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| ▲ From L: The top three finalists of “Just Makeup," including Son Tail, Paris Golden Hands and Oh Dolce Vita. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- “I never expected to win. I’m just so happy the show became a chance for me to show who I am.”
“Pari Geumson” (Min Kim), the winner of Coupang Play’s beauty survival show “Just Makeup,” recalled the moment she beat 60 competitors, speaking at a café in Samcheong-dong on Tuesday.
“Just Makeup” is a competition program in which top Korean makeup artists, renowned international professionals and beauty creators face off using their makeup skills.
Hosted by singer Lee Hyo-ri, with top-tier artists such as Jung Saem-mul and Risabae serving as judges, the show became a hot topic and ranked No. 1 on Coupang Play for five consecutive weeks after release. It also entered the top 10 charts of OTT services in seven overseas countries.
Pari Geumson said, “I prepared so hard for every round, and I cheered at every moment. By the time I reached the final, the competitors beside me were so skilled that my cheeks were trembling.”
Regarding the 300 million prize, she jokingly said, “We finished filming at the end of May, and I received the prize about two months later. I’ve tucked it away safely.”
Joining her at the interview were fellow finalists “Sontail” (Son Ju-hee) and “Oh Dolce Vita” (Oh Hyun-jung).
Sontail said, “Many people sent me messages of support after watching the show, and I was so grateful. I didn’t join to win first place — I wanted to grow and test myself. I thought reaching the semifinals would be enough, so making it to the final felt unbelievable.”
Oh Dolce Vita said, “Since I’m not a freelancer and work within an organization, appearing on a show was a big decision. I asked my company even though I thought I might get eliminated in Round 1, so I’m relieved the results turned out better than expected.”
Asked which of the five rounds was the hardest, Pari Geumson and Sontail both chose the team mission.
Pari Geumson said, “When I was suddenly chosen as team leader, my first thought was, ‘Will anyone join my team?’ Thankfully, Oh Dolce Vita and others came to me, and even when I doubted myself, they encouraged me. Thanks to them, we achieved a great result.”
Sontail added, “If I’m eliminated alone, that’s fine, but in a team mission, everyone goes down together, so the pressure was huge. Even when I returned to the competition through the revival round, that lingering guilt made it very tough.”
Oh Dolce Vita, who used her mother as her model in one round, said, “Bringing my mother on a televised competition was a huge personal risk. I wasn’t trying to create a dramatic narrative, but every time I saw her in the waiting room, I got emotional and struggled to stay composed.”
The finalists said the competition reaffirmed that they are “artists,” not merely “beauty professionals.”
Oh Dolce Vita said, “People used to call us beauticians and questioned why someone who applies makeup should be called an artist. This show allowed us to prove that we are indeed artists.”
Pari Geumson said, “Instead of just doing backstage makeup based on reference images, I was able to act as art director from the initial concept and present my own creative work. That was deeply moving.”
Sontail added, “It was meaningful to direct the overall concept, not just showcase technical skills. I think we helped elevate the status of K-beauty.”
They also said they hope “Just Makeup” will return for Season 2.
“If there is a Season 2, I hope contestants genuinely enjoy the experience. Even if they get eliminated, I hope they show everything about their makeup philosophy.” (Pari Geumson)
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