This AFP article describes an interview that SBS (a Korean television station) conducted with Kim Yu-na (which should be spelled Yeon-ah, since in Korean her name is 김연아). In it, she complained that other skaters had deliberately sabotaged her practices by obstructing her path. (You can see the interview with English sub-titles here.) Kim mentioned no nations or skaters by name, but:
A voice-over said it was always Japanese skaters that crossed Kim’s path.
Korean netizens have made videos, editing footage and/or adding dramatic music to make the Japanese skaters look like villains (see them here and here). Japanese netizens have struck back, circulating a photo which allegedly reveals Kim’s jealousy of Mao Asada (see it here). We have seen this kind of netizen immaturity before. The Japanese press became involved, with the daily Sports Hochi describing Kim as “‘Japan-bashing’ without warning.” Netizens are idiots, and they’re just doing what idiots do, but SBS’ actions were irresponsible.
In my view, SBS and the netizens didn’t watch figure skating much before Kim became famous, so they’re unaware that accidents happen, which isn’t surprising considering that during warm-ups, there are several skaters on the ice at the same time, traveling at high speed, and practicing jumps that are almost blind. At last year’s Japanese national championships, Miki Ando had her right foot injured after colliding with Fumie Suguri. Watch the first minute of this footage of Midori Ito. Ito isn’t a frail waif. For a female figure skater, she’s built like a little tank, but you can see how long it took for her to recover, and her boot was also slashed by the other skater’s blade.
Kim and Asada have described themselves as “rivals and friends” (see article here and video footage here), and during the interview, Kim described the incidents as “small things” and said that she intends “to rise to the occasion.” Since she’s Korean, if things get really rough out there, she could always use the Iron Lotus.
(Hat Tip to Brian in Jeollanam-do and the Marmot’s Hole)
Edit/Update:
According to this article, Kim Yu-na has been rated as Korea’s top celebrity by Forbes Korea, the Korean version of the American monthly business magazine.
For its March issue cover story, the magazine evaluated Korea’s top celebrities and ranked them for the first time ever. The ranking was based on a celebrity’s professionalism, popularity, income, and influence.
According to the report, Kim placed second for influence, first for professionalism, third for popularity, and 12th for income. She became No. 1 in overall standing.
Surprisingly, Kim Yun-na was unbeatable even by other power celebrities, such as Big Bang, Park Ji-sung, Kim Taehee, and Lee Hyo-ri. Big Bang came in second, Wonder Girls in third and Lee Hyo-ri in fourth.
Kim’s product endorsements have been estimated to be worth between eight and ten billion won.
Kim Yu-na is currently one of the most influential celebrities in advertising, too. This year, she represents about five companies, including Samsung Electronics “Hauzen Air Conditioner,” Hyundai Motors Co., and P&G. She stars in over 10 TV commercials.
Almost every commercial featuring Kim is popular among her fans. But one of the most memorable commercials is the Samsung Electronics ad for the “Hauzen Air Conditioner.” In this commercial, Kim sings and dances dressed like a winter fairy.
If you’re curious about said commercial, you can see it here, and other commercials here, here, and here. She can even sing.
