Family
Mother: Park Mi-Hee
Article: Mom's Prayers Give 'Queen' Strength
While 19-year-old Kim Yu-na was twirling on the ice rink to win the gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, her mother Park Mi-hee wasn't watching. She remained in the corridor leading to the rink with her husband, her eyes closed as she prayed the whole time.
When Kim shed tears after a convincing long program, Park cried too. Park, 51, is indisputably the No.1 contributor to Kim's phenomenal success.
The mother, who was interested in skating and dreamt of becoming a painter, literally gave all she had to her enthusiastic and rare-talented daughter. Since Kim first clapped eyes on skates at the age of six, Park has dedicated everything to her daughter, playing multiple roles from mother to spokeswoman, manager, coach and mentor.
She drove her to and from the ice rink every day, and searched for the best coaches to train her. She played English cassette tapes in the car to help Yu-na become familiar with English. When she wanted to fire her Korean coach and hire Brian Orser, Park undertook the task. She confronted the press and shielded her daughter from any negative response.
But most of all, Park should be credited for “discovering Kim Yu-na.”
During interviews, Park said she had instantly noticed that Kim was “something,” when they visited a public ice rink in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, 13 years ago.
When Kim told her that she wanted to skate for life, instead of telling her to do something or scholastic,” Park promised her full support.
Without a sponsor to support the then barely recognized sport here, money to pay for the skating rink, coaches, travel and training was always a problem. When her husband's business wasn't going well enough to support Kim's schedule, she put her house up as collateral to the bank to pay for Kim's lesson fees.
Even when her daughter gained international fame, she stood by her, making sure she stayed calm. “It was always about mom. She always understood me and encouraged me,” Kim said in a previous interview.
But Park had guts too. When the skater muttered that she wanted to quit the sport several years ago, Park accepted it. “I knew she would come back and do it. But if I tried to resist her, Yu-na wouldn't have made her own choice, which is the only way to push herself,” she said in her book released last year.
Additionally, if it hadn't been for Kim Hyeon-seok, her husband, Yu-na would have never made it to the podium.
Kim, who runs his own business, has always remained out of the media limelight. He has reportedly never accompanied his daughter to international competitions.
Instead, he watched her win medal after medal on TV at home with his eldest daughter Ae-ra during Park and Yu-na's absence, nine months of the year.
On Thursday, the father made it to the games and stayed with his wife in the corridor when his daughter became a grand slam champion.
The skating champion acknowledged the sacrifice and devotion of her parents.
“I am so glad dad was able to make it here. I thank mom and dad for all of this,” Kim said in an interview held right after her performance.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
Source: Korean Times
Article: Mom's Prayers Give 'Queen' Strength
Author: Bae Ji-sook
Date: February 26, 2010
Book: Give Wings to Your Child's dreams
Notes: The following are selected extracts from a YNKF post dated May 9th 2010 celebrating mother's day. The descriptive translation are informally volunteered by fans honouring the No.1 member of Yuna's dream team and to share insights on Yuna's progress and lessons that can be learnt.
Forward:
10 years recollection as a ‘Skater’s Mum’
Over the last 10 years, I lived as a Skater’s mum. The lifestyle is slightly different from the other mothers, in that frequently my ‘maternal instinct’ kicks in when watching countless physical pain and trauma suffered by kids in these ruthless unforgiving competition arenas.
In my heart, I am burdened with responsibilities that usually lead me screaming silently ‘My child!’! I don’t know where I found the courage, but I learnt not to back down like a wild beast protecting her offspring. I only think in terms of how to have my child suffer less, or prevented them from being hurt.
I used to be a timid housewife but to ensure my child can overcome all the obstacles in her way; I became this famous ‘Confrontational Queen’. Most of all, I am concerned with the possibility that it may be due to my laziness or my inclination to want to live easier, my daughter would not able to fulfill her dream of possibilities. Therefore I started to work harder than I ever did at school or falling in love in order to absorb all the knowledge possible to ensure Yuna can fulfill her aspirations. I am thankful Yuna is such a diligent and hardworking child and that she was able to exceed beyond expectations.
