Jenny Kim: South Korean Model & Miss Supranational 2017 Bio

Jenny Kim: The South Korean Model Who Made Beauty Pageant History

Jenny Kim holds a unique place in South Korean pageant history. In 2017, she became the first woman from South Korea ever to win a major international beauty pageant title, capping off a journey that spanned three countries, three languages, and years of dedicated training. Here's the full story of who Jenny Kim is, how she rose through the pageant world, and what her career has looked like since.

Who Is Jenny Kim?

Jenny Kim, known in Korean as 김제니, is a South Korean model and beauty pageant titleholder born on November 22, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea. She stands 1.73 metres (5 feet 8 inches) tall, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

An International Upbringing

Jenny's background is anything but typical for a Korean pageant titleholder. At just one year old, her family relocated to Jakarta, Indonesia, due to her father's business, and she ended up spending roughly 18 years of her life growing up there. She attended an international school in Jakarta for 13 years, becoming fluent in Korean, English, and Indonesian along the way. After finishing high school, Jenny made the decision to move back to South Korea to attend university, wanting to reconnect with her own culture and heritage. She went on to study at Ewha Womans University, double majoring in international office administration and English language and literature.

Jenny Kim's Pageant Career

Jenny's competitive pageant journey began with Miss World Korea in December 2015, where she finished as first runner-up. She was later appointed Miss Universe Korea 2016, becoming the first winner of that title for South Korea, and went on to compete at Miss Universe 2016 against 85 other contestants, where she was awarded Miss Congeniality, another first for Korea at that competition.

Her biggest career milestone came in December 2017, when she competed at Miss Supranational 2017, held at the MOSIR Arena in Krynica-Zdrój, Poland. Competing against 65 entrants from around the world, Jenny was crowned the winner by outgoing titleholder Srinidhi Ramesh Shetty of India, becoming the first-ever winner from South Korea in any major international pageant.

Example: How Jenny Kim's Background Became Her Competitive Edge

A clear example of how Jenny turned her unusual upbringing into a genuine advantage came through in interviews during her pageant career. Rather than treating her years abroad as a disadvantage, she's described her multicultural background as her biggest strength in international competition. Learning English while growing up in Indonesia, encouraged in part by a high school teacher, gave her the confidence and language skills to compete on a global stage most Korean contestants hadn't experienced in the same way. She's also noted that she has more fans in Indonesia than in Korea, a reflection of how deeply that upbringing shaped her public identity. This example shows how Jenny didn't just overcome an unconventional background, she built her entire pageant platform around it.

Life After the Crown

During her reign as Miss Supranational 2017, Jenny travelled extensively representing the title, visiting Vietnam, China, Japan, Myanmar, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia. She attended the Miss Diva 2018 event in India, giving interviews and sharing pageant tips with contestants, and later attended the Puteri Indonesia 2018 pageant, returning the following year to serve as an honorary judge at Puteri Indonesia 2019. In 2018, she also helped present the International Emmy Kids Awards at the Cannes Film Festival, and crowned Miss Supranational Vietnam 2018 during an event held in Seoul. At the end of her reign, she crowned her successor, Valeria Vázquez of Puerto Rico, at Miss Supranational 2018.

Beyond pageantry, Jenny built a modelling career in South Korea, serving as the main model for Korean designer BigPark during Seoul Fashion Week 2018, and appearing at shows for other labels, including Ashoka by William Goldberg. She's also worn pieces by prominent Korean designer Andre Kim at various events. Outside of her public career, Jenny volunteers as an interpreter at the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta, and has spoken about wanting to use her pageant winnings to help children.

Watch: Jenny Kim's Miss Supranational 2017 Crowning Moment

FAQs

What is Jenny Kim known for?

Jenny Kim is known as a South Korean model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Supranational 2017, making history as the first South Korean winner of a major international pageant.

Where did Jenny Kim grow up?

Although born in Seoul, South Korea, Jenny grew up mostly in Jakarta, Indonesia, from the age of one, attending an international school there before returning to South Korea for university.

What pageants did Jenny Kim compete in?

Jenny competed in Miss World Korea 2015 (first runner-up), was appointed Miss Universe Korea 2016 and competed at Miss Universe 2016 (winning Miss Congeniality), and won Miss Supranational 2017.

What languages does Jenny Kim speak?

Jenny speaks Korean, English, and Indonesian fluently, a result of her upbringing in Indonesia and her Korean heritage.

What is Jenny Kim doing now?

Beyond her pageant work, Jenny has built a modelling career in South Korea, including working with designer BigPark at Seoul Fashion Week, and continues to volunteer as an interpreter at the National Museum of Indonesia.

People Also Ask

Who crowned Jenny Kim as Miss Supranational 2017?

Jenny Kim was crowned by the outgoing Miss Supranational 2016 titleholder, Srinidhi Ramesh Shetty of India.

Was Jenny Kim the first Korean winner of an international pageant?

Yes, Jenny Kim's Miss Supranational 2017 win made her the first-ever winner from South Korea in any major international beauty pageant.

What university did Jenny Kim attend?

Jenny studied at Ewha Womans University in South Korea, where she double majored in international office administration and English language and literature.