Miss Korea is a national beauty pageant in South Korea. The reigning Miss Korea is Kim Chae-won who was crowned on September 24, 2024.

History

The first Miss Korea competition took place in 1957 and was sponsored by the Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo. Each year, approximately fifty women compete in Seoul, South Korea, and seven are selected by a panel of judges. The winner "Jin" (진) is crowned as the official Miss Korea. Additionally, there are two "Seon" (선) finalists (equivalent to 1st runners-up), who go on to compete in Miss International or Miss Earth. Lastly, four "Mi" (미) finalists (equivalent to semi-finalists) are chosen. On March 16, 2011, the president of the Miss World Organization, Julia Morley, announced the newly launched Miss World Korea pageant. Until 2010, Miss Korea would also select the representative to Miss World, but starting with Miss World 2011, a separate competition has been held to choose the contestant who will represent Korea. Since 2015, it has been co-hosted by Hankook Ilbo and Hanju E&M, since 2018 it has been co-hosted by Hankook Ilbo and Hankook Ilbo E&B, a subsidiary of Hankook Ilbo, and since 2021, it has been hosted by Global E&B (formerly Hankook Ilbo E&B). Since 2016, Miss Korea organization no longer send South Korea's representative to Miss Universe. In 2022, Mina Sue Choi represented Korea at the 22nd Miss Earth pageant, which was held in Parañaque, Philippines on November 29, 2022, and eventually won the crown, making Korea's first ever victory on any of the big four international beauty pageants.

International Crowns

The following are the Miss Korea titleholders throughout the years.

Placements at international pageants

Current licenses

Past licenses

Titles

Note that the year designates the time Miss Korea has acquired that particular pageant franchise.

Titleholders

Declared as Winner Ended as runner-up Ended as top 5/8 qualification Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists Ended as special awards

Miss International 1960—Present

Korea debuted at Miss International in 1960. One of the two 1st runner-ups (Seon) of Miss Korea represents her country at Miss International. On occasion, when the candidate doesn't qualify for any reason for the contest, another girl is sent. Traditionally, 1st runner-up competed at Miss World but since 2011, the 1st runner-up of Miss Korea represents her country at Miss International.

Miss Earth 2002—Present

Korea debuted at Miss Earth in 2002. One of the two 1st runner-ups (Seon) of Miss Korea represents her country at Miss Earth. On occasion, when the candidate doesn't qualify for any reason for the contest, another girl is sent

Former titles

Miss Universe 1954—2015

Korea debuted at Miss Universe in 1954, three years before the first Miss Korea pageant. Since 2016, Korean representatives at Miss Universe have been chosen in a separate pageant, Miss Universe Korea, and the Miss Korea Organization no longer sends South Korea's representative to Miss Universe.

Miss World 1959—2010

Korea debuted at Miss World in 1959. The 1st Runner-up of Miss Korea represented the nation at Miss World. Since 2011, Korean representatives at the Miss World are chosen in a separate pageant Miss World Korea, that separate contest is to only focus on Miss World.

Miss Supranational

Miss Intercontinental

Miss Asia Pacific International

Miss Asia Contest

Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International

Miss Young International

Queen of the Pacific

Miss Wonderland

Miss International Pacific Pearl

Miss Flower Queen

Miss All Nations

Miss International Blueberry

Miss International Beauty

Titleholders

Mister World

In 2009, Hankook Ilbo sent first Mister World contestant who is represent Korea.

Manhunt International

Miss Korea Sisters

Etc.