A while ago, I saw an interview with Yuna who expressed that ‘wanting to fulfill the greatest dream to restore the 10 years her mother had lost’. Looks like in Yuna’s mind, a mother’s devotion is appreciated and not overlooked. The truth though, it is through Yuna I am able to gained far much more than I have lost. She has braved this meager mother to steam ‘full speed ahead’.
This is a recollection of my ‘full speed ahead’.
I have not read any child help guide books, my guide book is Yuna.
If I am able to share any useful insights that will help parents avoiding taking the wrong road, it would make me very happy,
June 2008 Park Mi-Hee
Yuna’s Mum first ‘discovered’ Yuna when she was just 6 years old after having just had first lessons of ice skating. That day, she saw Yuna in the living room replicating a skating performance on TV. Yuna’s movement and expression is beyond the typical of copying the body movements. Yuna copied every facial expression, every hand, fingers and body gestures to a T. Yuna was so focused, she didn't even realize her mother was standing next to her, thoroughly amused and amazed at the same time.
The Infant Yuna has been described as ordinary by her mother. Yuna is just like a normal kid and shows no signs of 'prodigy' or 'talent' to speak of. One thing was special though, Yuna was able to walk at 8 months old. This caused everyone to worry if she had developed too early and can lead to development problems later.
When Yuna first started ice skating, Yuna’s mum had a fall out with the skating coach and decided to take Yuna home and stop these lessons all together. But then it was during this ‘break’, Mum discovered what ice skating means to Yuna.
Since the ‘break’, whenever there’s free time Yuna would bring out the figure skating VHS tapes and imitate the skaters. Yuna respect her mother’s decision (probably because she know how stubborn her mother can be) therefore never mentioned about having ice skating lessons again. Yuna’s Mother confessed that she felt really guilty because of her ‘self-respect and pride’ has prevent Yuna to do the things she liked, therefore wanted Yuna to find another hobby quickly hoping Yuna would soon forget all about ice skating.
Yuna took ballerina lessons, but being such an ‘energetic’ child, she soon found it boring and didn’t want to continue. Then it was Violin Lessons where Yuna’s heart just wasn’t in it. Therefore soon Yuna’s Mum swallowed her pride and took Yuna back to the ice rink, where yuna ‘swam like a little dolphin back to the sea’.
Yuna’s 1st Korean coach were quick to praise Yuna’s Jump abilities even at the start.
Yuna’s mum initially thought it was just one those polite banters like easy compliments readily handed out by private coaches to encourage ongoing lessons. However by the 7th month of Yuna’s lessons, the coach took her mum aside and asked her in a very serious manner:
‘Yuna is very special, she has a great gift. How’s your family’s financial situation? Skating is very expensive, do you have the resources to foster her talents?’.
The coach asked to train her directly, and said Yuna is the first student he'd wants to invest his time and effort to nurture their talent. The fact the coach was so serious made Yuna’s mum seriously consider her options. When she got home, she got her calculator and began to work out the ins and out of the entire family budget to revolve around Yuna including those that had been allocated to her sister Ae-Ra.
She made a conscious effort to devote herself completely to Yuna, giving up all her own personal time, hobbies, even duties she ought to fulfil as as a housewife to assist Yuna to reach her potential.
Yuna were able complete 5 types of triple jumps before she was 12. It was said to be a common traits by world class athletes and 1st time in Korea this has happened. Usually a jump element would take 10,000 times to perfect, Yuna’s mum is not sure how many times it took Yuna, but it usually takes Yuna between 1 – 2 years to perfect a jump. Yuna’s mum remarked it was due to Yuna’s Korean coach who is incredibly strict with Yuna’s precision that Yuna were able to jump as consistently and technically perfect as she is able today. Apparently 80% of world’s class athletes all have a little problem to do with their jump such as Mao. This used to be fine, but with recent rule changes, these means heavy penalizing. Once it became a habit, it is really hard to correct.
It is often said Athletes don't do well socially due to the fact they are rarely in school, and spend so much time on training, they are limited to very small social circles to interact with. It was the same for Yuna. Her friends were those who she trained with, and her dear sister whom Yuna is most emotionally attached with was back in Korea whom she hardly sees. As a mother, this concerns her a great deal and she is worried that since Yuna weren't able to benefit from the standard social interactions one enjoys at school, she wouldn't able to cope well socially in the future. Fortunately Yuna's mum takes great comfort in discovering Yuna as someone very considerate and compassionate towards others. She cited a recent example. At an interview, there's a reporter who kept tempting and tricking Yuna to describe the weakness of her competitors. Yuna was smart enough to avoid this, but when she couldn't avoided it any more, she ends up talking about her own weakness and still weren't able to discussed anything negative about the other competitors. When Yuna's mother questioned her later, Yuna shrugged it off lightly, 'Who am I to say about someone else?'.
