View source for Yuna Kim

{{short description|South Korean figure skater (born 1990)}}
{{redirect|Kim Yuna|the singer|Kim Yuna (singer)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=August 2023}}
{{Western name order|Kim Yeon-a}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Yuna Kim
| native_name        = 김연아
| native_name_lang   = ko
| other_names        = Kim Yeon-a, Kim Yuna
| image              = YuNaKimInVancouver.jpg
| image_upright      = 1
| alt                = Refer to caption
| caption            = Kim at the [[2010 Winter Olympics]]
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1990|9|5}}
| birth_place        = [[Bucheon]], South Korea
| spouse             = {{Marriage|{{Ill|Ko Woo-rim|ko|고우림 (성악가)}}|2022}}
| alma_mater         = [[Korea University]]<ref name="gradschool"/>
| occupation         = {{hlist|[[Figure skating|Figure skater]]|[[Philanthropy|Philanthropist]]}}
| awards             = 
| module             = {{Infobox figure skater
|embed=yes
|name=
|native_name=
|native_name_lang=
|altname=
|image=
|alt=
|caption=
|country={{KOR}}
|discipline=[[Single skating|Women's singles]]
|beganskating=1996
|years_competitive=2001–2014
|years_professional=2014–present
|highest_WS=
|medalrecord={{Figure skating infobox medals|nationals=South Korean
|medalcount=yes
|OGg=1|OGs=1|WCg=2|WCs=2|WCb=2|4CCg=1|GPFg=3|GPFs=1|JWCg=1|JWCs=1|JGPFg=1|JGPFs=1|NCg=6
|OG={{FS medal|g|OG|2010|Vancouver|w}} {{FS medal|s|OG|2014|Sochi|w}}
|WC={{FS medal|g|WC|2009|Los Angeles|w}} {{FS medal|g|WC|2013|London|w}} {{FS medal|s|WC|2010|Turin|w}} {{FS medal|s|WC|2011|Moscow|w}} {{FS medal|b|WC|2007|Tokyo|w}} {{FS medal|b|WC|2008|Gothenburg|w}}
|4CC={{FS medal|g|4CC|2009|Vancouver|w}}
|GPF={{FS medal|g|GPF|2006–07|St. Petersburg|w}}{{FS medal|g|GPF|2007–08|Turin|w}}{{FS medal|g|GPF|2009–10|Tokyo|w}}{{FS medal|s|GPF|2008–09|Goyang|w}}
|JWC={{FS medal|g|JWC|2006|Ljubljana|g}}{{FS medal|s|JWC|2005|Kitchener|g}}
|JGPF={{FS medal|g|JGPF|2005–06|Ostrava|g}}{{FS medal|s|JGPF|2004–05|Helsinki|g}}
|NC={{FS medal|g|NC|nationals=South Korean|2003|Seoul|w}}{{FS medal|g|NC|nationals=South Korean|2004|Seoul|w}}{{FS medal|g|NC|nationals=South Korean|2005|Seoul|w}}{{FS medal|g|NC|nationals=South Korean|2006|Seoul|w}}{{FS medal|g|NC|nationals=South Korean|2013|Seoul|w}}{{FS medal|g|NC|nationals=South Korean|2014|Goyang|w}}
}}}}
| module2            = {{Infobox Korean name/auto|child=yes|
|hangul = %김연아
|hanja = 金姸兒
}}
}}

'''Yuna Kim''' ({{Korean|hangul=김연아}}; born September 5, 1990), also credited in [[Personal name#Eastern name order|eastern name order]] as '''Kim Yuna''' or '''Kim Yeon-a''', is a South Korean [[Figure skating|figure skater]]. Known for her well-rounded skills, achievements, popularity, and impact on the sport, she is one of the most highly recognized athletes in South Korea and regarded as one of the greatest figure skaters in history, being commonly referred to as "Queen Yuna".<ref name="sadperfectend">{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/02/the-sad-perfect-end-of-kim-yunas-figure-skating-reign/283986/|title=The Sad, Perfect End of Kim Yuna's Figure-Skating Reign|work=The Atlantic|last=Graham|first=Bryan Armen|access-date=September 6, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228141824/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/02/the-sad-perfect-end-of-kim-yunas-figure-skating-reign/283986/|archive-date=February 28, 2014|date=February 22, 2014}}</ref><ref name="CT130316">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-xpm-2013-03-16-ct-spt-0317-hersh-women-world-figure-skating-20130317-story.html|title=Kim Reigns at Worlds| work=The Chicago Tribune|last=Hersh|first=Philip|date=March 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402150438/https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-xpm-2013-03-16-ct-spt-0317-hersh-women-world-figure-skating-20130317-story.html|archive-date=April 2, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=September 3, 2023}}</ref> Kim started skating at five years old and competed in [[Single skating|women's singles]] from 2001 to 2014. She is the [[Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2010 Olympic]] champion, the [[Figure skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2014 Olympic]] silver medalist, a two-time [[World Figure Skating Championships|World]] champion ([[2009 World Figure Skating Championships|2009]], [[2013 World Figure Skating Championships|2013]]) the [[2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|2009 Four Continents]] champion, a three-time [[Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|Grand Prix Final]] champion ([[2006–07 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2006]], [[2007–08 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2007]], [[2009–10 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2009]]), the [[2006 World Junior Figure Skating Championships|2006 World Junior]] champion, the [[2005–2006 ISU Junior Grand Prix|2005 Junior Grand Prix Final]] champion, and a six-time [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|South Korean national]] champion (2003–2006, 2013, 2014).

Kim never finished off the podium in her competitive career, becoming the first South Korean figure skater to medal at the [[Figure skating at the Olympic Games|Olympic Games]], World Championships, [[ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating|ISU Grand Prix]], and [[ISU Junior Grand Prix]]. She won every major international competition in the course of her career and is a [[List of highest historical scores in figure skating#Progression of women's highest scores|former record]] holder in all three competition segments in women's singles under the [[ISU Judging System]] having broken world records 11&nbsp;times. She was the first woman to score above 150&nbsp;points in the [[free skating]] segment and 200&nbsp;points in the combined total score. Kim is noted for her rivalry with three-time World champion [[Mao Asada]] from Japan, with whom she headlined women's skating for two Olympic cycles until the 2014 Winter Olympics in [[Sochi]].

After her retirement from competitive figure skating in 2014, Kim was instrumental in the successful bid to bring the [[2018 Winter Olympics]] to her home country in [[Pyeongchang County|Pyeongchang]]. She also had a successful [[Professional figure skating|professional skating]] career, producing and appearing in several [[ice shows]] such as ''[[All That Skate]]''. With her various sponsorships, Kim remained one of the highest-paid athletes in South Korea even well into her retirement. She was included in the ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's annual list of the [[Time 100|World's 100 Most Influential People]] in 2010 and in several ''[[Forbes]]'' lists.
{{TOC limit|3}}

==Early life==
Kim was born on September 5, 1990,<ref>{{cite web|date=May 26, 2012 |title=Goodwill Ambassador |url=https://www.unicef.org/people/people_55988.html |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809215419/https://www.unicef.org/people/people_55988.html |archive-date=August 9, 2018 |access-date=September 24, 2023 |website=UNICEF}}</ref> in [[Gyeonggi Province]], South Korea, in the northern part of the country.<ref name="gs0808112">{{cite news|last=Mittan |first=Barry |date=August 11, 2008 |title=Firsts Keep Coming for Kim |work=Golden Skate |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/firsts-keep-coming-for-kim/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612042604/http://www.goldenskate.com/2008/08/firsts-keep-coming-for-kim/ |archive-date=June 12, 2012}}</ref> A more standard transliteration of her name is "Yeon-a"; when Kim applied for a passport, the official misspelled her given name as "Yu-na" ({{lang|ko|유나}}) instead of "Yeon-a" ({{lang|ko|연아}}).<ref>{{cite news |last=Ryu |first=Dong-hyuk |date=May 19, 2008 |title= |script-title=ko:[단독] 김연아 이름은 3가지?...영문표기의 비밀 |language=ko |trans-title=Yuna Kim has three names? The secret of English spelling |work=The Chosun Ilbo |url=http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype2_o.htm?ut=1&name=/news/sports/200805/20080519/85s02202.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812140815/http://sports.chosun.com/news/ntype2_o.htm?ut=1&name=/news/sports/200805/20080519/85s02202.htm |archive-date=August 12, 2011}}</ref> Since her competitive days, she has asked international media to refer to her as "Yuna Kim" instead of "Kim Yu-na".<ref>{{cite news|date=January 29, 2014 |title=BC-OLY—FIG-Yuna Kim, Advisory, OLY |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire?id=10370624 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312051900/http://www.espn.com/espn/wire?id=10370624 |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |access-date=September 25, 2023 |work=ESPN |via= |quote= |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Kim was born to her father, Kim Hyeon-seok, who was a business owner, and her mother, Park Mi-hee. She has one older sister.<ref name="momsprayers" /> Her mother, whom ''[[The Korea Times]]'' called "indisputably the No. 1 contributor to Kim's phenomenal success",<ref name="momsprayers"/> took an active role in her daughter's skating career from the beginning, driving her to the [[ice rink]] each day, attending all of her practices, and acting as her coach, manager, spokesperson, and mentor. She played English cassette tapes in the car to help Kim improve her English skills. Kim's family often struggled to fund her skating expenses; when her father's business was not doing well enough to pay for her lessons, they put up their house as collateral for a bank loan.<ref name="momsprayers" /><ref name="time110819">{{cite magazine |last=Kim |first=Clara |date=August 19, 2011 |title=10 Questions with Figure Skater Kim Yu-Na |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2089091,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822030418/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2089091,00.html |archive-date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=August 23, 2011 |magazine=Time}}</ref> Kim's father chose to remain out of media attention, choosing to watch her skate on television along with her sister instead of accompanying Kim to international competitions. Both parents, however, attended the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] in [[Vancouver]].<ref name="momsprayers">{{cite news|last=Bae |first=Ji-sook |date=February 26, 2010 |title=Moms Prayers Give Queen Strength |work=The Korea Times |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2010/02/113_61510.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318175232/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2010/02/113_61510.html |archive-date=March 18, 2023}}</ref><ref name="time110819" /> Kim credited both of them with her success as a figure skater. She also named American figure skaters [[Michelle Kwan]] and [[Sasha Cohen]] as well as [[Brian Joubert]], [[Stéphane Lambiel]], and [[Tomáš Verner]] as her influences.<ref name="skatingelf" /><ref name="ifs2007" /><ref name="ifs0908" />

