All eyes are on South Korea’s figure skating stars as Cha Jun-hwan and Shin Ji-a gear up for the critical final stages of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Both skaters have captivated not just their home nation but fans and media worldwide, thanks to their dynamic performances and undeniable charisma—earning nicknames like “idol” and “ice fairy” along the way. But as the Olympic ice heats up, it’s their skating prowess, not just their looks, that’s set to take center stage.
Cha Jun-hwan, now in his third Olympic appearance, is chasing a dream that has eluded every Korean male skater before him: an Olympic medal. On February 11, 2026, at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, Cha delivered a technically solid short program, scoring 92.72 points—50.08 in technical elements and 42.64 in program components. That performance placed him sixth overall, safely qualifying him for the free skating round and keeping his medal hopes alive. The top spot in the short program went to America’s quad king Ilia Malinin, who posted a commanding 108.16 points, with Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama (103.07) and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa (102.55) rounding out the top three. Cha, trailing third place by 9.83 points, still has a fighting chance to climb the podium in the free skate.
Reflecting on his performance, Cha admitted, “When I checked my score, it was lower than I expected, which was disappointing. I could accept the lower technical score, but the component score being low was especially frustrating.” He added, “After the short program, I thought a lot. Rather than focus on the result, I decided to enjoy the process. I may not have gotten the score I wanted, but in the moment, I showed what I wanted to show. I’m satisfied because I know I did my best.”
Cha’s approach to the upcoming free skating program is steeped in both strategy and experience. Despite the pressure to increase his program’s difficulty in pursuit of a medal, he’s sticking with the layout he’s honed throughout the season—two quadruple jumps, rather than three. “The gap with third place is big, and it might seem like I should raise the difficulty to go for a medal, but I’ll perform the same program elements I’ve prepared,” he told reporters after his final official practice on February 13. “As I did at the Harbin Asian Winter Games, I’ll make the same choice again.” That decision paid off handsomely in Harbin, where Cha overcame a similar deficit to win gold after his rival faltered under pressure.
Cha’s free skating program for this Olympic cycle is set to “Balada para un Loco,” a piece he describes as magical and deeply personal. In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com on February 12, he explained, “This season’s version moves beyond explosive emotions to something more subtle but even more powerful. It’s like the emotions gently spread after burning bright.” He highlighted his favorite lyric, “Piantao,” which he interprets as “crazy,” and the phrase, “¡Vení! ¡Volá! ¡Senti!” meaning “Come! Fly! Feel!”—both capturing the spirit he hopes to convey on the Olympic stage. “For the free skate, regardless of the outcome, I want to create a moment that’s truly mine and pour everything into it.”
Cha’s Olympic journey this year has been particularly memorable. Not only did he compete in the team event and individual short program, but he also had the honor of serving as Korea’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony—a first for him. “I feel like I’m really enjoying my third Olympics. The opening ceremony was amazing, and now only the free skate remains. I want to make it unforgettable, no matter the result.”
Of course, the path to Olympic glory is never without its challenges. Cha faced some controversy over the scoring in the short program, particularly a quarter landing call on his triple Axel and a step sequence graded at level three. He addressed the issue with characteristic composure, stating, “I was a bit disappointed by the component score, but I’ve decided to focus on what I can control.” He also commented on the ice conditions at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, noting, “The ice is a bit soft and wet, which can be distracting. If there’s too much moisture, it can freeze into bumps on the surface, so I have to be careful during my performance.”
While Cha prepares for his final skate on February 14 at 3:00 AM Korean time, Shin Ji-a is ready to make her mark in the women’s singles. A prodigy since age seven, Shin has racked up four consecutive silver medals at the ISU Junior World Championships from 2022 to 2025, earning her the title “the second Kim Yuna” among Korean fans and media. At these Olympics, Shin already placed fourth in the team event women’s singles short program on February 6, scoring 68.80 points—just shy of her personal best but enough to demonstrate she’s a serious medal contender.
Japanese media, including Sponichi Annex, praised Shin’s technical prowess, especially her successful triple jump combination early in her routine. “She’s a strong competitor who’s consistently reached the podium at Worlds, Grand Prix, and the Asian Games,” the outlet noted. Another publication, The Answer, remarked on her poise, saying, “Shin Ji-a’s performance showed no sign of nerves, capturing the attention of Milan’s fans.” The publication also highlighted her “lovely visual appeal” and “sensational costumes,” but emphasized her artistry and composure under pressure.
Shin Ji-a is scheduled to compete in the women’s singles short program on February 18 at 2:45 AM Korean time, aiming to bring home Korea’s first Olympic women’s figure skating medal since Kim Yuna’s storied run. “She’s aiming to continue the legacy of Korean figure skating after Kim Yuna,” noted one report, underscoring the high expectations placed on the young skater. With her steady rise and proven track record, Shin is poised to deliver a performance that could end Korea’s 16-year medal drought in women’s Olympic figure skating.
As the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics figure skating events reach their climax, both Cha Jun-hwan and Shin Ji-a stand on the cusp of history. Whether they can deliver the breakthrough performances their country craves remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—the world will be watching as they take to the ice, ready to write the next chapter in Korean skating lore.