2006 Interviews Transcript

☞ Video March 15, 2006

Translation by Realdeal ( YNKF)

AT stands for alternative translation. S stands for subtitle

(3:14)

“I'm startled by so many cameras here. Now I can really believe that I've won [AT: gotten the 1st place].”

(3:28)

I: I'm here with the figure fairy, Kim Yuna. Hello!

Y: Hello…

I: Wow, you look so much prettier than I've seen from the screen and you're taller than I thought!

Y: Thank you. [S: not interested…]

I: Would you like to make a comment about me? How do I look?

Y: Yes.

I: I look better than the other camera crews here, right?

Y: Yea…

[Silly subtitles about how he's self-bragging it]

I: Did you see Asada Mao getting her score?

Y: Yes.

I: How did you feel when you looked at her score?

Y: I skated first so I would know my final placement when I see hers…hers was very low. Just…just…I didn't think of anything and I didn't say anything.

[Q: whether she would go for 3A]

Y: Frankly, I don't think I need to do it. Among the senior ladies, there's no one who's jumping quad or triple Axel.

Y: For me, I think it's safer to earn points in spin, step, and artistic expression.

(5:41)

Y: I went to new a skate rink during school vacation for the first time and there was a special skating class. So I took lessons with my family in the beginning, I got more into skating, and then I began to receive private lessons.

(6:05)

Y: When I was 5th and 6th grader, I began to jump triples. I was surprised by myself. I thought “I could get better…”

(7:08)

[About her mom]

Y: My all day schedule was to train. I was tired and I didn't like it. But the results were good thanks to the training. So I put aside those [=tiredness and hard training]

[S: The athlete Kim Yuna wants to become like is Michelle Kwan]

Y: I…want to become like Michelle Kwan…Michelle Kwan never became an Olympic Champion but she is many people's favorite skater and she will be remembered for a long time…so…I want to become a skater who'll be remembered for a long time.

I: [This picture gallery] has all the top skaters up to 2002 and I want to give it to you hoping that you become like them in future. Can you promise to me that someday you'll be in this sort of magazine?

Y: Yes.

[They do pinky promise]

(8:52)

Y: I've gotten a good result in this competition ['06 Jr. WC] thanks to your supports. Please continue to support me and I'll do my best in a senior stage.

(9:27)

Male host and the interviewer: It didn't show during the clip but she told me she likes Michelle Kwan, despite Michelle Kwan didn't win a [Olympic] gold medal, and she will do her best to win gold medal. I hope she keeps the promise made with me.

☞ Video March 20, 2006

Translation by Realdeal ( YNKF)

(2:30)

I: You said you didn't expect to win in this competition but has a thought occurred to you during the performance that you might have a chance to win?

Y: Not really…I performed before Mao so I only focused on the things I have to do without thinking about her.

I: Shouldn’t you rest a little now? Like eating some goodies and vitamins [the interviewer literally said “get some nutrition”] since now you're back in Korea?

Y: This sport doesn't allow you to rest a lot. I've already taken a break over there…and since I'm back…usually, I resume my practice on the next day after I arrive [from the overseas competition] but I did take break a lot this time. [She didn’t specify how many days.]

I: Why can’t you afford to take a break even for a day? Is it because you lose your jumping ability?

Y: It's okay to skip practice for a day but anything more than that will make me feel odd with my jumps and my body…

I: People say you've come up with a great strategy. Her ankle was not in good condition and she had a problem with her boots. On what areas have you placed your priority?

Coach Kim Se-Yeol: Before the competition, Yuna and I both thought it would be difficult take on against Mao because the Japanese skater has a technique that allows her to jump three-and-half revolutions in the air. But after the qualifying round, Yuna's technical elements scores were higher so that put a pressure on the Japanese skater little. And in the Short Program and in the final round [Free Skate], we emphasized on her second mark–components–and artistic merit. After the competition ended, all the judges praised that they have never seen an Asian skater interpreting tango so well. So her component marks were high and the rest of her elements were also higher than the Japanese skater.

I: On the subject of artistic presentation…tango, the genre itself, is hard to interpret at a young age…and, honestly, doesn't one have to experience love? [silly laughter and looks at Yuna] How…do you have a boyfriend? [Even more silly and forced laughter ] How were you able to express yourself so well?

