I am an Asian myself, but I didn't feel offended by his remarks. It's his observation, and he did not say the mothers are wrong.
Yuna Kim
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I am an Asian myself, but I didn't feel offended by his remarks. It's his observation, and he did not say the mothers are wrong.
Yuna didn't fizzle out. She accomplished everything she could ever accomplish in figure skating for herself and her country. She is a legend and will be remembered as the best skater and best person for a long time to come. She doesn't owe anyone else anything, except her family and teachers (including David) and her fans, all of whom have supported her over the years and helped her become the person and star she has become. She has always been incredibly gracious to all such people. She even continues to give back to young Korean skaters.
This idea that she could have done more is disturbing and sounds like it comes from a bunch of leaches who were looking for another meal ticket. They all looked at Yuna like she would take figure skating back to the 90's and make them all rich too, and when it didn't happen they are bitter. It's a disgusting attitude. I'm a little disappointed with this interview by David, but I give him the benefit of the doubt because he does have more candor than most people and in general tried to balance out his statements. When he said something out of line, he did add that was just his emotions talking and usually tried to say the right thing too.
Still, I think people should forget this idea that Yuna owes it to them to make figure skating rich and successful. Someone who supports her, you would think, would be proud of her and everything she has accomplished.
This idea that she could have done more is disturbing and sounds like it comes from a bunch of leaches who were looking for another meal ticket. They all looked at Yuna like she would take figure skating back to the 90's and make them all rich too, and when it didn't happen they are bitter. It's a disgusting attitude. I'm a little disappointed with this interview by David, but I give him the benefit of the doubt because he does have more candor than most people and in general tried to balance out his statements. When he said something out of line, he did add that was just his emotions talking and usually tried to say the right thing too.
Still, I think people should forget this idea that Yuna owes it to them to make figure skating rich and successful. Someone who supports her, you would think, would be proud of her and everything she has accomplished.
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In my opinion, David Wilson was talking about a different facet of pro skating. He was a part of Ice Capades tour, which started in 1940's but went out of business during 1990's. This is a sort of irony, because the tour did not get benefited by the so called pro skating boom of 90's. During the interview, he was lamenting the fact that Today's young skaters would not experience the fun part of the pro skating, such as 6 weeks of rehearsal. It's not just about money.
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- Feb 14, 2014
Also, I do think he was mainly talking about the power and the potential she has to bring popularity to figure skating. I do think he got swayed by his emotions. Who wouldn't though when you have this star that could bring back life to the sport? I mean, she basically did that in SK....(so why not the world?)
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- Jan 28, 2014
With all this talk about Yuna helping figure skating be more popular and all that and her power as a celebrity and a legend of this sport, I can't help but remember there was one interview she did after winning the Olympics where she said that when she had bad days or was stressed about something, even her friends would tell her that "she IS Yuna Kim" and it's not like her to falter (or something like that) and she said that she's just a person like everyone else. She said "Who is Yuna Kim?". And I felt sad about that. And I felt the weight she carries on her shoulders. Everyone is expecting her to be this and that. But she's just a person with weakness, with feelings. She's a person who gets tired, who fails, who gets sad and disappointed. Who can't get tired of everyone putting their expectations on you? I mean, that's really stressful and tiring and that's why I understand why she retired and would probably rest until she wants to skate again. Yes, she is a legend. But legends are still people with real feelings and threshold of pain and emotions.
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I liked the TSL interview with David Wilson, but it also made me a bit sad. I enjoyed the part where he explained their working relationship that seemed to be very friendly and intimate. He, as an artist, was obviously really into working with Yuna and he really wanted to continue to work with her on a daily basis, but moving to South Korea wasn't an option for him. He was very open about that in the interview and I don't think that he actually knows more about the Yuna/Brian split than he told in that interview. I also think that there wasn't really a reason, just a couple of misunderstandings that ruined the relationship in the end.
