"Proud gold medalist" Choi Gaon (18, Sehwa Girls' High School) is at the center of an absurd gold-spoon controversy that is also drawing attention in Japan.
Japanese outlet KOKOKARA reported on the 20th (Korea time), "Jealousy swirls around the South Korean snowboarder who won the gold medal...17-year-old Choi Gaon, revealed to be from a luxury tower mansion, was showered with criticism," the report said.
The outlet said, "Choi Gaon was caught up in an unexpected commotion. The protagonist who became a hot topic in Japan and rose as a 'figure of the era' is South Korea's Choi Gaon, who won the gold medal in the women's snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics. She defeated the United States' reigning 'absolute queen' Chloe Kim and, giving Korea its first gold medal in ski and snowboard history, has received such an enthusiastic response that she is being called 'the second Yuna Kim,'" the report said.
Choi Gaon on the 13th won the gold medal after overcoming failures in the first and second runs in the final of the women's ski snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics held at Livigno Snowpark in Italy, delivering great emotion.
Choi Gaon, who advanced to the final in sixth place in qualifying, fell in a dizzying collision in the first run. Her board caught on the lip of the slope, and after falling she could not get up for a while. Medical staff even entered the course, raising concerns about a serious injury. Fortunately, Choi Gaon got up and came down instead of being transported to a hospital.
But Choi Gaon seemed as if she might have to stop her challenge altogether. Ahead of the second run the scoreboard displayed a DNS (did not start) sign, indicating a poor atmosphere. In fact, it was reported that her knee pain did not subside even after the second run.
Nonetheless, Choi Gaon did not give up. In the third run, rather than attempting the difficult 1,080-degree trick, she focused on diversity and stability with 900-degree and 720-degree rotations, and succeeded in finishing cleanly without falling. Choi Gaon, who came down in tears, checked the 90.25 points awarded to her, cried, and ultimately hung the gold medal around her neck.
It was a moment when a new chapter in Korea's snow sports history was born. By defeating Chloe Kim, who had been seeking back-to-back Olympic titles, she secured the first gold medal for the Korean delegation at this Games and the first Olympic gold in Korea's snow sports history. Global outlet The Athletic also selected Choi Gaon's golden run as one of the best seven moments of the Games, calling it "the most fiercely contested drama."
Back home with a gold medal, Choi Gaon said at the arrival event on the 16th, "I was in Milan until yesterday, so it didn't feel real. Coming in and being welcomed makes it feel real and I'm so happy. I didn't expect so many people to come; I'm flustered and embarrassed. I'm happy and grateful," she said.
Then an unexpected controversy broke out. A congratulatory banner was hung at the apartment in Seocho-dong, Seoul, where Choi Gaon lives. Among internet users, a scandal arose saying she turned out to be from a gold-spoon family. Some internet users even disparaged Choi Gaon's achievements and efforts, saying, "She just won because she is from the upper class," and "It's not that moving."
The absurd controversy is also drawing attention in neighboring Japan. KARA KOKO explained, "As attention turned to Choi Gaon's upbringing, an unexpected controversy arose. Residents of the apartment where she lives put up a banner to celebrate the achievement, which sparked an uproar. That tower mansion was a newly built high-end apartment located in one of Seoul's most expensive residential areas."
Naturally, reactions in Japan were also incredulous. The outlet said, "Growing up in a wealthy family and receiving ample support does not mean one will win a gold medal. There are also many opinions in Korea that Choi Gaon's effort should be respected," and added, "Choi Gaon, who rose to stardom overnight. We hope she continues on her path without minding the criticism," the outlet said in encouragement.
Japanese internet users also left comments such as, "There are not a few people in Japan who think similarly. Still, this is not something to say to the person who gave us a gold medal," "Society is sick," "The reality is that without money or parental help it's hard to win a medal, but the results came because of the athlete's effort," and "Don't pay attention to jealousy and envy outside the arena."
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