Korean figure skating has embarked on an exhilarating new chapter. On March 13, at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, Korea made history by claiming gold in both the men’s and women’s singles events. This extraordinary feat was accomplished by Cha Jun-hwan and Kim Chae-yeon, who delivered stunning comeback performances to defeat heavily favored Japanese rivals. Their victories not only defied expectations but also brought the South Korean national anthem to the top of the podium, marking a proud moment in the nation’s sporting history.

  Korea's remarkable ascent in figure skating continued to shine on the international stage. Following her gold medal victory at the Asian Winter Games, Kim Chae-yeon delivered another commanding performance, claiming gold at the Four Continents Championships held at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on March 23.

  Adding to the excitement, Cha Jun-hwan secured silver in the men’s singles a day earlier, completing his impressive medal collection—gold, silver, and bronze—at the prestigious event. These achievements further solidify Korea's growing dominance in the sport and mark another proud milestone for its figure skating legacy.How did Cha Jun-hwan, affectionately remembered as the "Choco Pie Kid," and Kim Chae-yeon, a late bloomer who first stepped onto the ice in fifth grade, rise to become the faces of a new era in Korean figure skating? How have their remarkable journeys reshaped the nation’s skating scene, and what lies ahead for the sport’s future?

  The Sogang Herald delves into the dramatic comeback stories that unfolded at the Asian Winter Games, the athletes’ inspiring paths to greatness, and the exciting prospects for Korean figure skating. Beyond recounting their triumphs, this narrative seeks to resonate not only with skating enthusiasts but with anyone who finds inspiration in resilience, perseverance, and the indomitable spirit of sport.

Harbin’s Brightest Stars: Cha and Kim Dazzle on Ice

Figure skating is a sport of brutal beauty. On the pristine canvas of ice, the human body becomes an instrument of art, moving in perfect harmony with music to create moments of pure awe. There are the gravity-defying jumps and spins that test the limits of physics, and the breathtaking choreography, from seamless transitions to the elegance of Ina Bauers, all perfectly synchronized to the rhythm of a melody.

  It is a fleeting five minutes of pain, poetry, and perfection. To reach the pinnacle of greatness, skaters hurl themselves onto the ice, over and over again, enduring countless falls and sacrifices. It is no wonder that so many spend their careers locked in an unrelenting battle against injury, their pursuit of beauty coming at the cost of their own bodies.

  Few skaters embody the delicate balance between beauty and pain as vividly as Cha Jun-hwan. On March 13, at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games, held at the Heilongjiang Skating Training Center in Harbin, China, Cha delivered a flawless free skate, earning an impressive 187.60 points—99.02 for technical elements and 88.58 for presentation. Coupled with his short program score of94.09, he achieved a total of 281.69 points to claim the gold medal.

  Cha's clean and composed performance placed him 8.93 points ahead of Yuma Kagiyama, the silver medalist at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Kagiyama, though highly favored, faltered with three jump errors, giving Cha the edge to secure a decisive victory. This triumph not only demonstrated Cha's technical brilliance but also cemented his place as a leading figure in the sport.

  Even as he made history in Korean men’s figure skating, Cha Jun-hwan was quietly battling yet another injury in the lead-up to the Asian Winter Games in Harbin. Far from being in peak condition, he stepped onto the ice with pain that was impossible to ignore. The injury was in an especially challenging spot—one that made unavoidable contact with his skate boots, compounding his discomfort.

  Despite the difficulties, Cha pressed on with training, though it was anything but easy. To keep himself motivated through the pain, he turned to his greatest source of strength: the music and choreography he loved. By building his programs around pieces that resonated deeply with him, Cha found a way to channel his passion and push forward, even when the odds seemed stacked against him.

  Before the men’s event, Kim Chae-yeon delivered a stunning surprise by capturing gold in the women’s singles. With a clean and precise free skate, she earned an impressive 147.56 points—79.07 for technical elements and 68.49 for presentation—bringing her total to 219.44 after adding her short program score of 71.88.

  Kim’s triumph not only marked a career milestone but also signaled her emergence as a formidable competitor on the international stage.

  Kim Chae-yeon deferred her college enrollment to compete at the Asian Winter Games—and the decision paid off. In her first appearance at a major international competition, she shattered her personal bests in the short program, free skate, and total score, delivering a poised and confident performance from start to finish.

  “Beating Sakamoto at such a big event like the Asian Games makes this even more meaningful,” Kim said after her victory. “I’ve always dreamed of winning this gold medal, and I’m so happy I finally did it. Setting a new personal record here makes it even better.”

  Adding a personal touch to her triumph, Kim once again skated in a costume designed by her mother, Lee Jung-ah, a former fashion major. “Unlike other skaters who get their outfits made at studios, mine are made by my mom. That makes them feel even more special to me,” she shared. For Kim, the day was not only a career breakthrough but also a deeply personal achievement, blending her family’s support with her own hard work and determination.

The Art of Endurance: Cha Jun-hwan’s Ascent on Ice

Before rising to skating fame, Cha was a child actor, appearing in television commercials and dramas. He first laced up a pair of skates in second grade—not to chase Olympic dreams, but to support his acting. What began as a way to enhance his acting soon took center stage. By fifth grade, he had landed all five types of triple jumps—Salchow, toe loop, loop, flip, and Lutz—hinting at his potential to lead Korea’s presence on the global stage. By 2015, he had begun landing quadruple jumps, establishing himself among the world’s elite.

