Seoul, South Korea — South Korean figure skater Lee Hae-in made her much-anticipated return to the ice on February 23, 2025, at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skatings Championships held at Mokdong Ice Rink. This marked her first international competition after overcoming a challenging period of suspension.
Competing fiercely, Lee executed her routine during the women's singles free program, scoring 122.33 points. Her scores were broken down as 61.54 points for Technical Elements Score and 61.79 points for Program Components, along with one point deducted for violations during her performance. This brought her total score, accumulated from the short program, to 183.10 points, positioning her 8th overall. Despite not matching her personal best of 225.47 points achieved at the 2023 ISU World Team Trophy, her perseverance and resolve stood out.
After her performance, Lee shared her feelings with reporters, stating, "I want to commend myself for not giving up until the end." Her reflections revealed both satisfaction and disappointment as she noted the mistakes she made but expressed happiness at pushing through.
Lee's road to recovery has not been easy. Last year, she faced serious allegations during national training camp which led to her being suspended by the Korea Skipping Association for three years. Although she acknowledged her drinking incident, Lee has consistently denied any wrongdoing concerning the misconduct allegations. After seeking legal intervention, the court granted her the ability to compete again, allowing Lee to reclaim her place on the ice.
During the competition, Lee encountered multiple challenges, including struggles with jumps where she lost points due to underrotation and other technical errors. Specifically, she received deductions on her first jump combination of the triple Lutz and triple toe loop, which she felt impacted her earlier momentum. "I felt emotional seeing the Korean flag wave and being able to meet my fans again," Lee remarked, cherishing the support from her audience after her tumultuous hiatus.
Looking forward, Lee aims for the World Championships scheduled to take place this March in Boston, emphasizing the stakes involved, including Olympic qualification for the upcoming Winter Games. "This World Championship is more important than ever. I want to show good results, as I feel more responsible, and it would bring joy to my supporters," she declared, underscoring her commitment to improvement.
After competition, she stated, "This world is not something to be taken for granted. I'm happy just to be part of this competition," displaying her gratitude for the opportunity to compete again. Lee acknowledged the sense of urgency to refine her skills and remedy the mistakes identified during this tournament. "I realized what was lacking here, so I will address these issues for the next competitions. I'm excited to step up my training regimen to deliver more solid performances,” Lee explained.
Overall, Lee Hae-in’s return at the 2025 ISU Four Continents Figure Skatings Championships showcased not only her skills as a skater but also her resilience as she navigates her personal and professional challenges. The event allowed her to reconnect with fans and demonstrate her determination to improve as she prepares to seize the opportunities the upcoming international competitions present.
Fans and supporters are eager to follow her progress as she works toward her future aspirations, strengthened by her experiences on and off the ice.