Poll: Little info about Yuna fan Options

[CatYuna]

I am very curious about Yuna's fan base in general and made this poll. I tried not ask questions that some people may think are private information (e.g. gender, age group and ethnic or nationality) although these would be very interesting. I hope this is not against the post rule.

I will start. I found out about her through an article in online newspaper in late 2007. I've been a fan since 2008, and I reside in the U.S.

This post has been edited by Common: Mar 19 2010, 12:34 AM

[prettykeys]

I followed figure skating on and off, waxing and waning. It's not a sport whose stars can compete in for very long, and in general it's hard to have consistent performances because of the nature of the sport, as well as injuries. The female figure skaters I can remember in my past and watching when I could are...Kristi Yamaguchi, Josee Chouinard, Tonya Harding. Somewhere then I lost interest (or got interested in other things), and I returned to watch Sasha Cohen and Irina Slutskaya casually.

It was actually my younger brother who told me about the YuNa Kim (I suppose he read an article about her, because he never followed figure skating ). A Korean lady figure skater? I was intrigued...so I looked for her on YouTube and Googled her background. I was just blown away by "Tango de Roxanne". I had never ever seen a figure skating piece that was so beautiful, and done by a skater who was so technically solid and expressive. I was even more shocked that she was a top-level competitor, considering the country she's from!

When I found out that Brian Orser was her coach, the deal was sealed. There couldn't be a more perfect skater for me to love. YuNa, for me, embodies excellence, perseverance, beauty...and she unified my ethnicity with my nationality.

So it's one thing to find out about skaters...but there are many skaters I'd heard of and didn't follow. I think you really have to be touched or inspired to become a fan in a sport that is so variable and fickle as figure skating. And for me, YuNa has done these things above all.

This post has been edited by prettykeys: Oct 26 2009, 08:26 PM

[CatYuna]

I followed figure skating on and off, waxing and waning. It's not a sport whose stars can compete in for very long, and in general it's hard to have consistent performances because of the nature of the sport, as well as injuries. The female figure skaters I can remember in my past and watching when I could are...Kristi Yamaguchi, Josee Chouinard, Tonya Harding. Somewhere then I lost interest (or got interested in other things), and I returned to watch Sasha Cohen and Irina Slutskaya casually.

It was actually my younger brother who told me about the YuNa Kim (I suppose he read an article about her, because he never followed figure skating ). A Korean lady figure skater? I was intrigued...so I looked for her on YouTube and Googled her background. I was just blown away by "Tango de Roxanne". I had never ever seen a figure skating piece that was so beautiful, and done by a skater who was so technically solid and expressive. I was even more shocked that she was a top-level competitor, considering the country she's from!

When I found out that Brian Orser was her coach, the deal was sealed. There couldn't be a more perfect skater for me to love. YuNa, for me, embodies excellence, perseverance, beauty...and she unified my ethnicity with my nationality.

So it's one thing to find out about skaters...but there are many skaters I'd heard of and didn't follow. I think you really have to be touched or inspired to become a fan in a sport that is so variable and fickle as figure skating. And for me, YuNa has done these things above all.

Wow, this is a great story. Yuna totally changed my life style as far as my spare time is concerned. Since I've become her fan, I am stuck to my computer youtubing, googling etc to find out anything and everything about Yuna and FS in general. Because of her, I've became a fan of FS. My wife and daugther have given up on me, and now, they accept me for who I am (sounds so tragic, ha ha), no they support me. Finally, I've won over my daughter. Now, Yuna is her favorite sport figure.

[prettykeys]

Wow, this is a great story. Yuna totally changed my life style as far as my spare time is concerned. Since I've become her fan, I am stuck to my computer youtubing, googling etc to find out anything and everything about Yuna and FS in general. Because of her, I've became a fan of FS. My wife and daugther have given up on me, and now, they accept me for who I am (sounds so tragic, ha ha), no they support me. Finally, I've won over my daughter. Now, Yuna is her favorite sport figure.

LOL I do all those things.

But it's not just who she is by her "data" and her performances. Her personality just seems so honest, and endearing (she speaks her mind)...she is feminine and regal but she can also be very cute, girly, and a little bit of a clown. I love all that about her.

