⛸️ Shomarin's Ice Dance Debut Is Near! This Week's Figure Skating News, Plus Cha Junhwan's New Challenge 🎭 - 2026.10.30 | Figure Skating

Hello, fans! 🙌 This week brought plenty of figure skating news. Let's dive into the ice dance challenge and Cha Junhwan's surprising transformation! ⛸️

🇯🇵 'Shomarin' Ice Dance Debut Is Almost Here!

Japanese figure skating stars Marin Honda and Olympic medalist Shoma Uno are about to make their official ice dance debut ^[1]. The event is the East Japan Championships, running from the 30th to November 1 at ALSOK Gunma Ice Arena in Gunma Prefecture ^[1]. It isn't an international event, but it's a qualifier with spots on the line for the All Japan Championships at year's end, so the competition is expected to be fierce 😳

The pair will compete in the rhythm dance for the first time on the 31st, followed by the free dance on November 1 ^[1]. Honda is the 2016 World Junior Championships women's singles champion ^[1], and Uno won silver at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and bronze at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics ^[1]. Uno retired in 2024, so this competition marks his return to official competition after three seasons, which makes it even more exciting 🥹

But big names alone won't secure a spot. Yoshida Utana and Morita Masaya, who won back-to-back All Japan titles, are the strongest rivals, and the duo also contributed to the team event silver medal at this year's Milano Cortina Winter Olympics ^[1]. As singles skaters keep moving into ice dance, Japanese media are comparing the current ice dance landscape to the 'Sengoku period' 🔥 Honda and Uno have performed together in ice shows, but this is the first time they'll be judged and ranked against other teams, so there are plenty of variables ^[1]. Let's cheer on the pair as they redraw their skating careers in a new discipline 💪

🎭 Cha Junhwan Goes for Acting!

Cha Junhwan has decided not to continue national team activities and competitions this season. After considering his future activities following the last season, he also finalized his contract with Seoul City Hall ^[2]. He is also preparing to return as an actor 🎬

Cha first debuted as a child actor in the 2006 drama 'Miracle' and has appeared in works such as 'Return of Iljimae' ^[2]. In the TVING sitcom 'Palace Land', scheduled to premiere next year, he takes the lead role as Seong Dae-han, a new cast member at an amusement park ^[2]. This marks his acting comeback after about 18 years, since the 2009 KBS 2TV drama 'Just Watching', so expectations are high 😍

At a preview event for an Italian jewelry brand exhibition in Cheongdam-dong on the 28th, he appeared in an all-black suit and drew attention with his presence. Reports said he calmly handled photo requests with an easy smile, and his look inspired the headline 'Acting seems like fun!' ^[2]. We're curious what color his presence from the skating stage will bring to acting ✨

🎬 Official Skate Canada Video Released

ISU has released the official video of the Grand Prix series event Skate Canada International ^[3]. According to the video description, the next stop is introduced as Kelowna, Canada ^[3]. Since it's official footage, you can rewatch the jumps and spins in clear detail, so be sure to check it out when you have time 🏅

This week was full of news spanning both the ice and the stage. See you next time, fans! 💙