Y: I haven't paid attention to those things before either. When I went to the overseas training…if I don't learn how to skate to tangos, I would look [inaudible] in competition, so I must do it…

I: I've observed your practice today…and I have to give you a nickname…you’re like an “Ice Princess.” There’s not a whole lot of expression on your face and you look cool and icy…but when I watched you performances, I wondered where you have acquired abilities to deliver such feminine, alluring, and captivating expressions. How is her personality like?

M: She is quite and doesn’t like to talk much. She tends to be cool-headed and calm and likes to think by herself.

I: How is she like when you watch her practice? Looks to me she is very competitive [or has a strong desire to win]…what would you say about Kim Yu-Na’s strengths? Whether it’s her skills or personality?

K: Her most obvious and best strength is her precise and high jumps…compared to the other athletes, she gets high GOEs. And, usually, those who have good jumping abilities lack expressions. But Kim Yu-Na, although she’s gotten a criticism until the last year that her expressions were unpolished, but this year, she’s become so much better. It’s now really hard to nitpick on her and she is a complete skater.

I: You're only a first grader in high school…I'm sure you have a lot of things you want to do…What do you most miss as an athlete?

Y: I can't play with my friends or go to school like others…so I miss those things but I’ve given up so…as a skater…I think of it as my profession…so I no longer mind about that. I've become somewhat nonchalant about it.

(7:11)

(8:00)

I: You must be so proud of your daughter. Could you say something, conveying your love and wish, to your daughter?

M: Up this point, you've been doing so well above our expectation…I'm proud of you. But you've given up a part of your life for this, I hope you find and fill your happiness from elsewhere later. I will help you to achieve that till the end. Let's get through this together, okay?

I: The people also have high hopes on you, Ms. Yuna. [forced awkward laughter]

[She talks about how they shed tears during the interview]

☞ Video Dec 15, 2006

Translated by Realdeal at YNKF

Michelle Kwan…all figure skating fans love her and she is going to be remembered by people for a long time. Her competitive results…although she didn’t participate in competitions recently…she is…I saw Michelle Kwan for the first time in the Nagano Olympics. She ended up 2nd but, as a young kid watching her, I really wanted her to be in the 1st place. ”Why? What the? Why isn’t Michelle Kwan in the 1st place?”—that’s what I thought at that time.

On the day of competition, jumps concern me most than any other so…and about expressing myself in performance…I think I just ride an atmosphere with it…so after competition, I watch myself skating and spot awkward things. I try to change those awkward moments in the following competition, I think…I watch how I skate and, when I spot awkward moments, I try out differently in next competitions…[She basically rephrased the previous statement]

Since I participated in international events…I won my first international competition so…I got recognition…I got recognition in international competitions which made me ambitious somewhat…and I could confirm…in international competitions… how I fared compared to others at international level… so…um…I think I set a new goal after that…

Going to international competitions…doing things like that…so…doing things like that made me better, I think. [Probably referring to her personality] I meet foreign athletes…You don’t only do skating [at competitions]…sometimes I find it fun to go to competitions…of course, I get nervous when I’m competing but there are other things too…rather than competing domestically all the time, I would like to experience various things in overseas…and there are parties, too…like those things…I think I enjoy those [laughter] (2:15)

When I was little…I went overseas training for the first time as a 3rd grader [10 years old]. At that time, Mom wasn’t there…and I had “a big chunk of money” [!] with me so, even though I was only a kid, I went out shopping like crazy! [Laughs hysterically]

Happy New Year to you! [Addressing the newspaper readers]

–(Reporter's note: Yu-Na Kim didn't expect to win the gold [at the GPF].) “I didn't want to be first. Only third. It's a great burden to be first so early. [Look at] Mao, she collapsed under the pressure.”

–On the secret of her progress in the past 2-3 years:

(Reporter's note: Kim bows her head, and remains silent for a bit). “I think I have some natural talent. From my elementary school days I knew I was different from other people. I thought, 'Why was it that I could pick up skills that others found difficult?' I was surprised myself. When I was in juniors, the judges tended to hold my marks down. When it comes to technique, I don't think I can do more..I'm very satisfied with my jumping now.”

–Between your parents, who do you think you resemble more in terms of physique or physical appearance?

“Regarding the shape of my body, or the length of my arms and legs, I take after my dad. My complexion is light like my dad's, while my mom's is a bit on the dark side. My hair is partially curly so I went to my neighborhood hair salon to get it straightened. I get pissed off if my hair doesn't do what I tell it to do. I go to the salon about once every couple of months…I don't wear makeup usually. (Reporter's note: Kim does her own makeup for competitions).”

