After a grueling start to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, South Korea’s mixed doubles curling team, Kim Seonyeong and Jeong Yeongseok, have staged a remarkable turnaround, capturing two straight victories that have reignited their Olympic campaign. Their latest triumphs at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, have not only lifted their spirits but have also offered a glimmer of hope to their supporters back home.
The duo’s Olympic journey began with five consecutive defeats, a streak that tested both their technical skills and emotional resilience. Kim and Jeong suffered losses to curling powerhouses Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, and the Czech Republic, quickly finding themselves at the bottom of the standings. With only the top four teams out of ten advancing to the semifinals, their path forward looked all but blocked.
Yet, as every true sports fan knows, the beauty of curling—and the Olympics itself—lies in its unpredictability and the indomitable spirit of its athletes. On February 7 (local time), Kim Seonyeong and Jeong Yeongseok finally broke their losing streak, clinching a nail-biting 6-5 win over the United States’ Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin in their sixth round-robin match. The contest was a roller coaster from the start, with Korea edging ahead by a single point in each of the first two ends and maintaining a narrow lead through the middle of the game.
In the crucial seventh end, the U.S. invoked their power play—a strategic move that can dramatically shift the momentum. But the Koreans held firm, stealing a point to extend their lead to 5-2. Just when it seemed victory was within reach, the Americans stormed back in the eighth end, scoring three points to tie the game at 5-5 and force an extra end. The tension in the arena was palpable.
With the hammer in the extra end, Jeong Yeongseok delivered a decisive shot, clearing several American stones clustered near the center. Kim Seonyeong then calmly placed her final stone close to the button, sealing the victory and unleashing a wave of emotion. According to a post-match interview with broadcaster JTBC, Kim Seonyeong said, "I think it's worth praising for overcoming it and making the last shot." She added, "It's a pity that our first win is late, but it was our first priority to show our own game. I like it the most that we played a good game while leading it to our style." Tears flowed freely, this time of relief and joy rather than frustration.
Jeong Yeongseok echoed the sentiment, stating, "I feel good to win. I'm sorry it's too late. Still, today's game was the way and content we've been pursuing. I asked to catch teams with the ability to go to the playoffs, but the results came out well." The duo’s resilience in the face of adversity was evident, and their determination to finish strong, regardless of the standings, was clear. "I want to show our curling without being intimidated in the rest of the game," Kim said, while Jeong vowed, "I will show you a performance that allows you to feel proud of yourself regardless of the results."
The emotional victory over the U.S. was even more significant given the Americans’ strong record (4-1 before the match) and their pedigree as the 2023 World Championship winners. For Kim and Jeong, defeating such a formidable opponent was a testament to their skill and mental fortitude.
With the monkey finally off their backs, the Korean pair wasted no time in building on their newfound momentum. On February 8 (Korea time), they faced Estonia’s Mari Kalduvee and Harri Lill, delivering a dominant 9-3 performance in their seventh mixed doubles preliminary match. From the outset, Kim and Jeong displayed a commanding presence on the ice. In the first end, Korea scored three points, thanks in large part to Kim Seonyeong’s brilliant double takeout on her final throw.
The Koreans extended their lead to 5-0 in the second end, capitalizing on Estonian mistakes and stealing two points despite not having the hammer. Estonia attempted to fight back by deploying their power play in the third end, but Korea’s defense was rock solid, limiting the damage to a single point. The highlight of the fourth end came when Jeong Yeongseok executed a superb double takeout, setting up Kim to draw her final stone into the house for two more points. By the sixth end, the score had ballooned to 9-2 in favor of Korea.
With the outcome all but decided, Estonia managed to claw back a single point in the seventh end, but the deficit was too great. The final eighth end was rendered unnecessary, as the Estonian team conceded defeat and offered handshakes after the seventh end. The victory marked Korea’s second consecutive win, a dramatic reversal from their earlier fortunes.
Despite the late surge, the reality of the standings remains harsh. With a record of two wins and five losses, Kim and Jeong still face long odds of reaching the semifinals, especially as Great Britain has already secured a spot with seven straight victories and several other teams have at least four wins. Yet, the Korean pair’s renewed confidence and fighting spirit have made them a team to watch in the remaining matches.
Looking ahead, Kim Seonyeong and Jeong Yeongseok are set to play their final two preliminary games on February 9 against Canada and Norway. While a place in the semifinals may be out of reach, their recent performances have given fans plenty to cheer about and have showcased the heart and determination that define Olympic competition.
In the world of curling, where precision, strategy, and nerves of steel are all required in equal measure, Kim and Jeong’s journey at the Milan-Cortina Games is a reminder that perseverance can pay off, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Their story is far from over, and as they prepare for their final showdowns, there’s no telling what surprises they might have left in store.
For now, South Korea’s curling faithful can savor the sweet taste of victory—twice in a row—and look forward to seeing their team finish strong, no matter what the standings say when the last stone is thrown.