Yuna Kim

Yuna Kim, with her infamous signature pose. (http://www.kpoplive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Yuna.jpg)

“Buh bum.” On the last beats of the music, with her hands clasped together and her thumb and index fingers out in the shape of a gun, she strikes her final pose. Her confident, victorious smile envelops the audience. Proud, elated cheers echo throughout. Posters with hearts, photos and encouraging messages are waved rigorously by members of the standing ovation as they wipe away their tears of joy. The moment had come. At last, the queen, Yuna Kim, had conquered the ice. People around the globe of all ages, genders, and ethnicities have fallen in love with Kim at first sight for her practically perfect talent, and as they got to know more about her, they were pulled in deeper and deeper by her inner beauty. Not only does she possess a compassionate, optimistic soul and the generosity to make numerous self-sacrifices for the benefit of others, but she is also gifted with an invincible power to spark flames of inspiration around the entire world.

Kim wins the gold, and cries tears of joy. (http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=53417067377)

Yuna Kim was born on September 5, 1990, in Bucheon, South Korea. She was just a normal little kid until she met her idol—Michelle Kwan. Inspired by her figure skating performance at the 1998 Winter Games, Kim immediately started ice skating herself at the age of 5. She “memorized [Kwan’s] skating routines, pretending to be at the Olympics. [However,] [t]welve years later, she no longer had to pretend” (Kwan). As a junior, Kim was deemed champion for numerous competitions. After becoming a four-time South Korean national champion, she unfurled her wings to fly out and compete on a worldwide scale. In 2006, she moved from Korea to Canada to train under her current coach, Brian Orser. The same year, she also ran the torch relay for the Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. However, she could not participate in those Olympics itself because despite her overflowing talent, she was underage at only 15 years old. Kim then continued to compete and improve. She became the 2006 World Junior champion, three-time Grand Prix Final champion, winner of 2008 Best Skater Award in figure skating (by the Korean Skating Union), 2009 Four Continents champion, and 2009 World champion. In spite of being so special and gifted, she enjoys the simple things in life, too, like any other people her age, such as surfing the internet, listening to music, singing her favorite artist’s songs, dancing to the hottest music, or eating bread and tteokbokki (a common Korean cuisine). However, what makes her so different from any ordinary person is her recent grand achievement. Kim won the gold medal in women’s figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. She became the first South Korean to win any medal in the Winter Olympics, other than in speed skating. Not only that, but her scores for short program, long program, and overall performance all left a new, virtually untouchable record. Currently, Kim is at the height of her popularity. Also quite the singer and dancer, she is taking part in various commercials, programs, and other activities, with many more plans in store for her in the future.

(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3507797&id=53417067377)

Like any hero, Yuna Kim is the owner of a warm, caring, and bright spirit. For example, “Kim says that she has cried for joy twice this year--when she won the gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics and when the Korean wheelchair curling team won the silver medal at the Vancouver Winter Paralympics” (The Chosun Ilbo). Kim is honest with her feelings, and has the emotional capacity to acknowledge her own achievements. She also possesses the compassion to cry the same tears of pride for another group of people that have made great achievements. Although Kim does not know anybody on the team in person, and they did not get gold, she still cries for the accomplishment of such a grand goal, despite their disabilities. Similar warm-heartedness can be observed in her interactions with others. On her Twitter account, Kim takes her time to read each message she receives. In reply, she says things such as, “Thanks Shannon!!! :-)” or “Good luck Christina!!!!!!!!! :-) !!!” or “Kelly congratulations :)!!!” (Yuna Kim Official Twitter). While minding her manners by taking her time to reply to each person, she presents encouraging smile emoticons and exclamation points full of her exuberance. She always remains optimistic through her comments as well, showing her excitement toward the future such as “Can’t wait to start my NEW short program next week!!” (Yuna Kim Official Twitter). Kim has a driving force behind her. Her self-respect and love for others as well as her optimism for the future compels her to be the well-achieved, glorious young lady that she is now.

