that highlights intelligence, individuality, and diverse talents, attention is focused on how Woo—an art major with broadcasting experience—will represent the Miss Korea image of a new era.

Woo Ji-won has two daughters and divorced his spouse in 2019. Now, moving beyond the title of 'Woo Ji-won's daughter' to establish her own identity as Miss Korea 'Jin,' all eyes are on which fields—be it broadcasting, art, or fashion—Woo Seo-yoon will choose to conquer next.