'Radio Star' short track skater Choi Min-jeong, Kim Gil-li, snowboarder Kim Sang-kyum and Yu Seung-eun talked about what happened after the competitions ended.
On the 25th episode of MBC entertainment show 'Radio Star', medalists who competed and won medals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics appeared. Short track powerhouse and Korea's most decorated Olympic medalist Choi Min-jeong announced her retirement from the national team.
Choi Min-jeong, who has captured countless medals to date. Choi Min-jeong, who reportedly owns about 70% of the gold medals including domestic competitions, said humbly, "I don't remember domestic competitions well because I was on the national team for so long that it's been a long time since I competed in them."
A characteristic of Choi Min-jeong is that, unlike the 'inside lane' that is the strength of Korea's skaters, she uses the outside lane, meaning a unique technique where she follows from behind, then turns at a right angle and cuts up on the outer line. Those who competed against Choi Min-jeong considered themselves athletes, but watched in disbelief as Choi Min-jeong crossed the finish line first. Kim Gil-li, called the next-generation Choi Min-jeong and touted as a new era for Korea's short track, was an inside-lane specialist.
The MCs asked, "When you dive into the inside lane and other skaters don't yield, what do you do?" Kim Gil-li replied, "Then I just dive in better," which made everyone laugh. The MCs asked, "So when Choi Min-jeong and Kim Gil-li compete, one on the outside lane and one on the inside lane, who wins?" Choi Min-jeong and Kim Gil-li smiled brightly and said, "That's why we sometimes finish first and second side by side," which drew another round of laughter.
Following his nickname 'Lamborghilly', Kim Gil-li returned home and left the airport in a ceremonial car worth about 300 million won provided by Lamborghini, driven by a chauffeur. Kim Gil-li said with a rapt expression, "The ride definitely felt like a car worth more than 300 million won, and when I started the engine it went 'vroom' and sounded like popcorn popping. It was so amazing."
He said, "The nickname started when the rehab center trainer would always say, 'Did Lamborghilly come?' They used 'Lamborghilly' as the title on short-form videos of me and fans called me that," explaining the origin of his nickname. Choi Min-jeong grimaced, saying, "Ice princess. I don't like having 'princess' attached. I prefer just 'ice'," then shyly laughed, saying she likes the nickname Elsa.
High school boarder and snowboard big air bronze medalist Yu Seung-eun said happily, "After I won the medal and went to school, my friends asked me for autographs. A friend's cram school math teacher is my fan and asked for my autograph," and laughed. Supported by her mother's part-time work and her family's help, she succeeded at an element she had never landed before at the Olympics, captivating the world with a powerful performance of throwing down her board. Even the beverage sponsorship that day came in Yu Seung-eun's name, which moved her.
Kim Sang-kyum is known for juggling two jobs while competing and for participating in four Olympics. Kim Sang-kyum said, "A 0.19-second difference makes a big difference in prize money. Including sponsor Lotte, there's a 100 million won difference between gold and silver. I was Korea's first medalist, but it was a silver; if the first medalist had been a gold medalist, they would give a limited-edition watch. Choi Min-jeong already got that," showing his disappointment honestly.
Kim Sang-kyum said, "The snowboarding alpine association gives 200 million won for a silver medal and 100 million won for Yu Seung-eun's bronze," revealing the prize money. At this, Kim Gil-li, who received a 30 million won prize as the newly established Olympic MVP, and Choi Min-jeong, the record medal holder, said, "Our short track doesn't have amounts like that," and wore openly envious expressions.
[photo] MBC entertainment show 'Radio Star' broadcast capture
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