For the first time in the event's history, foreign nationals can compete in the national beauty pageant Chunhyang Festival. Shown is the main event of the festival on May 23, 2023, in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do Province. (Chunhyang Festival Organizing Committee)

By Margareth Theresia

Foreign contestants from this year can enter one of the nation's oldest beauty pageants that began in 1950.

The Chunhyang Festival Organizing Committee in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do Province, on March 14 said, "The event's official name of the 'National Chunhyang Festival' has been changed from this year to the 'Global Chunhyang Festival,' and the targeted participants have been expanded to the entire world."

As an event representative of Namwon founded in 1950, the pageant promotes the country's traditions and ideals of beauty by embodying the value of "Chunhyang-ness." The preliminary and final rounds through last year were held in Korea only, but from this year, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, China and Canada will also host the preliminaries.

Foreign women fluent in Korean born between Jan. 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2007, who are enrolled in or have completed high school are eligible. Those residing in Korea are ineligible for the domestic preliminaries.

Applications abroad began on Jan. 11 but each country has its own deadline. The application period has closed in Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan but not in China and Canada.

Those interested can fill out an application form and send it via email to Jeonju Television's official website (https://jtv.co.kr/2021/?c=8/9/241&uid=129850).

The final round of the 94th Chunhyang Festival on May 15 will see 25 domestic and five international contestants compete for the six titles of the traditional virtues Chunhyang Jin, Seon, Mi, Jeong, Sook and Hyeon. Two Global Muse and one Friendship prize will also be given, and the winners will receive cash prizes and be designated ambassadors for Namwon.

margareth@korea.kr