About 500 models representing 35 countries will gather in Seoul next month for what organizers call the world’s first Olympic-style modeling competition. The Seoul Model Festival 2026 runs from Nov. 23 to 25 at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul and Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, according to the Asia Model Festival Organizing Committee, which is hosting the event. Models chosen from 50 cities will compete as national representatives in three categories: fashion, advertising and beauty. The theme of the event is “Models wearing the beauty, fashion and arts industries.” The Korea Model Association and a Korean association of professional makeup artists are co-organizing it, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government is a sponsor. Organizers said the festival is different from conventional fashion shows and modeling contests because it treats models as athletes and the runway as a playing field. Judges will score contestants on walking, posing, expression, creativity and teamwork. Designers, brands and makeup, hair and nail artists will team up with the models to complete each entry. T