Kim began skating at the age of five at a local rink with her sister.<ref name="KJAD20050131" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Biography |url=http://www.yunakim.com/new2012/eng/about/biography.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114085815/http://www.yunakim.com/new2012/eng/about/biography.php |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=Yuna Kim.org}}</ref> Former [[ice dance]]r Ryu Jong-hyun coached Kim between the ages of seven and ten, and former [[Single skating|single]] skater [[Shin Hea-sook]], who competed for South Korea at the [[Figure skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics|1980 Winter Olympics]], guided her between 10 and 12&nbsp;years old. Kim later said that Ryu and Shin both helped her, from the start of her skating career, to become who she was both technically and spiritually.<ref name="in121024" /> Ryu suggested to Kim's mother, who noticed early on that there was something special about her daughter's skating, that Kim may receive formal training in figure skating.<ref name="momsprayers" /><ref name="yoonsesong">{{cite news|last=Song|first=Yoon-se|date=May 18, 2009|title=|script-title=ko:김연아 "남 의식하기보단 자발적인 노력의 힘" 연습벌레 근성이 성공의 발판|language=ko|trans-title=Yuna Kim: "The power of making an effort rather than being conscious of others." Practicing hard is the secret to success.|work=Newsen|url=http://media.daum.net/breakingnews/sports/view.html?cateid=1031&newsid=20090518110807256&p=newsen|url-status=dead|access-date=September 25, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716074035/http://media.daum.net/breakingnews/sports/view.html?cateid=1031&newsid=20090518110807256&p=newsen|archive-date=July 16, 2012|via=Daum Communications}}</ref><ref name="KJAD20050131" /> In an interview from 2011, she gave credit to her coaches for noticing and developing her aptitude for skating, who also told her that "her muscles and body structure are perfect for skating". Kim herself added, "I was born with a good instrument, maybe more so than the talent".<ref name="time110819" /> Ryu cited Kim's work ethic, especially her hard work, dedication, and commitment to practice for her success.<ref name="yoonsesong" /> She landed her first triple [[toe loop jump]] at the age of 10 and, except for the triple [[Axel jump|Axel]], she was able to perform all [[Figure skating jumps|types of triple jumps]] cleanly two years later.<ref name="gs0808112" /> During her middle school years, her boots often did not fit her as she matured, suffering many injuries, including a period when she had to rest for a month after a pelvic-muscle injury.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Seung-hyun|date=May 29, 2015|script-title=ko:김연아, "17년의 선수생활...나쁜 기억이 더 많았다"|trans-title=Yuna Kim: "Throughout my 17-year career, there were more bad memories than good memories"|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000477050|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614143725/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=311&aid=0000477050|archive-date=June 14, 2021|access-date=June 14, 2021|work=Xports News|language=ko|via=Naver}}</ref>

==Competitive skating career==

=== Early career ===
In 2002, Kim competed internationally for the first time at the [[Triglav Trophy]] in Slovenia, where she completed five triple jumps and won the gold medal in the novice competition, the first international victory for a Korean woman.<ref name="gs0808112"/><ref name="13years">{{cite news|last=Baek |first=Gil-hyeon |date=February 26, 2010 |title= |script-title=ko:[밴쿠버] "피겨여왕" 김연아, 13년의 꿈 이루기까지 |trans-title=[Vancouver] "Queen of figure skating" Yuna Kim's Dream of 13 Years Came True |url=https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/687997?c1=218&c2=219 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820144920/https://www.nocutnews.co.kr/news/687997?c1=218&c2=219 |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |access-date=August 20, 2023 |work=No Cut News |language=ko}}</ref> A year later, at age 12, she won the senior title at the [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|South Korean Championships]], becoming the youngest skater ever to do so, a record not broken until 2016 by 11-year-old [[You Young]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Zaccardi |first=Nick |date=January 11, 2016 |title=Yuna Kim Lauds New, 11-Year-Old South Korea Figure Skating Champion |work=NBC News |url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/01/11/you-young-south-korea-figure-skating-11-years-old-champion-yuna-kim/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204190658/https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/01/11/you-young-south-korea-figure-skating-11-years-old-champion-yuna-kim/ |archive-date=December 4, 2022}}</ref> She also placed first at the [[Golden Bear of Zagreb|2003 Golden Bear of Zagreb]], a novice competition.<ref name="goldenbear">{{cite web|date=April 24, 2004 |title=Golden Bear 2003 – Novice Ladies |url=http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat00004285.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110160040/http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat00004285.htm |archive-date=November 10, 2014 |access-date=December 4, 2022 |publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref> Kim won three consecutive South Korean championships between 2003 and 2006.<ref name="2005nats"/><ref name="2006nats">{{cite news|last=Kim |first=Sung-kyu |date=January 9, 2006 |title= |script-title=ko:-[스포츠 종합]김연아 시니어피겨 우승 |language=ko |trans-title=Yuna Kim wins the Senior Figure Skating Championship |work=The Dong-a Ilbo |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=020&aid=0000331780 |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118025603/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=020&aid=0000331780 |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |via=Naver}}</ref>

===Junior career===

====2004–05 season: Junior debut====
In the 2004–05 season, Kim competed as a junior during the [[ISU Junior Grand Prix]]. She won a gold medal at the [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Hungary|2004 JGP Hungary]], her first international competition, and became the first Korean skater to win a Junior Grand Prix event. She placed first in both competition segments, the [[Short program (figure skating)|short program]] and the [[free skating]] program, scoring a combined total of 148.55 points.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="shim-yonhapnews">{{cite news|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0000753659|script-title=ko:김연아, 국내 피겨 사상 첫 국제대회 우승|trans-title=Yuna Kim wins the first international competition in Korean figure skating history|work=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|last=Shim|first=Jae-hoon|date=September 5, 2004|access-date=September 6, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118025612/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0000753659|url-status=live}}</ref> At her second competition, the [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in China|2004 JGP China]], Kim was in fourth place after making four errors in her short program, but rebounded in the free skate to take second place overall with 131.22 points.<ref name="2004harbin">{{cite web|url=https://skatingscores.com/0405/jgpchn/|title=2004 JGP Harbin|website=Skating Scores|language=en-US|archive-date=December 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221121208/https://skatingscores.com/0405/jgpchn/|url-status=live|access-date=September 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name="fsfairy">{{cite news|last=Lee |first=Dong-chil |date=September 18, 2004 |title= |script-title=ko:'피겨요정' 김연아, 그랑프리 4차 2위..파이널 출전 |language=ko |trans-title='Figure skating fairy' Yuna Kim takes second place at fourth Grand Prix... Participation in Final |work=Yonhap News Agency |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0000766858 |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124014400/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0000766858 |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |via=Naver}}</ref> She qualified for the [[2004–2005 ISU Junior Grand Prix|2004–05 Junior Grand Prix Final]], where she won the silver medal with an overall score of 137.75 points. It was the first time that a Korean skater had won a medal at the event.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="asadabags">{{cite news|date=December 6, 2004 |title=Asada Bags Junior Grand Prix Final |work=The Japan Times |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/12/06/more-sports/asada-bags-junior-grand-prix-final/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924030631/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2004/12/06/more-sports/asada-bags-junior-grand-prix-final/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

At the [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2005 South Korean Championships]], she won her third consecutive gold medal. In her free skate, she successfully executed a combination of two triple jumps for the first time but fell on her triple [[Lutz jump|Lutz]]. She was ineligible to compete at the [[World Figure Skating Championships|World Championships]], because she because she did not meet the required age minimum of 15 years old.<ref name="2005nats">{{cite news|last=Lee |first=Dong-chil |date=January 1, 2005 |title= |script-title=ko:-피겨선수권- 김연아, 여자싱글 3연패 |language=ko |trans-title=Figure Skating Championships: Yuna Kim wins third consecutive title in women's singles |work=Yonhap News Agency |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0000872846 |url-status=live |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118025642/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0000872846 |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |via=Naver}}</ref><ref name="2005junior worlds">{{cite news|last=Hyun |first=Yoon-kyung |date=March 4, 2005 |title= |script-title=ko:세계Jr선수권 은메달 딴 '피겨요정' 김연아 |language=ko |trans-title=Yuna Kim, the "figure skating fairy" who won the silver medal at the World Junior Championship |work=Yonhap News Agency |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0000931140 |url-status=live |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118025609/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0000931140 |archive-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref> She won the silver medal at the [[2005 World Junior Figure Skating Championships|2005 World Junior Championships]] with 158.93 points overall. Coming from behind after the short program, where she had finished in sixth place, she scored 110.26 points in her free skate, with her "secret weapon"<ref name="2005junior worlds" /> of a triple-triple jump combination. It was the first time that a Korean skater had won a medal at the Junior World Championships and the Junior Grand Prix Final.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="2005junior worlds" />

