2014 Skate America Ladies FS 10/26

[dorispulaski]

mskater, thanks so much for the detailed report !

 

[[email protected]]

I love So Youn but as people who has seen her live said, I agree that some skaters look better on screen than in live.

Luckily, I have the chance to compare as she will participate in Rostelecom. Of course, she was totally forgetable in Sochi but that was a different era already. This time I will watch closely - my seat is quite good.

At this point I see no chances that she can challenge Adelina and Pogo either in Moscow or anywhere else. But she can aim at bronze for sure. Whether or not this claim has the ground will be clear this weekend as Ashley tries to show her full potential to leave the downward spiral.

 

[Miss Ice]

Across the board, Eurosport commentators from most countries adored Park the most out of all the skaters. They all kind of see her as the the one to beat in the future because she has a superb jump technique and she's steadily maturing. She has a very 'northern European' demeanor which the commentators like... excellent and praiseworthy technique, but a very reserved sense of self; almost as if she doesn't want to stand out. She's not there yet as a performer, but she's inching closer and closer. And I'm excited to see her programs as she develops.

Not every skater can be a Radionova grooving out to JLo out of the gate (love that program, by the way!).

How is her demeanor "northern European"? I'm just curious, whatever demeanor it is though, it is lovely.

 

[andyjo24]

If anyone is curious, someone on Youtube posted a very clear live fancam of So Youn's and other skaters' performance. Check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTCvQGcqo0Y&list=UUF_wxonFOwIWx_qU-qJHW7A

 

[jenaj]

I also saw So Youn live and thought she was forgettable. She needs better music and better choreography. She uses David Wilson, doesn't she? I would say he did the same for her as he did for Ashley last season.

 

[Miss Ice]

If anyone is curious, someone on Youtube posted a very clear live fancam of So Youn's and other skaters' performance. Check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTCvQGcqo0Y&list=UUF_wxonFOwIWx_qU-qJHW7A

Thanks! I will definitely check this out soon! :agree:

I also saw So Youn live and thought she was forgettable. She needs better music and better choreography. She uses David Wilson, doesn't she? I would say he did the same for her as he did for Ashley last season.

Better music?! God, give me So Youn's music over the ones with lyrics which are emerging all over the place in programs, such as in Gracie's and in the Russians. Seriously, that violin is amazing, I think that if So Youn puts just a little more emotion in, it would give me the chills.

 

[mskater93]

I thought So Youn was one of the last skaters you'd say that about in this ladies' competition...

Me too, but live, she looked that way

 

[OS]

I also saw So Youn live and thought she was forgettable. She needs better music and better choreography. She uses David Wilson, doesn't she? I would say he did the same for her as he did for Ashley last season.

Funny thing is people used to say that about Les Mis at its debut including the music edit, and then look what happened.

For me the program has potential that can work for her well. It just need a little bit spirited fire in the 2nd section to make it work. I even like the Music OST even as a music snob. Infact it is the only redeeming quality about the film. The composer however is up and coming, in a few years time I expect him to be the next Alexandre Desplat and likely to specialise in haunting European historicals/romance. Maybe people's problem is its unfamiliarity, not a warhorse, the so called 'legit' serious music. That is their problem, the music itself is decent.

 

[mskater93]

I didn't have an issue with her music at all, in fact, I rather liked it, just rather with how she presented it. She had no projection, and I wasn't sitting too far up in the stands where she looked like an ant, but in the 10th row behind the judges (so it wasn't like I was on the "other" side where the program wasn't "presented", either).

 

[Ophelia]

Funny thing is people used to say that about Les Mis at its debut including the music edit, and then look what happened.

For me the program has potential that can work for her well. It just need a little bit spirited fire in the 2nd section to make it work. I even like the Music OST even as a music snob. Infact it is the only redeeming quality about the film. The composer however is up and coming, in a few years time I expect him to be the next Alexandre Desplat and likely to specialise in haunting European historicals/romance. Maybe people's problem is its unfamiliarity, not a warhorse, the so called 'legit' serious music. That is their problem, the music itself is decent.

Or...maybe the problem is with the program and Park's presentation and not because people are too hoi polloi or prejudiced to appreciate it, as you persist on insisting.

Personally, I think the musical choice and arrangement are excellent (pleasantly surprised given how subpar the film is). I don't think Wilson's choreography maximizes its potential, and Park isn't (yet) able to fully capture its mood and communicate it to the audience.

 

[jenaj]

Funny thing is people used to say that about Les Mis at its debut including the music edit, and then look what happened.

For me the program has potential that can work for her well. It just need a little bit spirited fire in the 2nd section to make it work. I even like the Music OST even as a music snob. Infact it is the only redeeming quality about the film. The composer however is up and coming, in a few years time I expect him to be the next Alexandre Desplat and likely to specialise in haunting European historicals/romance. Maybe people's problem is its unfamiliarity, not a warhorse, the so called 'legit' serious music. That is their problem, the music itself is decent.

I still say that about Les Mis! I hate the music edit Yu Na used.

 

[jenaj]

Thanks! I will definitely check this out soon! :agree:



Better music?! God, give me So Youn's music over the ones with lyrics which are emerging all over the place in programs, such as in Gracie's and in the Russians. Seriously, that violin is amazing, I think that if So Youn puts just a little more emotion in, it would give me the chills.

No one's music at SA Ladies was very good. Park's was too soft and yes, forgettable. Warhorses sometimes have their place.

 

[OS]

Or...maybe the problem is with the program and Park's presentation and not because people are too hoi polloi or prejudiced to appreciate it, as you persist on insisting.

Personally, I think the musical choice and arrangement are excellent (pleasantly surprised given how subpar the film is). I don't think Wilson's choreography maximizes its potential, and Park isn't (yet) able to fully capture its mood and communicate it to the audience.

