Kim replaces Min-ji Lee, Mission Korea 2015, who would not compete at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant after Hanju E&M, the organizers of the Miss Korea pageant, lost the Miss Universe franchise.
Kim menggantikan Min-ji Lee, Miss Korea 2015, yang tidak dapat berkompetisi di Miss Universe 2016 setelah Hanju E&M, penyelenggara kontes Miss Korea, kehilangan lisensi Miss Universe.