Figure skater Kim Ha-neul aims for Pyeongchang Olympics

New star Kim Ha-neul had a gala show at the first selection match for Olympics figure skating held at Mokdong skating arena in Seoul on July 30. Kim's show was the highlight of the event that day. She wore a ribbon on her neck and presenting with singer Psy's dance on his song "New Face." The youngest participant of the show, Kim received huge applaud by spectators.

A Dong-A Ilbo reporter met the 15-year-old figure skater Monday at the skating arena in Taeneung Athletics Gym in Seoul. "I was surprised to see so many cameras. I believed that I would get good scores and ranking if I show off 100 percent what I had prepared, but I had never thought I could be on the victory stand," she said. "I was only able to prepare one to two weeks before the gala show day."

Kim has displayed stable performance at the selection match. She performed advanced jump techniques such as triple Lutz-triple toe loop in a stable manner and made no big mistakes. Since she is not tall (150 meters high), she often has difficulty in representing favorable lines with arms and legs, but overcomes it with high skill jump with powerful strength in lower body.

Kim has a dream to follow the footsteps of figure star Kim Yu-na and join the Olympics. "People tell me that I can challenge the 2020 Beijing Olympics given my young age, but the Pyeongchang Olympics is my dream stage and my ultimate goal for now," she said. "I want to be qualified for the upcoming Olympics so that I will be able to meet people with more gala shows."

Hong-Gu Kang windup@donga.com