Yuna's mother felt Yuna's thoughtful attitude has much to do with the fact the Korean figure skating world is remarkably small, and many competitors Yuna had became friends with during trainings over the years. At competitions, usually when beating your rival is something worth celebrating but if it is your favourite elder sister (Note: Korean describe older female friends as elder sisters) who is crying in the corner, how could little Yuna truly feel happy? It is simply not possible. Therefore Yuna along with other little competitors have learnt to control their outer emotions because they are are worried that it might unintentional hurt their good friend's feelings. Thus while Yuna's mother really do appreciate the kind praises Yuna has received due to her humility and humbleness, she is thankful Yuna were able to grow up in these type of micro environment where she was able to develop this sincere maturity towards competitions and competitors very early on.
During adolescent years it was particularly difficult, when sometimes Yuna would have to jump 20, 30 times and she still not able to get something right. Then she will moody with herself even get mad with mother’s persistence and constant nagging. However it is thanks to working so hard during these learning years, Yuna was able to have these solid foundations to build on, and even if her physical wasn’t great, she would able to tune it back to the way she knew she is capable of.
Since Yuna and Mao’s name have becoming intrinsically linked together, Yuna has said she doesn't want to win over anyone in particular. But in competitions there is win or lose, Yuna aims for Gold, therefore it is not possible that she doesn’t want to win. Triple Axel is a huge wall Yuna and mum have faced, therefore they felt they had no choice but to changed their strategy to focus on the artistic expressions and the quality of execution. They found performance coaches for Yuna to work all aspects of music for expressions and how to connect everything together. Initially Yuna just copied the expressions of the teacher but very quickly she developed her own sensitivity to the music and interpretations.
Once Mao came to Canada without her mother, Yuna’s mum thought Mao travelled so far and work so hard by herself therefore made Mao’s favourite curry rice and some Korea dishes to send over with Yuna.
Yuna’s mum describes Yuna and Mao as good friends, same age, perform in same ice show and goes shopping together. In the media, Yuna and Mao became described as ‘rivals’, but they are just 2 sweet innocent teenagers. Mao is a huge existence to Team Yuna, but the competition world is a cruel thing, when Yuna’s results improve, their relationship with each other became more complicated.
Initially, Yuna’s mother wasn't able to attend international competitions with Yuna (Note: Probably due to financial constraint during the early years), but were able to recently and have finally met Mao’s Mother for the first time at an international competition. Despite not able to communicate due to language barriers, they are both skater moms, they held each other’s hands tightly and without words, both became tearful with the fact they understood each other about everything so completely; their children’s sufferings, pressure, family sacrifice, so many burdens, being the guardian and watchful eye over their own child; they know each other well. And every time they do greet each other again, they still get tearful. Yuna’s Mum salute Mao’s mum as a kindred spirit and wishes both Mao’s mum and Mao well.
Yuna is very competitive with herself. During her adolescent years when she had problems at practice, she would get frustrated and get moody with herself even at expense of others, and can get into a rebellious self aggravation and punishment mode. When this happens Yuna’s mum would be very strict to criticize her, demand her to speak out loud why she was in the wrong. Sometimes Yuna would even cry none stop while practicing days on end.
Despite Mother’s strict discipline, Yuna rarely gives in to appease her mother. Once Yuna got her mother so mad, she took Yuna out of the ring, took off her skate and told Yuna to run 100 laps around the outside lane of the Ice rink as punishment. It was a big ice rink, with steps in the middle. Yuna’s mother’s intention was for Yuna to give in, but then Yuna proved she was just as stubborn as her mother and start to run. Yuna’s mum thought ‘okay if that is how you want to play’, she started to record every 5 laps made the 5 strokes mark on paper. When Yuna ran up to 87 laps probably counted as she ran, Yuna’s Mum was already feeling dizzy herself in disbelieve. Yuna came back breathing so hard and told her mom going ‘I finished’. Yuna’s mum then went ‘What you mean you finished, only 87 laps’. Yuna then continued without a word until the full 100 laps. Yuna’s mum was astonished, and was scared that Yuna really was stubborn enough to pursue this off the cuff punishments and never dared to mentioned the 100 laps punishment again.
