"South Korea's Most Glamorous Granny? Miss Universe Judges Seem to Agree!"

 In the years since, she has become a well-known figure in South Korea, even walking the runway at fashion week. However, breaking into the international scene has been challenging.

So when Miss Universe, the iconic beauty pageant that began nine years after Ms. Choi was born, removed its age limit of 28 earlier this year, she eagerly seized the opportunity to participate—becoming the oldest contestant to do so.

"I never imagined this would happen," she shares. "For years, I dreamed of stepping onto the global stage as a model. But I didn't have a clear path. When Miss Universe eliminated the age restrictions, I saw it as my chance to aim for the international spotlight."

The change in age restrictions is part of Miss Universe’s recent efforts to embrace greater diversity, allowing married women, transgender women, and single mothers to compete.

Still, her entry caused quite a buzz, especially among her fellow contestants.

"The participants were surprised when they saw me. And when they found out I was 80, they expressed admiration, telling me, 'I want to age like you,'" she recalls.

Her participation also brought the global attention she had hoped for, with headlines about Ms. Choi appearing around the world.

But it didn't earn her a trip to Mexico: the Miss Universe South Korea title went to 22-year-old Han Ariel.

Still, Ms. Choi didn’t leave empty-handed. She was awarded the "Best Dressed" title.

"Just being able to take part is an incredible honor," she says. She hopes her journey inspires more older women to compete and challenge societal beauty standards.

"As more seniors participate, attitudes will shift, and there will be a time when seniors can compete globally without all the fuss," she says. "But for now, it's still the young who are in the spotlight."

Whatever the future holds, she knows her biggest fans are her grandsons, aged 23 and 24.

"They cheer me on, saying, 'Our grandma is so cool, pretty, beautiful, and the best!'" she beams.