🏂 Choi Ga-on's Cute TMI Revealed! & The Touching Story That Made the Chairman Cry 🥺 - 2026.03.20 | 2026 Winter Sports Festival

Hello, fans! It's Milano Expedition! 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

The emotion of the Milan Olympics is still fresh, but fun behind-the-scenes stories of our athletes keep pouring in. Last time I brought you news about the prize money party, but today I brought completely new and interesting TMIs and behind-the-scenes stories from that event! 😎

🕺 Successful Fan Choi Ga-on! Cortis Dance Challenge Behind

Our first snow sports gold medalist Choi Ga-on! She's totally into the idol group 'Cortis' these days ^[1]. She thought it was cool watching Cortis members converse in English on YouTube, which led to her new hobby of studying English! Since there are many overseas competitions, she says she will try an English interview later ^[1].

Recently, she even filmed a dance challenge with Cortis and became a perfect 'successful fan', but she was so surprised by how handsome they were that she couldn't say a word out of shyness ^[5] ^[6]. She's so charismatic on the snow, but doesn't she look exactly like a cute teenage girl in moments like this? 😆

🚗 I Want to Get a License and Buy a Car! & Injury Recovery Update

Curious about where Choi Ga-on will spend her hefty prize money? She says she wants to save it all and buy the car she wants later! She plans to get her driver's license right after her birthday on November 3rd this year ^[2].

She also shared an update on her hand injury that we were worried about. She laughed, saying the bones should be healed by now, but she didn't wear her brace much because it was uncomfortable 😅 She says she needs to monitor it for about 3 more weeks. Once fully recovered, she plans to do air mat training in Japan next month in April, and participate in a US high-performance camp to prepare for the next season ^[1] ^[2]. Returning to a challenger's mindset for the Olympics 4 years later, isn't that awesome? 👍

🥺 "We Willingly Face Despair and Pain" The Video That Made the Chairman Cry

At this encouragement event, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin was caught wiping away tears ^[3]. His eyes teared up while watching a special video of snow sports athletes training in harsh environments, spending more than 250 days a year abroad. It was also belatedly revealed that when Choi Ga-on had back surgery in 2024, Lotte fully supported the 70 million won in surgery and treatment costs ^[3]. Thanks to such a reliable 'Daddy Long Legs', our athletes were able to put miraculous gold medals around their necks! 👏

🗣️ Hwang Dae-heon, Likely to Announce Position in Early April

There's also news about short track national team member Hwang Dae-heon. Fans have been focused on when Hwang Dae-heon, who recently returned from the World Championships, will express his position, right? According to the skating community, it is highly likely that he will release a statement right before the 1st national team selection trials held between April 7th and 9th next month ^[4]. Let's all wait together to see what sincere story he will share regarding the past incident with Lin Xiaojun.

🤝 Mayor Oh Se-hoon Encourages Seoul-based Athletes

Lastly, on the 19th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon had a meaningful time personally meeting and taking commemorative photos with the Seoul representative athletes who participated in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics to encourage their hard work .

The never-ending winter story of our athletes! I'll come back with more fruitful and fun news next time. Our cheers for the next Milan Olympics continue! Forever~ ❄️🔥