2009 Interviews Transcript

We remember Yuna Kim of only 4 years ago;
She was the first figure skater ever to win the silver medal at the Junior World Championships in S.Korea’s 100 years of short figure skating history, but the memory of a shy, fairylike figure skater quickly evaporated from people’s mind and still, no sponsor came forward for her aid.
Those few who have watched the field of figure skating in S.Korea for a long time were saddened and disappointed by how little people appreciated the value of her invaluable silver medal.
After Yuna Kim won the Junior World Championships over Mao Asada from Japan the following year, who was regarded invincible till then, people’s love for her grew.
In the same year, when the national winter sports festival was over, Yuna herself left a posting at a figure skating fan forum, for the first time.
There she thanked the fans on behalf of the national figure skating team for not having to perform in an empty stadium.
A 15 year-old girl thanking people not for the acclamation they gave her, but for the support people gave for other skaters who weren’t in the spot light.
3 years from then, Yuna Kim, the most solid champion, is now becoming a new type of heroine in sports who says 'I want to move people's hearts not with the rank or the color of my medal, but with my performance itself.' in front of people who have been indoctrinated by the slogan ‘World remembers the first and first only.’ This is significative since she is the ruling champion.
Via mail, we interviewed this 18 year-old figure skater, who drops the impressive title the moment she climbs down the podium and devotes herself in training in the cold ice rink at the far, foreign land of Toronto, Canada.
Yuna Kim sent us her letter with candid and earnest thoughts on what she has achieved so far and what she intends to achieve from now on, written in the night before the one day-off she is allowed every week.


Q. Do you remember your first figure skating competition you’ve watched on TV?

A. I think it was the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. I had it recorded and watched it over and over every day that I memorized almost every programs. I especially loved Michelle Kwan, and I remember feeling let down at Kwan not winning the Gold, for I was pretty young then. Plus I think it made me start to dream to be at the Olympics one day and also to be like Michelle Kwan.


Q. At the time of your first debut at the international competition when you were 14, some pointed out that you lacked in expressive skills compared to your techniques; and you too mentioned that ‘it is awkward and embarrassing as it feels a bit like posing’ back then.
Now you are noted as a top artistic figure skater in the world. Has there been an incident, advice, or a role-model that brought this change in you?

A. When I performed only at the national competitions, I didn’t realized the importance of expressive skills, and I my facial expressions lacked somewhat when I was young. No matter how hard I tried to smile at the competition they said I need to smile more, and (after I watched my performance clips) I realized that my facial expression barely changes.
That was when I realized that ‘Oh gosh, I have to double my expressions for people to recognize.’ It was still sort of embarrassing to be expressive in front of people. What gave me the confidence was the program ‘El Tango de Roxanne’.
I knew that strong programs like Tango would lose its magnetism if I don’t deliver it right, and I really wanted to make it right since I chose the music myself.
Doing this program taught me that I can improve my program greatly by using my expressive skills. I mimicked Michelle Kwan’s performances for fun when I was young, and I think I’m displaying those facial expressions when I perform.
As figure skating is an artistic sport, I became to think a lot about wanting to perform a program as a whole that can move the crowd; not just concentrating on techniques and mistakes at the competitions. Now it has become a natural thing to be expressive while I perform.


Q. What is your favorite/ least favorite characteristic about figure skating?

A. My favorite thing about figure skating is that anyone can enjoy the performances like a work of art, not just in competitive view.
Least favorite thing is that as figure skating is not a record sport*, objectivity of the judgment is not guaranteed.
(Record sport*: such as speed skating or swimming)


Q. What do you think is your biggest asset that you have as a figure skater?

A. (1) Sense of music (dance): Regardless of what I do (as an athlete), I love listening to music and expressing it with my body.
(2) Body type: First of all, I’m relieved that I’m not getting any taller. Many skaters suffer from drastic change in body type.
(3) Audacity: Some skaters tend to make mistakes more when they are on the competition. I don’t feel much tension at the competitions since young.


