Yuna Kim

1.1. Early Life and Education

Yuna Kim was born on September 5, 1990, in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. She is the younger of two daughters born to Kim Hyeon-seok, a business owner, and Park Mi-hee. Her family later moved to Gunpo. When Kim applied for her passport, her given name, Yeon-a (연아^Korean), was misspelled as Yu-na (유나^Korean), which became her common international name. Despite this, she preferred to be referred to as "Yuna Kim" in international media.

Her mother, Park Mi-hee, played a pivotal role in her career, acting as her driver, massage therapist, coach, manager, spokesperson, and mentor. She would drive Kim to the ice rink daily and attend all her practices. The family often faced financial difficulties, at one point putting up their house as collateral for a bank loan to fund her skating expenses. Her father chose to avoid media attention, watching her competitions on television with her sister, though both parents attended the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Kim credited both her parents for her success. She also cited American figure skaters Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen, as well as Brian Joubert, Stéphane Lambiel, and Tomáš Verner, as her influences.

Kim attended Dojang Middle School and later Suri High School in Gunpo. In March 2009, she enrolled in Korea University as a special admission student, graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education. She later pursued a master's degree in Physical Education at the same university. She was drawn to Korea University due to its understanding and accommodation of athletes' needs, including flexible schedules for competitions and access to sports facilities, such as an ice rink.

1.2. Early Career

Kim began skating at the age of five in 1996 at a local rink with her sister. Her initial coach, former ice dancer Ryu Jong-hyun, coached her between the ages of seven and ten. He was impressed by her talent and encouraged her mother to pursue formal training for Kim, predicting her future as an international-level skater. From ages 10 to 12, she was guided by former single skater Shin Hea-sook, who competed for South Korea at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Kim later acknowledged that both Ryu and Shin were instrumental in her technical and spiritual development, noting that her "muscles and body structure are perfect for skating." Ryu particularly highlighted Kim's strong work ethic, dedication, and commitment to practice as key to her success.

At the age of 10, Kim landed her first triple toe loop jump. By the age of 12, she was able to perform all types of triple jumps cleanly, with the exception of the triple Axel. During her middle school years, she experienced various injuries, including a pelvic-muscle injury that required a month of rest, often due to ill-fitting boots as she grew.

In 2002, Kim made her international debut at the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia, where she won the gold medal in the novice competition, completing five triple jumps. This marked the first international victory for a Korean woman in figure skating. A year later, at just 12 years old, she won the senior title at the South Korean Figure Skating Championships, becoming the youngest skater ever to do so, a record that stood until 2016. She also secured first place at the 2003 Golden Bear of Zagreb, another novice competition. Kim went on to win three consecutive South Korean championships from 2003 to 2006.

1.3. Junior Career

Kim Yuna's junior career showcased her burgeoning talent and set the stage for her future dominance, marked by significant victories and a growing rivalry with Japanese skater Mao Asada.

In the **2004-05 season**, Kim officially debuted as a junior skater in the ISU Junior Grand Prix series. She won a gold medal at the 2004 JGP Hungary, becoming the first Korean skater to win a Junior Grand Prix event, achieving a combined total of 148.55 points. At her second event, the 2004 JGP China, she recovered from a fourth-place short program to finish second overall with 131.22 points. These performances qualified her for the 2004-05 Junior Grand Prix Final, where she earned a silver medal with 137.75 points, marking the first time a Korean skater medaled at the event. She secured her third consecutive national title at the 2005 South Korean Championships, where she landed a triple-triple jump combination for the first time, despite a fall on her triple Lutz. Although she was ineligible for the World Championships due to age restrictions, she won the silver medal at the 2005 World Junior Championships with 158.93 points, coming from sixth place in the short program with a strong free skate of 110.26 points, featuring her "secret weapon" triple-triple jump combination. This was also the first time a Korean skater medaled at the Junior World Championships.

For the **2005-06 season**, Kim faced financial difficulties due to a lack of corporate sponsorship, but the Korea Skating Union pledged to cover her overseas training expenses. Despite being too young for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, she participated in the Olympic torch relay. She competed in the 2005-2006 Junior Grand Prix series, winning both events in Slovakia and Bulgaria. At the 2005 JGP Slovakia, she scored 168.83 points. At the 2005 JGP Bulgaria, she won with 153.43 points despite pain from new skates. As the youngest skater at the 2005-06 Junior Grand Prix Final, she secured the gold medal with an overall score of 174.12 points. She then won her fourth consecutive national title at the 2006 South Korean Championships with 165.52 points. At the 2006 World Junior Championships, Kim became the first Korean skater to win a gold medal, scoring 177.54 points overall, overcoming a right ankle ligament injury. She was the only skater to surpass 100 points in her free skate. This marked the first time a Korean skater won both the Junior Grand Prix Final and the World Junior Championships, raising expectations for an Olympic gold medal in 2010. This was also her eighth consecutive top-two finish in competitions since 2004.

1.4. Senior Career

Kim Yuna's senior career was a period of unprecedented success, marked by multiple world records, major championship titles, and an Olympic gold medal, solidifying her status as a global figure skating icon.