Due to Yuna's intense training, she often misses school, but Yuna's mother obviously understood that knowledge is a necessity to a child's upbringing and have encouraged Yuna to take up school work after training hours and worked along beside her. She noted Yuna likes Maths in particular which she find it challenging and satisfying whenever she was able to solve problems. To support her daughter's study, Yuna's mum would often ending up studying all the text book herself during Yuna's training time so she could tutor Yuna after training. She joked, it is not an uncommon sight to find her along the ice ink and along hospital lobbies with Yuna's text books, where people would often quipped 'So Yuna's mother is revising again!'
Yuna's mum remarked that until high school seniors, Yuna's grade has always been amongst the top, even with these home made tutoring regimes, but when it gets to the seniors, Yuna's mum weren't able to tutor well on subjects she is unfamiliar with (due to evolving curriculum) and therefore made it harder to tutor Yuna. Yuna also lost interest, so other than English which she needed to converse with her coach and during for interviews, she didn't continue with the rest.
Yuna's idol is Michelle Kwan, and she got so interested in emulating Michelle's every move, facial and body gestures on her video tape to the point she took up English. Yuna's mum used the 20 minutes before and after school car ride to play her English conversation tapes. Yuna became so good at copying the sounds, she can accurately emulate children's voice speaking, and older people's voice speaking. Now everyone is praising Yuna on how good her pronunciation is, Yuna's mother credit these 20 mins sessions in the car setting the foundation of it all.
Yuna's mother mentioned some mothers can't watch their kids in competitions due to nerves, but she insist she MUST watch critically to ensure she can analyse the good and the bad points to improve Yuna's next performance. However, there was one competition she couldn't bear to watch; the 2007 world championship where Yuna had received the bronze. She had believed that it was beyond all hope due to the severity of Yuna's injuries, that is why it will always be a very precious medal to her. Yuna's mum then went to describe how painful it is to her to have to send an injured Yuna to a rink, even to practice. She is conflicted with comforting her, put on a brave face or still allowing her to continue her training. She went on to describe on how she encourage and managed Yuna's mental strength dealing with injuries, e.g
'It can't be helped, before you recover it will be painful. Even if you cry, it is useless. What if you carry on crying and don't pay attention at what you are doing and slipped? It would make it even worse and more painful. We must tolerate it just a little bit longer' etc.
She described how they manage pain tolerance level 1-10, how they sought out help at various hospitals, the recuperation process etc.
On allowing kids to experience making mistakes and failure
Yuna' mum expressed that it is important for children to experience making mistakes and even failures themselves. She regrets her teaching to Yuna tends to cover too many little details, and that sometimes she wonder if it might have been better for Yuna to develop her own ability to judge on her own mistakes. At the same time she considered this may be difficult due to time constraints spent on training and competitions, so it wasn't like she was given much choice in these matters.
On what kind of Mother she is
Yuna's Mum expressed that outside training times, she is the type of mother who likes to be a close 'friend' to her children, Yuna and Aera. To be relaxed and easy going, often joke until late the late of the night gossiping about the latest Korean Dramas and take parts in typical “chick chats” that usually revolves around who's the cutest guys etc.
On the reason of her existence
“God couldn't take care of all the details, so he send mother instead”
Happiness and fortune in skating
She recalls when Yuna first met up with David Wilson and then Brian Orser in May 2006 and described how the team come about together to have last until now. How it was a blessing, and a most fortunate thing ever to have bestowed on Yuna. And more importantly, the fact Yuna can trains so happily now and laughing so hard while training has been described as amongst happiness moments for the mother.
During Yuna's training in Canada, Yuna's mum is less burdened with all the old responsibilities of taking care of Yuna for everything. Yuna were finally able to have her own dedicated physiotherapist, Coach, Choreographer, Specialist component coach. Her role has been slowly taken over one by one by the professionals to raised Yuna's development.