====2005–06 season: World Junior champion====
Kim lacked the corporate sponsorship to pay for her training and participation costs, so she experienced financial difficulties; the [[Korea Skating Union]] promised to underwrite her expenses so she could train out of the country.<ref name="2006junior gpfinal2">{{cite news|last=Lee |first=Young-ho |date=November 27, 2005 |title= |script-title=ko:한국 피겨 역사를 새로 쓰는 김연아 |trans-title=Yuna Kim is writing a new history of figure skating in Korea |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0001159508 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325170032/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0001159508 |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |access-date=September 9, 2023 |work=Yonhap News|language=ko}}</ref>  She was not old enough to compete at the [[2006 Winter Olympic Games|2006 Olympics]]; instead, she participated in the [[2006 Winter Olympics torch relay|Olympic torch relay]] and the [[2005–2006 Junior Grand Prix|2005–06 Junior Grand Prix]], winning both of her competitions in Slovakia and Bulgaria.<ref name="skatingelf"/><ref name="md0603102">{{cite news|last=Lee |first=Seok-mu |date=March 10, 2006 |title= |script-title=ko:김연아, 주니어피겨세계선수권 우승 쾌거 |language=ko |trans-title=Yuna Kim Wins the World Junior Figure Skating Championships |work=My Daily |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0000040424 |url-status=live |access-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118025605/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0000040424 |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |via=Naver}}</ref><ref name="2005slovakia2">{{cite news|last=Park |first=Se-woon |date=September 4, 2005 |script-title=ko:'피겨요정' 김연아, 주니어 그랑프리 종합우승 |language=ko |trans-title='Figure skating fairy' Yuna Kim wins Junior Grand Prix competition |work=My Daily |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0000021839 |url-status=live |access-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115235441/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0000021839 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |via=Naver}}</ref><ref name="2005bulgaria2">{{cite news|last=Kim |first=Joon-dong |date=October 2, 2005 |script-title=ko:'빙상요정' 김연아 5차대회 정상 |language=ko |trans-title='Ice Fairy' Yuna Kim wins the fifth competition |work=Kukmin Ilbo |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=005&aid=0000220510 |url-status=live |access-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120181304/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=005&aid=0000220510 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |via=Naver}}</ref> At the [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovakia|2005 JGP Slovakia]], she finished in first place with 168.83 points overall.<ref name="2005slovakia2" /> At the [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Bulgaria|2005 JGP Bulgaria]], despite a great deal of pain caused by the new skates that she had purchased shortly before the competition, she finished in first place after the short program with 53.45 points. She also came in first place in the free skate, with 99.98 points, and won the gold medal, with 153.43 points overall.<ref name="skatingelf" /><ref name="2005bulgaria2" /> At the [[2005–06 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2005–06 Junior Grand Prix Final]], when she was first in the junior-level ranking and where she was the youngest skater to compete, she earned 57.51 points in the short program despite a minor landing error during her final spin movement. She earned 116.61 points in the free skating program and won the gold medal with an overall score of 174.12 points.<ref name="2006junior gpfinal2" />

At the [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2006 South Korean Championships]], Kim finished in first place with an overall score of 165.52 points.<ref name="2006nats"/> At the [[2006 World Junior Figure Skating Championships|2006 World Junior Championships]], she was the first Korean skater to win the gold medal, scoring 177.54 points overall. Overcoming a ligament injury in her right ankle, Kim finished in first place after the short program with 60.86 points.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="md0603102" /> Kim captivated the audience and won the free skate with 116.68 points, earning 177.54 points overall She was the only skater in the competition who surpassed 100 points in her free skate.<ref name="md0603102" /> This marked the first time a Korean skater had won the Junior Grand Prix Final and the World Junior Championships.<ref name="gs0808112"/> It was also the eighth consecutive competition where Kim had finished in either first or second place since 2004 and raised expectations for Korea's chances of winning a gold medal at the [[2010 Winter Olympics]].<ref name="md0603102" />

===Senior career===

====2006–07 season: Senior debut and World medal====
[[File:Kim and Orser 2007-2008 GPF.jpg|thumb|Kim and her coach, Brian Orser (right), in 2007|alt=Refer to caption]]
To prepare for her senior debut in the 2006–07 season, Kim began training with [[Brian Orser]] at the [[Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club]] during the summer of 2006 after working there with choreographer [[David Wilson (figure skating)|David Wilson]].<ref name="gs0808112" /> According to ''International Figure Skating'', she had lost her confidence and was ready to quit the sport due to her recurring knee injuries and boot problems, so her coach suggested that she train in Toronto. After three months, she decided to make Toronto her permanent base of training, living with her mother in a Korean neighborhood. At first, Orser was reluctant to agree to train her, but he identified with her competitive spirit and felt he could not turn down the challenge.  According to ''International Figure Skating'', Kim's move was controversial and her former coach publicly criticized it.<ref name="ifs2007" /><ref name="olympichopes2"/> Orser reported that one of his goals as her coach was to make her laugh and that he was instructed by Korean skating officials to "make Kim a happier skater".<ref name="ifs2007">{{cite news|date=December 2007 |title=Yuna Kim: The Best is Yet to Come |work=International Figure Skating |url=http://www.ifsmagazine.com/archive/2007/DECEMBER/INDEX.PHP |url-status=dead |access-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212205721/http://www.ifsmagazine.com/archive/2007/DECEMBER/INDEX.PHP |archive-date=December 12, 2007}}</ref> She was Orser's first real student.<ref name="JT201603152">{{cite news|last=Gallagher |first=Jack |date=March 15, 2016 |title=Choreographer Wilson Regrets "Transformative" Kim's Early Retirement |work=The Japan Times |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/03/15/figure-skating/choreographer-wilson-regrets-transformative-kims-early-retirement/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717091712/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/03/15/figure-skating/choreographer-wilson-regrets-transformative-kims-early-retirement |archive-date=July 17, 2016}}</ref>

Kim made her senior international debut and Orser made his coaching debut at the [[2006 Skate Canada|2006 Skate Canada International]], where she became the first Korean skater to place at a senior Grand Prix event by winning a bronze medal, placing first in the short program and fourth in the free skate, with a total overall score of 168.48 points.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="ifs2007" /><ref name="2006skatecanada">{{cite web|date=November 4, 2006 |title=2006 Skate Canada – Ladies' Results |url=http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpcan06/CAT002RS.HTM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704190328/http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpcan06/CAT002RS.HTM |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |access-date=August 21, 2023 |website=International Skating Union}}</ref> At the [[2006 Trophée Eric Bompard|2006 Trophée Éric Bompard]], Kim became the first Korean skater to win a senior Grand Prix competition, placing first in both the short program and free skate, with a total of 184.54 points, her personal best up to that point.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref>{{cite web|date=November 18, 2006 |title=2006 Trophée Eric Bompard – Ladies' Results |url=http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpfra06/CAT002RS.HTM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126020757/http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpfra06/CAT002RS.HTM |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |website=International Skating Union}}</ref><ref name="preview2006" />

Her Grand Prix performances qualified Kim for her first [[2006–2007 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|Grand Prix Final]], in [[Saint Petersburg, Russia]].<ref name="preview2006">{{cite news|date=December 14, 2006 |title=ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Preview |url=http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0%2C10869%2C4844-128590-19728-18885-265239-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111153144/http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-265239-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html |archive-date=January 11, 2007 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |work=International Skating Union}}</ref> She became the first Korean skater to both medal at and win a Grand Prix Final. She placed third in the short program and first in the free skate, earning a total of 184.20 points and defeating silver medalist Mao Asada.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref>{{cite news|date=December 16, 2006 |title=2006 Grand Prix Final – Ladies' Results |url=http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpf0607/CAT002RS.HTM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704214333/http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpf0607/CAT002RS.HTM |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |work=International Skating Union}}</ref> After the short program, Kim admitted that she was worried about her performance due to some back pain, but that she was satisfied with her results.<ref name="gphighlights">{{cite news|title=2006–2007 Grand Prix Final: Ladies Highlights |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/2006-07-grand-prix-final-ladies-highlights/ |access-date=August 21, 2023 |work=Golden Skate |date=December 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821233018/https://www.goldenskate.com/2006-07-grand-prix-final-ladies-highlights/ |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the free skate, she told reporters that she was surprised by the outcome and was pleased to compete with the Japanese skaters present, calling them "strong competitors".<ref name="gphighlights" />[[File:Kim 2006 Skate Canada FS crossover.jpg|thumb|left| Kim performing her free skate to ''[[The Lark Ascending (Vaughan Williams)|The Lark Ascending]]'' at the [[2006 Skate Canada]]|alt=Refer to caption]]

Kim withdrew from the [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2007 South Korean Championships]], because she was diagnosed in January 2007 with the early stages of [[disc herniation|lumbar disc herniation]], involving the fourth and fifth [[lumbar vertebrae]] in her waist. According to her doctor, the vertebrae pushed back and touched her nerve and the disc between her first [[coccyx]] and fifth lumbar vertebrae, which was swollen and ready to develop into a hernia. He also said that two-to-four weeks of [[physical therapy]] would successfully treat it. She began treatment, which focused on reinforcing her waist muscles and maintaining her body balance, in Seoul immediately after her diagnosis. She was unable to train during and afterwards her treatment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Skate Phenom Diagnosed with Hernia|work=The Dong-a Ilbo|date=January 4, 2007|url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2007010487838|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302075622/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2007010487838|archive-date=March 2, 2012}}</ref> Kim was scheduled to compete at the [[2007 Asian Winter Games]], but had to withdraw.<ref name="youngho" />

Kim was selected to compete at the [[2007 World Figure Skating Championships|2007 World Championships]] in Tokyo.<ref name="youngho">{{cite news|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0001515187|script-title=ko:빙상연맹, 김연아 세계선수권대회 출전 확정|trans-title=The Korean Skating Union confirms Yuna Kim's participation in the World Championships|work=Yonhap News |via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Young-ho|date=January 8, 2007|access-date=September 27, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326012447/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0001515187|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite being on pain killers for chronic back pain and with little treatment, she won the short program with 71.95 points, setting the highest short program score ever under the [[ISU Judging System]].<ref name="13years" /><ref name="ifs2007" /><ref name="kimleads">{{cite news|last=Kaye |first=Rosalind |title=Kim Leads with Record Score at Worlds |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/kim-leads-with-record-score-at-worlds/ |access-date=August 23, 2023 |work=Golden Skate |date=March 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823183731/https://www.goldenskate.com/kim-leads-with-record-score-at-worlds/ |archive-date=August 23, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Rosaleen Kaye of ''Golden Skate'' stated that Kim performed her short program "with an intensity and maturity far above her years".<ref name="kimleads" /> Kim told reporters that it was not one incident that exacerbated her back pain, although her short program put burden on her lower back. She also was nursing a tailbone injury. Kim opened her short program with a triple flip-triple toe loop combination with enough speed to carry her out of both jumps.<ref name="kimleads" />