1.4.2. 2007-08 Season

At the start of the 2007-08 season, Brian Orser assembled a team of specialists for Kim, including spin coach Astrid Jansen and all-around skating quality coach Tracy Wilson. David Wilson became her full-time choreographer. The team focused on her triple loop jump, which Orser called her "nemesis jump." Orser was impressed by Kim's quick learning, creativity, and openness. Training in Toronto provided an escape from the intense media scrutiny she faced in Korea.

Kim began the season by winning the 2007 Cup of China with 180.68 points, becoming the first Korean skater to do so. Despite errors in her short program, she rebounded in the free skate with a clean performance, being the only skater without deductions. She then won the 2007 Cup of Russia with 197.20 points, setting a world record for the free skate score under the ISU Judging System with 133.70 points. She admitted her jumps felt shaky and vowed to improve.

Kim qualified for the 2007-08 Grand Prix Final in Turin, Italy, along with Mao Asada, both having earned the maximum 30 points. She won the short program with a season-best 64.62 points, despite a minor error on her opening jump. She placed second in the free skate with 132.21 points. With a total score of 196.83 points, Kim won her second consecutive Grand Prix Final, becoming the youngest skater in the world to achieve this.

She was not required to compete in the 2008 South Korean Championships but was unable to compete at the Four Continents Championships due to a hip injury. Despite needing painkillers, Kim competed at the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. She placed fifth in the short program but won the free skate with 123.38 points. Despite considering withdrawal multiple times, she scored 183.23 points overall, winning her second consecutive bronze medal at the World Championships. This marked the first time a Korean skater had repeated as a medalist at the World Championships.

1.4.3. 2008-09 Season

Kim was assigned to the 2008 Skate America and the 2008 Cup of China for the 2008-09 Grand Prix season. The week before Skate America, she was accepted into Korea University. Kim reported feeling healthy, with new physical therapists and trainers, and her goal for the season was to remain healthy. After the 2008 World Championships, her coaching team gave her more input into her program music, fostering a stronger rapport. Orser noted her increased maturity.

For her short program, Kim chose Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns. Her free skate music was from Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. At Skate America, she placed first in the short program with 69.50 points, despite a double Axel issue. She landed a clean triple-triple combination jump and earned positive GOEs on most elements. She won the gold medal, winning the free skate with 123.95 points and a total of 193.45 points. She landed six triple jumps, including her opening triple flip-triple toe jump combination, which was not downgraded by judges.

Kim won the 2008 Cup of China, placing first in both segments with 63.64 in the short program and 128.11 in the free skate, for a total of 191.75 points. Despite errors in her short program (two-footed and under-rotated triple Lutz), she executed five clean triple jumps in her free skate, including her signature triple flip-triple toe loop.

With the highest qualifying score, Kim advanced to the 2008 Grand Prix Final, held in Goyang, South Korea-the first time the event was held in her home country, with tickets selling out in minutes. She placed first in the short program with 65.94 points but second in the free skate with 120.41 points, ultimately winning the silver medal with a total of 186.35 points. She landed a "beautiful" triple flip-triple toe loop combination but struggled with her triple Lutz and fell on her triple Salchow. She attributed some issues to a cold and felt the pressure of competing at home.

Kim then competed at the 2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Vancouver, Canada. She set a new world record of 72.24 points in the short program with a clean performance, being the only top-six woman to receive credit for a triple-triple combination. She scored 116.83 in the free skate, securing the gold medal with 189.07 points overall, despite falling on a triple loop jump.

At the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles, Kim set another new world record of 76.12 points in the short program, surpassing her previous record by four points. Orser noted it as a memorable moment for judges. She began her program with a "perfect" triple flip-triple toe loop combination and a superb spiral sequence, skating with energy and confidence to a standing ovation.

Kim won the free skate and set a new world record total score of 207.71 points, becoming the first female skater to surpass 200 points under the ISU Judging System. This victory earned her her first World Championship title and established her as a strong contender for the 2010 Winter Olympics. She executed five triple jumps, three in combination, and replaced her triple loop with an Ina Bauer leading into a double Axel to increase component scores. Her performance was described as "remarkably charismatic" and "magical," earning a standing ovation before it even ended. Kim stated that winning the World Championships was a dream fulfilled, especially as it was the last before the Olympics. Orser noted that she gained new confidence from this win.

1.4.4. 2009-10 Season

Kim's primary goal for the 2009-10 season was to refine her programs, focusing on expression, character, and presentation to demonstrate greater maturity. Her short program, a James Bond medley, portrayed her as a "sexy, confident Bond girl," while her free skating program, Concerto in F, was performed with the "grace of a prima ballerina."

She competed at the 2009 Trophée Éric Bompard and the 2009 Skate America in the 2009-10 ISU Grand Prix season. At Trophée Éric Bompard, she placed first in the short program with 76.08 points. She went on to win the event with 210.03 points, breaking her own world records for both the free skate and the overall score.

