L to R: first runner-up Su-jan Lee, 24, winner Hannah Hwang, 18, second runner-up Ha-eun Cho, 19, and Miss Korea Times, Areum Pyo, 23.
An 18-year-old high school senior who wants to be a “missionary” for Korean culture was crowned Miss Korea Southern California last week.
Hannah Hwang, a Los Angeles native and student at Campbell Hall High School in North Hollywood, will compete in the 2013 Miss Korea pageant in Seoul in early June.
Standing at 5-foot-9, Hwang — who also had a small role in Memoirs of a Geisha — began learning Korean traditional dance when she
was just 4 years old. She also plays several traditional Korean musical instruments, including the janggu drum.
“I go to Korea every summer and it is truly enjoyable to me,” Hwang told the Korea Times.
“As Miss Korea Southern California, I want to be a missionary to inform people of the cultures of both Korea and the United States. As a Korean American, I hope to become a link between Korea and United States.”
The Korea Times Los Angeles sponsored the April 5 event at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Koreatown with more than 1,000 people in attendance. Eleven young ladies vied for the crown, competing in several categories including a talent showcase and evening gown competition.
Rounding out the court was first runner-up (seon) Su-jan Lee, 24, second runner-up (mi) Ha-eun Cho, 19, and Miss Korea Times, Areum Pyo, 23.
Last week’s event was the 42nd annual Miss Korea Southern California to be held.