However this has created another problem. As Yuna's mum has less say on the matters, her roles became relegated to 'just a mother' to the professionals. At times, there appears to create greater gaps to which one can communication matters effectively. This prevents her to fully support her daughter other than from the side lines.
So after spending many sleepless nights worrying about this, she suddenly had a brainwave, to use weekly “meetings”.
During these meetings, Yuna, mum and all the coaches would meet together to discuss and share the coaching methods, techniques covering all aspects of training. During this time, every one would take in turns expressing their views. Everything was dedicated to Yuna, and it is important for her to be there to listen, so everyone can agree to move in the same direction.
Before each meeting, Yuna's Mum makes many preparation such as preparing itineraries similar to how big companies conduct their meeting sessions. Outline all those taking part, who and what role they play, what is on the agenda, and of course her notes of her thought on these matters.
Initially, Yuna wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but then when she went in and found out they were proper formal meetings all about her, with accurate descriptions, assessments, important details and decisions being made. She begin to take them very seriously. As such, the meetings became valuable time saving ways to efficiently communicate and move forward in the same direction as a team.
Yuna's mum also learnt to hold her tongue, unless it was an emergency, otherwise she will raise it in her 'notes' during the next weekly meetings. When the pros approves and sees the benefits of this, Yuna naturally understand and appreciate the importance.
Yuna cares a great deal whether her mum raises the Korean flag at the end of each her performance and will look up to see if the flag was raised. If it did, it symbolises 'Well Done Yuna, Mum approve!' and is a mark of encouragement. Yuna's mum also make a point to praise Yuna infront of other people to build up her self confidence, and to let her know she is proud of her.
One day after practice they came home, Yuna cried ‘Mum I am hungry’, she went to open the rice cooker, then the fridge… Guess what.. Nothing! Zilch, Nada!’
Funny thing is this not the first time this happened. Yuna’s mum used this anecdote to illustrate her failure as a house wife being so totally devoted to Yuna’s schedules that she neglected her daily chores. Unfortunately it is also the everyday reality her husband and Ae-Ra have to live with. More embarrassingly was the fact, one day Yuna’s dad answered a phone call in the morning ‘Mr. Kim Happy Birthday!’. When Yuna’s father put the phone down, he laughed to himself knowingly. Not only did he forget, but the entire family forgot.
Yuna’s mum described her husband as a business owner who works very hard to support the family. Even when Yuna’s expenses were so huge, and the mother had obviously neglected her duties as a housewife, he has never complained and never let them suffer any hardship. Apart from financial support, he also quietly take care of all the housework in her absence, this is extremely rare and hard to imagine in a country like Korea.
Unfortunately there was one time, it was the all important ‘Ancestoral Worship Day’ which Yuna’s mum has made a note of but have totally forgot (Note: This is one of the most important day of the year where all extended family gather around the eldest son’s family home - who is suppose to be responsible to setting up this elaborate feast to share with all the family who travelled all over to pay tribute to the ancestors). Yuna’s dad finally had it and displayed the rightful dissatisfaction all over his face. Yuna’s mum was so embarrassed and sorry she simply doesn't know what to say. She hadn't looked at her diary for 2 months due to Yuna’s various schedules. She apologized to him profusely and more formally again in the book.
Her husband’s financial and devoted support to Yuna is unconditional, and when Yuna’s results improved, he was very happy and decided to take on even more jobs to support her. At home he would call them every day going ‘When are you ladies coming home? There’s hot food waiting.’ Yuna’s mum is always moved beyond words hearing this.
While Yuna’s father’s business had to close down during recession, it was a tough period. The family was really worried how this would have affect Yuna, so until the last minute, they hid from her. Yuna’s mum commented whenever she thought how hard it must have been for her husband, she gets teary eyed, but what can she do? She can only stand by her daughter and work their hardest to thank her husband’s kindness, generosity and support.
Yuna’s sister ‘Ae-Ra’
Yuna’s mother feels very sorry to have neglected her eldest daughter and have described Ae-Ra as someone very similar to her in character. Whenever they do see each other at home, Ae-Ra wouldn’t able to stop chatting away from the kitchen to the bathroom as if seeking comforts to satisfy a thirst for her mother’s attention.
