Forget “America’s Next Top Model.” Wouldn’t you rather be “Supermodel of the World”? Well, maybe next year. For the rest of 2008, that title belongs to 20-year-old college student Seung-hyun Kang, winner of Ford Models’ 28th annual Supermodel of the World competition.

Comprised of 50 finalists from around the world, the showdown took place Jan. 16 at Terminal 5 in New York City, where models were given two opportunities to strut the runway in different outfits for the judges. For the group of fresh-faced unknowns, it was the climax to a week of go-sees, walking lessons and photo shoots.

Apparently exuding the most “it” factor was the 5-foot-8-inch Kang who catwalked away with the $250,000 contract.