PAGINA OFICIAL DEL MISS UNIVERSO | REGRESAR AL MENU
Sun Lee - Miss Korea Universe 2008
"My hero is Napoleon Bonaparte"
By: Héctor Joaquín Colón González
LEE JIN SUN also known as Sun Lee in the Western media, is a South Korean who attended Parsons New School for
Design in New York City. Lee competed in the 51st Miss Korea pageant, which she won. Lee has stated that Miss Korea 2006 Honey Lee has
been a big inspiration for her and would like to follow her footsteps to achieve better result and probably win the
crown. Lee has been training with Inés Ligron after hearing that Hiroko Mima has been working with her. Ligron explained
that 25-year-old Lee has been working very hard and indeed has a shot at the crown. Lee has stated that she is very
determined to do well in the 2008 Miss Universe pageant. Sun loaned Miss Canada her shoes for the Miss Universe website
shot because Miss Canada had lost her evening gown luggage while traveling to Vietnam.
Critical Beauty / Belleza Crítica is privileged to interview Sun Lee who talks about her preparations, aspirations and life. Meet the
fashion and chic girl from Korea!
What was your biggest reason to compete in Miss Universe Korea?
Given my aspirations to become a fashion designer, I believed winning the Miss Korea pageant would allow me to meet
many people from different fields and backgrounds, which would naturally give my name greater exposure as well as
facilitating my entry into the fashion business and ultimately, the launching of my own brand.
As Miss Korea Universe, which charities do you support?
I have been doing volunteer work, once a month at a local center (House of Raphael) for handicapped children
since five years ago. I have loved small children since I was a child, and usually spend the time playing with
the children at the center. Separately, although small, I provide financial support to 18 senior citizens that
live alone with no dependency, as well as seven children through UNICEF.
What do you think are the most important qualities to win the Miss Universe crown?
To be crowned Miss Universe, the person must not only possess the right character that can be a role model to the
world’s younger generations, but must also be someone that’s representative of, or understands the world’s diverse
cultures.
If you had the chance to promote Korea abroad, what traits about your country would you emphasize and why?
Korea is a country known for its long history and rich culture, but also for its people of etiquette, generosity,
and modesty. Unconditional generosity is a trait that my country and family has always emphasized throughout my upbringing,
and would be the single greatest trait of Korea I would like to promote overseas.
How do you define the role of beauty queens in the world at this moment?
Beauty queens are advocates of cultures they belong to and role models in all aspects to younger generations.
What is your opinion on the problem of HIV - AIDS in the world?
HIV-AIDS is the most prominent global epidemic that is not addressed enough in the global public, despite the rapid
spread in both developed and developing countries. I believe only an increasing awareness by the global public will
stop this incurable disease from further plaguing world humanity.
What kind of profession would you like to pursue?
Fashion designer
Which persons do you admire and why?
Claire McCardell, fashion designer, has had the most influence on my life, given my life-long interest in fashion design.
She is an alumna of the Parson's school of design, where I am currently enrolled. As a student of fashion,
her progressive "casual" designs during an era where tight corsets and cumbersome laces were the norm,
allowed women to more freely and willingly participate in mainstream society, and ultimately inspired me to set
a goal to become a leading fashion designer and trend-setter in the modern fashion world. I am also a big fan of
mega-star-designer Roberto Cavalli.
Do you think you deserve to be crowned Miss Universe on July 13th in Vietnam?
I believe I deserve to be crowned Miss Universe in Vietnam given my experiences in both Oriental and Western cultures, as
I was born and raised in Korea, and educated in the US, accordingly, understanding both cultures. Uniquely, I also possess both
artistic as well as athletic talent, having trained and participated in a wide array of activities ranging from drawing,
painting and pottery to tae-kwon-do, skiing and sword dance.
How has your family influenced your life?
My family has always been devoted to my well-being and happiness. As a result, I have been able to pursue all goals
in all facades of my life until now, only possible due to my family’s unconditional support. My family has been
the single largest influence in my life.
If you had the opportunity to fulfill a dream for your country at this moment, what would it be and why?
As a Korean national, I have experienced a divided nation since birth. I believe the one dream that all Koreans share
is the unification of South and North Korea. Coincidentally, in order to fulfill this perennial Korean dream, I am
currently a representative of the a newly established economic zone, located in North Korea, jointly created by
South and North Korea.
Do you have a message to all pageant fans?
I will make the best of my efforts during the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam to represent Korea, but also to show my
supporters why I deserve to be crowned Miss Universe. See you all in Vietnam!
Please tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when asked about...
Korea: My country
Inés Ligron: My teacher
Riyo Mori: My most beautiful friend
Critical Beauty: Eyes
Profession: Student
Hobbies: Knitting, Drawing, Painting
Favorite Movie: Life is Beautiful (La Vita E Bella, 1997)
Favorite Actor: Roberto Benigni
Favorite Actress: Alicia Christian Foster
Favorite Tv Program: Project Runway
Favorite Music:Jazz
FavoriteSong: Sunrise
Favorite Singer: Geethali, Norah Jones, Shankar
Favorite Fashion Designer: Clair McCardell
Favorite Book: Veronika Decides To Die
Favorite Author: Paulo Coelho
Favorite Cuisine: Italian
Favorite Word: Soul
Favorite Quote: "Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools."
Favorite Hero: Napoleon Bonaparte
Favorite Miss Universe: Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee 1997
The Facts
Age: 25
Hometown: Seoul,Korea
Height: 170 cm
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Education: Parsons School of Design
Occupation: Student
Birthday: April 6, 1983
Birthplace: Seoul, Korea
Current Location: Tokyo
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Hair Color: Dark Brown
PHOTO CREDITS: INES LIGRON, MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION
^ BACK TO UP ^
2008 CRITICAL BEAUTY. All rights reserved.