At the 2009 Skate America, Kim again placed first after the short program with a score of 76.28, ahead of Rachael Flatt. This marked the fourth consecutive competition where she broke world records, with one reporter noting, "None of her world records are safe. She'll break them again and again." Kim viewed every competition as practice for the Olympics. Despite initial reservations about the Bond film music, she grew to like the choreography. She placed second in the free skate but won the event with 187.98 points, extending her Grand Prix winning streak. The Chosun Ilbo called her "the clear favorite for the gold" in Vancouver.

Kim's victories in both Grand Prix events qualified her for the 2009-10 Grand Prix Final in Tokyo, Japan, in December 2009, with the highest qualifying score. She placed second in the short program but won the free skate, securing her third Grand Prix Final title with a total of 188.86 points. In mid-December, she carried the Olympic torch for the second time in Hamilton, Ontario.

1.4.5. 2010-11 and 2011-12 Seasons: Coaching Change and Hiatus

In August 2010, Kim and Brian Orser publicly parted ways, a move that surprised many, including Orser, and for which no reason was initially given by Kim's side. Orser called his firing "out of the blue," and David Wilson described the split as "like a nightmare." The Toronto Star reported that Orser later leaked Kim's planned free skating music for the upcoming season, a frowned-upon action in figure skating. Kim initially continued to train in Toronto without a coach. By fall 2010, she began training in Artesia, California, at the East West Ice Palace, owned by Michelle Kwan's family. In October, after Wilson declined an offer to coach her, she hired Peter Oppegard and continued to work with Wilson as her choreographer.

Kim was assigned to the 2010 Cup of China and the 2010 Cup of Russia for the 2010-11 ISU Grand Prix season but chose not to compete in the series. Instead, she focused solely on the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow, her only competition of the season and her first in over a year. American coach Frank Carroll acknowledged the difficulty of competing after such a long break but praised her "guts and strength of character." Kim told CNN her focus was on enjoying the performance and showing a different side of herself, rather than on results. She also skipped the 2011 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships due to energy depletion from the previous Olympics.

Despite a large media presence from South Korea and Japan at the World Championships, Kim felt less pressure compared to the Olympics. Skating to music from Giselle, she placed first in the short program with 65.91 points. She stumbled on her triple Lutz, preventing a planned triple-triple combination, but adapted by adding a double toe loop to her triple flip to meet the combination requirement. Oppegard noted her nervousness. Kim admitted that returning to training was difficult and she often lacked motivation. She finished second in the free skate with 128.59 points, winning the silver medal with a total of 194.50 points. Skating to Korean music, which she called "a love letter to my country," she landed her opening triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination and other triples, but flubbed a flip jump. Golden Skate highlighted her impressive record of medaling in every competition since the Junior Grand Prix in 2015.

Kim hinted at missing the next Grand Prix series due to her involvement in promoting South Korea's successful bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics. On October 18, 2011, she officially announced her decision to sit out the entire 2011-12 season, her first competitive hiatus in her junior and senior careers. She later explained this break was due to the immense expectations and pressure she felt leading up to the Vancouver Olympics.

1.4.6. 2012-13 Season

In July 2012, Kim announced her intention to return to competitive skating for the 2012-13 season, with the ultimate goal of competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. She told Nancy Armour of the Associated Press that she was "determined not to be suffocated by the pressure again." She found returning to competition after her Olympic win and long break challenging but felt less pressure because she wasn't as desperate to win. She expressed no regrets about her time off and viewed Sochi as an opportunity for a fresh start, also finding inspiration from younger Korean skaters during her break. Despite her past successes, Kim was not invited to the 2012-13 Grand Prix circuit, so she opted to compete in minor events to earn the necessary technical points for the 2013 World Championships.

Kim left Oppegard and began training with her childhood coaches, Shin Hea-sook and Ryu Jong-hyun. Her coaches noted that her technique remained strong even after the break, and they focused on improving her stamina. Shin oversaw her overall training, while Ryu managed her fitness and conditioning. Kim chose music from the 1963 film The Kiss of the Vampire for her short program and selections from the musical Les Misérables for her free skate, seeking to use new and fresh soundtracks.

Her first competition of the season was the 2012 NRW Trophy in Dortmund, Germany, her first event since 2011. The event saw an "impressive comeback," with tickets selling out in six hours and over fifty media outlets attending. Although winning wasn't her primary goal, she placed first in the short program with 72.27 points and won the free skate with 129.34 points, claiming the gold medal with a total of 201.61 points. Klaus-Reinhold Kany of Ice Network noted that her short program score, while the highest recorded that season, was not included in the ISU's official rankings due to the event's minor status. She easily met the technical score requirement for the 2013 World Championships.

Kim later admitted to feeling nervous during the warm-up for her free skate but managed her nerves well, viewing the minor competition as a positive experience. She focused on her elements and planned to improve her free skate's choreography and emotional depth for the South Korean Championships and the 2014 Olympics. Moon Gwang-lip described her free skate as starting "with indelible poise and sublime grace... launching herself fearlessly into jumps and landing with implausible softness." Kany praised her "brilliant" opening triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination. Despite some errors (singling an Axel, turning planned double toe loops into singles, falling on a combination jump), the rest of her program was "solid." With technical qualifications met, Kim's agency announced her focus on the 2013 South Korean Championships and the 2013 World Championships. She expressed enjoyment in reuniting with Shin and Ryu and missed training in Korea.

