Living the PyeongChang Dream: Korean skaters strive toward 2018

[Seerek]

World Championship Results

Men

19. June-hyoung Lee

Ladies

12. So-youn Park
19. Hae-jin Kim

Ice Dance

26. Rebeka Kim/Kirill Minov


June-hyoung performed more in line with how he was performing the Junior Grand Prix, and the end result is about as good as he could have hoped for in his Worlds debut. He can still do Junior Grand Prix next year - it may be best for him to go that route to gain ISU Ranking points.


South Korea ladies keep their two spots thanks largely to Anna Pogorilaya's underachieving in the free skate (still struggling with ligament problems). So-youn really should have been able to replicate her 9th place finish from last year, but faded a little bit at the end of the free skate (I'm not sure a 2 axel-3 toe at the 3 minute mark is really worth the risk, as she's not been consistent with it at all this season). Hae-jin had a better free skate at Four Continents. Will be interesting to see how Da-bin Choi compares versus Hae-jin next season.


Kind of a shame that Min/Koleto split mid-season, because Kim/Minov didn't really make big strides this season.

 

[kirkbiggestfan]

What happened to the pairs that were doing try-outs with Ingo? Are they still together?

 

[rosewood]

The annual Bolshoi on Ice is coming again. I used to take my daughter to Disney on Ice but I wished I could enjoy this show with her too, if only it comes to my country...

Bolshoi on Ice 2015
Date and Place: April 28 - May 5, Seoul
Cast: Elena Radionova, Dmitri Dmitrenko, Alena Leonova, Yuko Kavaguti / Alexander Smirnov, Alexandra Stepanova / Ivan Bukin, Vera Bazarova　/ Andrei Deputat, Miki Ando etc
Team BoI programs: Snow Queen, Snow White, Romeo & Juliet, Mary Poppins, Swan Lake
http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20150327000161

PR video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX9GIszFmiA

Usually the first half is for group numbers by team BoI, and the second half is for individual programs.

ETA:
I just noticed this thread is for Korean skaters and not for figure skating in Korea. Sorry for posting this on a wrong thread.

 

[Sylvia]

^^^ I cross-posted the 2015 Bolshoi on Ice tour info in the Russian news thread yesterday: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...ring-2015-part-two.95045/page-27#post-4513562

What happened to the pairs that were doing try-outs with Ingo? Are they still together?

Apparently both pairs are no longer together (refer back to post #23 in this thread). Luiz Manella recently was named an ambassador for Brazil to the 2016 Youth Olympics.

A new Korean pair team currently is training in Colorado Springs, according to Scimeca/Knierim's tweeted photo yesterday: https://twitter.com/Scimeca_Knierim/status/591627868620230656

Tim Koleto identified them as Yeri Kim and Alex Kam.
Kam's ISU bio (he will turn 20 in May): http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013481.htm
There was a Yeri Kim who turned 13 last September and finished 2nd in Adv. Novice Girls at both 2014 Merano Cup and Asian Open Trophy (videos are on YT), and 6th in Junior Ladies at 2015 Korean Nationals.

 

[Seerek]

Alex Kam got as high as 4th at Korean Nationals a couple seasons ago.

Alex Kam's younger brother Richard switched to ice dance last season.

 

[Sylvia]

A talented youngster who finally will be ISU Junior age-eligible (13 by July 1st) in 2015-16 is Jun-Hwan CHA. He won the 2013 Korean Junior Men's title and placed 5th in his Senior debut at 2014 Nationals (5th in SP, 3rd in FS, 184.38 total). I believe he spent some time last spring/summer training with Rafael Arutunian's group in Artesia, CA. This past fall, Cha competed at 2014 Merano Cup in Italy and easily won Advanced Novice Boys (134.84) - his SP (2A, 3F+2T, 3Lz): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bcIPuyukAM

Here's his Senior Men's FS (117.76) to the Shine film soundtrack/Rachmaninoff from a Korean competition last week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM7ND-Rbmds
He planned 8 triples and landed 3Lz+3T, 3A fall, 3F-half loop-3S, 3Lo, 3Lz, waltz jump (intended 2A), 3F, 2A+2T. His next competition will be Nationals next weekend.

