⛸️ Ice Empress Choi Min-jeong's Last Dance Preview & Victory Fairy Kim Gil-li! - 2026.04.23 | Short Track

Hello, fans! It's your Speeding-on-Ice editor! ⛸️💨

Like a refreshing overtake on the outside track, I've brought you a full load of thrilling short track news this week. Are you all ready to race? Let's start right with the starting gun! 🔫

👑 'Short Track Empress' Choi Min-jeong's Fighting Spirit and Last Dance

There was news that made fans' hearts sink but also touched them deeply. Did you know that right after the Olympics, Choi Min-jeong was walking on crutches due to knee cruciate ligament pain? ^[1] Despite this, she took painkillers and competed in the 2026-2027 national team selection, taking 1st place in a whopping 5 out of 6 events to secure the overall victory ^[1]. What an incredible display of power and fighting spirit!

But there is also sad news. Choi Min-jeong announced that she will be stepping down from the national team after the 2026-2027 season ^[1]. The World Championships held in Seoul in March next year, 2027, will be her final finale in front of domestic fans ^[1]. Upon hearing this news, the 'next-generation ace' Kim Gil-li shed more tears than anyone else ^[2]. Choi Min-jeong expressed her affection, saying she wants to be a reliable supporter for Kim Gil-li, and also praised the diligence of the newly rising prospect Kim Min-ji ^[2].

In a recent interview, Choi Min-jeong shared that she learned about life through short track ^[4]. The frustration at the 2017 World Championships actually became a turning point, and she learned not to fear losing in races ^[4]. She also revealed her wish to run a relay with historical legends Park Seung-hi, Jin Sun-yu, and Chun Lee-kyung ^[3]. Let's all passionately cheer for Choi Min-jeong so she can enjoy skating without pressure for the remainder of the season! 🔥

✨ Kim Gil-li Shining Bright Off the Ice Too

We can't leave out the hot updates of our 'Lambor-gilli' Kim Gil-li! On the 16th, she stepped up as the ceremonial first pitcher for the pro baseball KIA Tigers and delivered a perfect pitch ^[5] ^[10]. Perhaps thanks to Kim Gil-li's golden energy, the team achieved a 5-1 comeback victory and extended their winning streak to 7 games, making her a perfect 'victory fairy' 🧚‍♀️ ^[5] ^[10].

Furthermore, she was selected as the champion of Chanel Beauty's sports mentoring program 'CC LEAGUE' and completed a stunning photoshoot ^[6]. We can't help but fall in love with Kim Gil-li's charm as she experiences a new world, quite different from her charismatic presence on the ice! 😍

📺 Great Broadcast News and Sweet Daily Lives of Skaters

With 52 days left until the World Cup, here's the great news that JTBC and KBS have dramatically agreed on joint broadcasting rights! ^[7] Now, without the disappointment of exclusive broadcasting, we can comfortably watch our skaters' dynamic races on both terrestrial and general programming channels. Isn't your heart pounding already? 💓

Let me also share some heartwarming daily news of the skaters. Former skater Gong Sang-jeong, a 2014 Sochi Olympic gold medalist currently working as a starter referee, is getting married this coming autumn! 💍 She released wedding photos, announcing her marriage to Seo Min-hyung, whom she met on the dating reality show 'Transit Love 3' ^[8].

Also, photos of skaters Kim Si-hyun, Kim A-lang, and Park Ji-yoon wearing matching baseball uniforms and watching a pro baseball game together on the 22nd were posted on social media ^[9]. It's so nice to see the smiles of the skaters enjoying their rest in a relaxed atmosphere! ⚾

That's all for this week's news. I'll be back next week with news as smooth and thrilling as a cornering move. Everyone, tie your skate laces tight and wait for me! ⛸️💨