Kim was a strong favorite for the South Korean Championships. She skated a clean short program, placing first with 64.97 points. She also won the free skate with 145.80 points, achieving 210.77 points overall, securing her fifth national title and qualifying for the World Championships. Koh Dong-wook of Yonhap News Agency called her free skate a "flawless performance," noting she overcame pre-skate nervousness from a practice fall.

At the 2013 World Championships, aiming for her second World title, Kim placed first in the short program with 69.97 points. She completed a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination and a double Axel, but her triple flip was downgraded due to a wrong edge take-off. She also performed "flawless spins and step sequences." She expressed disappointment with her score but no regrets about her short program, and enjoyed skating "in the middle of the pack" as it reduced nervousness.

Kim also won the free skate with a clean program, earning 148.34 points. With a total of 218.31 points, she claimed her second world title, surpassing competitors by 20.43 points-the largest winning margin in the nine years of the ISU Judging System at the World Championships. Her free skate included a "string of perfectly executed triple-triple combinations." Nancy Armour of the Associated Press remarked that Kim "could have stood at center ice for the second half of her program and still won." Kim, feeling less pressure, seemed "able to enjoy the moment" and received a standing ovation for her "ethereal free skate of surpassing brilliance." She expressed happiness with her free skate, noting it was the first time she focused on enjoying skating and competing rather than just results. At this point, Kim had medaled in all 30 of her international competitions, both junior and senior, winning gold in 19 of them.

1.4.7. 2013-14 Season: Olympic Silver Medal and Retirement

For the 2013-14 ISU Grand Prix season, Kim was assigned to compete in the 2013 Skate Canada International and the 2013 Trophée Éric Bompard. However, on September 26, it was announced that she would not compete in the Grand Prix series due to a metatarsal injury (bruised bones) in her right foot, sustained from excessive training, with an expected recovery time of up to six weeks.

Kim competed in the 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb, her first competition in nine months. She placed first in the short program with 73.37 points and won the free skate with 131.12 points, securing the gold medal with a total of 204.49 points. Yoo Jee-ho of Yonhap News Agency noted that her short program music, "Send In the Clowns", was a departure from her usual powerful tunes, but Kim compensated with "exquisite steps and spins." She earned the highest short program component scores of her career and the highest short program score in the Grand Prix that season. Her overall score was the fifth-best of her career and her third consecutive score over 200 points.

In early January, Kim competed in the 2014 South Korean Championships. She finished first after the short program with 80.60 points, a personal best and the first time a female skater surpassed 80 points in a non-ISU sanctioned event. She won the free skate with 147.26 points, described as "flawless," and secured her sixth national title with a total of 227.86 points, the second-highest score ever earned. Yonhap News Agency stated that Kim's victory raised expectations for her to win a second Olympic gold medal.

In February 2014, Kim competed at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, aiming to become the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals since Katarina Witt and with the intention of retiring from competitive skating afterward. She expressed a desire to finish her career without burden or regret. She narrowly came in first place after the short program with 74.92 points. She skated earlier than other favorite competitors due to her lower international standing, which she later said lessened her pressure. She admitted she was not as motivated as she had been in Vancouver. Her overall score was 219.11 points, 5.5 points less than Adelina Sotnikova's score. Her silver medal win was controversial, with critics citing Sotnikova's free skate score (149.95 points, 40 points higher than her average over the previous year and less than one point from Kim's Vancouver free skate score) and impropriety regarding two judges. Kim declined to comment on the controversy at the press conference and stated in 2020 that her feelings about it had not changed.

In 2023, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee requested that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) re-investigate the results of the women's figure skating competition in Sochi after Sotnikova admitted to failing her first doping test earlier that year, but the IOC refused. As anticipated, Kim announced that the 2014 Olympics would mark the end of her competitive skating career and that she would not compete at the 2014 World Championships. David Wilson expressed his "great disappointment" about her retirement in a 2016 interview.

1.5. Coaches

Throughout her competitive career, Yuna Kim was guided by a series of coaches who played crucial roles in her development:

• Shin Hea-sook** (1997-2000, 2012-2014)
• Ryu Jong-hyun** (2000-2002, 2012-2014)
• Kim Se-yol** (Pre-2007, specific years unclear)
• Chi Hyun-jung** (Pre-2007, specific years unclear)
• Brian Orser** (2006-2010)
• Peter Oppegard** (2010-2011)

Shin Hea-sook and Ryu Jong-hyun were her childhood coaches, with whom she reunited for her final competitive seasons. Brian Orser was her primary coach during her most dominant period, including her 2010 Olympic gold. Peter Oppegard coached her briefly after her split with Orser.