According to Kaye, "Elegance and superior skating skills were brilliantly displayed"<ref name="andowins" /> during Kim's free skate at the World Championships. She accomplished her triple flip-triple toe loop combination "with wonderful flow as well as with a big smile" and her straight line footwork sequence was "light and lyrical".<ref name="andowins" /> Kim also fell on both of her triple Lutz jumps and she performed a triple [[Salchow jump|Salchow]]-double toe loop combination which received no credit because the judges considered it as a fourth combination jump. She finished fourth in the segment, with 114.19 points, and third overall, with a total of 186.14 points. Despite her mistakes, Kim later said that she had learned a great deal from her fellow skaters and during her first season as a senior skater.<ref name="andowins">{{cite news|url=https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/03/ando-wins-gold-in-tokyo/|title=Ando Wins Gold in Tokyo|work=Golden Skate|first=Rosaleen|last=Kaye|date=25 March 2007|access-date=August 23, 2023|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326012448/https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/03/ando-wins-gold-in-tokyo/|url-status=live}}</ref> She said, after winning the gold medal at the [[2009 World Figure Skating Championships|2009 World Championships]], that even though she did her personal best in the short program in 2007, she did not do as well in the free skate.<ref name="setsnewstandard" />

====2007–08 season: Second world medal====
At the beginning of the 2007–08 season, Orser created a team of specialists to work with Kim, including three-time Dutch national champion [[Astrid Jansen]], who became her spin coach, and former Canadian ice dancer [[Tracy Wilson]], who helped Kim develop her all-around skating quality, her stroking skills, and her expression. David Wilson also became Kim's full-time choreographer. Her team focused on her triple loop jump, which Orser called her "nemesis jump".<ref name="gs0808112" /> Orser was impressed with Kim's skating abilities, her ability to learn choreography quickly and well, her creativity, and her openness to learning new skills. ''International Figure Skating'' reported that Kim had a positive influence and was a good role model for the younger skaters who trained with her in Toronto. Kim reported that training in Toronto was an escape from the great fame and "media circus" she faced daily in Korea.<ref name="ifs2007" />
[[File:David Wilson - 2016 Worlds (cropped).jpg|thumb|Choreographer [[David Wilson (figure skating)|David Wilson]], 2016|alt=Refer to caption]]Kim began the season by becoming the first Korean skater to win the [[2007 Cup of China]], with a total score of 180.68 points.<ref name="GS071110">{{cite news|url=https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/11/kim-captures-cup-of-china-gold/|title=Kim Captures Cup of China Gold|work=Golden Skate|date=November 10, 2007|access-date=September 28, 2023|archive-date=June 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626211214/https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/11/kim-captures-cup-of-china-gold/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the short program, she landed a triple Lutz, a double Axel, and successfully performed three spins, but a failed triple flip-single toe loop combination caused her to finish the segment in third place. ''Golden Skate'' reported that her disappointment was clear as she entered the [[Kiss and cry|kiss-and-cry]] and that she later admitted that she was nervous after popping her jump.<ref name="kostnerleads">{{cite news|date=November 8, 2007 |title=Kostner Leads Ladies in Harbin |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/11/koster-leads-ladies-in-harbin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626211212/https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/11/koster-leads-ladies-in-harbin/ |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |work=Golden Skate}}</ref> In the free skate, Kim landed a triple flip-triple toe loop combination, a triple loop, triple Lutz-double toe loop combination, and a double Axel-triple toe loop combination. She scored 122.36 points and was the only skater in the competition who received no deductions for the free skate. Kim later admitted that she was not satisfied with her free skate and vowed to work on it before her next competition.<ref name="GS071110" />

Kim became the first Korean skater to win a gold medal at the [[2007 Cup of Russia]].<ref name="gs0808112" /> She called the competition at Cup of Russia "very strong".<ref name="ifs2007" /> She won the short program, scoring 63.50 points, which was a new season best for her;<ref name="2007cupofrussia">{{cite news|last=Kondakova |first=Anna |date=November 23, 2007 |title=Kim Leads Ladies at Cup of Russia |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/11/kim-leads-ladies-at-cup-of-russia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326141646/https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/11/kim-leads-ladies-at-cup-of-russia/ |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |access-date=August 24, 2023|work=Golden Skate}}</ref> reporter Anna Kondkova called it "a nearly flawless performance".<ref name="2007cupofrussia" /> Kim successfully executed her triple flip-triple toe loop combination, but struggled landing her triple Lutz and singled her double Axel. Despite the errors, she "expressed an excellent waltz character."<ref name="2007cupofrussia" /> She later said that she was pleased with her result.<ref name="2007cupofrussia" /> Kim also won the free skate with 133.70 points, finishing first overall with 197.20 points, and set a world record for the free skate score under the ISU Judging System. She later said that her jumps felt shaky and that she felt that she had elements she could improve and vowed to work on them.<ref name="2007cupofrussia2">{{cite news|date=November 24, 2007 |title=2007 ISU Cup of Russia, Day 2 Report |work=International Skating Union |url=http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-280501-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=August 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225014143/http://www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,4844-128590-19728-18885-280501-3787-4771-layout160-129898-news-item,00.html |archive-date=February 25, 2012}}</ref>[[File:Kim Yu-Na Podium 2008 Worlds.jpg|thumb|left| Kim on the podium at the [[2008 World Figure Skating Championships|2008 World Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]Kim qualified for the [[2007–2008 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2007–08 Grand Prix Final]] in [[Turin|Turin, Italy]]; she and Mao Asada had both earned the maximum 30 points to advance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2007/12/600_14838.html|title=Kim Yu-na Reaches Final as No. 1 Entry|work=The Korea Times|last=Kang|first=Seung-woo|date=December 3, 2007|access-date=August 25, 2023|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326141644/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2007/12/600_14838.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She won the short program with 64.62 points, a season's best score.<ref name="2007gpfinalsp">{{cite news|date=December 15, 2007 |title=Kim Finishes Top in Short Program with Her Highest Score |work=The Korea Times |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2007/12/600_15599.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326141643/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2007/12/600_15599.html |archive-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> Skating last, she "performed nearly perfect, except the failure of her starting jump".<ref name="2007gpfinalsp" /> She lost her balance during the first jump of her triple flip-triple toe loop combination, forcing her to touch both her hands on the ice and singling out her subsequent jumps in the combination. Despite the one error, she cleanly skated the rest of her program. ''The Korea Times'' called Kim's spiral sequences "superb" and reported that she also completed a double Axel and all her spins "without flaw".<ref name="2007gpfinalsp" /> Kim placed second in the free skate with 132.21 points; Asada came from behind from sixth place in the short program to first place in the free skate and won her second consecutive silver medal at the finals. Kim fell early in her routine, but was able to successfully land six triple jumps. With a total score of 196.83 points, Kim swept the Grand Prix series and won her second consecutive [[Grand Prix Final]], the youngest skater in the world to do so.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="13years" /><ref name="2007GPFFS">{{cite news|date=December 15, 2007 |title=Kim Wins Second Consecutive Grand Prix Final Gold |work=Golden Skate |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/12/kims-wins-second-consecutive-grand-prix-final-gold/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326141654/https://www.goldenskate.com/2007/12/kims-wins-second-consecutive-grand-prix-final-gold/ |archive-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref>

Kim was not required to compete in the [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2008 South Korean Championships]], because she had already qualified for the [[2008 World Figure Skating Championships|World Championships]] and the [[2008 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|Four Continents Championships]], although a hip injury and chronic hip pain prevented her from competing at Four Continents.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee |first=Young-ho |date=January 4, 2008 |title= |script-title=ko:피겨스케이팅 챔피언십 2008, 10일 고양서 개막 |language=ko |trans-title=2008 Figure Skating Championships to be held in Goyang on the 10th |work=Yonhap News |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0001881532 |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411133620/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0001881532 |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |via=Naver}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Song |first=Sang-ho |date=February 14, 2014 |title=Olympics and Possible Sports Injuries |work=The Korea Times |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2020/06/135_151648.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112133004/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2020/06/135_151648.html |archive-date=January 12, 2023}}</ref> Even though she had to take pain killers, Kim competed at the World Championships in [[Gothenburg|Gothenburg, Sweden]]. She was placed fifth in the short program with 59.85 points, but rebounded in the free skate to win the program with 123.38. Despite seriously considering dropping out of the competition several times, she scored 183.23 points overall, and won her second consecutive bronze medal at the World Championships. In her free skate, she landed several combination jumps; her only error was during her second Lutz jump. She later told reporters that she planned on taking the next two months to rest and take care of her injury, and then return to training in Canada.<ref name="13years" /><ref name="worlds2008">{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2008/03/600_21148.html|title=Yu-na Wins Bronze Medal, While Asada Tops Worlds|work=The Korea Times|last=Sanfilippo|first=Jonathan|date=March 21, 2008|access-date=August 25, 2023|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326141650/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2008/03/600_21148.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the first time a Korean skater had repeated as a medalist at the World Championships.<ref name="gs0808112"/>

