Yuna Kim

[OS]

I agree with everything else you said, but this - no. At least you added to the second statement that Yuna's Olympic performance was the best of all time to you personally. Still, I think only people who are ubers of just one skater and don't really know/haven't seen/paid attention to much else can say things like this.

There are skaters whose fan I am, but it does not hinder me from appreciating other skaters and what they do, and even seeing things in which they are at least equal to or even better than my favorite skaters. So it's difficult for me to understand ubers like you. I don't want to offend you, but that's how I feel.

I like a lot of skaters, have watched a lot of skaters over the years and appreciate a lot of skaters, but she is the best of all time for me, what's wrong with that? People can have their favorites, why I can't have mine?

In terms of the most complex and musically challenged choreographic program (my background include ballet/Chinese folk dancing/Salsa and music wise - I was classically trained and a gifted young musician, can compose, improvise, play by ear and can play many instruments including Piano, Violin, Guitar and Chinese Viola). For me, Yuna's musicality and versatility are unmatched in men's and women's field during her time. The only ones are as good are from Ice Dancing.

She might not be as well known for her step sequence as some others, but her Senior Debut program El Tango De Roxanne was remarked by Dick Button having a very high level 3 at the time when no women had level 4 during that time. At the end of her career, her book ending final program was on Tango (the only time she repeated similar music style), they therefore decide to emphasise and embellished the step sequences and someone counted the actual step movements and found it went above and beyond what is necessary under the current rule to deliver level 4, it was almost twice what was needed including the length of time it took on the program, this impact the rest of the program when she needs to deliver as many required elements within the shorter time left, hence what I mean by complexity and musically challenged. That and the fact there is very little room for error within these choreograph movements and music construct.

Do feel free to disagree though, please offer some examples to enlighten me, including reasons why

 

[Procrastinator]

I tried to watch Yuna's Olympic adios and send in the clowns performances with these comments in mind but i still don't feel the same excitement and rush that I get from El tango or Danse Macabre or even her Olympic 2010 Gershwin LP. There was an energy and raw yearning in her 2010 and prior performances that I can't find in her pieces post Olympic gold.

I agree completely. She had no motivation or personal passion. She was skating for her country, not for herself, and it showed. The program is very nuanced, but the judges couldn't appreciate it having seen it only once. Moreover, the music selection is a poor one for an olympic games because of how subdued it is; spectators at the olympics aren't hardcore fans like at worlds, they're mostly local people who lucked out or who are connected to corporate sponsors. Their reaction wasn't of hostility. Moreover, the choreography is pretty good but nowhere near as good as David Wilson is capable of. He choreographed a lot of bad programs that season for some reason.

Overall, yes, I think Yuna's FS is a masterpiece, but I had to watch it dozens and dozens of times to appreciate it. The international judges saw it only twice. And they still scored her fairly, despite what people say. Should Sotnikova have won? I don't know. The competition was much closer than people would like to admit, even if you adjust for the judging (I've judged their routines myself and had them tied in the short, and had Yuna with 143 in the free and Adelina with 146. Kostner was far far behind.)

I know this post is the equivalent of throwing a grenade but I am very much a Yuna fan. I just don't think she was at her best in Sochi and she didn't skate like she wanted the title, she skated because it was expected of her.

 

[skaterr]

Poor Yuna, how long she should be more suffered from people! Of course, Yuna skated for her country. Is it bad? It could be one of her motivations. Yuna is nowadays spending time giving lessons to Young skaters. She definitely love skating. Are there any skaters who are suspicious of their love for skating? When Yuna was an athlete, she suffered a lot more than any athlete because she was from a weak fed. If she was afraid of getting back to skating, then it’s just the hostile environments not her love for skating. If I was Yuna, I would be reluctant to be back. They all wait her to ruin her career. If Yuna had made one mistake, she would have been out of podium.

 

[begin]

Poor Yuna, how long she should be more suffered from people! Of course, Yuna skated for her country. Is it bad? It could be one of her motivations. Yuna is nowadays spending time giving lessons to Young skaters. She definitely love skating. Are there any skaters who are suspicious of their love for skating? When Yuna was an athlete, she suffered a lot more than any athlete because she was from a weak fed. If she was afraid of getting back to skating, then it’s just the hostile environments not her love for skating. If I was Yuna, I would be reluctant to be back. They all wait her to ruin her career. If Yuna had made one mistake, she would have been out of podium.

