Miss Korea 2018 Opens Up About Being Called Fat & What The Title Means To Her

By elaine.kiew on 04 Apr 2019

If you are one those who thought Miss Korea 2018 looked "normal" and do not deserve the title, this article will change your mind.

In an honest and raw interview with Asian Boss, winner of Miss Korea 2018 Kim Soo Min opens up about being called fat and chubby, her views on Korean beauty standards and what the title means to her.

Photo from @sookim1001 (Instagram)

In South Korea, females who weigh over 50KG regardless of their height is deemed to be chubby. Can you imagine how thin one must be in order to win the title of Miss Korea?

Kim Soo Min, 24, kicked off the interview by introducing herself to Asian Boss's audience and shared that it has always been her dream to become an international reporter. But while she was updating her resume during her final year in college, she chanced upon an ad calling out for the final applications for Miss Korea 2018.

Speaking to the Asian Boss's host, Stephen, she said: "I don't know what exactly I was thinking but I just wanted to try something new, something challenging." And the rest is history.

Not Pretty Enough And Too Fat To Be Miss Korea

Photo from Asian Boss

In the same interview, Soo Min shared that there were divided comments and support when she was announced as the winner of Miss Korea 2018.

"She's not pretty enough to represent Korea."
"She's too fat to be Miss Korea."
"How can this overweight girl be Miss Korea and represent Korean beauty?"

Even though she was standing at 175cm and weighed only 58.9kg, she was deemed fat according to Korean beauty standards.

Photo from Asian Boss

Soo Min recalled how hurt and sad she was when she saw those comments and shared that she did not know how to deal with them.

"I know I'm not ugly.. and fat.. but when you constantly hear those things, you lose your confidence and you don't want to be social anymore. And you always have this pressure of having to look perfect."

When asked about how her parents felt about her win and the negative comments, Soo Min cried and shared that she felt really bad for her parents.

Photo from Asian Boss

Soo Min felt sorry that her parents had to read all the negative comments and go through the pain and that it was the moment she regretted joining the competition.

Photo from @sookim1001 (Instagram)

When asked about her plans after winning the pageant, Soo Min said she would like to use her title to redefine what it really means to be beautiful.

"It really made me think that I should use my platform as Miss Korea to redefine what it means to be beautiful and add more diversity to our beauty standards."

"I also wish that all the young girls who are watching me on stage or TV would be confident in their bodies, and accept the way they look and maybe, encourage them to participate in the next pageant."