Life in LA

Yu-Na moved to Los Angeles from Toronto in September 2010, after parting ways with Brian Orser as her coach in August 2010. During this time, she temporarily skated at the East-West Ice Palace in Artesia, California, owned by Michelle Kwan, in preparation for her show, All That Skate LA in the first weekend in October.

In October, she announced that Peter Oppegard, Michelle Kwan's brother-in-law and husband to choreographer Karen Kwan-Oppegard, would be her coach for the upcoming season, in which she planned to compete at the 2011 World championships. East-West Ice Palace would remain her training base. She had once trained with Peter many years earlier, during a summer spent training overseas.

During the fall 2010 season, Yu-Na spent time hanging out with other skaters trained by Peter Oppegard, and other southern California skaters, such as on a trip to Knott's Scary Farm. She spent time working with Naomi Nari Nam, also a coach at East-West Palace, who was the first Korean-American skater to achieve prominence, and whom Yu-Na had met previously at a 2006 ice show in Korea.

Outside from her training, Yu-Na continued to film commercials, now with southern California backdrops such as the Americana at Brand in Glendale and the Stahl House in the Hollywood Hills. She also took English classes.

Article: “Yu-Na Kim Loving Life in LA”
by Susan D. Russell
IFS Magazine page 10, December 2010 issue

Key points:
- The transition to LA has been positive, Yu-Na thought it would be different there, but nothing has changed.
- Yu-Na said about East West, “We asked Michelle if I could train there, and she said absolutely. It was very easy.” Yu-Na is enjoying East-West. She believes that Peter will be a “strong mental support” to her and she has faith in him.
- Peter Oppegard is delighted to be coaching Yu-Na. “I am impressed with Yu-Na's disciplined and dedicated approach to her work. Her demeanor is always respectful and unassuming. Yu-Na is a wonderful addition to the rink. Her presence is an inspiration to the younger athletes that look up to her.”
- Michelle Kwan is thrilled that Oppegard is coaching Yu-Na. “Peter is the perfect choice. He really cares about the skater, and I have no doubt that he will think of all the things that are important to making her the best skater she can be.”
- Yu-Na mentions having trained with Evan Lysacek, Mirai Nagasu, and Caroline Zhang, and talented younger skaters.
- Yu-Na was “really surprised” as the great reaction of the Los Angeles audience for ATS LA, because she wasn't sure how they would react, and they're usually calm at competitions. She said all the skaters felt that way about the reaction, and everyone had fun.
- Yu-Na said, “I am really happy, and I think this is a very good change for me. It is a turning point in my life, and I feel it is very special to be here in L.A.”

Source

How do you like Los Angeles - are you recognized a lot? Have you visited the beaches?

The great thing about L.A. is the weather. I've been to several beaches - Newport Beach, Santa Monica and Malibu. I am enjoying living in L.A. I get recognized a lot, especially by the Koreans and they are so nice. Their support and interest mean a lot to me.