From sophisticated outfits to precious off-duty looks… Korean women’s golf’s “PR Model 12” shows off her dainty photogravure.

The “faces” of the Korean golf world have been chosen again this year!

The Korean women’s golf tour has begun. This season, 30 tournaments will be held, and the total prize money will exceed 30 billion won (approx. 3 billion yen), continuing from last year. Although it is still not on the same scale as Japan, women’s golf is still one of the most popular sports in Korea.

The “KLPGA PR Model” has been attracting the attention of golf fans every year. Incidentally, the Japanese women’s professional golf tour also has a “JLPGA Brightener,” which was also created based on the Korean model. Korean “PR Models” are players who promote the tour by participating in events to interact with fans, holding golf clinics for juniors, and serving as PR ambassadors for the Korean Red Cross Society, among other activities. The selection process is based on a two-week online voting process for seeded players on the KLPGA (regular) Tour, and based on the results, the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) will make the final decision based on an overall evaluation, taking into account past performance and other factors.

This year, 12 players were selected as the “17th generation” of PR models. Kim Min Byul (21), Kim Soo Ji (28), Noh Seung Hee (24), Park Min Ji (26), Park Hyun Kyung (25), Pang Shin Sil (20), Bae So Hyun (31), Yoo Hyun Jo (20), Lee Ga Young (25), Lee Ye Won (22), Lim Hee Jung (24) , Hwang Yumin (21).

Fans of the “Doosan Construction We’ve Championship,” the first domestic tournament held from April 3 to 6, are looking forward to the photogravure photos of the players, which is an interesting concept. Each year, the photogravure shoots are based on several themes, and this year’s concepts are “sporty,” “off,” and “geek chic” (a fashion style that combines “geek” and “sophistication”). The photos will be used in a variety of KLPGA Tour productions, including calendars, wallpaper, and photobooks, “all to enhance the value of the Tour brand,” according to the KLPGA.

Through the gravure photos of the PR models, we are able to convey the diverse appeal of the players. In addition, we can strengthen communication with golf fans and enhance tour publicity and brand value,” said a KLPGA spokesperson.

However, to be honest, the Korean publicity model may not ring a bell with Japanese fans. To be honest, the players are almost unknown in Japan. However, there are many players who actually have something to do with Japan.

Lee Ye-Won, who competed in last year’s “World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup,” a major Japanese Tour event, was a contender for the championship and finished third. In 2011, she won the triple crown of the Money Champion, the KLPGA Grand Prize (MVP), and the No. 1 stroke average. In addition, Park Min-ji, who won six times in Korea in ’21 and ’22 and became the money queen for two consecutive years, and Kim Su-ji, who won the KLPGA Grand Prize (MVP) in ’22, also won the ’23 Kim Su-ji, who won the KLPGA Grand Prize (MVP) in 2010, also participated in the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup in 2011 and captivated Japanese fans with her spectacular play.

Both of them played on the Japan Tour as top-ranked players in the world, and Lee Ye-Won expressed her desire to try again, saying, “I would like to play again if I qualify. Kim Su-ji also commented, “The golf environment in Japan is very good. I hope to have a chance to play on the Japanese Tour in the future.

Incidentally, Hyo Sung Ri, who competed in the same tournament last year as an amateur, won. He has since turned pro and is playing on the Japan Tour. There is a high possibility that he will play in this tournament again this year as a spotter from Korea, and he is sure to make the Japanese Tour more exciting by competing at the top of the leaderboard.