2.1. Ice Shows

Kim participated in several ice shows even before her competitive retirement. She performed in the South Korean show "Superstars on Ice" in 2006, shortly before her senior debut, and in Japan's "Dreams on Ice" the following year. Between 2008 and 2010, she was a headliner in "Festa on Ice," produced by her then-agency, IB Sports. On December 25, 2008, she hosted a charity ice show, "Angels on Ice," in Seoul, appearing alongside 2008 World bronze medalist Johnny Weir and ten young South Korean figure skaters, expressing gratitude to her local fans. In April 2009, she headlined three shows in Korea, and in August 2009, IB Sports produced "Ice All Stars" in Seoul, featuring Michelle Kwan.

In April 2010, Kim left IB Sports and, with her mother, established her own management agency, All That Sports Corporation (AT Sports). They began organizing the "All That Skate" ice show, which, as of 2020, was held annually. In October 2010, AT Sports debuted "All That Skate LA," an American version of their Korean brand, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Directed by David Wilson, the show featured Kim, other reigning Olympic champions, and many world champions, receiving positive reviews for its new style and high production quality.

In June 2012, Kim participated in "Artistry on Ice" in China, an appearance that took two years to secure, according to the show's president, Li Sheng, who called it a "breakthrough." Following her competitive retirement in 2014, Kim held farewell ice shows in Seoul. In 2018, she made a special appearance in an "All That Skate" show, her first performance on ice in four years. She skated to "House of Woodcock" from the film Phantom Thread, a program she found pure and beautiful, without jumps, developed with David Wilson after a four-year hiatus in their communication. She also mentored younger skaters in the show, captivating the audience with her signature Ina Bauer and Yuna camel, and a new twizzle spin, earning a standing ovation. In 2018, she also appeared in the Spanish ice show "Revolution on Ice," hosted by Javier Fernández, donating her skater's fee to UNICEF. In 2019, Kim again performed in "All That Skate," featuring music from "Variations from Dark Eyes" and Julia Michaels' "Issues," with choreography by Wilson and Sandra Bezic.

Kim noted in 2010 that tickets to her headlined shows sold out within minutes, and fellow performers enjoyed returning due to the enthusiastic audience responses. Canadian skater Patrick Chan also praised the enthusiastic reactions from audiences at Kim's ice shows.

2.2. Endorsements and Media Appearances

Yuna Kim has maintained a significant public profile through extensive endorsements and media appearances, leveraging her status as a national icon. In 2021, despite her retirement, she remained one of the highest-paid athletes in South Korea due to her numerous sponsorships.

Her philanthropic efforts are also notable; in early 2023, she donated 127.00 M KRW (approximately 100.00 K USD) to aid earthquake recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria, continuing a history of charitable giving. In 2010, she was appointed a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

Kim has been active across various fields, including music, television, and fashion. She was named Korea's "person of the year" by a major Korean newspaper in both 2008 and 2009. Gallup polls consistently recognized her as South Korea's top athlete in the three years leading up to the 2010 Olympics. In August 2010, the city of Los Angeles designated August 7 as "Yu-Na Kim Day" and granted her honorary citizenship. She has been featured in prestigious lists, including Time magazine's annual list of the World's 100 Most Influential People in 2010 and several Forbes lists in 2016.

3.1. Jumps

Yuna Kim's proficiency in executing various jumps was a cornerstone of her technical prowess. She successfully landed her first triple jump at the age of 10, and by 12, she could perform all five types of triple jumps (Lutz, Flip, Toe Loop, Loop, Salchow) cleanly in her programs, a feat that earned her the moniker of "prodigy." Her jumps were often described as having a "male-like scale" due to their impressive height and distance.

A key strategic element of her programs was the inclusion of high-base-value jumps, particularly the triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination, often placed at the beginning of her routine. She also consistently incorporated both the Lutz and Flip jumps-two of the most difficult jumps to execute correctly-into her short programs, which gave her a significant scoring advantage over other competitors.

While she mastered most triple jumps, the triple loop jump was noted as a relative weakness, leading her to sometimes replace it with a double Axel in her programs, especially from the 2009 World Championships onward, to avoid potential errors and maximize scores. Early in her career, her triple flip jump had a tendency for a wrong-edge take-off, which led to "attention" calls from judges in the 2008-2009 season. However, she successfully corrected this issue by adjusting her jump entries, such as initiating combination jumps with a higher-base-value Lutz, and by the 2013 World Championships, she only received one such call in her short program.

Her jumps were consistently praised for their high Grade of Execution (GOE) scores, indicating excellent execution. For instance, in her 2010 Vancouver Olympic free skate, she earned the highest GOE total among all competitors. Similarly, at the 2013 World Championships, she continued to receive substantial GOE points, demonstrating the high quality of her jump technique.

3.2. Spins

Yuna Kim's spins were characterized by their high quality, variety, and ability to consistently achieve high levels and positive GOE (Grade of Execution) scores. She was renowned for executing complex spins with excellent control and unique positions.

Her signature spin was the "Yuna Camel," a bent-leg layover camel spin where her upper body was notably parallel to the ice, creating a visually striking and technically demanding position. She consistently achieved Level 4 for this and other spins, including her layback spin, throughout her competitive career.

Kim's spin sequences were often praised for their intricate positions, speed, and seamless transitions. She frequently used the "Change Foot Combination Spin" as one of the final elements in her programs, showcasing her stamina and precision until the very end. For example, in her 2011 World Championships short program, her layback spin received a personal best GOE of +2.00, highlighting the exceptional quality of her spin execution.