–On the prospect of receiving sponsor money and/or support funding this year and in the future:

“All the money coming in is to be used for training since the money isn't directly given to me. I don't really think about money. I don't really use any.”

–On rumors that Kim is raising the bar in figure skating much too high:

“There are a lot of talented skaters other than myself. Here [in Korea] a coach teaches everything for one athlete, but overseas, it's very specialized, with separate spin and jump coaches. Still, when I see all the good skaters today, I'm thrilled. After the 2010 Olympics, I'd like to go pro and do some ice shows.”

–On thinking about retirement after training in Canada (my note: Kim had a lot of problems with equipment and adjustment to a foreign country, which was reported in the local Korean press)

“I had serious problems with my skates. The boots and the blades didn't align well. I hated to skate. It wasn't just an ordinary problem of being tired. [But] my skating went well a week before my September performance [sponsored by Hyundai Credit Card], and I was on cloud nine.”

Kim's mother interjects here: “For about a year, we were on pins and needles, exploding into fights over the problem of [Yu-Na's] skates. It was much better after we reattached the blades.”

–On living in the same residence hall as Mao Asada while training in Canada:

“My mother made some pan-fried kimchi patties which I gave for her [Asada] to eat. [Because] she came alone, without her mom. We talk in English, at which we are both really bad. We're both beginners, total beginners. Often we communicate with gestures, not words.”

–On having taken painkillers for her back during the GPF:

“Since I was hurt, I could only do what I could. In the past, if I rested on the plane on the way to the competition, I'd be fine, even with an injury. I thought it would be the same this time, but it continued to hurt.”

–On beating Asada at Junior Worlds and in the Senior GPF:

“On the day of practice before the long program, I saw Asada miss her triple axel. I thought she might make a mistake in competition and she actually [did]…in competition her fall exactly resembled her falls in practice. Maybe it was because she [Asada] doesn't often make mistakes that she missed even her combinations. She seemed flustered.”

–On meeting Asada, Miki Ando, and the Japanese wave again at Worlds in March:

“You can't forget Kimmie Meissner. I think Asada will win worlds. If she doesn't make any big mistakes. It's [Worlds] is in Japan, after all. Caroline Zhang, who won the Junior Grand Prix is also good. Her body is flexible, as if she does yoga, and her jumping is something to behold. Once she becomes eligible, it will be a really tough crowd. I hope it won't be too intense.”

–On the reasons for figure skating. Why do it?

“I enjoy competing internationally. Since I started winning junior competitions and becoming recognized, I've become a little ambitious. I've confirmed the level of my ability. I like meeting foreign skaters and experiencing foreign things when I participate in international competitions, and I like the parties [following the competition].

–Do you have any favorite male figure skaters or celebrities? When would you like to have a boyfriend? [my note: a typical Korean reporter question!]

“Do I have to name all of them? [skaters, celebrities]. These days, I like Johnny Weir. I like Dongbang shingi [a Korean band]. But I don't know when my preferences will change. Maybe I'll have a boyfriend after the [2010] Olympics…I'm not really in a position to have one now. I don't want to focus on that yet. It might interfere with my training.”

Yu-Na's mom again interjects: “She's very wholesome.” [my note: this is a literal translation!]

–On training long-term in Canada for ten months next year:

“I'm going with my mom and my physical therapist so…from a young age I was traveling to competitions so I didn't get much of a chance to see my dad or my sister. [I didn't] talk much with them. I'll be coming back to Korea now and then so I think it [training in Canada] will be okay.”

Reporter's note: Kim's Korean coach Park Bun-sun will not be going to Canada with Kim. Mom again adds her two cents, saying, “Up til now we concentrated on program choreography but now we'll be building up Yu-Na's fitness. Specialists will be guiding Yu-Na. Her off-rink training, which I've been managing until now, will gradually be turned over to foreign coaches.”

–On future plans:

“My goals aren't as grand as other people might think. I think even being in the top level of ladies is a big success. It's [success] not just about being first. In fact, there has never been a Korean athlete in the top ten at Olympics [my note: or Worlds, or any other ISU competition for that matter]. My ambitions are not exclusively focused on the Olympic gold medal. I want to do well at Vancouver, then give up my eligibility, and go pro. I'd like to live abroad, skating in ice shows and other related things.”

_{Translated by: porkpuff, Michelle Kwan Forum
Source: Michelle Kwan Forum
Article:
Author: Chosun Ilbo
Date: December 30th, 2006}