====2008–09 season: First World title====
Kim was assigned to the [[2008 Skate America]] and the [[2008 Cup of China]] for the [[2008–2009 Grand Prix of Figure Skating|2008–09 Grand Prix]] season.<ref name="surgestobiglead">{{cite news|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081026&content_id=54227&vkey=ice_news| title=Kim Surges to Big Lead after Short at Skate America|date=October 26, 2008|work=Ice Network|last=Rutherford|first=Lynn|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908053943/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081026&content_id=54227&vkey=ice_news|archive-date=September 8, 2012|access-date=August 26, 2023}}</ref> The week before competing at Skate America, Kim was accepted into [[Korea University]].<ref name="KT081027" /> Going into Skate America, she said that she felt healthy; according to figure skating reporter Lynn Rutherford, she showed no signs of the injuries that plagued her during the previous season. Both Orser and Kim reported that she was healthy and had a new [[Physical therapy|physical therapist]] and a new trainer.<ref name="surgestobiglead" /> Kim told reporters that her goal for the season was to remain healthy and that she had learned how to both recover from her injuries and prevent them from happening.<ref name="1stglobalevent" /> After the 2008 World Championships, Kim's coaching team decided it was time for her to have more input in her program music, crediting their rapport and good communication as helping with the process. Orser felt she had "come into her own in terms of maturity and development".<ref name="gs0808112" />[[File:Kim 2009 Worlds SP.jpg|thumb|Kim performing her short program to ''[[Danse Macabre (Saint-Saëns)|Danse Macabre]]'' at the [[2009 World Figure Skating Championships|2009 World Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]

After Wilson and choreographer [[Shae-Lynn Bourne]] made several proposals for her short program music, Kim used [[Danse macabre (Saint-Saëns)|''Danse Macabre'']] by [[Camille Saint-Saëns]].<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="surgestobiglead" /> For her free skate, she chose music from [[Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov|Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's]] ''[[Scheherazade (Rimsky-Korsakov)|Scheherazade]]'' after seeing another skater use it four years earlier.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="KT081027" /> Kim placed first in the short program at Skate America with a score of 69.50,<ref name="KT081027">{{cite news|date=October 27, 2008 |title=Kim Yu-na Captures Skate America Title |work=The Korea Times |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2008/10/600_33341.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317013925/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2008/10/600_33341.html |archive-date=March 17, 2023}}</ref> despite trouble with her double Axel. Rutherford reported that Kim "sparkled"<ref name="surgestobiglead" /> during her practices. She was the only competitor in the short program to skate a clean triple-triple combination jump and scored 10.70 points on her triple flip-triple toe combination jump, her first jump of the program; all eight of her elements, except her double Axel, earned her positive GOEs.<ref name="surgestobiglead" />

Kim captured the gold medal, winning the free skate with a score of 123.95, and earning 193.45 points overall.<ref name="KT081027" /><ref name="rejuvenated">{{cite news|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081026&content_id=54428&vkey=ice_news| title=Rejuvenated Kim Leaves Skate America Field in Dust|work=Ice Network|last=Rutherford|first=Lynn|date=October 26, 2008|access-date=August 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602082855/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081026&content_id=54428&vkey=ice_news|archive-date=June 2, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>  According to ''The Korea Times'', Kim "pulled off a series of near-perfect jumps and an eloquent spiral sequence".<ref name="KT081027" /> in her free skating program. She landed six triple jumps, including her opening triple flip-triple toe jump combination, the only triple-triple jump combination in the competition not downgraded by the judges. She later expressed appreciation to the large Korean contingent in the audience.<ref name="rejuvenated"/>

Kim won the 2008 Cup of China, where she received a score of 63.64 in the short program and 128.11 in the free skate, placing first in both.<ref name="abbottisgolden">{{cite news|last=Flade |first=Tatiana |date=November 8, 2008 |title=Abbott is Golden at the Cup of China |work=Ice Network |url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081108&content_id=55410&vkey=ice_news |url-status=dead |access-date=August 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113111711/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081108&content_id=55410&vkey=ice_news |archive-date=November 13, 2008}}</ref><ref name="ISUresultschina2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpchn08/CAT002RS.HTM|title=ISU Grand Prix Cup of China|publisher=International Skating Union|access-date=August 27, 2023|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113121240/http://www.isuresults.com/results/gpchn08/CAT002RS.HTM|url-status=live}}</ref> Kim made errors in her short program; she two-footed and under-rotated her triple Lutz, which was downgraded to a double jump.<ref name="zhangzhang">{{cite news|last=Flade |first=Tatiana |date=November 6, 2008 |title=Zhang, Zhang Open Cup of China with a Bang |work=Ice Network |url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081106&content_id=55052&vkey=ice_news |url-status=dead |access-date=August 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210165755/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081106&content_id=55052&vkey=ice_news |archive-date=December 10, 2008}}</ref> In Kim's free skate, she demonstrated an "iron will" and successfully executed five clean triple jumps, including her trademark triple flip-triple toe loop. She stepped out of her first triple Lutz, which she did not think affected her score, so she added a double toe jump to the end of her second triple Lutz.<ref name="abbottisgolden" /> Kim returned to Toronto to rest and to further improve her programs; she later admitted that she was "quite exhausted" after the Cup of China.<ref name="1stglobalevent" />

With the highest qualifying score, Kim qualified for the [[2008–2009 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2008 Grand Prix Final]], which was held in [[Goyang]], the first time the event was held in South Korea. She arrived in Goyang feeling a great deal of pressure, but told reporters that she was looking forward to skating in her home country. Tickets for the event sold out minutes after they were placed on sale.<ref name="13years" /><ref name="1stglobalevent">{{cite news|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2008/12/09/etc/1st-global-event-at-home-for-Kim-Yuna/2898364.html|title=1st Global Event at Home for Kim Yu-na|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Yoo|first=Jee-ho|date=December 9, 2008|access-date=September 28, 2023|archive-date=August 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823163528/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2008/12/09/etc/1st-global-event-at-home-for-Kim-Yuna/2898364.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kim placed first in the short program with 65.94 points, well below her personal best, and second in the free skate where she earned 120.41 points. After placing first place at the finals the previous two seasons, she won the silver medal with a total score of 186.35 points.<ref name="kimedgesasada">{{cite news|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081212&content_id=57377&vkey=ice_news|title=Kim Edges Asada in Short Program|work=Ice Network|last=Mittan|first=J. Barry|date=December 12, 2008|access-date=August 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217184242/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081212&content_id=57377&vkey=ice_news|archive-date=December 17, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="asadaedgeskim">{{cite news|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081213&content_id=57563&vkey=ice_news|title=Asada Edges Kim in Grand Prix Final|work=Ice Network|last=Mittan|first=J. Barry|date=December 13, 2008|access-date=August 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216152236/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081213&content_id=57563&vkey=ice_news|archive-date=December 16, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> She landed a "beautiful"<ref name="kimedgesasada" /> triple flip-triple toe loop combination jump at the start of her short program, flubbed her planned triple Lutz, and then successfully completed a double Axel. She later admitted that the timing on her Lutz "wasn't so great",<ref name="kimedgesasada" /> but she was satisfied with her other elements and said that since last season, she had learned to recover from her errors.<ref name="kimedgesasada" /> Kim opened her free skating program with a strong triple flip-triple toe loop combination, which she followed up with a double Axel-triple toe loop combination. She flubbed her planned triple Lutz and fell on her triple Salchow, but was able to land her double Axel at the end of the program. She later complained of suffering from a cold and although she enjoyed skating in Korea, she spoke of feeling the pressure of competing there.<ref name="asadaedgeskim" />

Kim then competed at the [[2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|2009 Four Continents Championships]] in [[Vancouver|Vancouver, Canada]]. She set a new world record of 72.24 points in the short program with a clean performance.<ref name="4continentssp2009">{{cite news|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090205&content_id=60765&vkey=ice_news.html|title=Kim Posts Record SP Score at Four Continents|date=February 5, 2009|work=Ice Network|last=Nealin|first=Laurie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908054003/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090205&content_id=60765&vkey=ice_news.html|archive-date = September 8, 2012|access-date=August 28, 2023}}</ref> Asada finished a "shocking"<ref name="4continentssp2009" /> sixth place after the short . Opening with a "beautiful"<ref name="4continentssp2009" /> triple flip-triple toe loop combination jump, Kim was the only one of the top six women in the competition to get credit for a triple-triple combination. According to Laurie Nealin of ''Ice Network'', "Kim skated without evident flaw, sailing through jump after jump and igniting the audience".<ref name="4continentssp2009" /> She scored 116.83 in the free skating program, keeping the lead with 189.07 points overall and winning the gold medal.<ref name="LAchampionships">{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2009/02/600_39126.html|title=Yu-na Eying LA Championships in March|work=The Korea Times|last=Kang|first=Seung-woo|date=February 7, 2009|access-date=August 28, 2023|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326144528/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2009/02/600_39126.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kang Seung-woo from ''The Korea Times'' stated that Kim's success "brightened prospects for a first figure skating medal for the Far East nation in the Winter Games".<ref name="LAchampionships" /> Kim was happy with her free skating performance, despite falling after her triple loop jump, a jump she had not been able to successfully accomplish all season. She was able to land her triple Lutz-double toe loop-double loop combination jump, which was downgraded, and completed her double Axel-triple toe loop combination jump.<ref name="LAchampionships" />
[[File:Kim 2009 World Championship FS.jpg|left|thumb|Kim performing her free skate at the 2009 Worlds Championships|alt=Refer to caption]]
During the [[2009 World Figure Skating Championships|2009 World Championships]] in [[Los Angeles]], Kim set another new world record of 76.12 points in the short program, surpassing her previous record by four points.<ref name="setsnewstandard">{{cite news|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090327&content_id=63271&vkey=ice_news|title=Kim Sets New Standard in Ladies Short at Worlds|date=March 28, 2009|work=Ice Network|last=Rutherford|first=Lynn|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324040603/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090327&content_id=63271&vkey=ice_news|archive-date=March 24, 2012|access-date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref name="untouchablerecord">{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2009/03/600_42142.html|title=Kim Yu-na Sets Untouchable Record|work=The Korea Times|last=Yoon|first=Chul|date=March 28, 2009|access-date=August 29, 2023|archive-date=March 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317013941/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2009/03/600_42142.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Orser, who later said that Kim was well-trained, stated about Kim's short program, "I think this was one of those moments people will always remember, especially those judges".<ref name="setsnewstandard" /> She began her program with her triple flip-triple toe loop combination jump, which Yoon Chul of ''The Korea Times'' called "undoubtedly perfect",<ref name="untouchablerecord" /> and a triple Lutz, which was followed by "a superb"<ref name="setsnewstandard" /> spiral sequence.<ref name="setsnewstandard" /> Chul reported that Kim skated with energy and confidence and that the audience gave her a standing ovation.<ref name="untouchablerecord" /> She later expressed her appreciation for her Korean fans in the audience during her short program.<ref name="setsnewstandard" />

