Honey Lee Interview
Though we saw in this previous post that there’s been some controversy over the decision, Honey Lee — a.k.a. Lee Ha-nui — doesn’t seem upset at all. In a press conference at Incheon International Airport, she sat down with reporters and dished on her feelings about the pageant’s outcome, and the Sports Chosun brings us the goods.
“I was proud to be a Korean.”
2006 Miss Korea Lee Ha-nui, 24 years old and a student at Seoul National University’s graduate school, has revealed her thoughts about her participation and success in achieving fourth place in last month’s 56th annual Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City.
In an interview after arriving on the 1st at 6 o’clock at Incheon International Airport’s CS Academy, Lee ha-nui started off by putting on a bright smile.
Lee Ha-nui, second only to Jang Yun-jeong who placed second in the 1988 pageant, announced “In the pageant I felt proud of being a Korean” and “when I wore the traditional clothing, hanbok, it really made a big impact.”
On her feelings about the end of the pageant, she said “I’m really happy”, adding “Even though I couldn’t bring the universe to my homeland, it was really great to be in the top five.”
At the start of Lee’s arrival at the press conference in the room in the airport for greeting presidents and foreign dignitaries, there had been a meeting of protestors about 3 hours before and the room had to be quickly modified into to a place for asking questions.
Now, the questions and how Lee answered them at the press conference.
How do you feel?
Great! I really feel overflowing with happiness.
Your thoughts on the end of the tournament?
When I went to the pageant, no matter how little I thought it possible my goal was to be Miss Universe. Even though I couldn’t bring the universe to my homeland, it was really great to be in the top five.
How did you feel when they called your name?
I was so nervous I was shaking all over, but on the other hand I was also calm. Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had a lot of experience on stage which had a good effect on me.
What’s your goal from now on?
For me this Miss Universe pageant was a place where my dreams came true. When I entered the pageant I had 3 goals. First, for my religion (for the Lord); second, to spread awareness of Korea’s traditional culture; and third, to become Miss Universe.
From now my plan is to work to bring life to Korean culture. But in the short term, with my name off the register I have to go back to school! (laughs)
How did you prepare for the pageant?
It wasn’t really a process worthy of this kind of attention. I kiddingly used the expression ‘just bear up by eating mugwort and garlic’. (laughter) I slept only about 3 to 4 hours a night and practiced Korean dancing and the gayageum intensely, and through that I came up with my concept. I did jazz dance and really modern dance, and also Latin dance.
Since in relation to the western participants my body wasn’t so good, I had to be successful by exercising a lot. Also in the standard of facial beauty, in relation to the other participants I thought I couldn’t be the same so I was always thinking “I have to work out hard and harden my body” to be successful.
Also, as I practiced makeup really hard it seems I practically became a great makeup artist.
In spite of criticism of them, what do you think is the reason beauty pageants should exist?
I have one answer. To spread Korea’s beauty around the world. You shouldn’t look at the Miss Universe pageant as merely a beauty contest but as a global celebration.
More than just a pageant to choose beautiful people, it’s a place where all kinds of traditional beauty and customs and etiquette are displayed. More than merely a standard of the commercialization of women, it’s an opportunity to view and display the world’s beauty.
What do you think is the reason that the representative from Japan took first place?
I continually met and prepared with the announcer Kim Ju-hui who was in the same situation as me last year. Even so, when I saw how the Japanese representative meticulously prepared for the interview, photo shoot, the internet, and everything with a specialist director I thought ‘wow, that’s amazing’. I was really envious of their preparation system.
What do you most want to do right now?
I want to go straight to church. Starting 100 days before the pageant I started praying daily, but in the pageant I was really agitated that I couldn’t go. Also in Mexico City they don’t have separate bath booths so I could only take a lukewarm and, of course, brief shower. When I go home I want to take nice, warm, long shower.
What’s your plan now? Got some thoughts about going into show business?
Right now I’m trying to think of what kind of work it would be good to do as Miss Korea. I’m thinking I should do something serious and restorative like last February when I went abroad as an official foreign delegate doing public service.
My dream is set. It’s definitely to increase global awareness of Korean culture. My dream isn’t only that but as I haven’t decided what road to take I still need to think a little more seriously about it. Because of that going into show business is also a point that requires more thought now.
go into show business! i’d watch everything you make
Comment by jose — June 6, 2007 @ 9:26 am
[...] Original post 2007.06.05 [...]
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