At Ae-Ra's high school graduation, due to the fact Yuna was competing in a different city, they were not able to attend her ceremony and had relatives attending instead. Yuna’s mum was heartbroken, and cried on other skater’s mom’s shoulder during the competition.
She felt while she is familiar with the teen angst Yuna had, but with Ae-Ra, she just didn’t know. Was Ae-Ra able to seek comfort elsewhere? She couldn’t comment. Ae-Ra is a good daughter, but sometimes she can tell there’s some underling bitterness that Yuna’s mum can only pretend not to notice because she had to look after the youngest daughter.
Ae-Ra likes to sing, even professes she dreamed of being a professional singer, but it is just not possible (financially and emotionally) to cater for both kids at the same time especially knowing how difficult it would be to to succeed as a singer. Yuna’s mum persuaded Ae-Ra gave up this path and take another as her profession.
However, one time when Yuna went to Canada to train by herself, her mum took her eldest daughter to sing Karaoke, and it was during this occasion she suddenly realized what a great singer Ae-Ra is. So she proceed to deliberately picked different styled songs to see if Ae-Ra can cope with them all. Soon her mum had cold sweat and goose bumps all over realized how talented Ae-Ra is. Yuna’s mum thought to herself ‘OMG, I ruined my child’s future’, so even with little hope remain, she contacted Yuna’s agency to see if there’s some way to support Ae-Ra to become a professional singer. In the end, Ae-Ra actually refused this when she had already started preparing university entrance and didn't want to change her plans then.
When Yuna’s mum asked her ‘Why nursing?’
Ae-Ra said simply, ‘My sister is an athlete, wouldn’t it easier to have a nurse in the family?’
Yuna’s relation and emotional bond to her sister is also very special. She misses her sister a great deal in Canada and often mentions her feeling apologetic to have her mother’s attention entirely. Yuna often tells her mother that ‘Together we must be responsible for Ae-Ra, right?’, at this her mother would nod in strong agreement.
Yuna’s mother ended the passage by remarking that everything Yuna has achieved today is inseparable from the help and sacrifices from her father and sister, and that they will always be a warm hearted happy family.
Book: 아이의 재능에 꿈의 날개를 달아라
Author: 박미희 Ms Park Mi-Hee
Buy Online: Proceeding from the books sale goes to charities aiding the poor
Translated source: 【云雀高飞】请给孩子的才能，添加梦想的翅膀
Chinese Translation: 星空与水晶
English Translation: OS168 @ YNKF
Date: May 09, 2010 celebrating mothers day
Father: Kim Hyeon-seok
Translation by Moogoonghwa
Interview prior to 2010 Olympics
연아 아버지 김현석씨 “연아 미래는 본인이 결정할 일”
Yeon Ah's father Mr. Kim Hyun Seok “Yeon Ah's future is something that she'll decide for herself.”
“딸에게 金 따라고 한 적 없어…최선 다해주길 바랄뿐”
“I've never told her to win the gold… I just want her do her best.”
◇'피겨퀸' 김연아의 아버지 김현석씨가 딸의 미래는 본인이 직접 결정할 것이라고 말했다. 김현석씨(오른쪽)가 지난 2006년 11월21일 ISU 피겨그랑프리 시리즈 4차대회에서 금메달을 딴 김연아와 함께 축하를 받고 있는 모습. 김연아의 왼쪽은 어머니 박미희씨. < 스포츠조선DB >
[Photo caption] ◇'Figure Skating Queen' Kim Yeon Ah's father Kim Hyun Seok said that his daughter's future will be decide by her. Mr. Kim Hyun Seok (right) is seen here being congratulated with his daughter Kim Yeon Ah on November 21, 2006 after she won the gold medal at 4th ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix competition. Left of Kim Yeon Ah is her mother Mrs. Park Mi Hee. <Sport Joseon DB>
“연아의 미래는 연아가 결정할 것입니다.” 김연아의 아버지 김현석씨가 김연아의 올림픽 이후 행보에 대한 추측 자제를 당부했다. 김씨는 2일 스포츠조선과의 통화에서 “얼마전에 연아의 미래를 놓고 여러 보도가 나오는 것을 봤는데 그에 대해 말이 나온 적도 없고 결정된 것도 없다”면서 “연아 본인이 결정할 일”이라고 했다.