Cha placed 3rd (181.13 total) in Senior Nationals in January 2015.
His SP (58.28, 4th): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtdAkx66A7U
His FS (122.85, 3rd): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5wvtINRdIM

He has been training at the Cricket club in Toronto - new photo today via Nam Nguyen (Cha is on the left, next to Hanyu): https://instagram.com/p/2ZGRRvIKQw/

 

[breathesgelatin]

A new Korean pair team currently is training in Colorado Springs, according to Scimeca/Knierim's tweeted photo yesterday: https://twitter.com/Scimeca_Knierim/status/591627868620230656

Tim Koleto identified them as Yeri Kim and Alex Kam.
Kam's ISU bio (he will turn 20 in May): http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013481.htm
There was a Yeri Kim who turned 13 last September and finished 2nd in Adv. Novice Girls at both 2014 Merano Cup and Asian Open Trophy (videos are on YT), and 6th in Junior Ladies at 2015 Korean Nationals.

The new duo of Kim/Kam are practicing 3T-3T:

https://instagram.com/p/26xJU0BrdD/

 

[clairecloutier]

Are they both themselves from Korea?

 

[Sylvia]

Are they both themselves from Korea?

Yes. I recall both Kam brothers trained in singles at the World Arena in Colorado Springs a few years ago.

Thanks, breathesgelatin. Looking forward to seeing their debut on the JGP this year, hopefully!

 

[Sylvia]

Tim Koleto tweeted this video clip of Yeri Kim/Alex Kam's throw 3S: https://instagram.com/p/3j9gRzL1yM/

 

[breathesgelatin]

icenetwork just tweeted:

.@Yuraxmin & @AlexGamelin have teamed up and will compete for South Korea: https://instagram.com/p/5hj-FUDin9/​

^^New Korean dance team!

They are not junior eligible, I don't think... Alex is already 22.

 

[ToFarAwayTimes]

I'm really excited to see the new Korean skaters do well and continue to improve. If So-Youn keeps working hard and gains more confidence, she could have an outside shot at medal in 2018, especially with political help at home. Unfortunately KSU is a disgrace, who knows.

Also seems more than likely that KSU will try everything in their power to force Yuna to skate in 2018. I wouldn't be surprised if she quit skating and shows just to stay off the radar and not even tempt them. Someone leaked news about her personal life awhile back, which NEVER happens in Korea...makes me think it was KSU up to dirty tricks.

 

[Sylvia]

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

Then, in June I was presented with the opportunity to skate with my good friend Yura Min. Yura has trained under Igor Shpilband in Novi, Michigan alongside Danielle and me. After only the first few weeks, we found a natural connection, and are really excited to start competing internationally this fall representing Yura’s home country of South Korea.

ETA link to the thread on So-Youn Park who was featured recently by CNN in their Human to Hero series: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/ind...ark-in-cnn-sports-human-to-hero-series.96025/

When is the annual Korean JGP selection competition?

 

[breathesgelatin]

When is the annual Korean JGP selection competition?

Per a poster on GS:

Jgp qualification events will hold at August 1st to 2nd, in Taereung ice rink, Seoul.

Link: http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sh...a-Youngsters&p=1195177&viewfull=1#post1195177

 

[breathesgelatin]

Korean JGP qualifications have started. Here is a blog post with the SP results:

http://blog.naver.com/dochi_kim/220438242248

Top 5 Ladies:
1. Da Bin Choi 58.52 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2EylOwFHa4
2. Na hyun Kim 55.86 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1wZxqlzKiE
3. Suh hyun Son 49.59 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSKD5n-l4iM
4. Song joo Chea 49.12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmN8wK0ggPo
5. Yu jin Choi 46.68 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAdyZSPXLTg

(The YouTube user has videos of many more ladies...)

Men
1. Jun hwan Cha 59.58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T69kmcS5-kU
2. Se jong Byun 51.29 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1jiB2lULbw
3. Si hyoung Lee 48.97 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68IWYm7mkqc
4. Geon hyoung An 48.37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfJz7Zy3AdM

Dance
1. Ho jung Lee/Richard Kang in Kam 48.25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKJY2p4lQ70
2. San ha Kim/Jae woong Oh 38.65 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS9w5EP39CA

Pairs
1. Yeri Kim/Alex Kam 30.58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfdZKbO902Y

Tough skate for them I see potential though, their footwork was great. And they kept up the performance.

