On March 15, 2026, South Korean television served up a double helping of Olympic stardom and culinary spectacle, as two of the nation’s most celebrated short track speed skaters, Choi Min-jung and Kim Gilli, took center stage on two of the country’s top entertainment programs. The evening’s lineup featured the dynamic duo on JTBC’s “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator” and, just a couple hours earlier, Choi Min-jung led a squad of Olympic heroes onto SBS’s “Running Man,” offering fans a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the athletes’ personalities, appetites, and post-Olympic plans.
For many viewers, the highlight was seeing Choi Min-jung, fresh off her record-breaking performance at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, embracing her new role as a national icon. According to SBS, Choi, who now holds the title of Korea’s all-time most decorated short track athlete, joined fellow Olympians Noh Do-hee, Lee Jun-seo, Lee Jeong-min, and Shin Dong-min on “Running Man.” The episode, themed “Vitality Recharge Speed is Spring,” was a celebration of both athletic achievement and the lighter side of competition, complete with strategic mind games, betrayals, and a healing food segment designed to help the athletes recover from their high-stakes winter in Italy.
From the outset, the Olympic guests brought a jolt of energy to the set. Choi Min-jung, known as the “short track queen,” was quick to display her trademark humor. When host Yoo Jae-suk commented on the rising caliber of international competition, Choi replied with a grin, “It wasn’t easy for me either, so I only managed to win two medals.” Her candor drew laughs from the cast and set the tone for an episode filled with playful banter and surprising revelations.
The show also touched on more poignant topics. Yoo Jae-suk, ever the inquisitive host, asked Choi about her retirement plans. She confirmed, “The last Olympics was my final one, though I might continue in some international competitions.” This candid admission marked a turning point for fans who have followed her storied career and signaled the end of an era in Korean short track speed skating. According to SBS, Choi’s reason for appearing on “Running Man” after her Olympic swan song was revealed during the broadcast, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into her mindset as she transitions away from Olympic competition.
But it wasn’t all serious reflection. The episode’s competitive “race” segment saw the athletes and regular cast members embroiled in a battle of wits to avoid penalty balls—a staple of “Running Man” hijinks. The tension was palpable, with members switching teams and alliances forming and breaking in real time. As SBS reported, “The atmosphere was tense throughout, with betrayals and strategic moves as everyone tried to dodge the penalty.” The youngest guest, Shin Dong-min, just 21 years old, drew astonished reactions from the cast, with Ji Suk-jin exclaiming, “You’re younger than my son!” and Yang Se-chan reflecting on his own career beginnings in 2005.
Lee Jun-seo, another guest athlete, revealed he runs a YouTube channel sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the world of short track. Choi Min-jung teased him, saying, “It’s Jun-seo’s YouTube, but he appears the least in it.” Shin Dong-min chimed in, joking, “It’s almost like it’s my channel.” These lighthearted exchanges gave fans a sense of camaraderie among the athletes and a window into their lives beyond the rink.
Later that evening, at 8:50 PM KST, Choi Min-jung and Kim Gilli took their talents from the ice to the kitchen on JTBC’s “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.” The show, famous for its 15-minute cooking battles using ingredients from celebrity guests’ fridges, featured the two Olympic gold medalists as the stars of the night. According to Edaily, the first contest was tailored for Kim Gilli, with chefs Park Eun-young and Kim Poong tasked with creating a dish under the theme “Lamborghini Full Axel Step.” Park Eun-young, boasting a 4-0 record against Kim Poong, playfully taunted her rival, saying, “I don’t know why I keep losing to you,” to which Kim Poong responded, “I’m on a good streak lately,” setting the stage for a spirited showdown.
Kim Poong upped the ante by preparing a dish he described as “a special food only made for national representatives,” wowing the other chefs with an imaginative, unexpected combination. The studio buzzed with disbelief, with fellow chefs marveling, “It’s a combination no chef would ever imagine.” Yet, the high-risk approach nearly backfired, as Kim Poong faced an unforeseen crisis mid-cook, plunging the studio into chaos and drawing laughter and concern in equal measure.
The second culinary duel was a heartfelt tribute to Choi Min-jung, who, as Edaily noted, had announced her Olympic retirement after Milan-Cortina. Chefs Choi Hyun-seok and Sohn Jong-won competed to create a special dedication dish dubbed “Olympic Last Dance,” honoring Choi’s legendary career. The emotional weight of the moment wasn’t lost on anyone present.
Throughout the episode, Choi Min-jung and Kim Gilli’s reactions stole the spotlight. Even during breaks, the two athletes remained in the studio, eagerly sampling each dish and exclaiming, “This is amazing!” They left no trace on their plates, demonstrating what Edaily described as a “national team-level mukbang.” Choi Min-jung, moved by the flavors, declared, “It’s a taste worth waiting 10 years for.”
The back-to-back broadcasts offered a multifaceted portrait of Korea’s Olympic heroes—fierce competitors on the ice, warm and witty personalities off it, and, as it turns out, enthusiastic foodies with a penchant for good company and great cuisine. Fans tuning in were treated not only to the thrill of victory but also to the joy of seeing their champions celebrated and humanized in new and delightful ways.
As Choi Min-jung and her fellow Olympians step into the next chapter, their legacy continues to inspire both on and off the field. Whether plotting strategy in a game show, reminiscing about the intensity of Olympic competition, or savoring a once-in-a-decade meal, these athletes remind viewers that greatness comes in many forms—and sometimes, it’s best enjoyed with friends and a clean plate.