Q. As an audience not as a skater, what would be your order of interest among men’s singles, women’s singles, pair skating and ice dancing? Do you have a preference for specific type of skaters in respective areas?

A. I don’t know if it is because I compete in women’s singles but, I tend to not watch women’s singles. Though I watch a few skaters through internet; but in general I don’t see much of women’s singles.
Whether it’s because I compete in singles too, what I’m most interested in is men’s singles. There are sooo many competent skaters so that just one mistake makes it really hard to guess the result of the competition. Although the situation would be harsh for the competing skaters, it’s fun to watch for the audience. There are also many skaters I like as a skater myself.
I like skaters who absorbs and deliver their program handsomely, not just in technical point of view. There are programs you can’t help feeling touched.
Though I wasn’t much interested in other than singles, I started to watch ice dancing after my debut as a senior. Ice dancing… it’s like watching a movie or a play. The freedom of expression is far greater than singles skating, and I thought I would like to try when I watched them perform at the rehearsals. Pair skating is a bit scary, though I think skaters keeping in step like that is cool. I feel tense when they perform elements like lifts, worried that they might make mistakes or get hurt. I think that’s why I rarely see pair skating.


Q. You have accomplished so much as a figure skater in spite of your young age. Of course we know your goal is set much higher, but what would be your most proud accomplishment to date?

A. This year’s Four Continents Championships. I paid most attention to regulating my conditions; for my round off of last 2 seasons wasn’t good because of the injuries occurred in the same period (February). I felt really good that I managed my conditions as I’ve planned. I really, really wanted to do well since it was the future Olympics stadium, and I would feel good when I go back there 1 year later if I win the gold medal this time. So I was really pleased that it worked out great.
At the podium I thought, ‘I would like to stand here, in Vancouver again next year, looking at the Taegeukgi*, listening to our national anthem…’
(Taegeukgi*: national flag of S.Korea)


Q. What would be your favorite short, free and gala program each that you’ve performed since your debut as a figure skater?

A. My favorite Shorts are ‘El Tango de Roxanne’ and ‘Danse Macabre’! Free ‘Scheherazade’! Gala ‘Only Hope’! All have common in being my wanted music. (laughs)


Q. Some of your zealous fans say they came to dislike the sport of figure skating due to their disappointments over the troubles regarding the fairness of judgments. Do you have something to say for them?

A. First of all I really appreciate that you feel that way in concern for me.
It is true that there is a possibility of questionable judgments, since figure skating is not a competition based on exact, recordable measures.
Sometimes it feels like the judgments are not in favor of me, and in those times I feel distressed. However, I try not to bother about the judgment too much, because if i do, I would be too pre-occupied and obsessed about it.
Above all, I think the right attitude as an athlete is to try to bring my best performance at every competition.
Only after that should I wish for a fair standard for every skater.
Most of all, what counts most dear to me is your - my fans' - judgment and evaluation on my performances, so please try not to be too concerned about the results, and keep watching my skating.
I will also keep trying hard to show you the performances that you would be able to enjoy and remember for a long time because of their own worth, regardless of how they were scored at each competition.


Q. What would you like to fill in the blank in the sentence ‘Yuna Kim is (__) figure skater’ if you can realize the sentence just by filling in the blank?

A. I would like ‘my favorite’ or ‘beautiful’ : I want to be the most beloved figure skater to everyone.


Q. You became a Catholic last year. Is there any particular biblical quotation or prayer you recite when you’re training or just before your turn at the competitions?

A. Nothing special. ‘Thank you for letting me stand here, healthy.’


Q. When do you feel that you really do love the sport of figure skating?

A. To be frank, it feels like a part (of course the most important part) of my life, rather than an object to love. Fortunately (?) since figure skating has become a part of my life, I don’t feel it is some kind of restraint that I should get rid of as quickly as possible; I want to be on the ice as long as I can.


Source: http://dochi_kim.blog.me/130096772017
Translated by clazzichoir, YNKF http://yunaforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2258
_{Date: March, 2009}