Speedskater Kim Bo-reum, who recently announced retirement, said, "Eight years have passed, but there has not been a single day when that incident didn't come to mind." She also said she wants to "try variety shows" going forward.
According to an interview on the 13th with the Hankook Ilbo, Kim Bo-reum said, "Eight years have passed, but there has not been a single day when that incident didn't come to mind." The incident eight years ago refers to what happened in the women's speedskating team pursuit at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. In that race, Kim Bo-reum and Park Ji-woo crossed the finish line first, while teammate Noh Sun-young, who skated with them, finished much later, sparking allegations of "bullying during the race."
Kim said, "I may sound calm talking about it now," adding, "Lee Sang-hwa, Mo Tae-bum, Kim Min-sun, and colleague Park Ji-woo were my pillars."
Kim Bo-reum gradually dispelled the misunderstanding. A special audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism concluded there was no intent, and she partially won a damages suit over false claims.
Kim Bo-reum said, "Holding on to bad feelings only made it hard for me," adding, "You can't erase memories, and you can't change the past, so there's nothing to do but say, 'That's just how it was back then,' and move on. Because I still have to keep living."
Kim Bo-reum announced her retirement from active competition on Dec. 30 last year via her social media (SNS). She said, "Since I first laced up skates at 11, I have spent most of my life on the ice as a national team member from 2010 to 2024," adding, "I decided to end my career as an athlete at the end of this year."
Kim Bo-reum is expected to build a career as a television personality. She is currently appearing on the variety show "Baseball Queen."
About broadcasting, Kim said, "Filming is fun. I haven't been afraid of new challenges since I was young," adding, "If given the chance, I want to try anything."
She continued, "In a world where there is so much to do besides being an athlete, I want to try a bit of everything," adding, "You have to try first to know what you're good or bad at, don't you?"
She added that, like travel, she wants to try variety shows "where I can show myself in a straightforward and honest way."