By the way, I am actually surprised you are a man. I thought you were a woman, because you have "Cat" in your name.

[Daniel5555]

CatYuna

Finally, I've won over my daughter. Now, Yuna is her favorite sport figure.

That's beautiful

prettykeys

By the way, I am actually surprised you are a man. I thought you were a woman, because you have "Cat" in your name.

That's because he works in a company called "CAT".

[San_Fran]

I heard about Yu Na in 2005. That she was from Korea amazed me. I thought that she would not be able to compete with the seniors - she was from a non figure skating country. Although I heard about her wins in 2006, the first time I saw her skate was her first senior worlds 2006/2007 season. I became a fan when I saw her skate.

[Nadia]

I heard about Yuna when JP started to get really excited about Mao. I honestly didn't think Yuna would get very far given the situation in Korea. I'm glad she moved to Canada to train, esp. b/c I think it contributed to her success greatly.

[mujamba]

Thanks for the poll CatYuna.
So far I am the only one who voted for becoming aware of Yuna through TV. It was 2007 Worlds and "Roxanne" that made me Yuna's fan.
I was particularly interested in '07 Worlds because I had heard so much about Mao and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Mao was very impressive but I found that Yuna was the one who made the bigger impression on me. I did not know a thing about Yuna before 07 Worlds but after seeing her, and even when she fell short in her LP I could see her talent and potential to get even better.

BTW, Orser was a factor for me as well and USA fans remember, respect and like Orser like he was one of our own.
I am old enough to have seen him compete in Sarajevo and of course Calgary, in WC's and also professional shows.

It was a nice moment at '09 Worlds when Dick Button talked about Brian, saying something like how this felt like "the circle is being completed" and many USA fans are pulling hard not only for Yuna but also for Brian.

This post has been edited by mujamba: Oct 27 2009, 02:34 PM

[Common]

You finally made a poll.

for me, I found out about her through a televised event / started to follow her since 2006 / now living in Asia.
To say a little more about the story, TEB 2006 FS was my first time watching Yuna.
She was a skinny little girl with braces. I first thought she was about the age of junior high student, looked very shy and quiet, and was struggling desperately there on the ice to look like a little bird.
I thought she looked like a little bird. But that was all of my impression, I couldn't feel anything more.

I don't know why but the next day I found myself watching the same performance through internet. At that time there was no internet connection in my room (I was living alone in the tiny bed-sitter near my college) so I had to pay money to visit internet cafe. I thought the performance was not very polished and strangly it felt like she was struggling to express something. I did't know what that was exactly. But I couldn't stop watching it. I watched it over and over for about 2 hours. Same with the next day, and the next day, that lasted for about a week, and i decided to download the file into my USB memory. I think I watched the video for about 1 months repeatedly not even knowing anything besides her name, Kim Yuna, I didn't even know the name of the program. After GPF 2006 i started to searched about her other programs and became a fan.

[San_Fran]

I don't know why but the next day I found myself watching the same performance through internet. At that time there was no internet connection in my room (I was living alone in the tiny bed-sitter near my college) so I had to pay money to visit internet cafe. I thought the performance was not very polished and strangly it felt like she was struggling to express something. I did't know what that was exactly. But I couldn't stop watching it. I watched it over and over for about 2 hours. Same with the next day, and the next day, that lasted for about a week, and i decided to download the file into my USB memory. I think I watched the video for about 1 months repeatedly not even knowing anything besides her name, Kim Yuna, I didn't even know the name of the program. After GPF 2006 i started to searched about her other programs and became a fan.

"She (Yu Na) fills the arena to the full with herself. You would understand me if you watched the official practice with 5 or more skaters in the same rink. Despite the numbers, we often feel the rink empty. But even being alone, she just commands the ice.

Whatever action you are doing does not matter. Whatever you may be doing, you cannot help but stop your job and watch her. She has that specialty which captures ppls attention."

I think that applies to Common, Hendryk and many of us. Add Hendryk to the poll!!

[prettykeys]

Common, your story is so unusual. I guesss I am a love-at-first-sight type of person, whereas you are someone who will revisit something until it grows on you.