Kim won the free skate, and set a new world record total score of 207.71, winning her first World Championship title, as well as becoming the first female skater to surpass 200 points under the ISU Judging System. Her win also established her as a contender for the [[2010 Winter Olympics]].<ref name="kt20090329">{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2009/03/600_42177.html|title=Queen Yu-na Makes History|work=The Korea Times|last=Kang|first=Seung-woo|date=March 29, 2009|access-date=August 29, 2023|archive-date=March 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317013942/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2009/03/600_42177.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="firstworldtitle">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/sports/othersports/29women.html|title=Kim Sets a Skating Record and Wins Her First World Title|work=The New York Times|last=Macur|first=Juliet|date=March 29, 2009|access-date=August 29, 2023|archive-date=March 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317013940/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/sports/othersports/29women.html|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Juliet Macur of ''[[The New York Times]]'' stated about Kim's free skate, "For the second night in a row, Kim performed yet another elegant, effortless routine that enthralled the crowd and the judges".<ref name="firstworldtitle" /> She successfully executed five triple jumps, three in combination, which included a triple flip-triple toe loop combination at the start of the program.<ref name="crushescompetition2">{{cite news|date=March 29, 2009 |title=South Korea's Kim Crushes Competition |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/figureskating/news/story?id=4024682 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109230734/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/figureskating/news/story?id=4024682 |archive-date=November 9, 2013}}</ref> She chose to replace her triple loop with an Ina Bauer going into a double Axel because although triple loops were worth more points, errors that resulted in a loss of points were more common. The addition of the Ina Bauer also increased her component scores.<ref name="secretweapons">{{cite news|last=Bae |first=Young-eun |date=March 26, 2009 |title= |script-title=ko:"'피겨퀸' 김연아 '비장의 무기' 세가지" |trans-title='Figure skating queen' Yuna Kim's three 'secret weapons' |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news?oid=020&aid=0002035793 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105045026/https://sports.news.naver.com/news?oid=020&aid=0002035793 |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |work=The Dong-a Ilbo |language=ko |via=Naver}}</ref> Kang Seung-woo of ''The Korea Times'' stated, "She performed a remarkably charismatic dance, demonstrating flexibility and powerful energy before an awestruck crowd".<ref name="kt20090329" /> The [[Associated Press]] (AP) reported that Kim's footwork was "exquisite" and that she "skated with the elegance of a queen".<ref name="crushescompetition2"/> The audience began their standing ovation for Kim before the end of her free skate; the AP called her performance "magical"<ref name="crushescompetition2"/> and added that by the end, the audience had forgotten her errors. She later said that winning the World Championships was the fulfillment of a dream and that she wanted to win because it was the last World Championships before the Olympics.<ref name="kt20090329" /><ref name="firstworldtitle" /><ref name="crushescompetition2"/> According to Orser, Kim gained a new confidence after winning her first World title.<ref name="ifs0908" /> Macur reported that it was the biggest goal of Kim's career thus far.<ref name="firstworldtitle" />

====2009–10 season: First Olympics====
{{Main|Yuna Kim Olympic_seasons#2009–10 season}}
[[File:Kim 2009 TEB SP.jpg|thumb|Kim performing her short program to a [[James Bond music|James Bond medley]] at the [[2009 Trophée Éric Bompard]]|alt=Refer to caption]]

Kim's goal for the 2009–10 season was to develop her programs, as well as her expression, character, and makeup, in order to demonstrate more maturity.<ref name="olympichopes2"/> Juliet Macur from ''The New York Times'' stated that Kim's short program, which depicted her "as a sexy, confident [[Bond girl]]," "sizzled" and that Kim performed her free skating program "with the grace of a prima ballerina".<ref name="olympichopes2"/>

Kim was assigned to the [[2009 Trophée Éric Bompard]] and the [[2009 Skate America]] for the [[2009–10 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating|2009–10 ISU Grand Prix]] season.<ref name="parisgrandprix">{{cite news|date=October 16, 2009|title=Kim Yu-na Leads Women at Paris Grand Prix|work=CBC Sports|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/kim-yu-na-leads-women-at-paris-grand-prix-1.807580|url-status=live|access-date=August 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327025631/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/figure-skating/kim-yu-na-leads-women-at-paris-grand-prix-1.807580|archive-date=March 27, 2023}}</ref> At the Trophée Éric Bompard, she placed first in the short program with a score of 76.08 points. After her performance, she pumped her fists and waved to the audience.<ref name="parisgrandprix" /> She won the event with 210.03 points. Kim broke her own world records for both the free skate and the overall score.<ref name="newrecord">{{cite news |date=October 18, 2009 |title=Figure Skater Kim Captures Title with New Record |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2009/10/600_53712.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327011257/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2009/10/600_53712.html |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |access-date=August 29, 2023 |work=The Korea Times}}</ref>

At the 2009 Skate America, Kim placed first again after the short program with a score of 76.28, ahead of her closest competitor [[Rachael Flatt]] from the United States.<ref name="kimsshort" /> Kim set a new world record for the short program, marking the fourth straight competition in which she broke world records. As Lynn Rutherford stated in ''Ice Network'', "None of her world records are safe. She'll break them again and again".<ref name="kimsshort">{{cite news|title=Kim's Short Has License to Kill|work=Ice Network|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091114&content_id=7667832&vkey=ice_news|last=Rutherford|first=Lynn|date=November 14, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324040639/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091114&content_id=7667832&vkey=ice_news|archive-date = March 24, 2012|access-date = August 29, 2023}}</ref> Kim later said that every competition was important to her and she considered them practice for the Olympics.  After her short program, Kim told reporters that she was not sure about using music from the Bond films, but eventually came around to the idea because she liked the choreography created by Wilson and felt that it was a good choice for an Olympic year. Orser told reporters that even with Kim's multiple wins, he was "taking nothing for granted".<ref name="kimsshort" /> Kim placed second in the free skate with a score of 111.70 points, but won the event with 187.98 points.<ref name="poorperformance">{{cite news|last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=November 16, 2009 |title=Yuna Kim Wins Big Despite Poor Performance |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-16-sp-skate-america-16-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327011253/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-16-sp-skate-america-16-story.html |archive-date=March 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="7thstraight">{{cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/11/16/2009111600695.html|title=Kim Yu-na Wins 7th Straight Grand Prix Event|work=The Chosun Ilbo|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=August 29, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327011257/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/11/16/2009111600695.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The South Korean newspaper ''[[The Chosun Ilbo]]'' called Kim "the clear favorite for the gold" in Vancouver and "in a league of her own".<ref name="7thstraight" />

Kim's victories at both Grand Prix events qualified her for the [[2009–2010 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2009–10 Grand Prix Final]] in [[Tokyo, Japan]], in December 2009, with a total of 30 points, the highest score of all the qualifiers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.donga.com/en/Search/article/all/20091123/263808/1|title=Kim Yu-na, 5 Others Qualify for Grand Prix Final in Tokyo|work=The Dong-a Ilbo|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=August 30, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327011314/https://www.donga.com/en/Search/article/all/20091123/263808/1|url-status=live}}</ref> She placed second in the short program with 65.64 points. The next day, she won the free skate with 123.22 points. As a result, Kim won every competition she had entered in 2009 and her third Grand Prix Final title with a total of 188.86 points.<ref name="kimyunawinsGPfinal">{{cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/12/07/2009120700401.html|title=Kim Yu-na Wins Grand Prix Final|work=The Chosun Ilbo|date=December 7, 2009|access-date=September 28, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327011255/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/12/07/2009120700401.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="kimisgoldenGPfinal">{{cite news|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2009/12/07/Baseball/Kim-is-golden-at-ISU-Grand-Prix-Final/2913552.html|title=Kim is Golden at ISU Grand Prix Final|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Kim|first=Jason|date=December 7, 2009|access-date=August 30, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327011255/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2009/12/07/Baseball/Kim-is-golden-at-ISU-Grand-Prix-Final/2913552.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In mid-December, she was chosen to carry the [[Olympic flame|Olympic torch]] for the second time, running about 300 meters in downtown [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], an hour's drive from where she trained in Toronto.<ref name="7thstraight" />

In February 2010, Kim competed in the [[Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|women's event]] at the [[2010 Winter Olympic Games|2010 Winter Olympics]], where she won Olympic gold.<ref name="olympicrecords">{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=ZK |date=April 28, 2021 |title=Yuna Kim and Her Life-Changing Vancouver 2010 Gold |url=https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/yuna-kim-and-her-life-changing-vancouver-2010-gold |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621123155/https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/yuna-kim-and-her-life-changing-vancouver-2010-gold |archive-date=June 21, 2021 |access-date=September 6, 2024 |work=International Olympic Committee}}</ref> In March 2010, Kim competed at the [[2010 World Figure Skating Championships|2010 World Championships]] in [[Turin, Italy]]. Kim said she had struggled with finding the motivation to compete at the World Championships after winning the gold medal at the Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Armour |first1=Nancy |last2=Barry |first2=Colleen |date=March 22, 2010 |title=Figure Skaters Gear Up for 1 Last Big Competition |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2010-03-22-4067236911_x.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325194054/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2010-03-22-4067236911_x.htm |archive-date=March 25, 2010}}</ref> Kim placed seventh in the short program with 60.30 points, the third-worst lowest score of her career and the first time she did not place into the top five.<ref name="kimyunafinishes">{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2010/03/600_63127.html|title=Kim Yu-na Finishes Seventh in Short Program|work=The Korea Times|last=Kang|first=Seung-woo|date=March 27, 2010|access-date=August 31, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327011254/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2010/03/600_63127.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She rebounded in the free skate to win the program with 130.49 points, and won the silver medal with a total of 190.79 points. Kim later admitted that Worlds were mentally difficult for her and that she had seriously considered pulling out of the competition.<ref name="worlds2010fs">{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2010/03/600_63170.html|title=Yu-na Fails to Defend Title|work=The Korea Times|last=Yoon|first=Chul|date=March 28, 2010|access-date=August 31, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327011254/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2010/03/600_63170.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====2010 Winter Olympics: Gold medal=====
{{See also|Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics}}