3.3. Step Sequences and Choreography

Yuna Kim's step sequences and choreography were central to her artistic expression, combining technical complexity with profound musical interpretation and emotional depth. Her ability to translate music into movement was widely acclaimed.

David Wilson played a pivotal role in shaping her artistic presentation, choreographing all of Kim's competitive programs from the 2007-08 season until her retirement in 2014. Wilson initially faced the challenge of connecting with Kim, who expressed little emotion and spoke minimal English. He spent the first three months focusing on getting her to smile and laugh, eventually helping her relax and use facial expressions to captivate both audiences and judges.

Kim's step sequences were known for their intricate footwork, deep edge work, and precise body control. She consistently achieved high levels (often Level 3 or 4) for her step sequences, demonstrating her mastery of turns, changes of edge, and complex patterns across the ice. Her ability to maintain speed and flow throughout these demanding sequences, even while incorporating difficult transitions, was a hallmark of her style.

Wilson praised Kim's exceptional work ethic, noting that she "took everything [he] said to heart" and had unwavering belief in his choreography. He described her as "an absolute dream" to work with, highlighting her integrity and lack of rudeness or temperamental behavior. The collaboration between Kim and Wilson resulted in programs that were not only technically sound but also deeply artistic, allowing her to interpret diverse musical themes and connect profoundly with the audience.

3.4. Overall Style and Artistry

Yuna Kim's overall style and artistry were defined by a unique and compelling blend of athletic prowess and artistic expression. She possessed a rare ability to combine demanding technical elements with a captivating performance quality, often described as a perfect balance between power and grace.

Her skating was characterized by its effortless flow, exceptional speed across the ice, and the ability to cover vast amounts of ice with seemingly minimal effort. This powerful yet graceful movement allowed her to transition seamlessly between complex jumps, spins, and step sequences, giving her programs a cohesive and fluid quality.

Beyond the technical aspects, Kim's artistry shone through her profound musicality and emotional interpretation. She had an innate ability to embody the mood and narrative of her chosen music, using subtle facial expressions, arm movements, and body language to convey a wide range of emotions. This connection to the music, combined with her elegant presentation, captivated audiences and judges alike.

Her performances were often lauded for their "pure" and "authentic" quality, devoid of unnecessary embellishments, allowing the inherent beauty of her skating to take center stage. This unique blend of technical precision, powerful yet graceful movement, and deep artistic interpretation set her apart and contributed significantly to her status as one of figure skating's all-time greats.

4.1. Competitive Programs

4.2. Exhibition Programs

Kim Yuna also performed numerous exhibition programs, often showcasing different styles and artistic interpretations beyond her competitive repertoire.

• 2004-05 Season:** "Ben" by Michael Jackson (Choreographer: Chi Hyun-jung, Yuna Kim)
• 2005-06 Season:** "One Day I'll Fly Away" from Moulin Rouge! by Will Jennings, Joe Sample (Performer: Nicole Kidman; Choreographer: Kim Se-yol, Yuna Kim)
• 2006-07 Season:** "Reflection" from Mulan by Christina Aguilera (Choreographer: Brian Orser)
• 2007-08 Season:** "Only Hope" from A Walk to Remember by Mandy Moore (Choreographer: David Wilson); "Once Upon a Dream" from Jekyll and Hyde by Linda Eder (Choreographer: David Wilson); "Just a Girl" by No Doubt (Choreographer: David Wilson)
• 2008-09 Season:** "Only Hope"; "Gold" from Camille Claudel by Linda Eder (Choreographer: David Wilson)
• 2009-10 Season:** "Méditation" from Thaïs by Jules Massenet (Choreographer: David Wilson); "Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna (Choreographer: Sandra Bezic)
• 2010-11 Season:** "Bulletproof" by La Roux (Choreographer: David Wilson)
• 2011-12 Season:** "Fever" by Beyoncé (Choreographer: David Wilson)
• 2012-13 Season:** "El Tango de Roxanne"; "Someone Like You" by Adele (Choreographer: David Wilson); "All of Me" by Michael Bublé (Choreographer: David Wilson)
• 2013-14 Season:** "Nessun dorma" from Turandot by Giacomo Puccini (Choreographer: David Wilson); "Imagine" by John Lennon (Performer: Avril Lavigne; Choreographer: David Wilson)
• Professional Skating Career (Post-2014):**
  • 2014:** "Send In the Clowns" and "Nessun Dorma" (performed at farewell ice shows)
  • 2018:** "House of Woodcock" from Phantom Thread by Jonny Greenwood (Choreographer: David Wilson); "All of Me"; Charlie Chaplin medley (Choreographer: Sandra Bezic, David Wilson; performed live with Javier Fernández)
  • 2019:** Variations on "Dark Eyes" (Performers: Lara St. John, Ilan Rechtman; Choreographer: Sandra Bezic, David Wilson); "Issues" by Julia Michaels (Choreographer: Sandra Bezic, David Wilson)

5.1. World Records

Kim is a former world record holder for the women's combined total score, short program score, and free skate score under the ISU Judging System. She broke world records 13 times in her career in the +3/-3-GOE System, including two historical junior records.

