"Then I must be X!". Former figure skater Yuna Kim stirred up the show "Pinggego" by calling herself a "has-been," setting off fans who had been quiet. It was about to rekindle national fandom.
On the morning of the 13th, Yuna Kim appeared as a guest on the YouTube channel "DdeunDdeun" in an episode of "Pinggego" that was released. Yoo Jae-suk met Yuna Kim with Cho Sae-ho and Ji Seok-jin and talked with her.
That day Yuna Kim came holding a "Park." She provided PPL for the rice cooker brand she models for. Thanks to that, she was enjoying a hearty breakfast of freshly cooked rice. Cho Sae-ho said, "She is definitely a superstar. Usually it's a one-off contract, so it's amazing that she extended the advertising contract," expressing admiration and gratitude.
In the past, in a "Pinggego" special titled "Life of a fake," Cho Sae-ho, Ji Seok-jin and Hong Jin Kyung appeared as guests and discussed the "standards of a superstar" with Yoo Jae-suk. At the time, they jokingly defined a superstar as "someone who extends an advertising contract rather than ending it as a one-off," drawing laughs.
Yoo Jae-suk explained the standards of a superstar on "Pinggego." Yuna Kim modestly replied, "I'm not a broadcaster so it's ambiguous." She mentioned, "Fortunately I have something I do as a specialty," referring to her work as an advertising model for numerous brands.
She also confessed, "There are times I feel embarrassed." She explained, "Because there aren't many opportunities for media exposure," and said, "It's (fortunate) to be able to come on 'Pinggego' and do this once." Yoo Jae-suk emphasized Yuna Kim's enduring presence, saying, "It's not important whether you have outside activities or not. It's presence."
At that moment, Yuna Kim awkwardly said, "I'm a bit old-fashioned, a has-been, aren't I?" Ji Seok-jin and Yoo Jae-suk both jumped in shock and exclaimed, "Who? Who is? Who's past their prime?" Ji Seok-jin protested, "Then I almost have to die," and Yoo Jae-suk stopped Yuna Kim, saying, "Don't say things like that carelessly."
Yuna Kim explained in response to Yoo Jae-suk's comment, "Yuna being past her prime? What are you talking about," saying, "It's because my main job isn't as an active competitor anymore." Considering her retirement, her modest way of describing herself made sense to some. But Cho Sae-ho emphasized, "The symbolism is different. It's tremendous," and strongly said, "(Yuna Kim) has become a national symbol."
In fact, Yuna Kim is the first person in the 100-year history of women's figure skating worldwide to achieve an "all-podium". As a result, she has established herself not only in the sport of figure skating but also as a sports star representing Korea. The national pride in having witnessed the birth of the figure queen from a figure skating wasteland remains vivid. Her records that remain unbroken even after retirement continue to earn her the admiration of being "Queen Yuna."
For example, the public continues to pay attention to Yuna Kim's every move even after her retirement. In Oct. 2022, when Yuna Kim married crossover group Forestella member Ko Woo-rim, explosive interest poured in. The enlistment and discharge of Ko Woo-rim, who is "Yuna Kim's husband," drew the same attention. The presence of "Queen Yuna," loved even off the ice, continues.
[Photo] OSEN DB, YouTube source.
[OSEN]