[rock robster]

yon, on 21 November 2011 - 11:16 PM, said:

Thanks for translation, lakewood and Nadia!

Yeah, actually that's what I've felt many times after Oly.
In recent years, she looks happy most when competition was over (at least to me ).
I know the reason - she was under huge pressure - , but I was sad to know that she doesn't enjoy competing.
I know competing is not only enjoyment but also stress. But if you can hardly enjoy the thrill, it's too hard.
That's why I've thought she might be better to skip whole season or retire (if she really wants).

Thany you.
I really wanted to watch the video of this interview!!!
I always want to know her face expression and tone of voice during interview.
Written and edited article by media tells us only limited part of the interview. And it sometimes causes misunderstanding.

I agree, watching the Chosun Ilbo interview video was very interesting, not so much for the replies (which we knew), but the way she said things. A couple of comments:

1) the atmosphere of the Chosun interview almost seemed like a therapy session, like Yuna was talking to herself aloud, thinking through her many feelings and impressions even as she spoke. I haven't seen any vid of the Bazaar interview, but the mood and dynamics could well have been very different. For whatever reason, it's apparent to me that Yuna chose to use this interview as a kind of open soliloquy with herself.

2) my personal view is that it is a mistake to think that any one interview or discussion encapsulates everything that the interlocutor is thinking and feeling. From our own individual experiences, we know this is true for people in general. We can talk with a friend on a certain day, and that she might pour out anxieties and frustrations about, say, her boyfriend. And then you talk to her a few days later and she might be laughing and buoyant about it.

The fact that one cannot really know the totality of a person's experience from a limited, snapshot view is probably even more true for public figures, who know very well that their words are foremost for public consumption. I therefore frequently caution myself against reading too much into what I see; often, they may be a reflection of our own predispositions than of the subject herself.

[finesand]

yon, on 21 November 2011 - 11:16 PM, said:

but I was sad to know that she doesn't enjoy competing.

According to this interview, she liked competing when Mao was good. Mao gave her fighting will and motivation.

Now that there isn't good skaters around, she lost appetite and motivation. She already feels lonely. She lost her rival.

Without any motivation, hard training is like a hell. Yes, people can say, "You can compete with yourself."

'But... for what? I'm getting old. Why should I?" The arrow lost the target.
.

In 2005 when she was behind Mao, she had a clear target, believe it or not, a gold medal in 2010.


http://stoo.asiae.co...022611554418280

This post has been edited by finesand: 22 November 2011 - 12:42 AM

[finesand]

rock robster, on 21 November 2011 - 11:42 PM, said:

We can talk with a friend on a certain day, and that she might pour out anxieties and frustrations about, say, her boyfriend. And then you talk to her a few days later and she might be laughing and buoyant about it.

Right! That's it. Thank you for making me feel better.

The only concern is...

What if the boyfriend is a big mouth bradcating soliloquy everywhere?
What if the boyfriend is a media reporter printing soliloquy everywhere?

[rock robster]

finesand, on 22 November 2011 - 12:03 AM, said:

Right! That's it. Thank you for making me feel better.

The only concern is...

What if the boyfriend is a big mouth bradcating soliloquy everywhere?
What if the boyfriend is a media reporter printing soliloquy everywhere?

I'm glad I've made you feel better, 'cause you seemed to be a Gloomy Gus quite recently .

I think you misunderstood me a little bit: I meant when someone is (as an example) talking about her boyfriend. In this analogy, the media is not her boyfriend, but the person she is talking to. But I agree to some extent with your underlying point: talking to the media is not like talking to a close and trusted friend, and should be handled with care.

[finesand]

rock robster, on 22 November 2011 - 01:06 AM, said:

But I agree to some extent with your underlying point: talking to the media is not like talking to a close and trusted friend, and should be handled with care.

Then, to whom?

To her mother? To her manager Ms Choi? To her trainer? To her best friends? To her sister? To her father? To Mr. Ku? To her sponsors? To David Wilson? To a mirror?

What if they don't listen to her and she feels lonely? Lastly to media/reporters?

I hope that this interview is not the case.

Sorry for being gloomy again.
.
.