I don't understand who you're accusing of 'waiting to ruin her career'.

If anything, I think the pressure from a lot of her fans and countrymen made skating hard for her to enjoy. They always wanted ~Queen Yuna~ to be the absolute best because they wanted their skater, the Korean skater, to be the best. They projected this image of her as an unbeatable, perfect skater when that just wasn't really true. Sometimes I almost wish her perfect Vancouver skates didn't happen. I know that's the foundation of her legacy, but imagine how liberated she would've been or how much more her skating would've developed if she didn't have to live up to being the ~Queen~.

 

[skaterr]

I don't understand who you're accusing of 'waiting to ruin her career'.

If anything, I think the pressure from a lot of her fans and countrymen made skating hard for her to enjoy. They always wanted ~Queen Yuna~ to be the absolute best because they wanted their skater, the Korean skater, to be the best. They projected this image of her as an unbeatable, perfect skater when that just wasn't really true. Sometimes I almost wish her perfect Vancouver skates didn't happen. I know that's the foundation of her legacy, but imagine how liberated she would've been or how much more her skating would've developed if she didn't have to live up to being the ~Queen~.

As a big fan of Yuna, I got an enlightment. When some people want to attack a public figure which is so big, they tend to attack its fans(fandom) or the people who adore the figure. Korean people did nothing to Yuna. Korean people support Yuna than any other nation. When I visit several sites in korea including figure skating fan sites, I see nothing to pressure her. I don’t know where you get the idea of pressuring her. I usually heard the western media which have zero idea what’s going on in korea. I believe you do that too.

 

[begin]

As a big fan of Yuna, I got an enlightment. When some people want to attack a public figure which is so big, they tend to attack its fans(fandom) or the people who adore the figure. Korean people did nothing to Yuna. Korean people support Yuna than any other nation. When I visit several sites in korea including figure skating fan sites, I see nothing to pressure her. I don’t know where you get the idea of pressuring her. I usually heard the western media which have zero idea what’s going on in korea. I believe you do that too.

Before you make any accusations about me, think about how the Korean media and some of the public treated Yuna when she was competing--especially after 2010. You don't think all that veneration and expectation was burdensome for her? A lot of Koreans and her fans were very supportive and loving. But some of them also took too much pride in her success and wins. And when things didn't go the way they wanted for Yuna in competition, they would make a huge deal out of it and lash out at the judges, other skaters, etc. Even if they didn't attack her directly, all that anger and misbehavior at others must have been uncomfortable for her.

I understand she is loved in her country--I just think all that love and passion could've made her feel pressured. That's expected when it comes to great athletes and trailblazers but it's still unfortunate.

 

[skaterr]

Before you make any accusations about me, think about how the Korean media and some of the public treated Yuna when she was competing--especially after 2010. You don't think all that veneration and expectation was burdensome for her? A lot of Koreans and her fans were very supportive and loving. But some of them also took too much pride in her success and wins. And when things didn't go the way they wanted for Yuna in competition, they would make a huge deal out of it and lash out at the judges, other skaters, etc. Even if they didn't attack her directly, all that anger and misbehavior at others must have been uncomfortable for her.

I understand she is loved in her country--I just think all that love and passion could've made her feel pressured. That's expected when it comes to great athletes and trailblazers but it's still unfortunate.

I don’t know what you are talking about. After 2010, Yuna was suffered from the false accusations of her leaving Orser based on the terminations of contract. Orser interviewed as if she betrayed him. Yuna fans were busy supporting her. I don’t know why you blame her fans on what basis.

 

[begin]

I don’t know what you are talking about. After 2010, Yuna was suffered from the false accusations of her leaving Orser based on the terminations of contract. Orser interviewed as if she betrayed him. Yuna fans were busy supporting her. I don’t know why you blame her fans on what basis.

I was speaking very generally about her career. I thought you were responding to Procrastinator but it seems you weren't (if the Orser thing is what is on your mind).

 

[Ender]

As a big fan of Yuna, I got an enlightment. When some people want to attack a public figure which is so big, they tend to attack its fans(fandom) or the people who adore the figure. Korean people did nothing to Yuna. Korean people support Yuna than any other nation. When I visit several sites in korea including figure skating fan sites, I see nothing to pressure her. I don’t know where you get the idea of pressuring her. I usually heard the western media which have zero idea what’s going on in korea. I believe you do that too.