 

[Spun Silver]

Unless there is an error on YT, you linked Suh Hyun Son again when you meant to link Song Joo Chea. Here is the latter:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SmN8wK0ggPo

I was actually coming to this thread to see if there was anything new on her. She caught my eye at 4CCs last year (as a senior). (?)

 

[breathesgelatin]

Unless there is an error on YT, you linked Suh Hyun Son again when you meant to link Song Joo Chea. Here is the latter:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SmN8wK0ggPo

I was actually coming to this thread to see if there was anything new on her. She caught my eye at 4CCs last year (as a senior). (?)

Yes, thanks for catching that! I copied and pasted wrong. My post is now edited.

 

[Jeschke]

Pairs
1. Yeri Kim/Alex Kam 30.58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfdZKbO902Y
Tough skate for them I see potential though, their footwork was great. And they kept up the performance.

thanks for the videos;
like the steps into the 2axels at the start; but ouch, she bashed her head 2 times heavily...

 

[breathesgelatin]

Here are the final results of the JGP trials...

Ladies:
1. Da Bin Choi 170.68, 2 JGP spots SP FS
2. Na hyun Kim 161.35, 2 JGP spots SP FS
3. So hyun An 149.71, 2 JGP spots SP FS
4. Ha nul Kim 145.57, 1 JGP spot SP FS
5. Song joo Chea 144.71, 1 JGP spot SP FS
6. Ji hyun Byun 140.05, 1 JGP spot SP FS
7. Sebin Park 136.80, 1 JGP spot SP FS
8. Yu jin Choi 136.47, 1 JGP spot SP FS
9. Hee soo Cho 131.83, 1 JGP spot SP FS

Detailed protocols for top 6 places in Ladies FS

Men
1. Se jong Byun 161.39, 2 JGP spots SP FS
2. Si hyoung Lee 158.61, 2 JGP spots SP FS
3. Geon hyoung An 157.15, 2 JGP spots SP FS
4. Jun hwan Cha 156.29, no spots SP FS

So, there is some drama... due to the way the KSU decided divvied up the JGP tickets before the competition, one of the most promising/popular young men, Jun hwan Cha, placed 4th, which means no JGP spots for him according to the KSU's rules... Apparently he was injured.

Per Hailey Shin on GS (who is always providing great info on Korean skating, I think she may be the one who took all these videos as well), the Ladies and Men JGP assignments will be:

J&T Banka: Dabin Choi, Hee soo Cho / Se jong Byun
Riga Cup: So hyun An, Yu jin Choi / Geon hyoung An
JGP Colorado Springs: Na hyun Kim, Ha nul Kim / Si hyoung Lee
Cup of Austria: Dabin Choi, Sebin Park / Geon hyoung An
Copernicus Stars: Na hyun Kim, Song joo Chea
Logroño: So hyun An / Se jong Byun
Croatia Cup: Ji hyun Byun / Si hyoung Lee

Dance
1. Ho jung Lee/Richard Kang in Kam 119.08, 2 JGP spots SD FD
2. San ha Kim/Jae woong Oh 91.68, 2 JGP spots SD FS

Pairs
1. Yeri Kim/Alex Kam 103.27, 2 JGP tickets SP FS

 

[Sylvia]

So, there is some drama... due to the way the KSU decided divvied up the JGP tickets before the competition, one of the most promising/popular young men, Jun hwan Cha, placed 4th, which means no JGP spots for him according to the KSU's rules... Apparently he was injured.

 

[breathesgelatin]

Definitely , very unfortunate.

I wonder if they will reconsider...?

 

[fan]

I believe that Jun is injured. I wonder if the Koran fed will take that into consideration?

 

[breathesgelatin]

These are apparently the updated Korean entries for the JGPs:

https://twitter.com/soyounparkfan/status/628461546528636929/photo/

I sorted them out below...