[NewYunaFan]

That she doesn't like the pressure of competing is no surprise. I can't think of any athletes who do, and I know many of them--not just figure skaters--have crumbled under such a burden and weight. Of course it detracts considerably from an athlete's enjoyment of the sport, and the heavier the pressure and expectations, the more difficult to bear. I'm more amazed that Yuna did not falter and collapse in the Vancouver. What Olympic athlete had ever faced such pressure? But her composure then was something to behold...

[jatale]

What makes me so sad, from this interview, is that it seems Yuna has never "loved" skating. Most top skaters LOVE skating, that is why they put up with all the hard work and family sacrifice involved. Most top skaters look forward to competitions as a way to show off their skills and compare themselves against others. I don't know how Yuna was able to compete if she didn't like it, it would be torture. So at some level, I'm not sure I believe what is coming out in these interviews, I tend to believe that in the beginning Yuna really loved skating and competing but when her extraordinary talent surfaced in competition that the "water was poisoned" by the excessive adulation she received in her country and by the increasing demands made on her by her coaches and maybe also from her mother. She became the center of a whirlwind that just drove the love of her sport out of her.

Anyway, that is one possible interpretation of this interview. I'm concerned that Yuna may never find the love of her sport again, and that she will not skate (even in exhibitions) anymore because of all the practice and training involved to stay in shape will bring back bad memories for her.

[jaylee]

jatale, on 22 November 2011 - 11:33 AM, said:

What makes me so sad, from this interview, is that it seems Yuna has never "loved" skating. Most top skaters LOVE skating, that is why they put up with all the hard work and family sacrifice involved. Most top skaters look forward to competitions as a way to show off their skills and compare themselves against others. I don't know how Yuna was able to compete if she didn't like it, it would be torture. So at some level, I'm not sure I believe what is coming out in these interviews, I tend to believe that in the beginning Yuna really loved skating and competing but when her extraordinary talent surfaced in competition that the "water was poisoned" by the excessive adulation she received in her country and by the increasing demands made on her by her coaches and maybe also from her mother. She became the center of a whirlwind that just drove the love of her sport out of her.

Anyway, that is one possible interpretation of this interview. I'm concerned that Yuna may never find the love of her sport again, and that she will not skate (even in exhibitions) anymore because of all the practice and training involved to stay in shape will bring back bad memories for her.

I would be careful to distinguish between how Yu-Na feels about skating versus how she feels about competition (and the stress related to it). She always loved skating, but she's been very honest over the years, that she hasn't loved the stress of competing, and that's consistent in this interview. (Nor would anyone else love competing if they were expected to win all the time and break records and told the sky was falling if they lost.) Skating in Vancouver in the Olympics was always a dream of hers, as well as as skating in shows.

In addition, perhaps consider the fact that it's not easy to always love the sport of skating when it takes you away from your family, your country, and you suffer from injuries, poor training conditions and facilities. Compare Yu-Na to Michelle Kwan, for example. I would say both families made financial sacrifices, both skaters had to endure the physical demands of their sport. But only Yu-Na had to go overseas during the summer to train at a young age, in order to become an accomplished skater, in a country where she didn't know anyone and didn't know the language. Only Yu-Na had to move overseas permanently to train year after year, spending large chunks of time away from her sister and her father. Michelle had a world class coach at a young age in southern California; she didn't have to move away from her family to find Frank Carroll. Michelle had access to excellent figure skating rinks, Yu-Na never did when she was young. When Michelle first found international success, she quickly found financial success too, because she was able to skate on Champions on Ice every summer and the popularity of figure skating in the US was at an all-time high. There were no shows for Yu-Na to skate in, not at first, and it took a while for Yu-Na to get endorsements.

Many skaters have challenges in figure skating, but most skaters in the US and I would say Japan too don't have to go to other countries to find a comfortable skating rink and a competent coach, and they're able to have fun by skating in local shows. Yu-Na had none of that. I'm sure if you asked many current American skaters if they loved skating, they'd say yes! If you asked them, "Do you love it enough to train in another country, where you don't speak the language, where you can't see your family?", are you certain they'd say yes?

[Hoshi]

Yuna of course loves skating, just doesn't love competing anymore or at least for now. If she had NEVER loved skating itself why endure all those years of hard works, severe injuries, and most of all, how could she have shown such pure joy in her competitive programs say in 2007 worlds, 2009 worlds, and ultimately in Olympics? The problem of her dreading the competition itself started right after she's won everything there is to win, thinking if it's really worth doing everything all over again.