I just wanted to add that I watch dancing shows too (like "So You Think You Can Dance"). There is just this feeling of...I don't know what to call it...euphoria, I guess, when I see visual forms and movements matched harmoniously to music and emotions. YuNa may be a skater, but she was not "figure skating" in my mind when I first saw her. My impression was that...her Tango de Roxanne seemed like a dance piece intended for doing on the ice, and the music was made for just that as well (not the other way around - i.e. "Moulin Rouge" music and choreography intended primarily for figure skating competition.)

And yes, YuNa's struggle as a fledgling little (injured) bird in Lark Ascending, drew me in as well. (YuNa may not be particularly fond of birds, but I love them. )

Conversations with my mother also stand out.

Mom would ask: "So how did YuNa do? Did she fall?"
Me: "Yes. "
Mom: "Ehhhh." *shakes head disappointedly*
Me: *grumbling in my mind, silently and indignantly asking, "So what?!"* Out loud I would say, "But she still did well."

And that's what makes me the fan. My mom wants her to win (and who wouldn't prefer she does?) but I still feel invested in and proud of her no matter what. I'm glad YuNa is now a healthier, happier swan.

[mujamba]

Common, your story is so unusual. I guesss I am a love-at-first-sight type of person, whereas you are someone who will revisit something until it grows on you.

I just wanted to add that I watch dancing shows too (like "So You Think You Can Dance"). There is just this feeling of...I don't know what to call it...euphoria, I guess, when I see visual forms and movements matched harmoniously to music and emotions. YuNa may be a skater, but she was not "figure skating" in my mind when I first saw her. My impression was that...her Tango de Roxanne seemed like a dance piece intended for doing on the ice, and the music was made for just that as well (not the other way around - i.e. "Moulin Rouge" music and choreography intended primarily for figure skating competition.)

And yes, YuNa's struggle as a fledgling little (injured) bird in Lark Ascending, drew me in as well. (YuNa may not be particularly fond of birds, but I love them. )

Conversations with my mother also stand out.

Mom would ask: "So how did YuNa do? Did she fall?"
Me: "Yes. "
Mom: "Ehhhh." *shakes head disappointedly*
Me: *grumbling in my mind, silently and indignantly asking, "So what?!"* Out loud I would say, "But she still did well."

And that's what makes me the fan. My mom wants her to win (and who wouldn't prefer she does?) but I still feel invested in and proud of her no matter what. I'm glad YuNa is now a healthier, happier swan.

Thanks for sharing your insights and I enjoyed the story about your mom. Count your blessings (my mom is a big Mao fan )

[Common]

Common, your story is so unusual. I guesss I am a love-at-first-sight type of person, whereas you are someone who will revisit something until it grows on you.

Yes, i admit my experience is weird.^^ It's very hard to express in limited words. but thinking back in the days, I guess I thought she was dancing there on the blue shaded ice. Having known nothing about figure skating, I wondered why she cannot dance like the other dancing artists.
it didn't look much polished to my untrained eyes. but I felt her moves had something that draws my attention. I still don't know what it was. but that was my first impression.
And yes, later when I had a chance to watch the whole ladies competition, I realized that i've been totally forgetting that she was on the ice, not the ground.
I was staying out of school for a year for personal reason at that time. Everyday life was staying the whole day in the library, I had little time to spare. It may sound strange but I could sleep well that night after watching the video. Don't ask me i don't know why.

[turtleprincess]

I've been following figure skating for almost two decades. For a long time I didn't have anyone to share my interest in figure skating with (I was the only one in my family who watched figure skating) but since 2006 I've successfully converted my husband to a figure skating fan. He is only a casual fan but adores Yu-na and Sasha. I discovered Yu-na while watching Skate Canada on TV and was completely shocked to find that a skater from Korea could compete at that level. I thought Koreans were only interested in short track skating but not in figure skating. Anyway, Yu-na was just beautiful to watch and I immediately started googling her name to learn more about her.

My husband often complains that I love Yu-na more than him and each time I have to assure him that he will become my number one again when Yu-na retires.