In February 2010, Kim competed in the women's event at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, held in [[Vancouver, Canada]]. She entered the Games as a strong favourite to win the gold.<ref name="olympichopes2">{{cite news|last=Macur |first=Juliet |date=February 13, 2010 |title=Olympic Hopes Rest with Skating Favorite Yuna Kim |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/sports/olympics/14kim.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405160442/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/sports/olympics/14kim.html |archive-date=April 5, 2016|url-access=subscription}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' reported on the great amount of pressure Kim felt going into the Olympics, but told the newspaper that she was "prepared for anything".<ref name="olympichopes2"/> Kim chose to stay at an inexpensive hotel instead of at the [[Olympic Village]]; her mother, Orser, and David Wilson also stayed in the same hotel.<ref name="nbcs200225" />
[[File:2010 Olympics Figure Skating Ladies - Ladies Podium - 7941a.jpg|thumb|At the [[2010 Winter Olympics]], with [[Mao Asada]] (on the left) and [[Joannie Rochette]] (on the right)|alt=Refer to caption]]
In the short program, Kim executed a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination jump, which reporter Philip Hersh called "stratospheric",<ref name="itgirlvancouver">{{cite news|last=Hersh|first=Philip|date=24 February 2010|title=Vancouver's 'It' Girl|work=Chicago Tribune|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-02-24/sports/ct-oly-0225-olympics-womens-figure-skatin20100224_1_long-program-short-program-yuna-kim|url-status=dead|access-date=5 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402225722/https://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-02-24/sports/ct-oly-0225-olympics-womens-figure-skatin20100224_1_long-program-short-program-yuna-kim|archive-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> a triple flip, and a double Axel. Kim scored 78.50 points. Kim accomplished her best score in the short program, breaking her own world record by over two points. She later told reporters that she felt no pressure going into the free skate.<ref name="bondgirl">{{cite news|date=February 23, 2010 |title=Figure Skating: 'Bond Girl' Kim Ahead, Rochette Third |work=Vancouver 2010 |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/afp-news/figure-skating--bond-girl-kim-ahead--rochette-third_291260NE.html |url-status=dead |access-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409074822/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/afp-news/figure-skating--bond-girl-kim-ahead--rochette-third_291260NE.html |archive-date=April 9, 2010}}</ref><ref name="itgirlvancouver" /> On February 25, Kim won the free skate, which [[Agence France-Presse]] called "a stunning performance" and "spellbinding", with 150.06 points, setting a new world record for the free skate.<ref name="afp20100226">{{cite news|date=February 26, 2010 |title=Kim Wins Olympic Women's Title |work=Vancouver 2010 |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/afp-news/figure-skating--kim-wins-olympic-womens-title_293796SC.html |url-status=dead |access-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226083512/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/afp-news/figure-skating--kim-wins-olympic-womens-title_293796SC.html |archive-date=February 26, 2010}}</ref> Overall, Kim totaled 228.56 points, breaking her own personal best and previous world record.<ref name="itgirlvancouver" /><ref name="afp20100226" /> Philip Hersh stated that her Olympic free skate was "of transcendent brilliance that brought her immortality in South Korea".<ref name="nbcs200225" /> She won the gold medal, becoming the first South Korean skater to medal in any discipline of figure skating at the Olympic Games.<ref name="KT100226">{{cite news|last=Kim |first=Tong-hyung |date=February 26, 2010 |title=Kim Yu-na Becomes Golden Queen |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/04/136_61499.html |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402145511/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/04/136_61499.html |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |work=The Korea Times}}</ref> She defeated silver medalist [[Mao Asada]] by 23.06 points, the greatest margin recorded in women's singles at the Olympics or World Championships since the introduction of the ISU Judging System.<ref name="nbcs200225">{{cite news|last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=February 25, 2020 |title=Ten Years Later, Queen Yuna's Iconic Crown Glitters with Transcendent Brilliance |work=NBC Sports |url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/02/25/yuna-kim-vancouver-2010/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031193524/https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/02/25/yuna-kim-vancouver-2010/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="lat100227" />

Kim's short program, free skate, and combined total scores at the 2010 Winter Olympics were the highest scores since the creation of the ISU Judging System, and were registered in the ''[[Guinness World Records]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mochan |first=Amanda |date=March 1, 2010 |title=Winter Olympics Figure Skating Records Recap |url=http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_Winter-Olympics-Figure-Skating-Records-Recap/blog/1925960/7691.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505082511/http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_Winter-Olympics-Figure-Skating-Records-Recap/blog/1925960/7691.html |archive-date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=Guinness World Records}}</ref><ref name="ioc140109">{{cite news |date=January 9, 2014 |title=Yuna Kim, the Queen of the Rink |work=Olympic.org |publisher=International Olympic Committee |url=http://www.olympic.org/news/yuna-kim-the-queen-of-the-rink/219201 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519103340/http://www.olympic.org/news/yuna-kim-the-queen-of-the-rink/219201 |archive-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref> [[Dorothy Hamill]], the [[Figure skating at the 1976 Winter Olympics|1976 Olympic champion]], said that Kim had "jaw-dropping magnificence", adding "The height of her jumps, the power, and the fluid beauty of her skating are like magic".<ref name="nbcs200225" /> [[Jacques Rogge]], then-president of the [[International Olympic Committee]], stated that Kim's performance "touched me in a way that I haven't been touched since [[Jayne Torvill|Torvill]] and [[Christopher Dean|Dean]] in [[1984 Winter Olympics|Sarajevo]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Bangs |first=Ryan |date=March 1, 2010 |title=Rogge: Vancouver's Legacy Positive but Lessons Must be Learnt |url=http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/other-sports/019561-rogge-vancouvers-legacy-positive-lessons-must-be-learnt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408104452/http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/other-sports/019561-rogge-vancouvers-legacy-positive-lessons-must-be-learnt |archive-date=April 8, 2010 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |work=More Than the Games}}</ref> [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]], who met with and congratulated [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (South Korea)|South Korean Foreign Minister]] [[Yu Myung-hwan]] the following day, also praised Kim's performance, calling it "extraordinary".<ref name="clintonlauds">{{cite news|last=Hwang |first=Doo-hyong |date=February 28, 2010 |title=Clinton Lauds Kim Yu-na for Magnificent Performance |work=Yonhap News Agency |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2010/02/28/26/0301000000AEN20100228000200315F.HTML |url-status=dead |access-date=September 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326014306/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2010/02/28/26/0301000000AEN20100228000200315F.HTML |archive-date=March 26, 2012}}</ref> In South Korea, the stock market halted all business during Kim's performances. She and Orser flew immediately to Seoul after the Olympics to meet with South Korean president [[Lee Myung-bak]] at his [[Blue House|official residence]].<ref name="nbcs200225" /> Christopher Clarey from ''The New York Times'' reported that Kim considered retiring from competition at the end of the season.<ref name="longtime" />

====2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons: Coaching change and hiatus====
[[File:Oppegard - 2016 Four Continents (cropped).jpg|thumb|Coach Peter Oppegard, 2016|alt=Refer to caption]]
In August 2010, Kim and Brian Orser parted ways.<ref name="leavescoach">{{cite news|last=Armour |first=Nancy |date=August 25, 2010 |title=Kim Yu-na Leaves Coach Brian Orser |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2010-08-24-3566761091_x.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029110729/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2010-08-24-3566761091_x.htm |archive-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref> According to the Associated Press, it was "a move that has taken many by surprise—Orser included"<ref name="leavescoach" /> and according to [[Reuters]], no reason was given for the decision.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 24, 2010 |title=Kim Fires Coach Who Guided Her to Olympic Glory |language=en-US |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67N444/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204220936/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67N444/ |archive-date=December 4, 2023}}</ref> Orser stated that his firing was "out of the blue".<ref>{{cite news|last=Starkman |first=Randy |date=August 24, 2010 |title=Firing by Figure Skater 'Came out of the Blue,' Says Orser |language=en |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/firing-by-figure-skater-came-out-of-the-blue-says-orser/article_130d7ca0-0cd4-5633-bd99-9b7aa545f30c.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130182330/https://www.thestar.com/sports/firing-by-figure-skater-came-out-of-the-blue-says-orser/article_130d7ca0-0cd4-5633-bd99-9b7aa545f30c.html |archive-date=November 30, 2023}}</ref> David Wilson called the split "like a nightmare".<ref name="JT201603152"/> The ''[[Toronto Star]]'' reported that later that same month, Orser leaked, without permission, the music Kim had planned to use for her free skating program during the upcoming season, something frowned upon in figure skating.<ref>{{cite news|last=Starkman |first=Randy |date=August 26, 2010 |title=Music Leak Adds Sour Note to Figure Skating Soap Opera |language=en |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics-and-paralympics/music-leak-adds-sour-note-to-figure-skating-soap-opera/article_8cb37919-e8a5-5e1e-805e-962443ec5a05.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109194333/https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics-and-paralympics/music-leak-adds-sour-note-to-figure-skating-soap-opera/article_8cb37919-e8a5-5e1e-805e-962443ec5a05.html |archive-date=November 9, 2023}}</ref> At first, Kim continued to train in Toronto without a coach and no plans to hire one.<ref name="leavescoach" /> By the fall of 2010, she began training in [[Artesia, California]], at the East West Ice Palace, a rink owned and operated by Michelle Kwan's family.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 7, 2010 |title=Skating Champion Kim Yu-na to Train in Los Angeles |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2010-09-07-2463075482_x.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622042411/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2010-09-07-2463075482_x.htm |archive-date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> In October, after her camp asked Wilson to coach her, an offer he refused, she hired [[Peter Oppegard]] and continued to work with Wilson as her choreographer.<ref name="JT201603152"/><ref name="bethharris">{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Beth|date=October 5, 2010|title=Olympic Champion Skater Kim Yu-na Hires New Coach|language=en|work=Toronto Star|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympic-champion-skater-kim-yu-na-hires-new-coach/article_f21df51c-8f45-52d1-8cf3-2061d5a9c908.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109194338/https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympic-champion-skater-kim-yu-na-hires-new-coach/article_f21df51c-8f45-52d1-8cf3-2061d5a9c908.html|archive-date=November 9, 2023}}</ref>

