Living the PyeongChang Dream: Korean skaters strive toward 2018

[Sylvia]

I wonder - is this the strongest finish by a Korean dance team at an ISU event?

First time for a Korean/Korean dance team, yes. Kim/Minov won bronze at a Challenger Series Sr. event in 2014 and placed 4th at a JGP in 2013: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054325.htm

 

[breathesgelatin]

Worth noting that Lee/Kam were interviewed during the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjeFfbHz0f0&feature=youtu.be&t=9234

(YouTube link should go directly to their interview, if not, it was around 2hrs34min.

 

[Seerek]

Geon-Hyeong An's 11th place at JGP in Slovakia is pretty much what I expected given his current level.
I hadn't realized that An's actually not that much older than Jun-hwan Cha (still 14 years of age).

I still think a healthy Cha can beat both An and Byun (who's competing at JGP Latvia this week).

 

[Seerek]

Several Korean skaters will be competing/have competed at Lombardia Trophy this weekend.

One tidbit: 13 year old Dahyun Ko who switched to Czech Republic (not sure exactly which season) competed in Junior Ladies (4th SP, 12th FS, 8th overall).

 

[oubik]

One tidbit: 13 year old Dahyun Ko who switched to Czech Republic (not sure exactly which season) competed in Junior Ladies (4th SP, 12th FS, 8th overall).

Dahyun's family is living in Prague for app. 3 years, but as they (she) had her permanent residency "stamp" in her passport only from August 2014 she could be released to skate internationally for Czech Republic since September 2015 only. In the meantime she became Czech Advanced Novice National champion in March 2015. This is her first year as a Junior but because of very strong competition she did not win any of Junior Grand Prix places.

 

[Sylvia]

Yura Min/Alexander Gamelin announced their program music 4 weeks ago on his Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/7OTdyCjipP/?taken-by=instagamelin

@yuraxmin and I are excited to announce that we will be skating to a Beatles medley for our free dance and selections from Cirque du Soleil for our short dance! We can't wait to show you!

They are listed among the Senior Dance entries for Ice Challenge in Graz, Austria, Oct. 27-31.

Other Korean skaters scheduled for upcoming ISU Challengers are:

So Youn PARK at Finlandia Trophy later this week

Rebeka KIM / Kirill MINOV at Mordovian Ornament in Saransk, Russia, Oct. 15-18

Kyu Eun KIM and Suh Hyun SON (ladies) at Denkova Staviski Cup, Oct. 20-24

ETA:

Although Jun Hwan CHA didn't make his JGP debut this fall, he is scheduled to compete in the Junior Men's event at Skate Canada Autumn Classic International in Barrie, ON, Oct. 13-14.

 

[Seerek]

Yes, Jun Hwan Cha competing this week at SC Autumn Classic is interesting timing, as we can compare Cha's form with the rest of the Junior Men who competed in the Junior Grand Prix (which concluded this past weekend):

Si Hyeong Lee
8th JGP Croatia, 9th JGP Colorado Springs

Se Jeong Byun
9th JGP Latvia, 14th JGP Spain

Geon Hyeong An
11th JGP Slovakia, 12th JGP Austria

I still think Cha can beat the other 3 all things being equal, but all Lee and An are developing well at 14 years.

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ Korea's JGP men's ISU SB total high scores this fall:
166.65 Si Hyeong LEE KOR ISU JGP Croatia Cup 2015 09.10.2015
161.25 Se Jong BYUN KOR ISU JGP Riga Cup 2015 29.08.2015
150.04 Geon Hyeong AN KOR ISU JGP Cup of Austria 2015 12.09.2015

2015 Finlandia Trophy senior scores/results:
172.97 June Hyoung LEE KOR ISU CS Finlandia Trophy 2015 11.10.2015 (10th)
159.93 So Youn PARK KOR ISU CS Finlandia Trophy 2015 11.10.2015 (4th)

Re-posting from the Kiss & Cry forum Ice Star 2015 senior medalists from Korea:

SENIOR - MEN FINAL RESULT
1 Jin Seo KIM KOR 209,56 1 1

SENIOR - LADIES FINAL RESULT
1 Sena KIM KOR 145,38 1 1

SENIOR - ICE DANCE FINAL RESULT
3 Rebeka KIM / Kirill MINOV KOR 138,50 3 3

Photo of the Jin Seo Kim and Sena Kim in Minsk, Belarus: https://www.facebook.com/FigureSkat...0.1444660099./806931566120327/?type=3&theater

Korea's JGP ladies' ISU SB total high scores this fall:

172.38 Da Bin CHOI KOR ISU JGP Cup of Austria 2015 11.09.2015 (#17 on ISU SB list)
She won 2 bronze medals and is the 2nd alternate to the Final.

