Korea Wins Mister International 2018; PH in Top 10

Korea’s bet Seung Hwan Lee emerged as the winner of the 12th Mister International! The distinctively handsome Korean bested 35 other delegates during the finals held in Yangon, Myanmar last April 30, 2018. The towering Seung Hwan Lee was crowned by the outgoing Mister International winner, Paul Iskandar from Lebanon.

What is Mister International?

Mister International is a male pageant started in 2006 and now considered as one of the biggest male pageants along with Mister World in terms of the number of national-level competitions. Traditionally, Mister International lives in Singapore during his reign.

Korea's firsts!

Korea's first beauty pageant title was Miss Supranational, considered by Global Beauties as one of the Grand Slam pageants and by Missosology as one of the Big 5 pageants. Jenny Kim won the Miss Supranational crown last year at Spa Resort of Krynica- Zdroj, Poland. Following this triumph, another first title for Korea in male pageantry courtesy of Seung Hwan Lee who was one of the early favorites among pageant experts.

The winning answer

During the final question and answer, Seugn Hwan Lee was asked, "South and North Korea are working for reunification. As a citizen of South Korea, what are your views on this issue?" He answered as translated by the interpreter, 

 I believe the talks between leaders of South and North Korea is very meaningful because it showed our willingness for officer and Korean war South and North Korea will keep trying to light on our reunification. Thank you.

Meet the royal court

Finishing second was Manuel Molano from Colombia, while Dwayne Geldenhuis of South Africa placed third.

Rounding out the winners' circle were Switzerland, Alessio Constantini, and Vietnam, Tran Minh Trung.

Meanwhile, the delegates who made the top 10 as they announced during the finals were:

① Colombia - Manuel Molano

② South Africa - Dwayne Geldenhuis
③  Vietnam - Tran Minh Trung

④  Nicaragua - Elvis Murillo

⑤  Japan - Taizan Matsuura
⑥  Switzerland - Alessio Constantini

⑦  Korea - Seung Hwan Lee

⑧  Venezuela - Ignacio Milles

⑨  Philippines - Raven Renz Lansangan

⑩  Puerto Rico - Joseph Disdier

In choosing the top 16, the delegates were classified into three geographical regions namely (1) The Americas, (2) Europe and Africa, and (3) Asia and the Pacific. The judges voted for three candidates from each of the three regions. Six wildcard spots regardless of geographical affiliation and one for the fan vote was chosen to complete the top 16. And they are: 

• THE AMERICAS - #1 Venezuela; #2 Colombia; and #3 Puerto Rico

• EUROPE AND AFRICA - #1 Switzerland; #2 Poland; and #South Africa

• ASIA AND THE PACIFIC - #1 Vietnam; #2 Indonesia; and #3 Japan

• WILDCARDS -  #1 Netherlands; #2 Spain; #3 Korea; #4 Nicaragua; #5 Philippines; #6 Lebanon; #7 Mexico

Special awards were also given during the finals. Mister Thailand, Paran Pitijirakun, won for his national costume while Mister Brazil, Leonardo Nobre got the photogenic award. The congeniality award went to the delegate from the Netherlands, Jeremy Lensink.

The title holders

Since its inception in 2006. there are already 12 title holders of Mister International. And they are:

2018: Seung Hwan Lee of Korea

2016: Paul Iskandar of Lebanon

2015: Pedro Mendes of Switzerland

2014: Neil Perez of the Philippines

2013: Jose Anmer Paredes of Venezuela

2012: Ali Hammoud of Lebanon

2011: Cesar Curti of Brazil

2010: Ryan Terry of United Kingdom

2009: Bruno Kettels of Bolivia

2008: Ngo Tien Doan of Vietnam

2007: Alan Bianco Martini of Brazil

2006: Wissam Hanna of Lebanon

Throughout the history of the pageant, there were three winners coming from Lebanon followed by Brazil win two title holders.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Photo credits:

The official Facebook page of Mister International

Photo grabbed from Youtube video entitled 12th Mister International Swimwear