“Yeon Ah will decide Yeon Ah's future.” Kim Yeon Ah's father Mr. Kim Hyun Seok asked for restraint on conjectures about Kim Yeon Ah's path after the Olympic . Mr. Kim said this to Sport Joseon on the 2nd “Recently, I saw various reports about Yeon Ah's future but nothing has been discussed or decided about that” and “It's something Yeon Ah will decide for herself.”
김연아가 밴쿠버 동계올림픽 이후 세계선수권에도 출전하는 것으로 결정되자 올림픽에서 금메달을 딸 경우 은퇴를 할 것인지를 놓고 말들이 많았다. 김씨는 “나도 바라는 바가 있듯 국민 여러분들도 연아의 미래에 대해 바라는 것이 있을 수 있다. 그러나 연아가 결정할 문제고 우린 연아가 결정한 것을 존중하고 최대한 도와줄 것”이라고 했다.
Since it was decided that Kim Yeon Ah will also participate at the World Championship after the Vancouver Winter Olympic, there has been a lot of talk about whether she'll retire if she wins the gold medal at the Olympic. Mr. Kim said “As I too have my wishes for her, people of Korea must also have wishes for her future. However, it's a question Yeon Ah will decide and we must respect Yeon Ah's decision and at the minimum help with her with her choice.”
항상 경기장에 가지 않고 한국에서 묵묵히 뒷바라지에만 힘썼던 김씨는 이번에 딸의 경기를 직접 보기 위해 처음으로 비행기를 타고 캐나다로 향한다. 김씨는 “사실 가기 싫다”며 “TV에서 볼 때도 가슴이 벌렁거리는데 실제로 가서 어떻게 보나”하고 애틋한 부정을 얘기했다. 처음으로 딸의 경기를 직접 본 것이 지난 2008년 고양에서 열린 그랑프리 파이널. “직접 봤을 때 너무 힘들더라. 작은 대회든 큰 대회든 연아 경기는 마음놓고 볼 수가 없다”면서 “경기하는 것 볼때마다 연아가 안쓰럽다. 힘들게 준비해서 경기를 하는데 넘어지기라도 하면 그땐 마음이 무너지는 것 같다”고 했다.
Mr. Kim, who has always not gone to the competition arenas and stayed in Korea focusing on silently supporting her, will take a plane to Canada so he can watch her competition in person this time. Mr. Kim said “Honestly, I didn't want to go” and “Even when I watch it on TV my heart get turned inside out so how can I go and watch it in person?” expressing his anxious uncertainty. The first time he watch his daughter's competition in person was at 2008 Grand Prix Final held at Goyang. “It was too difficult when I watched it in person. Whether it's a small competition or a big competition, I can't watch Yeon Ah's competitions with a relaxed mind” and “I feel terrible for Yeon Ah every time I watch her compete. When she falls while competing after working so hard to prepare, my heart feel as if it's falling apart.”
오는 22일 캐나다로 가는 김씨는 경기 전까지는 숙소도 따로 쓰면서 절대 딸을 보지 않을 생각이다. 괜히 연습에 방해될까 염려하는 마음 때문이다. 지금도 딸 연아에겐 전화를 하지 않고 어머니 박미희씨에게만 가끔 통화를 한다. “쇼트프로그램 때 연아 엄마와 함께 보고 이후엔 같이 지낼 예정”이라고 했다. 그는 “연아의 아버지이자 국민의 한사람으로서 이번에 금메달을 따주기를 바라지만 딸에게 어떤 대회에서든 금메달을 따라고 한 적은 한번도 없다. 그저 최선을 다해주길 바랄 뿐”이라며 딸의 선전을 기대했다.
Mr. Kim, who will leave for Canada on the 22nd, plans on using a different room and making sure to not see his daughter till the competition. It's because he worries that he might disturb the practice for no reason. Even now, he doesn't telephone his daughter Yeon Ah and only calls her mother Mrs. Park Mi Hee sometimes. He said “I plan to spend time with her after watching the short program with Yeon Ah's mom.” He said “Though I as Yeon Ah's father and a citizen of the nation I want her to win the gold medal this time, I have never told my daughter to win a gold medal at any competition. I only wish for her to do her best” anticipating his daughter's battle.