I think it's understandable that she suffered huge pressure after Olympic 2010. Who wouldn't? Of course her people love her, it's still pretty much huge pressure. I don't think it's something she can avoid. Pressure was there because she's the OGM and she brought pride for her country. It's something unconsciously in her mind all the time. I think it's admirable that she still did well but it's not wrong to say some of her fans wish that she would be more free in her performance post Vancouver.

 

[skaterr]

I think it's understandable that she suffered huge pressure after Olympic 2010. Who wouldn't? Of course her people love her, it's still pretty much huge pressure. I don't think it's something she can avoid. Pressure was there because she's the OGM and she brought pride for her country. It's something unconsciously in her mind all the time. I think it's admirable that she still did well but it's not wrong to say some of her fans wish that she would be more free in her performance post Vancouver.

I don’t understand why some people say she was not free in performance post Vancouver. If they felt that way, then maybe ISU is to blame not her fans. She could be pressured not because of her fans but because of the changed regulations ISU made an effort not to give her second OGM. I think it’s unfair to blame her loyal fans.

 

[Kara]

I have to say that begin's comments about fans lashing out if things don't go how they want it to is true, but that's true for all skaters, not just Yuna's. Just look at all the arguments and hate that goes around in some of the threads about male skaters nowadays. People will always want their fave to be on top and others are obstacles to that. It's just a matter of how controlled you can be and I don't think Yuna's fans are in any way predisposed to be more of that type. They're just so many of them that you might see it more.

I usually just try to think about it positively and take it all as a testimony to Yuna's continuing popularity and fame. Without her fans, I doubt we'd be able to see her in all the gorgeous ads and photo shoots and she wouldn't be one of the richest figure skaters of all time. I dunno about other people, but I would definitely take a fortune even if it meant I had some gungho fans here and there.

Btw she looks absolutely gorgeous in the It's skin ad. I'm sometimes glad I don't live in Korea because I would spend all my money on cosmetics. If only more makeup companies besides It's skin sponsored more skaters.

 

[Ender]

I don’t understand why some people say she was not free in performance post Vancouver. If they felt that way, then maybe ISU is to blame not her fans. She could be pressured not because of her fans but because of the changed regulations ISU made an effort not to give her second OGM. I think it’s unfair to blame her loyal fans.

I can't tell for Yuna herself. But I have to say, sometimes when I was a kid I felt scared of the love and support that my family showered on me, I was scared that I might let them down etc. it's normal mentality when you feel that you're expected and supported by so many. Pressure for the top position is inevitable. Whether ISU did nothing, the pressure is still there. Being loved and looked up like a role model by so many doesn't mean heaven. Sadly that is something she had to go through by herself, and so do other top skaters who are expected as much.

 

[skaterr]

I can't tell for Yuna herself. But I have to say, sometimes when I was a kid I felt scared of the love and support that my family showered on me, I was scared that I might let them down etc. it's normal mentality when you feel that you're expected and supported by so many. Pressure for the top position is inevitable. Whether ISU did nothing, the pressure is still there. Being loved and looked up like a role model by so many doesn't mean heaven. Sadly that is something she had to go through by herself, and so do other top skaters who are expected as much.

When Yuna retired, she mentioned her feelings for her fans. She said “In hindsight, it was not the medal or performance that raised me up when things were difficult. It was you. Thank you very much for encouraging me.”

 

[Procrastinator]

It was definitely the pressure of her countrymen that made it hard for her to enjoy skating. Just watch her interview after getting her sochi medal when she was crying. Those were tears of relief that she was done skating for good, not tears of happiness. As for changed regulations, the ISU didn't really do anything. It wasn't their fault that Yuna had the ninth lowest base score in the free skate. Or that she didn't change her layout at all from 2013 (and even had one fewer jump in the bonus).

I love Yuna's skating, but part of being a fan is being realistic and acknowledging the good and the bad. Yuna didn't want to be there in Sochi, and not because of the crowd. She wasn't hungry for it. Only the Korean public was.