Yuna is so rich that she doesn't need to work for a single day in her life and if she choses to she can earn a lot of money by doing advertisements, as she does now. She can't get more popular in South Korea than she already is. So from a economic point of view it's not really necessary for her to do figure skating shows. I still hope that she'll change her mind at some point and do some shows again, although David Wilson obviously doesn't think that she will. He wouldn't have given that kind of interview if he thought that he'll ever get the chance to work with her again. And that makes me a sad, because Yuna on the ice is always a joy to watch. But I also think that she's really deserved to do what she wants to do now and to enjoy life to the fullest.
Yuna is so rich that she doesn't need to work for a single day in her life and if she choses to she can earn a lot of money by doing advertisements, as she does now. She can't get more popular in South Korea than she already is. So from a economic point of view it's not really necessary for her to do figure skating shows. I still hope that she'll change her mind at some point and do some shows again, although David Wilson obviously doesn't think that she will. He wouldn't have given that kind of interview if he thought that he'll ever get the chance to work with her again. And that makes me a sad, because Yuna on the ice is always a joy to watch. But I also think that she's really deserved to do what she wants to do now and to enjoy life to the fullest.
David is not racist. And accusing someone who clearly is not racist to be such is the lowest and not at all helping. But of course you overhear him gushing over how brilliant and unique yuna is, and that she was his best student etc. and interpret your own twisted view on what he supposely said.
David said that asian culture is less facial - which is a fact and not racism. He didn't say that being less facial as a culture is somehow inferior (what you interpreted). And he doesn't feel superior when it come to facial expression. He just compared yuna in 2013/14 with yuna in 2009 and again it is a fact, that in 2013/14 she is facially emoting less. And while it might no bother a lot of people, but after he has spent 4 years to bring out the facial emoting in yuna, I think he has every right to be disappointed when that disappears. It's yuna's own style all right, but he is her choreographer and if there is any issue he has the right to voice his opinion over, it is her performance style.
Btw saying 'westerner feel superior when it comes to facial expressions' is more racist then anything wilson ever said.
I don't see why David would be lying. He seemed outright honest the whole interview, including his thoughts on Sochi, his experience as a mental support for her etc. And if there's anyone beside Yuna and Orser who knows what went on, it's her mother and David wilson. Therefore, I wouldn't trust some 'blog' more than what he says, especially since he seems to be a sincere personality.
I've always loved David, and this interview made me adore him even more! He may be disappointed, but I think that just shows the amount of love and respect David had for Yuna....as her fan, sometimes I do feel she could've done more, but really, it's her choice, and I'm totally fine with what Yuna's doing.
I do however wish David could've mentioned how her earnings are used for Korean young skaters, and charity. I don't want the public to assume she quit skating to make more money while endorsing products. Nevertheless, a great interview by TSL.
I do however wish David could've mentioned how her earnings are used for Korean young skaters, and charity. I don't want the public to assume she quit skating to make more money while endorsing products. Nevertheless, a great interview by TSL.
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- Jan 10, 2014
I think David Wilson thought that since he was open with Yuna herself about his disappointment at her decision to no longer skate, it was all right for him to publicly say so in the TSL interview. (BTW I read in FSU, the interview will be completed after Worlds.) I do not think David loves her any less much in the same way as a mother still loves her child even if they disagree on certain matters. For the record,
he said he was "very, very proud" of her (https://m.youtube.com/watch?autoplay=1&v=4PxAUcvfrrU @:35).
That being said, I think Yuna has all the right to make that decision. She has already "given back to the sport" and still is by increasing its profile in her country and serving as inspiration for many skaters, one of whom may even fulfill David's dream of bringing back figure skating's days of glory and extended ice shows.
Personally I have this dream that we will see her on the ice again performing (what else?) "Homage to Korea" in 2018 in the Olympic FS gala in PyeongChang.
he said he was "very, very proud" of her (https://m.youtube.com/watch?autoplay=1&v=4PxAUcvfrrU @:35).