153.46 So Hyun AN KOR ISU JGP Logrono 2015 02.10.2015
148.13 Ji Hyun BYUN KOR ISU JGP Croatia Cup 2015 10.10.2015
146.25 Na Hyun KIM KOR ISU JGP Copernicus Stars 2015 25.09.2015
141.33 Yu Jin CHOI KOR ISU JGP Riga Cup 2015 28.08.2015
131.55 Se Bin PARK KOR ISU JGP Cup of Austria 2015 11.09.2015
124.24 Hee Soo CHO KOR ISU JGP Bratislava 2015 21.08.2015
121.44 Song Joo CHEA KOR ISU JGP Copernicus Stars 2015 25.09.2015
118.41 Ha Nul KIM KOR ISU JGP Colorado Springs 2015 05.09.2015

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting from the Skaters Earning Worlds Minimums thread:

I don't know his age, but junior winner Jun Hwan CHA got the worlds minimums in both programs.

This is his first year eligible for the JGP/Junior Worlds for Korea ... I found an online listing of his birthdate as October 21, 2001.

Jun Hwan CHA easily won the Junior Men's event at Autumn Classic International with a total score of 198.44 (65.48 SP, 132.96 FS). Coaches Brian Orser and Ghislain Briand were with them there.
SP protocols: http://skatecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/CSCAN2015_JuniorMen_SP_Scores.pdf
FS protocols: http://skatecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/aci-2015_junior-men_fs_scores.pdf

SP (Danse Macabre) - jumps: 3Lz+3T, 3A< step/hop out, 3F. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x39jsug_jun-hwan-cha-kor_sport

FS (Swan Lake) - jumps: 3Lz(!)+3T, 3A step out, 3F-half loop(1Lo<)-3S, 3Lo, 3Lz(!), 2A+2T, 3F step out, 2A. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x39obc3_jun-hwan-cha-kor-free-program_sport

 

[Seerek]

Grand Prix Thus Far

Jin Seo Kim 10th Skate Canada 195.84
June Hyoung Lee 12th Skate Canada 152.05

So Youn Park 9th Skate America 195.84 159.66


The good news for Jin Seo is that Interpretation and Choreography were his highest component categories in the Long Program at Skate Canada, so good to see that all that hard work was recognized. That bodes well later in season once he cleans up the elements.

 

[Dobre]

Grand Prix Thus Far

Jin Seo Kim 10th Skate Canada 195.84

The good news for Jin Seo is that Interpretation and Choreography were his highest component categories in the Long Program at Skate Canada, so good to see that all that hard work was recognized. That bodes well later in season once he cleans up the elements.

Oh, yes! I meant to post somewhere about his Singing in the Rain program. We--the audience--adored it. I mean, there were mistakes throughout; but seriously, I wanted to give him a standing ovation, and I don't think I'm the only one. The applause was pretty terrific. We sat through at least 5 Chopins, 3 Moonlight Sonatas, and a whole slew of other soft piano music. This upbeat, entertaining, and well-acted program was a sheer joy to watch. If he could skate it clean, he would bring the house down.

 

[Sylvia]

(Alerting @my little pony)

Excerpt from Alex Gamelin's July 24 statement on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gamelinicetwins/posts/10153146436259005

IDC article published on Oct. 31, 2015: Min & Gamelin Team Up to Represent Korea
http://www.ice-dance.com/main/articles/2235-min-gamelin-team-up-to-represent-korea

Ice Challenge debut results - 5th Yura MIN / Alexander GAMELIN KOR 107.76 6 5
With their TES of 21.20 (SD) and 37.64 (FD) in Graz, they attained the 2016 4CC minimums (19 / 29) and were less than 2 points shy of the Worlds FD minimum of 39 (SD is 29).

