Seoul, South Korea - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of Miss Universe contestants preparing, posing for photos
2. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Choi Soon-hwa, Miss Universe contestant (starting with shot 3/partially overlaid with shots 3-4):
"After seeing that the Miss Universe competition has no age limit, I said I am participating in this. Then my son said, 'Mom, are you going that far? Okay, mom, go for it if you want.' So, I sent them photos yesterday, and then they said, 'Our mother is amazing, our grandmother is great.' So, I feel very happy."
++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
3. Various of Miss Universe contestants posing for photos according to camera man
4. Miss Universe entrants applauding
++SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
5. Miss Universe entrant making up herself
6. Various of Miss Universe contestants waiting, having photos taken
7. Various of Miss Universe contestants
8. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Kim Sung-shin, Miss Universe contestant (starting with shot 7):
"Since many restrictions such as the age limit have been lifted, as of this year, more participants can enter the competition, and more standards for women's beauty now have been applied."
9. Hair stylist talking with promoter Yang Sun-mook
10. Hair stylist making hair styles for Miss Universe contestants
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Yang Sun-mook, CEO, DQ Communications (starting with shot 10):
"[South] Korea is having a very fashionable moment with old age. You see it in advertisements, on TV shows, fashion shows and even in international beauty competitions."
12. Various of makeup woman applying cosmetics to Choi
13. Various of Choi posing for photos
14. Various of camera man dealing with photos
15. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Choi Soon-hwa, Miss Universe contestant (starting with shot 14/ending with shot 16):
"With your talent, go to the place where you can find confidence, go outside home to anywhere as you like to participate in social activities, so that the senior society can be more active."
16. Various of Choi, other contestants posing for photos, camera man

An 80-year-old South Korean Miss Universe contestant has showed senior citizens a new way to pursue their dreams and embrace a colorful way of living in their later years, giving new hope and a new lease of life to the increasingly aging population.

In a groundbreaking move, the Miss Universe competition has shattered its age restrictions and focus on superficial beauty, opening the door for the unprecedented entrant, Choi Soon-hwa.

Beauty knows no age. That's the message at this year's Miss Universe competition, which features the event's oldest-ever competitor.

"After seeing that the Miss Universe competition has no age limit, I said I am participating in this. Then my son said, 'Mom, are you going that far? Okay, mom, go for it if you want.' So, I sent them photos yesterday, and then they said, 'Our mother is amazing, our grandmother is great.' So, I feel very happy," said Choi Soon-hwa.

Long criticized for being out of step with the times, Miss Universe organizers lifted many restrictions on age, marriage, and motherhood as of this year.

"Since many restrictions such as the age limit have been lifted, as of this year, more participants can enter the competition, and more standards for women's beauty now have been applied," said Kim Sung-shin, a Miss Universe contestant.

Promoter Yang Sun-mook, also CEO of DQ Communications, has been working with pageant organizers in South Korea to ensure the event represents the country's rapidly aging society.

"[South] Korea is having a very fashionable moment with old age. You see it in advertisements, on TV shows, fashion shows and even in international beauty competitions," Yang said.

As a mother and grandmother who is now pursuing her modeling career and who recently ran as a candidate for the National Assembly, Choi, with her action, has given a message to other seniors -- follow your dreams.

"With your talent, go to the place where you can find confidence, go outside home to anywhere as you like to participate in social activities, so that the senior society can be more active," Choi said.