That being said, I think Yuna has all the right to make that decision. She has already "given back to the sport" and still is by increasing its profile in her country and serving as inspiration for many skaters, one of whom may even fulfill David's dream of bringing back figure skating's days of glory and extended ice shows.
Personally I have this dream that we will see her on the ice again performing (what else?) "Homage to Korea" in 2018 in the Olympic FS gala in PyeongChang.
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- Aug 20, 2014
I think she doesn’t choose to do advertisements at the expense of her skating. Well, she has always been doing her advertisements since she became popular in Korea. You don’t need to worry about her popularity in Korea. Actually International fans like you do not support her financially obviously. Her advertisements are mainly from Korean companies. I don’t understand why David even cares. Mind Your Business Please. All celebrities have a golden time in the advertisements business, but Yuna time is quite longer other than other celebrities. We Korean fans know there would be time when Yuna has some difficulties in doing that thing but not now.
There is not only one choreographer. I think it’s time for Yuna to explore new options. I also want to see her ice shows without David.
I don’t know why he is so bitter. I guess David doesn’t have any opportunities in doing business with Yuna recently. That doesn’t necessarily need to say things about her for whole interviews. It is so weird that David only interviewed about Yuna throughout.
Yuna only had her face in Canada?? She had already achieved her expressions in 2009 and then she went back to Korea. Suddenly it disappeared. That’s absurd. Why he didn’t say that in 2013? I didn’t hear any of those. Also, It’s kind of annoying when western commentators keep picking Asian skaters up on that.
I think he should be more careful in choosing his words during the interview.
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watched David, interview, absolutely great interview.Love David, his honesty and artistic spirit.
a few points, Yuna is indeed a gift for the fg world, supreme innate born musicality(not only FG, dance , balance all related) since I has some experience with dance and fg myself, totally related to what David said about that, something you cannot teach, it is a talent/gift.
about Sochi, I think why David had that response is that he really did not wanna get involved into the mess, like he mentioned many times that he is a happy person, he wanna stay away from all troubles, including sochi, including split from Brian. So he is kinda being politically correct regarding the result here (pointed out the obvious for both sides), but I disagree with him about the under-rotated lutz though, it was fully rotated just the axis is a little titled. that's it, its height is the same as Yuna's first lutz (according to calculation on this board).
about the split, only Brain and Yuna or Yuna's mom knows what really happened.
about the korean vs westerner facial expression, I think David himself had a flamboyant personality and totally a westerner, he may resonate with more in-your-face kinda emotion. from this interview, I think that although he had experience with Asian students (Korean, Japanese and Chinese), but he still didnot get the essence of oriental culture yet. He somehow (i felt) still looks at Asian culture from a westerner's eyes. I think Yuna's Les Mis's interpretation is emotional without OTT faces, really deep emotion. that kinda emotion needs no commentary, (no-face feedback, should not shake it at all...David should have this confidence.)
about David's disappointment, I totally understand him from his perspective, David is a totally f.g lover, totally an artist, his whole world is FG. And Yuna is the only one who could wear his dream (himself) on her sleeve (through his whole career). of course he will feel disappointed.
but from Yuna's perspective, from this interview, that girl almost cried everyday, in her earlier career. She is the God gifted talent, but her earlier training is hard. She had nothing, but hard FG training as a child, I understand the urge to explore more from Yuna after her retirement. From FG world it maybe a waste since she is still young and you can do more about FG when you are young, it is kinda a huge loss for FG world, but for Yuna, maybe she will comeback at later age for shows, when she experiences the world outside FG, and realize that kinda God gifted talent is too precious to not give back to this world more, but she will be older, hope that day will come. from me a FG fan and a Yuna fan.
I wish, someday, David can understand the emotion Yuna had in her after Sochi performances, it really is DEEP.
BTW, the reason for Yuna's comeback, like Yuna said in interview, is to bring more Korean youngsters to experience OG.
speaking of this, Yuna's world absolutely is not only FG , she has other responsibilities and dreams.