Min/Gamelin are scheduled for the ISU Challenger in Warsaw, Poland, along with Rebeka Kim/Kirill Minov, who began their season with a bronze at Ice Star in Minsk and 6th at Mordovian Ornament in Saransk (new ISU PBs of 137.28 total and 86.02 in FD).

ETA:

Min/Gamelin are listed to compete at the NRW Trophy ice dance (regular Senior B) comp. in Dortmund, Germany this week while Kim/Minov are competing in Riga, Latvia this week at Volvo Open Cup.

 

[Spun Silver]

Great news. I hated the Gamelin twins having to retire. At least he gets to continue. Wishing the best to the Min/Gamelin. Go, Korean ice dancers!

 

[Jun Y]

Oh, yes! I meant to post somewhere about his Singing in the Rain program. We--the audience--adored it. I mean, there were mistakes throughout; but seriously, I wanted to give him a standing ovation, and I don't think I'm the only one. The applause was pretty terrific. We sat through at least 5 Chopins, 3 Moonlight Sonatas, and a whole slew of other soft piano music. This upbeat, entertaining, and well-acted program was a sheer joy to watch. If he could skate it clean, he would bring the house down.

I was just going to say the same thing. Jin Seo Kim's free skate (choreographed by Miyamoto?) was the highlight of the competition for me. He was so into it and so infectiously joyous. I was laughing along with him.

I've watched him on JGP in the past but this program seems to be a transformation. I do hope he keeps it going this way. Here's a video --

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyiCU60YzVg

Does he have the Worlds minimum scores? I'd love to see him in Boston.

 

[Sylvia]

I've read online that Themi Leftheris is skating pairs with Ji Min-ji (13th in Junior Ladies at 2015 Korean Nationals?), reportedly coached by Naomi Nari Nam. I found this SP run through (uploaded on Dec. 3rd) on Twitter - 2twist, sbs 3S, throw 3S: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sMAvHuc0T0

Photos: https://twitter.com/eunju975/status/672684752915206144

This is the annual Korean national ranking competition, I believe (Nationals is usually held in January).

ETA:

https://twitter.com/StSq4/status/672738725420523522

ji minji/themi leftheris (sr pairs): sbs 3s, 2twist, throw 3s. 46.18.

https://twitter.com/StSq4/status/672664613100490753

KR ranking comp, men's group 1 (older) sp results 1. kim jinseo 74.68 2. lee junehyoung 72.96 3. cha junhwan 70.41 fs is at 15:10 on 12/6

 

[Jeschke]

I've read online that Themi Leftheris is skating pairs with Ji Min-ji (13th in Junior Ladies at 2015 Korean Nationals?), reportedly coached by Naomi Nari Nam. I found this SP run through (uploaded on Dec. 3rd) on Twitter - 2twist, sbs 3S, throw 3S: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sMAvHuc0T0

So Leftehris is now coached by his his former partner?
and they put a 32yr old male together with a junior lady?
okay, why should it not work in korea when it works in china

 

[fan]

Korea seems to be getting serious about the team competition

 

[Sylvia]

ji minji/themi leftheris (sr pairs): sbs 3s, 2twist, throw 3s. 46.18.

Ji & Leftheris SP uploaded to YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8M_qBO1aHM

 

[I was there!]

I don't think they are mismatched at all. She appears to have passed puberty which is the main issue when you are pairing an older man with a younger lady. If Korea wants a pairs team this will do just fine....they aren't looking for Olympic Champions; they just need someone to compete and make a decent showing. Themi is such a natural skater; good for him to take this opportunity to get to travel, stay in shape and maybe go to the Olympics. Pretty cool for both him and her if you ask me.

 

[I was there!]

and lets not forget that Volosozhar is coached by her former partner.

 

[dawnie]

How does citizenship logistics work for all the non-Korean skaters? Are they aiming for Korean citizenship in order to compete in the 2018 team event?

