Last season, Yelim Kim competed at a challenger, her two Grand Prix events, and ended her season early at the Korean Ranking Competition. And now, She is back! We talk about her time off, her skating, and just knowing more about the passionate and loveable Yelim Kim!
Photos by Gabb (@tegomass).
Gabb: The 2023 Ranking Competition was your last competition last season. How did you feel when you competed there? When and why did you decide to withdraw from Nationals 2024?
Yelim: I cannot pick the exact moment, but from some point in 2022-2023 season, I felt I was burnt-out because of the stress coming from the consistent, heated competition and constant pressure inside myself. I felt I was wrong but wanted to deny it. But after the Ranking Competition I came to admit that I am in the middle of burn-out, both mentally and physically.
As you mentioned, you took time to recover from burnout but you also took that time to remember your love for skating. Was there any special thoughts about your skating that came to mind during that time?
At some point, I started to consider my love for skating and my ambition for the achievement are the same thing. However, after taking some time off the ice, I realized that there is still a great love for this sport, regardless of the result or the score, and I want to present myself on the ice.
What have you been doing during the off season?
I tried to take myself away from the tension and the pressure and take my own time.
You traveled a lot over your off season (Vietnam, as well as many different cities in Korea like Gyeongju, Busan, Pohang, Ulsan, Jeju, Gagneung....): What was your favourite city to visit?
Every cities were new to me! So I enjoyed them all, But to pick only one I love Gangneung the best.
During the off season, there was a workshop with your skating team! It was talked about in length on your blog (Note: while we will not provide a translation of this blog post, however we highly encourage to take a look at it!). To sum it up, there was a lot of team bonding activities which also included a talent show. In this talent show, you and Sihyeong Lee put together a funny skit and video. Let us know about your time at the workshop and the talent show!
Yes, I and Sihyeong always have something common on mind so plotting things with him is always such fun! This is why I, Sihyeong and Jaeseok (Jaeseok Kyeong) get along well together.
What is your daily schedule like going to school and training?
On school day, I get up at 6 am because my university is far from home and the traffic is always horrible in the morning. After I take class in the morning, I do my trainings from late afternoon to midnight.
You are not on the National team this season as a result of missing Nationals. Is there a difference in your training?
It’s both. Everything has changed and nothing has changed. After I made up my mind to be back on the ice, I was worried because I thought there would be big changes in my training conditions. I have been in Team Korea from age 11 to age 19, so I was used to the national team training system. However, after I trained 6 months outside Taereung, I found out this is just the same training that I have been doing for last 10 years.
What do you like to practice the most when you train on the ice?
When I was little, I loved training jumps. And then I preferred practicing my choreography and skating, but recently I turned again to jumps I know jumps often fails me and hurts my feelings, but I love that excitement that successful, good-quality jumps give me.
Do you have any interesting behind-the-scenes stories when you were working on your programs?
In 2023, I was working with Jeffery Buttle and David Wilson for each of my short and free program. They shared the same rink, so they could see what I was doing with each other. So, David and Jeffrey discussed that it would be interesting to have two totally different, opposite-feeling programs, It was a very interesting and intriguing process to me.
And do you have any special stories while working on your free programme Je Suis Malade?
It was my fifth time with David and first time working with Sandra. Sandra taught me a good insight on how to improve my small details. She also tried to grow my inner strength and confidence. Every time I work with David, it is so much fun. He helped me improved and grow in many ways. He is always a happy person and gives lots of respect even to the young skaters. That is why David and I could create such a good synergy.
Your gala program A Thousand Years is choreographed by Junehyoung Lee who also used to skate! Tell us about that?
I deeply respect Junehyoung not only as a skater but also as a choreographer and a close friend. After he started working as a choreographer, I always wanted to have his work, so I constantly asked him to work with me. At first, I wanted a competition program from him, but since he got so busy after he made a debut as a musical actor, I ended up having a gala program from him.
Is there a song you would like to skate to in the future?
I remember I once told at an interview that I want to use Hymne à L’amour sometime. I still love this music and listen to this. I will definitely use this music in the future!
To end this interview, we will do some rapid fire questions! What music do you like listening to these days?
New Jeans, AESPA, Jannabi
When you wake up: what is the first app when you first open your phone?
Kakaotalk, and Instagram message
What's your favorite thing to eat or drink these days?
Matcha
A country you would like to visit?
Switzerland and Paris
What kind of plushies do you like receiving after you skate?
Crayon Shin-chan and any plushies that are soft and feels good to the touch!
You like to play table tennis with your Team Korea teammates. Tell us something about it!
I remember I am the best! And I prefer double games rather than singles.
Lastly, do you have any message for your fans?
I want to give my biggest gratitude to the fans who send me unchanging love regardless of my results. Even when I could not believe myself, I was able to move forward with their support and belief in me. Meeting you at the competition, airports, and various events always charges me full of love! I will never forget the love you give me and I will become a better person and skater to make you proud. Thank you always!