EDIT: simply put David's disappointment, he wanna spend more time with Yuna, but he did not and could not, simple as that!
Everyone wanna a piece of Yuna
EDIT: everyone is human, so we all are bit self-centered, Yuna has being giving back all her young life. she needs some personal dreams, spaces and indulges, and I think that is human, afterall, Yuna is still human。。。。
a few points, Yuna is indeed a gift for the fg world, supreme innate born musicality(not only FG, dance , balance all related) since I has some experience with dance and fg myself, totally related to what David said about that, something you cannot teach, it is a talent/gift.
about Sochi, I think why David had that response is that he really did not wanna get involved into the mess, like he mentioned many times that he is a happy person, he wanna stay away from all troubles, including sochi, including split from Brian. So he is kinda being politically correct regarding the result here (pointed out the obvious for both sides), but I disagree with him about the under-rotated lutz though, it was fully rotated just the axis is a little titled. that's it, its height is the same as Yuna's first lutz (according to calculation on this board).
about the split, only Brain and Yuna or Yuna's mom knows what really happened.
about the korean vs westerner facial expression, I think David himself had a flamboyant personality and totally a westerner, he may resonate with more in-your-face kinda emotion. from this interview, I think that although he had experience with Asian students (Korean, Japanese and Chinese), but he still didnot get the essence of oriental culture yet. He somehow (i felt) still looks at Asian culture from a westerner's eyes. I think Yuna's Les Mis's interpretation is emotional without OTT faces, really deep emotion. that kinda emotion needs no commentary, (no-face feedback, should not shake it at all...David should have this confidence.)
about David's disappointment, I totally understand him from his perspective, David is a totally f.g lover, totally an artist, his whole world is FG. And Yuna is the only one who could wear his dream (himself) on her sleeve (through his whole career). of course he will feel disappointed.
but from Yuna's perspective, from this interview, that girl almost cried everyday, in her earlier career. She is the God gifted talent, but her earlier training is hard. She had nothing, but hard FG training as a child, I understand the urge to explore more from Yuna after her retirement. From FG world it maybe a waste since she is still young and you can do more about FG when you are young, it is kinda a huge loss for FG world, but for Yuna, maybe she will comeback at later age for shows, when she experiences the world outside FG, and realize that kinda God gifted talent is too precious to not give back to this world more, but she will be older, hope that day will come. from me a FG fan and a Yuna fan.
I wish, someday, David can understand the emotion Yuna had in her after Sochi performances, it really is DEEP.
BTW, the reason for Yuna's comeback, like Yuna said in interview, is to bring more Korean youngsters to experience OG.
speaking of this, Yuna's world absolutely is not only FG , she has other responsibilities and dreams.
EDIT: simply put David's disappointment, he wanna spend more time with Yuna, but he did not and could not, simple as that!
Everyone wanna a piece of Yuna
EDIT: everyone is human, so we all are bit self-centered, Yuna has being giving back all her young life. she needs some personal dreams, spaces and indulges, and I think that is human, afterall, Yuna is still human。。。。
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I don't think so either. The point is that she doesn't need to skate to earn money. Nothing wrong with that.
I don't worry about her popularity. I have a Samsung phone and a Samsung TV, does that count as Yuna support in your opinion? Not that she needs my financial support, just saying.
No? I do. He has worked for and with Yuna, he's an devoted artist and a figure skating insider and fan. A Yuna fan. He cares naturally. As we all do.
David? Or I?
Well, I have a Samsung phone and a Samsung TV, I'm probably allowed to give my opinion because of that?Yuna is a star and a role model and naturally companies want to work with her. And even if they lose interest in her she's already well set. She earned it.
I also hope to see her doing new ice shows, with or without David Wilson. But I think she worked with David Wilson for a reason.