 

[Seerek]

Jun Hwan Cha placed 1st at the Korean selection meet over the weekend with a sizable victory over Jin Seo Kim and June Hyoung Lee. I suspect this could be a turning point in the national pecking order...

Cha likely has 1 of the 2 Junior Worlds spots locked up (don't think he's in the age limits for Youth Olympics).

 

[Seerek]

Sorry I meant to attach Jun Hwan Cha's freeskate from Skate Korea in the earlier post:

http://live.sports.media.daum.net/video/general/173716/173754

Apparently, Cha does make the Youth Olympics age limit (currently 14 years, 1 month) so it could be a busy winter for him (will Brian Orser even make it to YOG?)

 

[Sylvia]

I assume that Ghislain Briand could travel with Jun Hwan Cha to the Youth Olympics in Norway (Feb. 12-21, 2016) and/or 2016 Junior Worlds (March 14-20 in Hungary) if Orser is unavailable.

Jun Hwan CHA easily won the Junior Men's event at Autumn Classic International with a total score of 198.44 (65.48 SP, 132.96 FS). Coaches Brian Orser and Ghislain Briand were with them there.

According to the Golden Skate forum, Ji & Leftheris scored a total of 124.04 (77.86 FS) - their FS exhibition in Korea on Dec. 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enAupObzNfY

 

[seabm7]

I assume that Ghislain Briand could travel with Jun Hwan Cha to the Youth Olympics in Norway (Feb. 12-21, 2016) and/or 2016 Junior Worlds (March 14-20 in Hungary) if Orser is unavailable.

Such will be very probable. When Jun Hwan CHA was competing in Korea last week, he was attended by his old coach, Hye-sook SHIN. However, she will be busy taking care of other skaters during 4CC and the Senior Worlds.

 

[Dobre]

Da-bin Choi's winning programs from the KSU Ranking competition:

Short program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezKllbJQ0G8
Free skate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXf1o4RP3XQ

She defeated So Youn Park, who finished second.
Ji Hyun Byun placed third.
(Ji Hyun finished fourth at JGP Croatia and Da-bin finished 3rd at JGP Latvia and JGP Austria).

 

[breathesgelatin]

So do we think Da-bin is likely to be sent to 4CCs and Worlds? She is age-eligible, isn't she?

 

[Sylvia]

Yes, Da Bin Choi turned 15 this past January: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00014382.htm

Korean Nationals will take place January 8-10, 2016.

ETA:

Korea has 2 ladies' spots for 2016 Worlds and Junior Worlds.

Top 6 ISU Season Best total scores (4 are age-eligible for 2016 4CC/Worlds):
31 172.38 Da Bin CHOI KOR ISU JGP Cup of Austria 2015
41 164.28 So Youn PARK KOR ISU GP Audi Cup of China 2015
56 153.46 So Hyun AN KOR ISU JGP Logrono 2015 (will turn 14 in late Dec.)
67 148.13 Ji Hyun BYUN KOR ISU JGP Croatia Cup 2015
72 146.25 Na Hyun KIM KOR ISU JGP Copernicus Stars 2015
81 141.33 Yu Jin CHOI KOR ISU JGP Riga Cup 2015 (turned 15 in August)

 

[seabm7]

So do we think Da-bin is likely to be sent to 4CCs and Worlds? She is age-eligible, isn't she?

To add more details on Sylvia's article above:

The 4CC and WYO tickets were decided by the KSU ranking competition. Da-bin could choose between 4CC and WYO. I think she selected 4CC.

The Worlds and Junior Words tickets will be decided by the Korean National.

 

[Sylvia]

From earlier in this thread:

My discovery at Asian Open Trophy.

Advanced novice girls
Young Yon
SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccrO7cQcRdo
LP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT29sp5zo6w

Her family name is YOU, and she won the FS & the silver medal in August 2005: http://www.fsatresults.com/AOFST2015/CAT006RS.HTM

Link to 2016 Korean Nationals thread in Kiss & Cry: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/index.php?threads/2016-south-korean-nationals-jan-8-10.97500/
Top 2 after Senior Ladies SP are Young You (born 2004?) 61.09 & Da Bin Choi 60.32.

ETA: So Youn Park (55.34) is in 6th; videos have been added in the Nationals thread.