 

[begin]

It was definitely the pressure of her countrymen that made it hard for her to enjoy skating. Just watch her interview after getting her sochi medal when she was crying. Those were tears of relief that she was done skating for good, not tears of happiness. As for changed regulations, the ISU didn't really do anything. It wasn't their fault that Yuna had the ninth lowest base score in the free skate. Or that she didn't change her layout at all from 2013 (and even had one fewer jump in the bonus).

I love Yuna's skating, but part of being a fan is being realistic and acknowledging the good and the bad. Yuna didn't want to be there in Sochi, and not because of the crowd. She wasn't hungry for it. Only the Korean public was.

That's going too far to say her emotions at the Olympics were only of obligation and relief. While those feelings probably plagued her in her post-Vancouver years, it was nothing like Worlds in 2010, 2011, or 2013. In her own way, Yuna poured her heart into those two programs (whatever people might say about her being reserved or 'cold'). She seemed cheerful and at ease during the practices and said through tears after her Sochi freeskate that she was very happy and thankful for the journey. Whatever may have guided her into returning to competition, Yuna really did embrace her final moments on the ice and, I believe, was genuinely moved by the figure skating those last two nights.

 

[skaterr]

It was definitely the pressure of her countrymen that made it hard for her to enjoy skating. Just watch her interview after getting her sochi medal when she was crying. Those were tears of relief that she was done skating for good, not tears of happiness. As for changed regulations, the ISU didn't really do anything. It wasn't their fault that Yuna had the ninth lowest base score in the free skate. Or that she didn't change her layout at all from 2013 (and even had one fewer jump in the bonus).

I love Yuna's skating, but part of being a fan is being realistic and acknowledging the good and the bad. Yuna didn't want to be there in Sochi, and not because of the crowd. She wasn't hungry for it. Only the Korean public was.

I don’t know where you find her interview, but she clearly said "It was all very absurd but I was just happy that it was all finished.” https://www.theatlantic.com/enterta...t-you-thinks-sochi-judging-was-absurd/358812/ The IOC Printed Fake Quotes of Kim Yu-na Praising Adelina Sotnikova. https://www.theatlantic.com/enterta...-kim-yu-na-praising-adelina-sotnikova/358956/ The quotes the IOC used were caught by Kim and her agent. "We confirmed IOC's article. It's not what Kim Yu-na have said. We are working on it to handle this," an official of Kim's agency told the Chosun Ilbo news outlet. And Kim's agency's response and demand for the article to be changed has been catching fire in South Korea.

 

[begin]

I don’t know where you find her interview, but she clearly said "It was all very absurd but I was just happy that it was all finished.” https://www.theatlantic.com/enterta...t-you-thinks-sochi-judging-was-absurd/358812/ The IOC Printed Fake Quotes of Kim Yu-na Praising Adelina Sotnikova. https://www.theatlantic.com/enterta...-kim-yu-na-praising-adelina-sotnikova/358956/ The quotes the IOC used were caught by Kim and her agent. "We confirmed IOC's article. It's not what Kim Yu-na have said. We are working on it to handle this," an official of Kim's agency told the Chosun Ilbo news outlet. And Kim's agency's response and demand for the article to be changed has been catching fire in South Korea.

Procrastinator was speaking of this interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1WeCpTHUJ8

I don't know why you brought up Orser and the fake quoting incident, but it seems you're misunderstanding this discussion. Maybe it's best we end this topic here before things get too out of hand.

 

[skaterr]

Procrastinator was speaking of this interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1WeCpTHUJ8

I don't know why you brought up Orser and the fake quoting incident, but it seems you're misunderstanding this discussion. Maybe it's best we end this topic here before things get too out of hand.

The interview I mentioned is all true. What’s wrong with that?? You want Korean version of the quote?? I can bring Korean interview of Yuna then. http://www.newsis.com/ar_detail/view.html/?ar_id=NISX20140304_0012763167&cID=10501&pID=10500 She said “It was all absurd.”
Besides, I see no her comments about the pressure of Korean people from youtube video.

 

[begin]

A bit old news, but an interview with the English teacher that works with Team Korea:

Q 2: Which figure skaters study English with you? What can you say about their personalities as students or just generally off the ice?