This post has been edited by turtleprincess: Oct 27 2009, 09:22 PM

[jimakros]

Like i said in previous post i'm not a long time FS fan.I'm middle aged(forties)and therefore i've been watching sports a long time,i liked watching ladies FS since very young but i was never a fan of the sport.Even at the time of Katarina Witt who was very popular and a huge star i was never a fan.
It just hit me in 2007 while watching the worlds,l had never seen-IMO- any skater that has anything close to Yu-Na .Yu-na is unique in my book,the beauty and elegance is out of this world.I dont even look at it as skating more like dancing on ice.I'm a long time admirer of ballet and dance and i believe yu-na is the only skater i've ever seen to personify the elements of graceful dancing.The rhythm and expression is simply amazing.And she is gorgeous.
She just has that elusive star quality,IMO,that rare thing that comes very -very rarely.Very few people have it and usually,the legendary people,either its dance,sport,the movies or anything,its just somethng that makes you not be able to take your eyes off that person.Yu-Na has it IMO.

So,i would like to add here,i understand many people here are long time FS fans and i respect that.Also,many are fans of other skaters which is great.But i'm neither of those so my take is a little more aggresive as to the interests of yu-na against other skaters like Mao.I'll never bash another skater like they do in other fan sites,but i will be more critical of them than most folks here and i hope thats ok.I hope there's room for different attitudes in this forum.

[Bonnie Parker]

Nice poll

Common I love your story! As for me I'm from Europe (France), I've been a fan since 2006 I guess. Actually I had always loved FS whenever I found it on TV, but then I would kind of forget it. Then, in 2007, I saw Worlds Champ on TV and don't even remember who it was who moved me so much (Yu-Na or Mao I guess) but I stayed 2 hours and cried lol. Then a few months later I decided to rewatch some of the programs and then found Yu-nA and... love at first siiiiight

This post has been edited by Bonnie Parker: Oct 28 2009, 06:25 AM

[en passant]

Wow I love everyone's stories!

As for me, I was a FS fan for a bit, and I was actually looking for another skater's video (I can't remember who) and ended up finding YuNa's Roxanne. The video had a little fluff with Brian talking about YuNa and her injury and stuff- and at first the story simply triggered my sympathy.
I thought I might as well sit and watch how this "poor little injured thing" would do.
But then I finished watching Roxanne... and... I was blown away! I fell in love with both her and the program, and I've been following her on and off until now (well now I'm definitely "on" ).

[mujamba]

I'm a long time admirer of ballet and dance and i believe yu-na is the only skater i've ever seen to personify the elements of graceful dancing.The rhythm and expression is simply amazing.

If you enjoy the dance aspect of skating I would suggest you take a look at Oksana Baiul.
She still stands out in my mind as one of the greatest and most versatile intepreters of dance in the long history of figure skating.

Her 1994 SP is still the standard for balletic skating.
To see a totally different style watch her 1993 Worlds or Euro LP where she is skating/dancing to a medley of Broadway showtunes. Totally different style but still shows very impressive dance/musicality.
Oksana also skated to some pretty hip and funky music for her Galas and again, her rhythmic qualities are just so impressive.

Hard to believe, but Oksana was skating such sophisticated programs and was World and Olympic Champion before her 16th birthday.

Unfortunately after 1995 Oksana's performances were never as good technically although watching her performances at various Galas and cheesey Pro competitions you can still see her wonderful dance qualities and how well she felt the music.

ETA: I agree with you about Yuna but her style is harder to define. To me Yuna excels at feeling both the motion and emotion of the music and uses her entire body to express the music. It is the style that was begun by Janet Lynn, and carried on by Michelle. None of these girls had that much ballet training and it is not their positions/extensions that sets them apart but the amazing fluidity and abilty to express the flow of the music. For me, this not only links them, but sets them apart from the others. It is where we see athletic abilty becoming Art, creating something distinctively original and breathtaking.

A great example of Yuna's musicality is seen in "Roxanne" (those step sequences ) The "fluidity" and use of her full body stands out in "Danse Macabre."

This post has been edited by mujamba: Oct 29 2009, 06:37 AM

[Common]

This thread has the charm that makes the readers smile, so it seems.

[mujamba]

This thread has the charm that makes the readers smile, so it seems.

Ha, ha, very perceptive remark.

Here is something I never get tired of watching as it always makes me smile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FmncaNGLOI

My first, and still most memorable moment of Yuna Kim.