Kim Joo-ri – Miss Korea Universe 2010

Miss Seoul 2009 Kim Joo-ri was crowned Miss Korea 2009 (Miss Korea Jin) at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on July 8, 2009, organized by Hankook Ilbo and Sports Hankook. The coronation ceremony was hosted by VJ Lee Ki-sang and Miss Korea 2000 3rd runner-up Sohn Tae-young. The chairman of the Hankook Ilbo Media Group, Chang Jae-ku, announced Joo-ri as Miss Korea 2009 winner.

Joo-ri was born on May 21, 1988 in Seoul. She stands 5 ft 8 in tall.

Joo-ri is a graduate from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography (known as Bolshoi Ballet School), the most prestigious schools of ballet in the world. She started dancing ballet at the age of five and moved to England to attend the Royal Ballet School during third grade.  During economic recession in 1997-1998, she went back home and studied Korean dance at Sunhwa Arts School. She went back to Russia for she was offered another chance to attend at Moscow State Academy of Choreography. After her graduation, she was invited to be part of the ballet group in Russia but instead of joining, she went back home to participate in the Miss Korea pageant. And fortunately, she won the title.

Among the 83 candidates of the 2010 Miss Universe pageant, Joo-ri has the youngest looking face.

More on Miss Universe 2010 pageant:

• Rima Fakih – Miss USA 2010
• Angela Martini – Miss Albania 2010
• Miss Croatia 2010 Lana Obad
• Malika Menard – Miss France 2010
• Jesinta Campbell – Miss Australia 2010
• Miss Canada 2010 Elena Semikina