Yuna Kim: South Korea’s Queen of the Ice

Yuna Kim © Pinterest

Yuna Kim, born September 5, 1990, in Bucheon, South Korea, is a figure skating legend whose technical brilliance, artistry, and cultural impact earned her the title “Queen Yuna.” As the 2010 Olympic champion, 2014 Olympic silver medalist, and two-time World champion, Kim transformed figure skating in South Korea and beyond. Her journey from a rink in Seoul to global stardom, coupled with her ongoing contributions to the sport in 2025, showcases a legacy of resilience, innovation, and inspiration.

Early Beginnings and Rise to Prominence

Kim laced up her first skates at age five, showing early promise in a country where figure skating was niche. By 12, she won her first South Korean national title in 2003, a record for the youngest champion at the time. Training under financial strain—her family struggled to afford skates and ice time—Kim’s talent shone through. In 2006, at 15, she moved to Toronto to train with coach Brian Orser, overcoming knee injuries and equipment issues. Her senior international debut at the 2006 Skate Canada earned her a bronze, making her the first Korean to medal at a senior Grand Prix event. Her 2006 World Junior Championship gold marked South Korea’s first in the event, setting the stage for her meteoric rise.

Olympic Glory and Record-Breaking Feats

Kim’s pinnacle came at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where, at 19, she delivered a flawless performance. Her short program to James Bond soundtracks featured triple lutz and triple toe loop combinations, setting a world record of 78.50 points. Her free skate to Gershwin’s music, with seven triple jumps, scored 150.06—the first time a woman broke 150 points in the free skate—securing a combined 228.56 points, a record that stood for seven years. This gold was South Korea’s first Olympic figure skating medal, elevating Kim to national hero status. In 2014, she won silver in Sochi despite controversial scoring, gracefully concluding her competitive career with a performance to Avril Lavigne’s “Imagine.”

Rivalry and Technical Innovation

Kim’s rivalry with Japan’s Mao Asada defined women’s skating for two Olympic cycles. Their head-to-head battles, including Kim’s 2009 World Championship win with a record 207.71 points, pushed technical boundaries. Kim was the first woman to score over 200 points in a combined total and 150 in the free skate, setting benchmarks that reshaped the sport. Her triple loop, once a challenge, became a strength under Orser’s guidance, complemented by her speed, musicality, and emotional storytelling, as noted by fans on platforms like Reddit for her “effortless” grace.

Beyond the Ice: Cultural and Social Impact

After retiring in 2014, Kim remained a force in skating. She played a key role in securing the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, delivering a stirring presentation to the IOC in 2012. At the Games, she lit the Olympic cauldron, a moment celebrated globally. Kim’s ice shows, like All That Skate, showcased her choreography, while her mentorship of skaters like You Young and Lee Haein in 2025 has nurtured South Korea’s skating boom. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Special Olympics Global Ambassador, she donated millions, including $27,000 from her 2011 World Championships silver to Japanese earthquake victims. Her 2010 TIME 100 inclusion, praised by Michelle Kwan, underscores her global influence.

A Lasting Legacy

At 34 in 2025, Yuna Kim continues to shape figure skating through coaching, commentary, and brand ambassadorships with Dior, Nike, and Samsung. Her estimated $25 million net worth makes her the richest figure skater globally, per Forbes, reflecting her commercial success. Kim’s impact is evident in the rise of skaters like Cha Jun-hwan and Lee Haein, who credit her as inspiration. As she told Olympics.com, skating was about “feeling alive,” a philosophy that defines her performances and advocacy. From breaking records to igniting a skating revolution in South Korea, Kim’s legacy as “Queen Yuna” endures, inspiring a new generation on and off the ice.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer