Korea's largest daily paper just printed a one-on-one with Yu-Na Kim.
http://spn.chosun.com/site/data/html...122901063.htmlSome quotes translated below:
--(Reporter's note: Yu-Na Kim didn't expect to win the gold [at the GPF].) "I didn't want to be first. Only third. It's a great burden to be first so early. [Look at] Mao, she collapsed under the pressure."
--On the secret of her progress in the past 2-3 years:
(Reporter's note: Kim bows her head, and remains silent for a bit). "I think I have some natural talent. From my elementary school days I knew I was different from other people. I thought, 'Why was it that I could pick up skills that others found difficult?' I was surprised myself. When I was in juniors, the judges tended to hold my marks down. When it comes to technique, I don't think I can do more..I'm very satisfied with my jumping now."
--Between your parents, who do you think you resemble more in terms of physique or physical appearance?
"Regarding the shape of my body, or the length of my arms and legs, I take after my dad. My complexion is light like my dad's, while my mom's is a bit on the dark side. My hair is partially curly so I went to my neighborhood hair salon to get it straightened. I get pissed off if my hair doesn't do what I tell it to do. I go to the salon about once every couple of months...I don't wear makeup usually. (Reporter's note: Kim does her own makeup for competitions)."
--On the prospect of receiving sponsor money and/or support funding this year and in the future:
"All the money coming in is to be used for training since the money isn't directly given to me. I don't really think about money. I don't really use any."
--On rumors that Kim is raising the bar in figure skating much too high:
"There are a lot of talented skaters other than myself. Here [in Korea] a coach teaches everything for one athlete, but overseas, it's very specialized, with separate spin and jump coaches. Still, when I see all the good skaters today, I'm thrilled. After the 2010 Olympics, I'd like to go pro and do some ice shows."
--On thinking about retirement after training in Canada (my note: Kim had a lot of problems with equipment and adjustment to a foreign country, which was reported in the local Korean press)
"I had serious problems with my skates. The boots and the blades didn't align well. I hated to skate. It wasn't just an ordinary problem of being tired. [But] my skating went well a week before my September performance [sponsored by Hyundai Credit Card], and I was on cloud nine."
Kim's mother interjects here: "For about a year, we were on pins and needles, exploding into fights over the problem of [Yu-Na's] skates. It was much better after we reattached the blades."
--On living in the same residence hall as Mao Asada while training in Canada:
"My mother made some pan-fried kimchi patties which I gave for her [Asada] to eat. [Because] she came alone, without her mom. We talk in English, at which we are both really bad. We're both beginners, total beginners. Often we communicate with gestures, not words."
--On having taken painkillers for her back during the GPF:
"Since I was hurt, I could only do what I could. In the past, if I rested on the plane on the way to the competition, I'd be fine, even with an injury. I thought it would be the same this time, but it continued to hurt."
--On beating Asada at Junior Worlds and in the Senior GPF:
"On the day of practice before the long program, I saw Asada miss her triple axel. I thought she might make a mistake in competition and she actually [did]...in competition her fall e