He's not only interviewed about yuna. This was only a part of their interview and since yuna was a big part of Davids life, they took their time to talk about her. The whole interview will be posted after worlds. I'm sure they also talked about his other skaters and the life as a choreographer.
Probably because in 2013 nobody asked him. As he said, he doesn't do interviews very often and I'm sure that he has told his opinion to yuna in person.
I agree that it's annoying when commentators pick on perfectly emoting, lively asian skaters, saying this and that is typically robotic asian. But David didn't do that. He talked about a skill that he taught yuna and how disappointed he was that she lost that skill when she moved to korea, even though he knew she CAN do it, because korean culture didn't encourage her being facial. I can understand that this can be misunderstood but I don't think he was racist.
I love his honesty. If his words were more shallow, typical media statements, I wouldn't have enjoyed this interview as much as I have.
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A huge thank you to Jenny and Dave Lease of TSL for another deliciously informative interview! I am so grateful to them for giving us access to the opinions, wisdoms, and personalities of the who's who in the figure skating world.
Dave Wilson is such a fantastic person to hear speak because you can just tell from the moment he opens his mouth that he is genuine and is communicating his true thoughts and feelings: no PC euphemisms with vague allusions. We all have to respect the fact that he was closer to Yuna and had more interactions with her than any of us so even if we don't like what we hear, what he is feeling now (at least what he has shared with us) should not be discounted. His feelings were hurt by a close friend. No one is to blame.
David Wilson seems most disappointed that Yuna hasn't been skating on the professional circuit. I am disappointed by that too but i think she is giving back to the skating community in her own way. I mean look at all the young aspiring skaters she has inspired (right down to music and costume choice). The budding junior (and not yet junior) skaters (and their coaches and moms) who want to be like Yuna are closely studying her performances on YouTube, assessing jump techniques and noting arm movements.
One thing David didn't go too far into is whether or not he really succeeded in making her a happy skater. He mentions how he made it his goal to make her smile and laugh out loud (and succeeded in doing) but I'm not sure if smiles and laughter really mean being a "happy skater". She was the perfect skater but whether or not skating made her happy is a different question altogether.
David seems like someone who found tremendous joy and happiness in skating. It appears he loved it so much, he wanted what was best for it and, in his frame of mind, that was Yuna. Not that he didn't care about what might have been better for Yuna, but his care and love for skating was greater.
Whew! What a long post. Sorry for going on and on. Thanks again for the great interview.
Dave Wilson is such a fantastic person to hear speak because you can just tell from the moment he opens his mouth that he is genuine and is communicating his true thoughts and feelings: no PC euphemisms with vague allusions. We all have to respect the fact that he was closer to Yuna and had more interactions with her than any of us so even if we don't like what we hear, what he is feeling now (at least what he has shared with us) should not be discounted. His feelings were hurt by a close friend. No one is to blame.
David Wilson seems most disappointed that Yuna hasn't been skating on the professional circuit. I am disappointed by that too but i think she is giving back to the skating community in her own way. I mean look at all the young aspiring skaters she has inspired (right down to music and costume choice). The budding junior (and not yet junior) skaters (and their coaches and moms) who want to be like Yuna are closely studying her performances on YouTube, assessing jump techniques and noting arm movements.
One thing David didn't go too far into is whether or not he really succeeded in making her a happy skater. He mentions how he made it his goal to make her smile and laugh out loud (and succeeded in doing) but I'm not sure if smiles and laughter really mean being a "happy skater". She was the perfect skater but whether or not skating made her happy is a different question altogether.
David seems like someone who found tremendous joy and happiness in skating. It appears he loved it so much, he wanted what was best for it and, in his frame of mind, that was Yuna. Not that he didn't care about what might have been better for Yuna, but his care and love for skating was greater.
Whew! What a long post. Sorry for going on and on. Thanks again for the great interview.
something though, David is the choreographer, but Yuna is the performer, Yuna can do the faces which may brought out by David. but Yuna also has the prerogative to choose what kinda facial expression she wanna give in everyone of HER performances. It is also HER art.