I remember her saying after her victory at 2009 worlds that she couldn't wait to get back to training and once again in the summer of last year that she's having her time of life enjoying her skating. These two circumstances each reflects how Yuna operates her skating through training IMO. The former one was the token of Yuna's confidence and desire for her dream, being the olympic champion, which is every skaters' lifetime goal and the most honorable prize for anyone who loves skating. And she was really prepared for that from long before the olympic season started as we've witnessed what she's shown in TEB, her first competition that season. I don't think she could show that level of readiness and assurance if she didn't love doing what she was doing, being passionate, if you will. The latter shows even though Yuna has always loved skating it was really difficult for her to totally appreciate that joy b/c of huge pressure and burden of competing to win she was given from her country and fans. The results of competing was no more important for herself since then but everyone else didn't care for it pushing her to compete to win yet again. That just tired Yuna, making her dread competing.

Last year at one interview she said she'll be still skating in ten years and that's coming from someone who's never loved skating? I don't think so.

[Bonnie Parker]

Am I the only who feels obvious bitterness in her words?

But what I mostly learn from that interview is that

1. She's retiring / she really would like to retire.

2. She did not enjoy competing at all after OGM, and it seems like even before 2010 she felt kind of forced to compete (OK she does not actually say that but I don't know, maybe I read too much into all this).

Don't get me wrong, I am really happy she opened her heart that way and that she seems to think with such hindsight. You know I love Yu-Na and I enjoyed every second of her skate. But I feel quite... I don't know. A bit sad about this. And not only the retirement thing.

Edit: I am not saying she doesn't like skating, just competing Of course she loves skating, there is no doubt about this.

This post has been edited by Bonnie Parker: 22 November 2011 - 12:39 PM

[alexander]

lakewood, on 20 November 2011 - 07:40 PM, said:

Q2: You once said "I want to experience college life before my graduation." Are you enjoying it making friends?
A: "I don't go often but just when I have class. After it is over, I Ieave immediately. My class mates are all athletes. If I run across non-athlete students, the story circulates and they come and see me through windows. In fact, I don't have opportunity to make friends."

I imagine that Yuna's experience at University is very similar to Yuri and Sooyoung's. Watch @ 5:30 as onlookers make the purchase of a snack a tabloid event.

[jatale]

Well, we can agree to disagree about possible interpretations of her interview. I just hope she does what she wants to do from now on and stops letting other people dictate her future. I'm done speculating for now, Yuna needs to be left in peace. Happy Holidays everyone!

[lakewood]

jatale, on 22 November 2011 - 11:33 AM, said:

What makes me so sad, from this interview, is that it seems Yuna has never "loved" skating. Most top skaters LOVE skating, that is why they put up with all the hard work and family sacrifice involved. Most top skaters look forward to competitions as a way to show off their skills and compare themselves against others. I don't know how Yuna was able to compete if she didn't like it, it would be torture. So at some level, I'm not sure I believe what is coming out in these interviews, I tend to believe that in the beginning Yuna really loved skating and competing but when her extraordinary talent surfaced in competition that the "water was poisoned" by the excessive adulation she received in her country and by the increasing demands made on her by her coaches and maybe also from her mother. She became the center of a whirlwind that just drove the love of her sport out of her.

Anyway, that is one possible interpretation of this interview. I'm concerned that Yuna may never find the love of her sport again, and that she will not skate (even in exhibitions) anymore because of all the practice and training involved to stay in shape will bring back bad memories for her.

Simply not true. She is still practicing hard (her own expression).

Do you remember the smile of joy on her face after she landed triple jump at competitions including 2009 Worlds and 2010 Olympics? She loves skating and she loves jumping. It is obvious and natural. I think she even loves practicing skating and jumping.

But, I think she hates Biellman spin, which causes her lots of pain in both practice and competition. She is not a naturally flexible skater.

I think she hates that she is always expected to win.

I think she hates that she can't enjoy normal life because of competition.

But, she loves skating. Otherwise, how could she achieve that level.