Yuna Kim, Kwak Min Jeong, Kim Hae Jin, Park So Youn, Kim Jin Seo, Lee Jun Hyeong, Yoo Young, Lim Eun Soo, Kim Yelim . . . and even a few others. These skaters have studied with me for a long time.
I guess figure skating is such a delicate and artistic sport. I actually feel that some figure skaters are more like artists than athletes—because they are performers on the ice. But, likewise, sometimes they can be a bit sensitive compared to other athletes.
Seeing them on the ice at such a young age, and as they’re participating in those big, mega-sized competitions, they look really mature and responsible for their age. Precocious, even.
However, off the ice, the young junior skaters are just like other girls their age. They love TV celebrities and KPop stars.
I think Yuna was really special. She had such focus at that age and was determined to accomplish the goals she set for herself. (Goal-oriented.) She was just so talented.
Another interesting thing I’ve noticed is that . . . I see a lot of people who set a goal, for example to learn English, and they give up on it really quickly (작심삼일). But in the case of the figure skaters I’ve worked with—and all the other athletes I’ve taught—when they start something, like learning English, they just keep going. It’s not like a fad or a brief phase for them. They just seem to have more endurance and determination than a lot of us. When they start something, they need to keep going until they finish it.
I feel very blessed to see them achieving their dreams . . . and to be part of their support group.

She only mentions Yuna a bit but it's interesting insight into some BTS stuff. I never realized almost everyone has the same English teacher!

The interview I mentioned is all true. What’s wrong with that?? You want Korean version of the quote?? I can bring Korean interview of Yuna then. http://www.newsis.com/ar_detail/view.html/?ar_id=NISX20140304_0012763167&cID=10501&pID=10500 She said “It was all absurd.”
Besides, I see no her comments about the pressure of Korean people from youtube video.

skaterr, I never said the interview you mentioned was fake (in fact, I've seen the video of that fanmeet/interview). There are a lot of language barriers in an international forum so we should take more care when reading one another's comments.

 

[DCacorn]

Is it necessary to fight in here people???? Even you fight so hard to talk what you want, it's not gonna change the fact that she's now retired and she is happy!

I come from the country which has no this sport, my native is not English too, so I don't speak English well, and my country doesn't even have snow!

I just wanna be peaceful here, it's one of few places I still can relate to Yuna, do you get what I mean?? Be calm.

From my opinion, Yuna did her best at sochi and she helps me as her fan that I can have one of superior programs which is clean and elegant, I enjoy watching it everyday.
I never doubt Yuna when they said she can do better, so what she can do better??? what she really can do??? she utilizes what she has in her hands and that's all why she can do and that's all what she can control. Yuna doesn't think of other things except herself, she has her own plans, she can see her own progression, she can understand her body and she can even control her mind that's why she's the strongest mind ever. The program can be better than this or not, it's not about her job, it's about choreography. And don't compare to Olympic in Vancouver because those programs was created and polished till it's the best with many ideas from many people to make sure it's the best and it's the strong will for Korea want to win gold badly but Yuna herself want her gold too. Yuna didn't aim for gold after that, she just wants to be olympic champion at that time, it's her dream, but second win isn't her dream, she wanna end her career with no regret, so she does what she can. Others wants more perfect and superior programs as she have done before, but why?? she satisfies with her programs, it's the competition that she just wanna participates and not for gold, the point is enjoy her programs, whatever she does, it's beautiful.
Even there are very good programs, to pull it out like Yuna does is not easy. Even she has the worst costume, she's still skating the most beautiful.
Even it's just normal and simple program, she can make it extraordinary.
Her skates make different, it's her class, only her league.
Sometimes you like and love something the most, you have many ways to share or express that love. Yuna loves skating, but Yuna don't wanna compete, why she still has to compare if she doesn't want to win or lose scenario anymore, to compete so that you can be the only first in the world, Yuna's so done with competition.

She who doesn't compete or has high ranking, people still wanna watch her or follow her because they know....what she has...the talents..the professional... it's her....

So please be united, I just hope Yuna to be happy person who enjoys her life, now she even hangs out with her friends, drinks chicken with beers at the same restaurant often, and the most important thing is...she is still active!! so I still can see her, it's now less and less to see her. I'm just happy I still can see her. You guys should appreciate it before you will not see her updates. It's very high chance because she doesn't like to be on the shows or go public, she's only still active only relating to her sport.

PS. forgive me for some English mistakes