“Let me first begin with my short program, Giselle. In this program, I, as Giselle, perform her mixed and complicated emotions. These emotions are sometimes very intense, lovely, and sad. I believe you can see various feelings and emotions through my performance. So I am trying to perform Giselle focusing on her emotions as much as I can.

Speaking of my Long Program, Homage to Korea, since this is a kind of music I have never skated with before, I am trying to reflect on images of Korea in my performance. As this is my special thanks to Korean fans who have always supported and cheered for me, I am trying to express my grateful heart toward them in the program.

In the past, since I thought of results so much before competitions, I often felt nervous and anxious about my performance. But now, my goal is to perform my programs in the way I want to skate while interacting with the audience. I think that goal is the real motive that encourages me.”

April 2, 1011 ( Video )

Source: Dong-A News
Article: 'Return of the Queen'
Date: January 27, 2011
Translated by SquallB at YNKF
Complete interview

Q: What meaning does this year's World Championship have for you?

YNK: Since I have achieved all that I want to achieve as an athlete, I am not concerned about the result. I am just nervous and excited about performing new programs before the fans. I just hope I can interact well with the audience by portraying the characters well. “Homage to Korea” is very special to me, as it embodies my gratitude to Korean fans who have supported me up to now. I hope many people will like it.

Source: Universal Sports
Article: L.A. weather is great, but Kim ready for spring in Tokyo'
Author: Alexa Ainsworth
Date: February 11, 2011
Complete interview

What are your goals for Worlds?

I want to show everything that I prepared for the Worlds and breathe with the audience. The result will come along with that.

What are you looking forward to at Worlds?

It's been a year since my last competition and I look forward to returning to the ice. I can't wait to present my new programs to the audience and fans.

“I was incredibly happy when I won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics. I was really lucky. I don't think I'll ever forget those moments.”

Source: Arirang.co.kr

“There is a saying, 'Where there is Peace, there is Culture. Where there is Culture, there is Peace.' However, as an athlete and figure skater, I would like to say: Where there is Peace, there is Sports. Where there is Sports, there is Peace.”

Yu-Na Kim
September 17, 2010
International Day of Peace

“Three times,” answered Kim, asked how many times she had cried since winning the gold. “After my performance was over and then on the podium. [Joannie Rochette] started crying, and I started crying right with her.”

Source: Olympic Review: Day 14 - February 25, 2010, Magazine Edition
February 25, 2010

“What I want to avoid is staying at the same place. As I improve in skills, musical interpretations, and acting, I am able to approach each element of my programs with perfection. As I'm preparing, I build momentum and confidence until I reach a peak of concentration. It is the moment that I feel my best. Then I can bring out one hundred percent, which makes me satisfied with myself. This is my goal.”

Source: Golden Skate
Article: Twenty Percent to Perfection
Author: Nahui-Adelaide Kim
Date: October 23 2009

“Maybe we can say it’s up to heaven to decide who will win the gold medal. So whatever result I would get, I’m ready to accept it. Even if I don’t win the gold medal, I would – I would not be disappointed too much.”

Source: NY Times
Article/Video: Olympic Hopes Rest With Skating Favorite Kim Yu-na
Author: Juliet Macur
Date: February 13, 2010

“As far as I know, figure skating is not just a competition among countries or contenders. It's not a solitary competition with myself, either. Though I'm still in the process to learn and realize what skating really is, what I know right now is that the most important thing in figure skating is the connection with the audience. So I hope that I and everyone watching my performances will not feel joy or sorry accompanied by the colors of the medals, but share joy and happiness that I'll deliver through the music and my performances next February in Vancouver.”

Source: Dong-A Daily Newspaper
Article: Letter from Yuna to her fans (Original: Korean, translated into English)
Author: Dong-A Daily News editorial department
Date: May. 8, 2009

“What I've lost is school life, including the fact that I wasn’t able to make a lot of friends. But a big achievement would be that I reached the top of the world at a young age in what I do best.”

Source: The Chosun Ilbo
Article: Kim Yu-na Ponders Retirement from Competitions
Author:
Date: Mar. 30, 2010

“My mother was always by my side when I was practicing but it was very rare for my father to come see me skate. I was very pleased I could skate a clean performance in front of them.”

Source: Yahoo! Sports
Article: Kim effortlessly assumes Olympic throne
Author: Dan Wetzel
Date: February 26, 2010

“It hasn’t been long since I had a religion, but it relieved me of the heavy load on my chest. Having faith helped me through my performances.”

Source: The Dong-A Ilbo
Article: KFigure Skating Queen Says She Has ‘Boring’ Life
Author:
Date: MARCH 31, 2009

Why have I been worried so much, why have I gotten so fearful….
I had to go through so many uneasiness in my mind
thinking what if I fail at Worlds when I want it so much
Even though I was doing fine and I had confidence to do so,
I used to fear for the uncertainties my future holds for me.
However I think I could get it off a bit this time.
It feels as though I'm accomplishing my goals as I've envisionned it in my mind.
one step and then another…like climbing up to the place where I want to be
the moment that I realize my past hardships and sufferings were all for myself, here in present time.

Thank you.

Translated by: BelleFilleYuna, YNKF
Source: Yu-na's Cyworld
Date: March, 2009

Source: http://dochi_kim.blog.me/130096772017
Translated by clazzichoir, YNKF http://yunaforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2258
Complete interview
Date: March, 2009

Q. At the time of your first debut at the international competition when you were 14, some pointed out that you lacked in expressive skills compared to your techniques; and you too mentioned that ‘it is awkward and embarrassing as it feels a bit like posing’ back then.
Now you are noted as a top artistic figure skater in the world. Has there been an incident, advice, or a role-model that brought this change in you?

A. When I performed only at the national competitions, I didn’t realized the importance of expressive skills, and I my facial expressions lacked somewhat when I was young. No matter how hard I tried to smile at the competition they said I need to smile more, and (after I watched my performance clips) I realized that my facial expression barely changes.
That was when I realized that ‘Oh gosh, I have to double my expressions for people to recognize.’ It was still sort of embarrassing to be expressive in front of people. What gave me the confidence was the program ‘El Tango de Roxanne’.
I knew that strong programs like Tango would lose its magnetism if I don’t deliver it right, and I really wanted to make it right since I chose the music myself.
Doing this program taught me that I can improve my program greatly by using my expressive skills. I mimicked Michelle Kwan’s performances for fun when I was young, and I think I’m displaying those facial expressions when I perform.
As figure skating is an artistic sport, I became to think a lot about wanting to perform a program as a whole that can move the crowd; not just concentrating on techniques and mistakes at the competitions. Now it has become a natural thing to be expressive while I perform.