5.2. Major Titles

Kim Yuna's collection of major titles is extensive, including:

• Olympic Gold Medalist:** 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
• Olympic Silver Medalist:** 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics
• Two-time World Champion:** 2009 and 2013
• Four Continents Champion:** 2009
• Three-time Grand Prix Final Champion:** 2006, 2007, and 2009
• World Junior Champion:** 2006
• Junior Grand Prix Final Champion:** 2005
• Six-time South Korean National Champion:** 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014

5.3. Other Accolades

Beyond her major titles and world records, Yuna Kim holds several unique distinctions:

• She is the first Korean female skater to win an international event (Triglav Trophy, Slovenia, 2002).
• She is the first Korean female skater to win a Junior Grand Prix event (Budapest, 2004).
• She is the first Korean skater to place at and win a Junior Grand Prix Final (2005, 2006).
• She is the first Korean skater to place at and win a Junior World Championships (2005, 2006).
• She is the first Korean skater to place at and win a Senior Grand Prix event (2006 Skate Canada, 2006 Trophée Eric Bompard).
• She is the first Korean skater to place at and win a Senior Grand Prix Final (2006).
• She is the first female figure skater to have never finished off the podium in her entire competitive career (as of 2014).
• She is the youngest skater to win back-to-back Grand Prix Finals (2006, 2007).
• She is the first Korean skater to place at a World Championship (2007).
• She is the first Korean skater to place at and win the Winter Olympics (2010).
• She is the first female skater to win the Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championships, World Championships, and Winter Olympic Games.
• She is the first figure skater to win all major ISU championship titles, including the Junior Grand Prix Final, World Junior Championships, Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championships, World Championships, and Winter Olympic Games, achieving the "Career Grand Slam."
• She is the first female skater, under the International Judging System, to break the 200-point and 220-point mark in the women's combined total in international competition (2009 World Championships, 2010 Winter Olympics).
• She is the first female skater to break the 150-point mark in the women's free skate total in international competition (2010 Winter Olympics).

6.1. Impact on Figure Skating

Yuna Kim's success significantly boosted the popularity of figure skating in South Korea, where she became affectionately known as "Queen Yuna." As early as 2005, her achievements were noted for increasing interest in the sport. Philip Hersh observed before the 2010 Olympics that no other figure skater was celebrated as much as Kim in her home country. Her former coach, Chi Hyun-jung, stated that Kim's success marked a turning point for skating in South Korea, expressing hope for the emergence of more competitors. In 2020, her coach, Brian Orser, remarked that Kim's performances at the 2010 Olympics were among the greatest ever and inspired thousands of South Korean girls to take up figure skating. International Figure Skating magazine suggested in 2009 that some felt she was the invigoration figure skating needed.

Her intense rivalry with Japanese skater Mao Asada, which began in their junior years, was a major draw for the sport. In 2009, after Kim won the World Championships and Asada placed second, the Associated Press described their rivalry as "the best thing going in skating these days," crediting it for their immense fame in their respective countries.

6.2. Social and Cultural Impact

Yuna Kim's status as a national hero in South Korea transcended sports, making her a significant cultural and social icon. Her influence extended to popular culture, and she actively contributed through various ambassadorships and philanthropic activities.

Her charitable endeavors are extensive. In early 2023, she donated 127.00 M KRW (approximately 100.00 K USD) to aid earthquake recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria, continuing a history of charitable giving. In 2010, she was appointed as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

Kim has been active across various fields, including music, television, and fashion. She was named Korea's "person of the year" by a major Korean newspaper in both 2008 and 2009. Gallup polls consistently recognized her as South Korea's top athlete in the three years leading up to the 2010 Olympics. In August 2010, the city of Los Angeles designated August 7 as "Yu-Na Kim Day" and granted her honorary citizenship. She was included in Time magazine's annual list of the World's 100 Most Influential People in 2010 and featured in several Forbes lists, recognizing her as one of the highest-paid female athletes even after her retirement.

6.3. Olympic Ambassador Roles

Yuna Kim played a crucial role in promoting the Olympic movement, particularly in South Korea's bids to host the Winter Olympics. In 2005, she was appointed a public relations ambassador for the South Korea Olympic Committee's unsuccessful bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

In 2010, she was selected as one of 24 Korean athletes to a committee promoting South Korea's bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics. She was later widely credited with being instrumental in helping Korea win the bid. In October 2011, Kim was appointed a member of the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games Organising Committee and named an official ambassador for the 2018 Olympics. Her most iconic moment in this role came during the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, where she appeared as the final torch bearer and lit the Olympic flame, symbolizing the culmination of Pyeongchang's long-standing dream. In February 2022, she was named the honorary ambassador for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea, and was also appointed a member of its Organizing Committee, continuing her dedication to the Olympic movement.

7.1. Family and Marriage

Yuna Kim has one older sister. She is known to be very protective of her private life, making infrequent posts on Instagram and having ceased Twitter activity since 2018.