[Empress of ice]

also what is REA-LLY sad is that because of beeing a megastar in her country at sucha young age
she cannot make friends 'normally' ['After it is over, I Ieave immediately... I don't have opportunity to make friends." ] except her skating friends
hope she's enjoying her normal life as well as possible tho^^

This post has been edited by Empress of ice: 23 November 2011 - 05:13 AM

[spacefruit]

lakewood, on 21 November 2011 - 08:52 PM, said:

How much knowledge of skating her mom may have, she is not a skater, She didn't know exactly how much she hated competing then. She and YuNa had similar battles when YuNa was a kid. She might have thought it was just another such case.

just came here to say this is a very intelligent thought. parent-child relationships are not a black or white. we hear about yuna's struggles as an athlete and a daughter but we forget being a mother to an athlete is just as hard if not more. imagine all the times young yuna broke down and said she doesn't want to train anymore, that she wants to quit. each time her mother had to see beyond this moment of desperation that every young athlete experiences, and be the driving force behind yuna's ambition, even if it makes her seem cold, or demanding. she had to see her daughter suffer from injuries as well, I remember those videos of her trying not to cry watching yuna struggle with her pain in practice. these instincts that she developed for years to help her daughter realize her dream didn't just go away as soon as yuna won the OGM. when children reach a certain age and gain independence, both parent and child have a difficult transition to make in their relationship, and it doesn't happen overnight. I remember yuna's mother saying she adjusted her attitude when yuna rebelled in middle school. I'm sure she's facing the same adjustment now. so maybe she didn't give yuna the absolute perfect response she needed from her while she was being pressured by vile officials, but that doesn't make her a bad mother, just a human being. and judging from the wonderful person yuna is today, it's evident she's a good parent. I'm breaking my own rules even commenting about this, because I firmly believe it's non of anyone's business whats going on between yuna and her mother, but they way some people online are using this interview to make so many disrespectful assumptions is just... well, nevermind, yuna doesn't really care what we think, she's busy living life to the fullest while we are here getting all up in arms, lol. it's kind of hilarious. from now on I'm just going to support yuna in a positive way, and ignore all the BS. arguing just inflames the negative talk, it's best to ignore it.

[finesand]

She's not a teen any longer.
If she had read a book written by her mother, she would have never said such to the interviewer. I still wonder what kind of this interview was.

[spiccoli]

I wish Yuna could go to Bora Bora. Then have a vacation in Paris. ALONE. Without anyone. Without her mom. Without her PA. Just alone. Enjoy herself. For once.

[over the rainbow]

I was many weeks off. Then so many news for me.
This interview confirms my suspect since World in Moscow. I'm very sorry about YuNa's situation: the unique artist who can visualize the idea of freedom so beautifully on ice, cannot enjoy it for herself! What an irony? I can remember Yuna said before OG what she utmost wants is freedom. Yes YuNa, you deserve it absolutely.
To know she had to carry heavy burdens for her country, to compete without her own conviction and against her own will, that made me almost angry.
In fact I'm a selfish fan who wishs Yuna would compete after break in next years. But only for the case she really wants it.
The hardest moment as her fan was for me Gala in Moscow. During her Bulletproof I was very very worried because she looked just unhappy on the ice, then I could'nt find her in Finale. Every possible misfortune went through in my fantasie.

Now I can comprehend why she looked so exhausted in Gala, was drenched in tears on the podium. What an impossible struggle with herself Yuna had to deal with! Inspite of all she made a beautiful gift with her performance. That proves Yunas greatness as an athlete and artist and human being.

At reading Yuna's interview I rememberd immediately: Kati Witt wrote in her memory: many people associates FS with glamour and gorgeousness but her main part of workaday life as a eligible skater was far from that. In order to be fit for 4 minute, every day she had to jogging in forest for hours whatever rainy foggy or cold. Then a skater needs amount of stamina for her/his LP. She said the daily routine she had to handle was very asketic and sometimes cruel because of diet. But the most publicum is inclined to perceive only the beautiful surface of this sport, on no accout blood, sweat and tears behind it. She can understand this attitude but felt lonely and misunderstood by most people. When she ended her carreer, she threw away her weighing machine immediately. And she was so happy about that. She cares her appearance only per mirror since this turning point. And she has no weighing machine any more.

This passage came vividly in my memory by reading the interview. As a lazy sport-hater and gourmet I can hardly imagine how a human being manages such a life many years. And doing it without own motivation and conviction, what a difficulty you had to overcome for Worlds, Yuna! I'm so sorry that i expected as always the superlative from her and wanted to forget what personal sacrifice of her is need for it.

I can only hope Yuna enjoys her break. And I'll keep back any speculation about her carreer plan. But how about AT Skate Europe, dear Yuna?