There was no shortage of anticipation or excitement as Lim Haena and Kwon Ye, South Korea’s only ice dance duo, took to the ice at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. On the evening of February 9, 2026, inside Milan’s storied ice skating arena, the pair set out to make history for their country and themselves in the rhythm dance segment of figure skating. Their program, set to the iconic beats of Will Smith’s ‘Men in Black,’ was meant to be a showcase of their energy, precision, and chemistry. But as is often the case in sport, the story that unfolded was one of both pride and heartbreak.
Performing 12th out of 23 teams, Lim and Kwon wore matching black costumes, embodying the cool, confident vibe of their music selection. The duo had been building toward this moment for years. Lim, a second-generation Canadian immigrant with dual Canadian-Korean nationality, and Kwon, a Chinese-Canadian who acquired South Korean citizenship through special naturalization, first teamed up in 2019. Their partnership quickly gained traction, sweeping through Asian competitions and setting their sights on the Olympic stage. For both, just being here was the fulfillment of a dream. As Lim put it, “Our goal was to participate in the Olympics, and we’re so grateful to have achieved that.”
But the Olympic stage is never forgiving. The pressure was on from the very first element, the sequential twizzle—a tricky move requiring both skaters to spin in perfect unison. Here, disaster struck. Kwon, attempting her second rotation, lost her balance and twisted her steps, resulting in a significant deduction. While Lim managed to secure a level 4 for her twizzle, Kwon’s error meant she did not receive level recognition, and the pair earned only 2.41 points for the element. “The mistake was due to nerves, I think. I’m disappointed in myself,” Kwon later admitted, visibly crestfallen in the Kiss and Cry zone as the scores flashed on the monitor.
Despite the early setback, Lim and Kwon composed themselves admirably. They navigated the pattern dance-type step sequence and midline step sequence with steadiness, earning level 2 scores on both. Their signature rotational lift, a highlight of their routines, was executed with flair and awarded the highest difficulty, level 4. The program concluded with the choreographic rhythm sequence, which they completed at level 1. Still, the damage from the opening mistake lingered. Their technical element score (TES) came in at 34.28, and their program component score (PCS) at 30.41, for a total of 64.69 points—well below their season and personal best of 76.02 points.
The result placed Lim and Kwon 22nd out of 23 teams, missing the cutoff for the free dance by a heartbreaking 0.29 points. The Spanish duo Sofia Bal and Asaf Kazimov, who edged into 20th place with 64.98 points, claimed the last ticket to the next round. For Lim and Kwon, it meant their Olympic journey on the ice would end here, as only the top 20 teams advanced to the free dance. The disappointment was palpable. Kwon, suffering from a cold and coughing during post-skate interviews, struggled to hide her frustration. Yet Lim, ever the optimist, tried to keep spirits high: “It’s a little disappointing because of the mistake, but I was still so happy. Today, we really felt the energy, and our choreography was in sync.” She added, “After the mistake, we looked at each other and said, ‘We can do it. Let’s do better on the next element.’ I want to tell Kwon that it’s okay.”
The duo’s Olympic campaign had already been marked by challenges. Earlier in the week, they competed in the team event, scoring 70.55 points and placing 7th out of 10 teams in the rhythm dance. However, with South Korea’s team not advancing to the top 5, Lim and Kwon didn’t get to perform their free dance in that segment either. The individual event offered a second chance, but the rhythm dance again proved to be the final curtain.
For South Korean ice dance, Lim and Kwon’s appearance at these Games was historic. They are only the third Korean pair to compete in Olympic ice dance, following in the footsteps of Yang Tae-hwa and Lee Chun-kyun (Salt Lake City 2002) and Min Yura and Alexander Gamelin (PyeongChang 2018). Their presence alone signals the growing ambition and progress of Korean figure skating on the world stage. The nation’s best Olympic ice dance finish remains 18th, set by Min and Gamelin, and Lim and Kwon had hoped to at least match or surpass that feat. “Just performing at the Olympics, in front of so many spectators, was so wonderful,” Lim reflected. “I hope our feelings reached the fans.”
The rhythm dance event itself was fiercely competitive. French duo Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier, gold medalists in Beijing, took the lead with a commanding 90.18 points, aiming for back-to-back Olympic titles. The free dance, scheduled for February 12, would decide the final medalists, but for Lim and Kwon, the focus shifted from competition to reflection and gratitude.
Even in disappointment, their camaraderie and resilience shone through. Lim’s words in the mixed zone summed up their journey: “To be at the Olympics was our dream. We’re thankful for the opportunity and proud of what we’ve accomplished together.” Kwon, despite her cold and the sting of an early error, echoed the sentiment: “The atmosphere was amazing, and even though I made a mistake, I was able to enjoy the rest of the performance.”
As they leave Milan, Lim Haena and Kwon Ye carry with them more than just scores and placements. They’ve inspired a new generation of Korean skaters to dream big and to persevere, whatever the odds. Their Olympic story—marked by courage, unity, and a touch of heartbreak—will linger long after the ice has melted.