Kim shows various expressions even in one program. (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=118448&id=53417067377&op=18)

Along with a humane heart, Yuna Kim also has the courage to willingly sacrifice herself, in order to give others hopes and dreams. Constantly thinking for the common welfare, “Yuna Kim has been a generous donor. She has donated more than 2 billion won ($1.7 million US) in the last 3 years. Kim has been supporting young figure skaters, as well as promising skaters since 2007. She has also been supporting patients suffering rare diseases and children in need” (Yuna Kim Official Facebook). Kim does not use her wealth for her own selfish desires, but instead gives it to those who really need it. With all her heart, she wishes to make their lives better in some way, in order to give them a vision for a brighter future. She sometimes even works with a goal already in mind for where she will donate her earnings to. Although she is young, Kim has already made abundant donations to many organizations and causes including: Sports ToTo “Little Yuna’ Youth skaters support project” Campaign, IVY Club school uniform donation, Maeil Milk donation, Daesin Investment Forum 2008 – Scholarship donation for Youth skaters, Unicef donation ($1 million) for HAITI earthquake relief, Korea Foundation for Persons with Disabilities donation, China Sichuan Earthquake Support Donation “I Love Asia” Project, and a Chun-Ahn ham donation for those who passed away in the recent ship wreck. (Yuna Kim Official Website). Furthermore, she even “established a company called 'All That Sports' that she involved herself as a stockholder, on [April] 20th. 'All That Sports' will be managing Yu-Na's ice show and raising talented novices, in addition to the management of every activity of Yu-Na” (Yuna Kim Official Facebook). Now that one of her dreams of winning the gold medal has been achieved, she aids children in climbing up the stairs to success, even though her own future stretches out before her, too, with many greater goals awaiting her. Amidst her abundant activities, she altruistically gives herself even more responsibilities to support and enrich the lives of others. Her charitable, munificent actions and selflessness make her a beautiful being not only on the outside, but inside, too.

(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3534697&id=53417067377)

On top of having an optimistic demeanor and the heart of an angel, Yuna Kim also motivates people all over the globe with her eagerness to sacrifice herself for others, and her ability to radiate with a magical power that only she possesses. Even Michelle Kwan acknowledges, “From the first notes of her sassy James Bond medley to the closing Gershwin strains, Kim's inspiring performances in Vancouver changed the face of figure skating forever. Those 6½ minutes on the ice left not only a mark in the record book but also an indelible impression on millions of young girls around the world. For Kim, the dream that began as a 7-year-old [5-year-old in the American age counting system] has been realized. For these girls, thanks to her, a dream and journey are just beginning” (Kwan). Just like how Kim immediately fell in love with Michelle Kwan’s performance, all around the world, there are young children that aspire to one day become as great of a figure skater as Kim. As they start to acquire their talents and show promise in the figure-skating world, their motivation to work harder towards excellence each day is fueled by Kim’s inspiration. Kim has also earned recognition from her idol, Kwan: “I have never seen a skater with such a combination of artistry and athleticism” (Kwan). In her performances, Kim does not skate by plainly combining fancy, difficult spins and jumps, but also utilizes facial expressions, as well as her entire body to convey emotions. Her dynamic, yet graceful movements capture the mood of the music perfectly, evoking sentiments from the viewer as well. Regardless of what the song is or how the performance may be stylistically, her spiritual strength and brilliance shine through with incredible energy. This beautiful power inspires all people—prideful South Koreans that laughed tears for such a brilliant victory, little kids who have found their dreams for the future, and all others who have been awed by the elegance and undying force in Kim’s performances. Her legacy will carry on forever. Her fans and admirers continue to love her for who she is, and how she has enriched people’s lives with her beautiful character. Yuna Kim deserves this faithfulness, for she herself has etched her name into history as an eternal, genuine hero.