On July 25, 2022, it was confirmed that Kim would marry singer Ko Woo-rim of the crossover vocal group Forestella. They had been in a relationship for three years, having met at the 2018 All That Skate show where Forestella performed. The couple married in a private ceremony on October 22, 2022, at Hotel Shilla in Seoul.

7.2. Faith

Kim Yuna, along with her mother, converted to Roman Catholicism in 2008. Their introduction to the faith came through local nuns and Catholic organizations, facilitated by her attending physician at a Seoul sports clinic, who was a devout Catholic and was treating Kim for knee injuries. Her confirmation name is Stella, derived from Stella Maris in Latin, an ancient title for The Blessed Virgin Mary, meaning "Star of the Sea."

In 2014, the National Catholic Register highlighted her as "an example of how to live the faith publicly." The publication reported that she would often pray on the ice during competitions, including the Vancouver Olympics, and would make the sign of the cross and bow her head before performing. In 2010, she participated with Korean bishops in a national campaign to educate the public about the Rosary. She was often seen wearing a rosary ring, which many fans mistakenly identified as an engagement ring. Beyond her public displays of faith, Kim also actively engaged in charitable donations and volunteered at various Catholic hospitals, universities, and organizations.

9.1. Positive Evaluations

Throughout her career, Yuna Kim received widespread acclaim and positive assessments from peers, experts, and the public. Her performances were consistently lauded for their technical precision, artistic depth, and the unique balance of power and grace she brought to the ice. Many in the figure skating world, including past Olympic champions and renowned coaches, expressed admiration for her unparalleled skills and ability to elevate the sport. Her consistent podium finishes and record-breaking scores were seen as objective proof of her exceptional talent and dedication.

9.2. Criticisms and Controversies

Despite her celebrated career, Kim Yuna faced several criticisms and controversies:

• Judging Disputes:**
  • 2008 Cup of China:** During her free skate, Kim received an "edge error" call on her triple flip, which her coach Brian Orser publicly challenged, stating he would pursue informal avenues if official protest was not possible. An international judge, Lee Ji-hee, also commented that while Kim's flip might have been slightly on the wrong edge, a "long edge" deduction was too harsh.
  • 2013 World Championships:** In her short program, Kim's triple flip received a "long edge" (e) call, which was the first time she received such a call on a solo triple flip. Kim expressed her disappointment, stating, "I've had that experience before, and honestly, I was annoyed, but I ignored it."
  • 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics:** The silver medal she received at the Sochi Olympics became highly controversial. Critics, including former Olympic champions and international media, questioned the judging, particularly the high scores awarded to Russian skater Adelina Sotnikova. Concerns were raised about the composition of the judging panel, which included a judge whose wife was a Russian federation official and another who had previously been suspended. Sotnikova's free skate score was significantly higher than her previous average, and her performance had visible errors that received minimal deductions, while Kim's clean skate received comparatively lower GOE (Grade of Execution) scores. Kim herself declined to comment on the controversy at the post-Olympic press conference, and in 2020, she stated her feelings about the matter had not changed. In 2023, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee requested the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to re-investigate the results after Sotnikova admitted to failing a doping test earlier that year, but the IOC refused the request.
  • Contract Disputes:**
    • IB Sports and IMG Korea:** Kim's management experienced a legal dispute between her former agency, IMG Korea, and her new agency, IB Sports, starting in April 2007. Her mother unilaterally terminated the contract with IMG Korea, citing "negligent management," and signed with IB Sports, leading to a lawsuit.
    • Unpaid Fees:** In November 2010, Kim Yuna demanded approximately 60.00 M KRW in unpaid fees from her former management company, IB Sports.
    • Media Coverage Criticisms:**
      • Japanese Media:** In 2010, Kim's management company, All That Sports, sent a protest letter to Japan's Nippon TV regarding its "Shinso Hodo Bankisha!" program, alleging that it used hidden camera footage of her practice. They also notified the Japan Skating Federation and the ISU of their intent to seek official sanctions. In April 2013, her agency considered filing a defamation lawsuit against a Japanese freelance writer who published a book questioning her scores.
      • Domestic Media:** Ahead of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, some South Korean media outlets were criticized for sensationalist reporting that exaggerated the rivalry between Kim and Mao Asada and made provocative comparisons, such as claiming Kim's jumps were "like a professional volleyball player's" while Asada's were "like a student's." Kim herself expressed concern about the "atmosphere" suggesting Yulia Lipnitskaya would win the Olympics.
      • Defamation Lawsuit:** In June 2012, Kim filed a defamation lawsuit against Yonsei University professor Hwang Sang-min, who criticized her teaching practicum on a radio program, calling it a "show." Kim later withdrew the lawsuit on June 15, 2012.
      • Rule Changes and Technical Impact:** After the Vancouver Olympics, ISU rule changes, such as limiting the repetition of double Axel jumps in the free skate, affected Kim's program composition. As she had often used the double Axel to compensate for her less consistent triple loop, some analyses suggest that these rule changes, combined with her struggles with the loop jump, contributed to the difference in base value scores between her and competitors like Sotnikova at the Sochi Olympics.