Interview on Kim Yuna’s Face - Excerpt from a Sports Chosun Article

"Yuna, She Has a Well-Proportioned Body" — What Experts Saw in the Figure Queen

Figure skating is more of a composite art than a sport. Watching figure skater Kim Yuna, the ‘figure fairy,’ one is reminded of a ballerina’s graceful movements, a musical actor’s inspired performance, and even the natural physical beauty usually found only in professional models. She is enough to bring to mind a truly fantastic all-around artist. Until now, Kim Yuna’s performances have in fact been discussed only from a sports perspective. Ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Sports Seoul attempted a change in perspective. Through the eyes of experts in six fields — ballerina, musical actor, plastic surgeon, fashion model, makeup artist, and stylist — it looked into Kim Yuna’s figure skating world. Sharp analysis and fresh interpretations that had not been previously noted broadened the understanding of Kim Yuna. Here is an introduction to the distinct, personality-filled views of experts from six fields on the ‘figure fairy’ Kim Yuna. <Editor's note>

● Ballerina Kim Joo-won (principal dancer, Korean National Ballet) = Ballet is about conveying a story with the body. Technique and movement are, of course, the foundation, and artistic expression must be infused into them. What surprised me most while watching Kim Yuna compete was her sense of artistry. In fact, I had thought of figure skating as more of a sport than a dance, but she elevated it into art. Figure skating is a dance performed on skate blades. Perhaps that is why Kim Yuna’s performances make me feel as if I am seeing an artist rather than an athlete.

I heard that she studied ballet to develop artistic expression, and that kind of wisdom is also impressive. I think she has given many implications to younger skaters. In Russia, where I studied, there are countless people who do rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, figure skating, and synchronized swimming. For them, ballet is fundamental. Many even start with ballet and then move into those fields. If I get the chance, I would like to meet her anytime and help her. I understand there has also been talk of her turning professional after the Olympics. But whether she turns professional or not, Kim Yuna’s performances, like a ballet performance, give viewers the joy of seeing beauty. I hope she continues to give fans that kind of joy.

● Choi Jung-won (musical actor) = Every musical work is powered by creativity. Within always the same music, something new is expressed through choreography and other elements. Kim Yuna makes competitions and programs look like works of art. That is true of her "007 series" and her "Dance of Death." Unlike musicals, which include dialogue as well as dance and singing, figure skating has no dialogue, yet it still requires outstanding ability to express it all. Perhaps because I am a musical actor, I tend to look first at emotion rather than who is more technically superior. In particular, dramatic expression depends heavily on the performer’s ability, and Kim Yuna’s dramatic expressiveness and pull on the public are truly remarkable.

Because my daughter does ballet, I often watch competitions with her. It is a great learning experience for a child. Even top athletes cannot always show only the good things. I want to highly value the way she overcomes early mistakes and still shows a wonderful performance afterward. Figure skating, like musicals, is always performed live, so mistakes happen. It is not a field like film, where you can reshoot. When you do it every time, mistakes can occur depending on your condition and mood that day. But true professionals who invest time and effort and are full of confidence, like Kim Yuna, generate even greater energy after making a mistake.

● Makeup artist Jo Sung-a (CEO of Jo Sung-a The Creative) = Kim Yuna’s ‘Bond Girl makeup’ is a "200 out of 100." It fully displayed sexiness and feminine sensuality. In a word, it is "perfect." The strong eye makeup and natural skin finish worked together to create the best styling. Above all, the catlike, seductive gaze expressed through the eyeliner is the main point of attraction. The lips were kept in a light color so the eyes drew all the attention. That is a sense of style on par with a professional’s. When you watch her competitions each season, there are subtle differences in the eye makeup. Last season, she created a retro feel with eyeliner drawn upward at a 45-degree angle at the outer corners of the eyes. The technical skill was good, and she carried the makeup beautifully. Perhaps Kim Yuna knows the strengths of her own face very well. In this Winter Olympics, natural brown or gold pearl eye makeup would highlight her femininity.

● Stylist Jung Yoon-ki (CEO of Intrend) = Kim Yuna’s appeal lies in her body itself. In particular, her neck line is the most beautiful. The Bond Girl costume she wore in last season’s short program also had a halter-neck style that wrapped around the neck, which made it impactful. I find some netizens’ comments that it looked like a "caveman outfit" a little unpleasant. This outfit is a challenge to a new style. That alone deserves a high score. Now that I trust Kim Yuna no matter what she wears, I want to watch her challenge new designs. Of course, there are also things I regret. It seems they were not able to pay attention to the detailed parts of the Bond Girl costume. The brilliance of the jeweled embellishments should have been emphasized, and a perfectly coordinated styling that included accessories was needed. If given the chance, I would like to make Kim Yuna into a "Tinker Bell." I would like to show the Bond Girl’s sexiness and charisma with a white dress and a lavish decorative design.

● Plastic surgeon Jung Jae-young (director of Zerim Plastic Surgery) Kim Yuna, the nation’s little sister whom I would love to meet someday if given the chance, is not the glamorous Western-style beauty type with striking double eyelids and a high nose bridge. However, she has a mysterious Eastern beauty, and the more you look at her, the more attractive she becomes — a dignified and deep image that never gets old. Specifically, her "face shape" has balanced contours and side lines when viewed from the front. Her "forehead" is rounded and gives a cute impression. Her "cheekbones" are also softly contoured, without being overly prominent from the front or side. Her lower jaw has overall soft contours, and each feature is appropriately defined, conveying Eastern beauty. Sometimes her cheek fat may stand out, but that can also be seen as a distinctive charm point. Her "eyes" do not have double eyelids, but their horizontal and vertical proportions are appropriate, and the outer corners tilt slightly upward, giving her an Eastern eye shape. Her "nose" may seem somewhat low, but it harmonizes well with the side line of her face.

● Fashion model Jang Yoon-ju Kim Yuna is 164 cm tall and weighs 47 kg. She is not very tall, but she has a well-proportioned body. Her small face and long arms and legs make her movements look even more beautiful. Her Eastern features give off a unique charm that cannot be seen in Western athletes. Her charisma on the ice is exceptional, making it hard to believe she is only twenty years old. It feels like the passion of a model exuding charisma on the runway for just a few seconds. The elegant and refined movements in her gestures and body language are also beautiful. Just as each model has a different ability to express the clothes they wear, Kim Yuna’s graceful yet dynamically controlled expressiveness stands out more than anyone else’s. I think the combination of this beauty and the skill she has built since childhood is what made her the best athlete.