I dont think the lack of OTT facial expression in Yuna's Les Mis is due to going back to Korea though, (or her other post 2010. go-back-to-Korea programs) and Korean shut her down , I think it is just the way how SHE wanna express her art. It is actually appropriate, deep and touching.
I think Yuna has grown into certainly an independent artist and had her own artistic identity since! I am glad FG can have Yuna, this unique Artist ever exist!！
BTW, Yuna also did the "FEVER" in her going-back-to-Korea days.
sever the ties with FG powerhouses like Canada or North American, will has its consequences.
but that is the only way how you grow your own status and identity in FG from nothing.
That is the way Yuna is doing right now. it is gonna be very very difficult though, and I really dont know if she can succeed on this one...
by "sever ties" I dont mean that becoming enemies, I mean you will learn to do those things, e.g. training technique, choreography etc. independently and develop from that on your own.
I dont think the lack of OTT facial expression in Yuna's Les Mis is due to going back to Korea though, (or her other post 2010. go-back-to-Korea programs) and Korean shut her down , I think it is just the way how SHE wanna express her art. It is actually appropriate, deep and touching.
I think Yuna has grown into certainly an independent artist and had her own artistic identity since! I am glad FG can have Yuna, this unique Artist ever exist!！
BTW, Yuna also did the "FEVER" in her going-back-to-Korea days.
sever the ties with FG powerhouses like Canada or North American, will has its consequences.
but that is the only way how you grow your own status and identity in FG from nothing.
That is the way Yuna is doing right now. it is gonna be very very difficult though, and I really dont know if she can succeed on this one...
by "sever ties" I dont mean that becoming enemies, I mean you will learn to do those things, e.g. training technique, choreography etc. independently and develop from that on your own.
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- Joined
- Aug 20, 2014
I don’t know it’s a cultural thing or not. David not gonna have a fame in korea. We kind of hate a person who has a big mouth. Even though International fans like his interview or value his honesty, I don’t think that is pure. Obviously David doesn’t have any opportunities in doing business with Yuna recently. And he suddenly became a honest person.
this is normal....
everything is kinda about profit or money, even artist, need money to get-by....
the point is that, everyone, can talk about Yuna, whether they has business relation with her or not. If Yuna stay in FG business, everyone in FG business will win something like $$
but Yuna just kept her silence and coolness, and doing her stuff and charity work quietly and amaze us fans and the world with her existing programs, even if she is retired, and possibly will not do any shows any more.
But he has 'a big mouth' on both compliments and critisism. He's the only person who ever said that out of all his students she was the fastest learner and had the biggest talent. - even though he still works with a lot of those people. He even spoke about how it took him years to teach Jeff Buttle to be on the music, even though he's close friends with jeff. This kind of honesty is really precious and rare in interviews and it has nothing to do about having a 'big mouth' or trash talking someone.
So, you think this honesty is what you call 'impure'? that's illogical, because it should be the purest thing ever. And I don't think it's cultural that you don't appreciate his honesty, because I believe a lot of korean and asian fans will love David for all the said.
^^ I really appreciate David's honesty here, and I do believe he is a very honest and artistic type of person, but I also think that if Yuna is continuing doing shows with him, he will sounded a bit different.just my 2 cents 
which is totally acceptable in my book, like he said, everyone is human.
which is totally acceptable in my book, like he said, everyone is human.also if have watched other interviews from TSL, those coaches all said not-good things about their previous star/fav student after they parted ways.
such as Frank Caroll to Michelle, Alex O to Gracie.
As an asian, we usually will not speak about others after a break-up, that is what assumed big mouth in Asian culture, perhaps not so much in Western culture.
such as Frank Caroll to Michelle, Alex O to Gracie.
As an asian, we usually will not speak about others after a break-up, that is what assumed big mouth in Asian culture, perhaps not so much in Western culture.
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