1. JGP Slovakia:
Ladies: So-hyun An, Hee-soo Cho
Men: Gun-hyoung An
Dance: Ho-jung Lee & Richard Kang In Kam

2. JGP Latvia
Ladies: Da-bin Choi, Yu-jin Choi
Men: Se-jong Byun

3. JGP USA
Ladies: Na-hyun Kim, Ha-neul Kim
Men: Si-hyoung Li
Dance: Ho-jung Lee & Richard Kang-In Kam
Pairs: Ye-ri Kim & Alex Kang-chan Kam

4. JGP Austria
Ladies: Da-bin Choi, Se-bin Park
Men: Gun-hyoung An
Dance: San-ha Kim & Jae-woong Oh
Pairs: Ye-ri Kim & Alex Kang-chan Kam

5. JGP Poland
Ladies: Na-hyun Kim, Song-joo Chea

6. JGP Spain
Ladies: So-hyun An
Men: Se-jong Byun

7. JGP Croatia
Ladies: Ji-hyun Byun
Men: Si-young Lee
Dance: San-ha Kim & Jae-woong Oh

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks, @breathesgelatin, for keeping up updated on the Korean skating scene. Do you know if Korea plans to use their dance spot in Riga, Latvia? They currently have a TBA listed there and you listed San-ha Kim & Jae-woong Oh only for the last JGP.

 

[breathesgelatin]

Thanks, @breathesgelatin, for keeping up updated on the Korean skating scene. Do you know if Korea plans to use their dance spot in Riga, Latvia? They currently have a TBA listed there and you listed San-ha Kim & Jae-woong Oh only for the last JGP.

San-ha Kim/Jae-woong Oh are at JGP Austria and JGP Croatia, if the tweets/blog posts are accurate.

A poster on GS suggested that the Slovakia and Latvia entries may be reversed: http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/sh...a-Youngsters&p=1202427&viewfull=1#post1202427

Not sure about that but thought I'd mention it. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Regardless, per the 2015-16 JGP announcement, KOR is entitled to 1 Dance entry at 5 JGP events and they only had two teams at their JGP trials... so I guess they have to give one spot up.

ETA: I realized the original tweet from Twitter user soyounparkfan was deleted. That's where I sourced my post #53 above. Here's a link to the current version: https://twitter.com/soyounparkfan/status/628461546528636929

 

[rosewood]

My discovery at Asian Open Trophy.

Advanced novice girls
Ye Rim Kim
SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUVXBSKbXw8
LP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGA0DJflAKg
Young Yon
SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccrO7cQcRdo
LP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT29sp5zo6w

Both two girls look really promising. Shame they are not age eligible at PyeongChang Olys.

 

[NadineWhite]

The real shame for me is that Yuna Kim will not be skating in her home country. Imho she still has it in her to be #1. But if I can't have that, I hope she gets to light the cauldron, like Midori Ito did in 1998.

 

[breathesgelatin]

My discovery at Asian Open Trophy.

Advanced novice girls
Ye Rim Kim
SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUVXBSKbXw8
LP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGA0DJflAKg
Young Yon
SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccrO7cQcRdo
LP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT29sp5zo6w

Both two girls look really promising. Shame they are not age eligible at PyeongChang Olys.

I am really impressed by Young You in particular. She is 11 I think? She looks so fast.

 

[Sylvia]

Korean dance team finished 4th at the JGP in Bratislava (train at VIDA with Aaron Lowe and Megan Wing):

4 Ho Jung LEE / Richard Kang In KAM KOR 129.28 4 5
SD (53.12): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM-731wqZpU
FD (76.16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E80sSb3VW2s

 

[breathesgelatin]

Korean dance team finished 4th at the JGP in Bratislava (train at VIDA with Aaron Lowe and Megan Wing):

4 Ho Jung LEE / Richard Kang In KAM KOR 129.28 4 5
SD (53.12): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM-731wqZpU
FD (76.16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E80sSb3VW2s

I think a number of people were surprised by this finish, with Lee/Kam beating strong teams from the US and Canada. I wonder - is this the strongest finish by a Korean dance team at an ISU event?