Korean Beauty Nearly Nabs Miss Universe Crown

Lee Honey, Miss Korea 2006, came in fourth place in the 2007 Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City on Tuesday. The final competition for the Miss Universe crown took place in the Mexican capital's National Auditorium for two hours from 8 p.m., with 10,000 people in the stands. It was broadcast live throughout the U.S. on NBC TV.
Lee Honey was praised by the judges and the audience for her confident attitude. She made it into the top 15 out of 77 beauty queens from around the world, and then into the top 10. She eventually finished in the top five alongside girls from Venezuela, Brazil, the U.S. and Japan.

Lee was just a step away from winning but had to be satisfied with fourth place when Riyo Mori claimed the crown -- valued at US$250,000. Mori studied ballet in Canada in high school and teaches jazz dance at her mother's dance school in Japan. Some six hundred million people in 180 countries are estimated to have watched the event.

(englishnews@chosun.com )

source

Honey Lee Places 4th at Miss Universe Pageant

Miss Korea 2006 Honey Lee has won an unofficial popularity vote of 2007 Miss Universe contestants. She was trailed by Miss Venezuela and Miss Greece.

The international beauty pageant website Global Beauties selected Lee as a candidate for the most popular contender among the 77 participants of this year's Miss Universe beauty pageant.

A day earlier, Lee was chosen as the "Face of the Universe" for her perfect facial features and smile.

On May 23, Lee's party dress modeled after the traditional Korean costume "hanbok" was chosen the best traditional dress.

Thus, Lee has won three unofficial titles ahead of the 56th Miss Universe competition slated for May 28 in Mexico.

Lee also took fourth place in Global Beauties' photogenic contest and made the list of top-15 beauties who were selected through interviews with the jury.

source

Lee Honey 3rd Runnerup in Miss Universe

Miss Korea Lee Honey, 24, finished third runner-up at the 2007 Miss Universe beauty pageant in Mexico, Monday. This was Miss Korea's best finish at the Miss Universe pageant since Chang Yoon-jung finished first runner-up in the 1988 contest.

Riyo Mori, a 20-year old from Japan, was crowned Miss Universe, beating out 77 contestants from all over the world. Rounding out the top five beauties were first runner-up Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil, second runner-up Ly Jonaitis of Venezuela and fourth runner-up Rachel Smith of the U.S.

Lee wore a stunning beaded gown that showed off her curves, earning high marks during the evening gown competition.

Before the pageant finals, Lee was one of the early favorites among the 77 participants, impressing judges with her beauty and brains.

Global Beauties, a beauty pageant Web site, selected Lee as its Miss Universe winner, followed by Jonaitis and Mori. She also received `The Face of the Universe Award for her smooth complexion and brilliant smile, and the GB Best National Costume Award for her exquisite traditional Korean hanbok.

Lee graduated with honors from the prestigious Seoul National University. She is also a professional player of the gayageum (12-string Korean traditional instrument) and was named a gayageum prodigy by the Kumho Art Center.

``I have two goals. One is to become a cultural ambassador for Korea as a gayageum player and professor of traditional Korean music. The other goal is to become a volunteer missionary in developing or undeveloped countries including North Korea,'' she said, in a pre-competition interview posted on the Miss Universe Web site.

Lee said she loves learning foreign languages such as English, ancient Hebrew, Chinese, and Japanese. She is currently involved in volunteer work for UNICEF, Compassion and World Vision.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

source

Miss Korea Wins Popularity Contest

Miss Korea topped the popularity contest among 77 contestants in the 2007 Miss Universe pageant. Global Beauties (GB), an online magazine for international pageants, picked Miss Korea Lee Honey as the most popular beauty on Friday.

Venezuela representative Ly Jonaitis and Doukissa Nomikou from Greece won the second and third place, respectively.

A day earlier, Lee was selected as ``The Face of the Universe Award’’ winner. The Web site says that Lee has a perfect complexion and a smile that can conquer the Universe and beyond.

Also, Lee won the GB Best National Costume Award on Wednesday. The award is given to the delegate who presented the most beautiful and creative costume.

Although the awards by GB do not influence the result of the Miss Universe competition, Lee’s achievement shows that her beauty is recognized worldwide.

The final winner of the 2007 Miss Universe pageant will be announced at the National Auditorium in Mexico City on Monday.

source

Honey Lee Beats Venezuelan, Greek Beauties

Miss Korea 2006 Honey Lee has won an unofficial popularity vote of 2007 Miss Universe contestants. She was trailed by Miss Venezuela and Miss Greece.

The international beauty pageant website Global Beauties selected Lee as a candidate for the most popular contender among the 77 participants of this year's Miss Universe beauty pageant.

A day earlier, Lee was chosen as the "Face of the Universe" for her perfect facial features and smile.

On May 23, Lee's party dress modeled after the traditional Korean costume "hanbok" was chosen the best traditional dress.

Thus, Lee has won three unofficial titles ahead of the 56th Miss Universe competition slated for May 28 in Mexico.

Lee also took fourth place in Global Beauties' photogenic contest and made the list of top-15 beauties who were selected through interviews with the jury.

source

Honey Lee Judged Eloquent Miss Universe Contestant

According to the web site of Global Beauties, an affiliate of the Miss Universe pageant, Korean contestant Honey Lee has been named among the 16 most eloquent candidates.

76 candidates, except for the Nigerian representative, recently went through interviews with international judges. The top 16, including Lee, were chosen based on allure, attitude and speech.

Lee earlier ranked the fourth most photogenic by the Global Beauties web site. And with the top score in the interview, she has demonstrated her strength in both looks and intellect.

In a traditional attire and instrument showcase Monday, Lee grabbed the spotlight by wearing a beautiful traditional Korean costume called hanbok.

http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1457343_11858.html">source

Lee Ha-nui Publicizes Korean Alphabet Overseas

2006 Miss Korea Lee Ha-nui, who is running for Miss Universe this year, has posted on her personal Web site a photo showing her in a sleeveless shirt featuring Korean letters.

Lee's shirt was designed by fashion designer Lie Sang-bong, who zeroed in on the fact that foreigners tend to find geometric and abstract patterns attractive.

Korean calligraphy by traditional singer Chang Sa-ik, artist Lim Ok-sang and calligrapher Cho Sung-joo have been used as apparel patterns.

Lee will compete for the title of Miss Universe on May 28 in Mexico along with 76 contenders from all over the world.

source