You need to seriously calm down. Projection is an area I 'too' have identified on her fan thread and have even noted specific areas of improvement, I am not in denial. I do however have problems with anyone who discounted the music and choreography choices or her quieter nuanced performances as 'boring', it may not be in your face type of interpretation, but it is there. When I see good potentials, just like I saw good potential for Julia's Schindler's list, and Hanyu's Romeo and Juliet, V/M's Carmen at their debut, all were controversial at the time, of course I am going to defend it. I am even willing to stick my neck out and call out Jeremy's FS THE best program of the entire singles competition even if it may not have won medals just yet.

Park is a newbie making her GP debut where she put out decent performances, yet received 3rd lowest PCS in her SP. Even though there are obviously areas for improvement, but we all saw the whole competition, do you think her PCS deserve to be 9th out 11th consider how well she skated?

 

[andyjo24]

I didn't have an issue with her music at all, in fact, I rather liked it, just rather with how she presented it. She had no projection, and I wasn't sitting too far up in the stands where she looked like an ant, but in the 10th row behind the judges (so it wasn't like I was on the "other" side where the program wasn't "presented", either).

We should give her and of course, all the other skaters time to refine their programs. By Worlds, they should all be able to show their best. :agree:

 

[OS]

I still say that about Les Mis! I hate the music edit Yu Na used.

Oh yes of course, don't worry, I remember well ;P It is not my favourite program of hers, but she realized its potential to the max, it is exactly the collaged EPIC as I hoped it would be (structured by the music edt.).

 

[Alba]

I actually prefer Les Mis than the Tango in Sochi.

 

[gotoschool]

You need to seriously calm down. Projection is an area I 'too' have identified on her fan thread and have even noted specific areas of improvement, I am not denial. I do however have problems with anyone people discount music and choreography choices or her quieter nuanced performances as 'boring', it may not be in your face type of interpretation, but it is there. When I see good potentials, just like I saw good potential for Julia's Schidler's list, and Hanyu's Romeo and Juliet, V/M's Carmen at their debut, all were controversial at the time, of course I am going to defend it. I am even willing to stick my neck out and call out Jeremy's FS THE best program of the entire singles competition even if it may not have won medals just yet.

Park is a newbie making her GP debut where she put out decent performances, yet received 3rd lowest PCS in her SP. Even though there are obviously areas for improvement, but we all saw the whole competition, do you think her PCS deserve to be 9th out 11th consider how well she skated?

It's nice you are speaking up for So youn and I really don't understand the low PCS either. But, I am more impressed with her LP performance because it is my favorite in the ladies free skate. Despite the fall, I am surprised at how much more I like her skating now even when compared to the Worlds 2013 LP because that one just didn't have a big impact on me. It may sound cheesy, but she moved my emotions the most with the joy and purity she projected, and the grace of her movements, steps and especially her jumps were soulful and beautiful. I really don't understand the low PCS either.

 

[yyyskate]

Well, seems like the reception of SoYoun's program either live or onscreen is pretty mixed here. All I wanna say is that, SoYoun is so young, she will have plenty of outings in the future, just go and watch her live and you will see.

 

[Ophelia]

You need to seriously calm down. Projection is an area I 'too' have identified on her fan thread and have even noted specific areas of improvement, I am not denial. I do however have problems with anyone people discount music and choreography choices or her quieter nuanced performances as 'boring', it may not be in your face type of interpretation, but it is there. When I see good potentials, just like I saw good potential for Julia's Schidler's list, and Hanyu's Romeo and Juliet, V/M's Carmen at their debut, all were controversial at the time, of course I am going to defend it. I am even willing to stick my neck out and call out Jeremy's FS THE best program of the entire singles competition even if it may not have won medals just yet.

Park is a newbie making her GP debut where she put out decent performances, yet received 3rd lowest PCS in her SP. Even though there are obviously areas for improvement, but we all saw the whole competition, do you think her PCS deserve to be 9th out 11th consider how well she skated?

I find your insistence on summing up people who didn't like Park's performance/programs as "not getting it", "being biased", and "having no musical sensitivity" to be rude and dismissive. Several posters who didn't find her performance exciting had legitimate reasons for their reaction.

I like Park's subtle, inward-facing, and more Asian-style of skating. It's a nice contrast to the Russian OTT dramatic flair. I don't think her PCS deserved to be so low. I have my conspiracy theory that she's affected by being S. Korean, but it's entirely possibly that in person, her skating doesn't have that much impact - hence the low PCS (as a friend who attended the event said).

 

[gotoschool]

Across the board, Eurosport commentators from most countries adored Park the most out of all the skaters. They all kind of see her as the the one to beat in the future because she has a superb jump technique and she's steadily maturing. She has a very 'northern European' demeanor which the commentators like... excellent and praiseworthy technique, but a very reserved sense of self; almost as if she doesn't want to stand out. She's not there yet as a performer, but she's inching closer and closer. And I'm excited to see her programs as she develops.

Not every skater can be a Radionova grooving out to JLo out of the gate (love that program, by the way!).

I think I understand now why I like Seo Youn. To me, she bears some resemblance to Mao. Their execution on the technical side is far different and she doesn't have the same stunning display of talent that Mao does, but I think she has a similar soulful, reserved beauty that makes me feel like I am eavesdropping on her performance. The same criticisms about lack of projection and emotion plagued Mao through much of her career, like in Bells of Moscow, but when I heard this it totally contradicted the subtle but profoundly beautiful spirit I felt when I watched Mao perform. And now to a lesser extent, I am starting to feel the same way about Seo Youn in the face of the criticisms that she lacks projection and that she's not a true performer. At least in her Skate America LP, she already is a wonderful performer to me.