"Just Do It"... The Kim Yuna Quote That Helped Choi Gaon Steady Her Mind

Quote from 2010 Vancouver Games Goes Viral Again
On Gold Medal Congratulations: "I Was Really Shocked and Deeply Moved"

Choi Gaon (18, Sehwa Girls' High School), who clinched the gold medal in the women's snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, said she drew great strength from one of Kim Yuna's quotes.

Choi Gaon, who won the gold medal in the women's snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, posed as she returned to Korea via Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the 16th. Yonhap News

According to JTBC and the JoongAng Ilbo on the 15th, Choi Gaon said that ahead of these Olympics, she was watching Reels on the social media platform Instagram when she came across a quote from 'figure skating queen' Kim Yuna.

The video showed Kim Yuna in the lead-up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. When asked, "What do you think about while you are stretching?", she gave a succinct answer: "What is there to think about? You just do it." Since then, and still today, this quote has resonated with online users as something that helps them accept reality and focus on doing what needs to be done when facing difficult situations or major events.

Legendary quotes of 'figure skating queen' Kim Yuna ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Screenshot by MBC

Choi Gaon said, "While watching (Instagram) Reels before these Olympics, I saw Kim Yuna saying, 'The Olympics, to be honest, are no big deal'," and explained that seeing this quote helped her steady her mind.

After news broke of Choi Gaon's gold medal, Kim Yuna reportedly conveyed through an acquaintance at her agency, "Congratulations so much," and, "I watched it live." Choi Gaon said of this, "I was really shocked and deeply moved."

On the 13th, Choi Gaon staged a dramatic come-from-behind performance in the women's snowboard halfpipe final at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, earning the first gold medal for the Korean delegation.

Screenshot from JTBC

Meanwhile, on the 16th, Choi Gaon entered the arrivals hall at Incheon International Airport with her gold medal around her neck. Asked what she wanted to eat after returning home, she replied, "Yukjeon (pan-fried beef) that my grandmother makes," and added, "I want to eat Dujjonku (Dubai Chewy Cookie) and malatang with my friends. We will have a celebration party with my family, and I have pajama parties with my friends lined up for two nights in a row," bringing laughter to the scene.

Regarding concerns about a possible knee injury during the competition, she said that her condition had improved significantly, but added, "I will have to go to the hospital and get it checked."