  Cha won back-to-back titles on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit during the 2016–17 season, then became the first Korean male skater to earn a medal at the Junior Grand Prix Final, taking bronze. Heading into the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, however, he was hampered by hip and ankle pain, as well as issues with his skating boots. He narrowly secured an Olympic spot and, despite catching the flu just before the Games, went on to place 15th—then the highest finish ever by a Korean male skater at the Olympics.

  The Olympic experience marked a sharp turning point for Cha. During the 2018–19 season, he soared, earning back-to-back bronze medals at the second and third events of the ISU Grand Prix series. This marked the first time a Korean skater had medaled at consecutive Grand Prix events since Yuna Kim's double victories in 2009–10 and the first ever for a Korean man. He also qualified for the Grand Prix Final, becoming the first Korean man to do so and the first Korean skater since Yuna Kim nearly a decade earlier. He capped the season with a bronze medal at the Final.

  After grappling with a hip injury and pandemic-related disruptions, Cha placed 10th at the 2021 World Championships, becoming the first Korean male skater to break into the top 10—a result that secured two spots for Korea at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. In January, ahead of the Beijing Olympics, Cha won gold at the Four Continents Championships, becoming the first Korean man to medal at the event. It was also Korea’s first gold in any singles category at Four Continents since Yuna Kim’s win in 2009.

  Though he did not reach the podium in Beijing, Cha’s fifth-place finish—earning 282.38 points—was significant. Only Yuna Kim (gold in 2010, silver in 2014) and You Young (fifth in 2022) have placed as high on Olympic ice for Korea. In March 2023, Cha claimed silver at the World Championships with 296.03 points—the first-ever Worlds medal for a Korean man. Despite a chronic ankle injury, he has remained at the top level, earning bronze at last year’s Four Continents and again at the second stop of the 2024–25 ISU Grand Prix series.

  With his latest gold at the Harbin Games, Cha has added yet another defining chapter to the history of Korean figure skating. Having navigated a pivotal moment in his career and secured an exemption from South Korea’s mandatory military service, Cha now approaches the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics with a clear path and a lighter heart.

Skating Toward the Future, Laying the Ice for Milan

Cha Jun-hwan, widely regarded as the pioneer of Korean men’s figure skating, is poised to become the first figure skater in the country to join a professional (corporate-sponsored) team. This move will provide him with both financial and structural support as he prepares for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics—a timely boost on his journey to the Games.

  Cha, who is set to graduate from Korea University this year, is expected to sign a contract with the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s athletic team following the Asian Winter Games. Traditionally, the city allocates its sports budget by discipline—such as short track and speed skating—but this year, it designated a separate budget line under Cha’s name, reflecting his significant influence in figure skating. The total package, including signing and performance bonuses, is reportedly worth around ₩200 million (approximately $150,000).

  No Korean figure skater—not even Olympic champion Yuna Kim—has ever joined a professional (corporate-sponsored) team. This is largely because most skaters retire by their early 20s, with peak performance typically behind them by the time they reach college. Now in his mid-20s, Cha has defied that trend, maintaining elite form through disciplined self-management. According to city officials, Seoul’s decision to offer exclusive support to Cha reflects the consistency he has demonstrated on the international stage. In Japan, a dominant force in the sport, it is not uncommon for skaters to continue competing well into their mid-20s and beyond.

  Having already made history for Korean men’s figure skating with appearances at both the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Olympics, Cha further cemented his legacy by winning gold in his Asian Games debut. Once he joins the Seoul City Hall team, he is expected to continue training at the city-run Mokdong Ice Rink—an arrangement that will support his preparations for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

  Cha’s entry into a professional team could have ripple effects beyond his own career. Lee Soo-kyung, president-elect of the Korea Skating Union and a former figure skater herself, observed that while figure skating careers are often short, improved training environments could enable athletes to compete for longer. “Skaters in Europe and Japan train within more systematic environments and often remain active longer than Korean athletes,” she said. “Cha becoming the first to join a professional team could serve as a powerful model for younger skaters.”

  After securing Korea’s first-ever Asian Games medal in men’s figure skating—and making it gold—Cha Jun-hwan reflected on his deep passion for the sport. “I was reminded how much I truly love figure skating,” he said. “I’ll carry that feeling with me into the next Olympics.” He added: “I believe that if you become too focused on results and driven by ambition, you’re no longer walking the path of true effort. I was satisfied with my performance and had no regrets, so the outcome didn’t really matter. I feel like I’m gradually reaching my goals—not quickly, but at my own pace.”

  Korean figure skating has long been a story of overcoming limits—of pushing forward despite the odds. The achievements of Cha Jun-hwan and Kim Chae-yeon have expanded the realm of what’s possible, instilling a renewed sense of confidence that Korea can move even closer to the global elite. Their performances transcend personal victories; they symbolize a new direction for Korean sports as a whole. Now, all eyes turn to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, where two skaters, fueled by the joy of challenge and the determination to rise again, will aim to write the next chapter in this still-unfolding story.

By Yeojin Kim (Culture Editor)

oliviakim@sogang.ac.kr