Held Sept. 25 at MCC Hall in Bangkok, the global competition brought together delegates from 45 countries. Mister International, open only to national titleholders, is widely regarded as the premier men’s pageant, often mentioned alongside Miss Universe on the women’s side.
A Chung-Ang University theater graduate, Choi captured the Mister International Korea title on Sept. 1 and advanced to the world stage barely 10 days later. After landing in Bangkok on Sept. 12, he joined a two-week boot camp with fellow contestants, splitting time between Bangkok and Khon Kaen for photo shoots and promotional events.
After clearing prelims, he reached the Top 20 semifinals. The swimwear round cut the field to a Top 11, and the tuxedo round delivered the final Top 6: Thailand, Nigeria, Lebanon, Costa Rica, the Philippines, and South Korea’s Choi.
A steady Q&A performance propelled him into the Top 3 alongside the Philippines and Lebanon. Riding massive hometown support in a pageant powerhouse market, the Philippine delegate took the crown, Lebanon finished second, and Choi claimed an impressive third.
Choi’s placement marks Korea’s first major Mister International finish in eight years and only the third Top 3 in the nation’s history. He also emerged as a fan favorite in Thailand, drawing the most user-shot clips across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram among this year’s contestants.
With porcelain skin and classic K-drama leading-man looks, Choi drew interest from three major Thai conglomerates for exclusive modeling deals, plus an offer to headline a Thai drama series―setting the stage for a broader global career.
“I had to prepare fast, but I gave it everything, and I’m proud of this third-place finish,” Choi said. “With this global recognition, I hope to build on my training and grow as an actor and model on the international stage.”
Following his national win and world Top 3 finish, anticipation is high for what Choi Seung-ho does next on screen.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)