Kim was assigned to the [[2010 Cup of China]] and to the [[2010 Cup of Russia]] for the [[2010–11 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating|2010–11 ISU Grand Prix]] season.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 14, 2010 |title=Kim Yu-na Invited to 2 Grand Prix Events |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/06/14/2010061400777.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327135019/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/06/14/2010061400777.html |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |access-date=September 30, 2023 |work=The Chosun Ilbo}}</ref> However, she chose not to compete in the Grand Prix series to focus on the [[2011 World Figure Skating Championships|2011 World Championships]] in [[Moscow]], her only competition of the season and her first competition in over a year.<ref name="nbcs200225" /><ref name="longtime">{{cite news|last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=April 28, 2011 |title=After Long Time Away, Olympic Star Returns |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/sports/29iht-skating29.html |url-status=dead |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423095847/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/sports/29iht-skating29.html |archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> American coach [[Frank Carroll (figure skater)|Frank Carroll]], while recognizing the difficulty of competing after such a long period, stated that she had "the guts and the strength of character to do it".<ref name="longtime"/> She told [[CNN]] that her focus, instead of being on the results, was to enjoy and show a different side of herself.<ref name="queenofice">{{cite news|last=Palk |first=Susannah |date=October 21, 2010 |title=Kim Yuna: South Korea's Queen of Ice |work=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/21/south.korea.kim.yuna/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312065228/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/21/south.korea.kim.yuna/index.html |archive-date=March 12, 2017}}</ref> Kim also chose not to compete at the [[2011 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|2011 Four Continents Championships]], because the previous Olympics had sapped her energy.<ref name="christopherclarey" />[[File:Kim 2011 World Championship FS.jpg|thumb|Kim performing her free skate to "Homage to Korea" at the [[2011 World Figure Skating Championships|2011 World Championships]]|left|alt=Refer to caption]]A large contingent of reporters from South Korea and Japan were at the World Championships, but Kim did not experience as much pressure compared to the Olympics.<ref name="longtime" /> Skating to music from ''[[Giselle]]'', she placed first in the short program, with 65.91 points. She stumbled out of her triple Lutz, so she was unable to include her planned triple-triple combination jump, but she added a double toe loop to her planned triple flip in order to fulfill the combination jump requirement. Oppegard later told reporters that he thought that Kim was nervous because it was her first competition in a year. Kim told reporters that getting back into training was difficult and that she often lacked the motivation to continue.<ref name="christopherclarey">{{cite news|last=Clarey |first=Christopher |date=April 29, 2011 |title=South Korean Skater Stumbles, but Still Leads, in Moscow |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/30/sports/30iht-skating30.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507153855/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/30/sports/30iht-skating30.html |archive-date=May 7, 2011|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Kim came in second in the free skate with 128.59 points and won the silver medal, with a total score of 194.50 points.<ref name="andoedgesout" /> Skating to Korean music, which she called "a love letter to my country",<ref name="longtime" /> Kim landed her opening triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination jump and landed another triple Lutz and two triple Salchows, but she flubbed her flip jump. ''Golden Skate'' reported that Kim "continued her impressive record" of earning a medal in every competition she had entered since the Junior Grand Prix in 2015.<ref name="andoedgesout">{{cite news|last=Flade |first=Tatjana |date=April 30, 2011 |title=Ando Edges out Kim for World Title |work=Golden Skate |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/ando-edges-out-kim-for-world-title/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901044210/https://www.goldenskate.com/ando-edges-out-kim-for-world-title/ |archive-date=September 1, 2023}}</ref>

Kim said she might miss the next Grand Prix series due to her work promoting [[Bids for the 2018 Winter Olympics|South Korea's successful bid]] for the [[2018 Winter Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|date=May 3, 2011 |title=Kim Yu-na Likely to Keep Competing Despite Grand Prix Snub |work=The Dong-a Ilbo |url=https://www.donga.com/en/Search/article/all/20110503/401185/1 |url-status=live |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327135021/https://www.donga.com/en/Search/article/all/20110503/401185/1 |archive-date=March 27, 2023}}</ref> On October 18, 2011, she officially announced she would be sitting out the entire [[2011–12 figure skating season|2011–12 season]], the first time in her junior and senior careers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Yi |first=Whan-woo |date=October 18, 2011 |title=Kim Yu-na to Sit out 2011–2012 Season |work=The Korea Times |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2011/10/136_96913.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112091353/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2011/10/136_96913.html |archive-date=November 12, 2012}}</ref> She later said that she took the break due to the high expectations and pressure she felt going into the Vancouver Olympics.<ref name="4yearslater" />

====2012–2013 season: Second World title====
In July 2012, Kim announced her intention to skate competitively in the [[2012–13 figure skating season|2012–13 season]], with the ultimate goal of skating at the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi|Sochi, Russia]].<ref name="yoojeeho">{{cite news|last=Yoo |first=Jee-ho |date=July 2, 2012 |title=Figure Skater Kim Yu-na to Return to Competition, Retire after Sochi Olympics |work=Yonhap News Agency |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2012/07/02/18/0702000000AEN20120702008600315F.HTML |url-status=dead |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718204106/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2012/07/02/18/0702000000AEN20120702008600315F.HTML |archive-date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> She later told Nancy Armour of the Associated Press that she was "determined not to be suffocated by the pressure again".<ref name="4yearslater" /> She said that returning to competition after winning the Olympics and after a long break was difficult, but that she felt less pressure because she was not as desperate to win.<ref name="nbcs200225" /> She told reporters that she had no regrets for taking so much time off from competitive skating and although she recognized she had her work cut out for her, she considered Sochi an opportunity to start over.<ref name="yoojeeho" /> She also told reporters that she found inspiration from younger Korean skaters while training at home during her break.<ref name="returntocompetition">{{cite news|date=July 2, 2012 |title=Figure Skater Kim Yu-na to Return to Competition, Retire after Sochi Olympics |work=The Korea Times |agency=Yonhap News Agency |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2012/07/136_114259.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708232157/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2012/07/136_114259.html |archive-date=July 8, 2012}}</ref> Despite her past successes, however, Kim was not invited to skate in the [[2012–13 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating|2012–13 Grand Prix]] circuit, so she chose to compete in minor events to score enough technical points to qualify for the [[2013 World Figure Skating Championships|2013 World Championships]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Himmer |first=Alastair |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Kim Goes Back to School for Olympic Swansong |work=The Star |agency=Reuters |location=Petaling Jaya, Malaysia |url=http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/10/24/sports/2012-10-24T084700Z_1_BRE89N0E6_RTROPTT_0_UK-FIGURE-SKATING-KOREA-KIM&sec=sports |url-status=dead |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221044619/http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/10/24/sports/2012-10-24T084700Z_1_BRE89N0E6_RTROPTT_0_UK-FIGURE-SKATING-KOREA-KIM&sec=sports |archive-date=February 21, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Kim 2013 World Championship SP.jpg|thumb|Kim performing her short program at the [[2013 World Figure Skating Championships|2013 World Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]
Kim left Oppegard and began training with her childhood coaches Shin Hea-sook and Ryu Jong-hyun. Her coaches reported that Kim's technique was no problem, even after her long break, but that they were working on her stamina in training. Shin was in charge of Kim's overall training and Ryu was in charge of her fitness training and conditioning. Kim chose music from the 1963 film ''[[Kiss of the Vampire (film)|The Kiss of the Vampire]]'' for her short program and selections from the musical ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'' for her free skate. She used movie and musical soundtracks because she wanted to use something new.<ref name="in121024">{{cite news|date=October 24, 2012 |title=With New Coaches, Kim to Debut at NRW Trophy |work=Ice Network |url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?content_id=40014546&vkey=ice_news&ymd=20121024 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029035545/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121024&content_id=40014546&vkey=ice_news |archive-date=October 29, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Jung |first=Min-ho |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Kim Yu-na Reunites with Former Coaches |work=The Korea Times |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2012/10/136_123024.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030115951/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2012/10/136_123024.html |archive-date=October 30, 2012}}</ref>

Kim's first competition of the season was the [[2012 NRW Trophy]] in [[Dortmund|Dortmund, Germany]].<ref name="in121024" /> It was the first time she had competed since 2011.<ref name="showssomerust" /> Reporter Moon Gwang-lip called it "an impressive comeback".<ref name="instyle"/> Tickets to the NRW Trophy sold out in six hours and instead of the few media outlets that would usually attend this event, over fifty credentials, which included several news outlets, were issued. Although it was not important for her to win the competition, she placed first in the short program with a score of 72.27 points and also won the free skate with 129.34 points to claim the gold medal. Klaus-Reinhold Kany of ''Ice Network'' pointed out that because the NRW Trophy was a minor international competition, the ISU did not include Kim's short program score in its list of the season's best rankings, even though her score was the highest recorded that season. She needed to earn 48 points in her technical element scores during her free skate in order to qualify for the 2013 World Championships, which she easily did. She had applied to compete at the [[2012 Golden Spin of Zagreb|Golden Spin of Zagreb]], in case she did not earn enough points, but withdrew her application after the NRW Trophy.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kany |first=Klaus-Reinhold |date=December 4, 2012 |title=Kim's Return Turns Dortmund Event into Fan Frenzy |work=Ice Network |url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121204&content_id=40514212&vkey=ice_news |url-status=dead |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420093239/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121204&content_id=40514212&vkey=ice_news |archive-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref><ref name="showssomerust" /><ref name="instyle" />

Kim later admitted that she felt nervous during the warm-up before her free skate, but she kept her nerves under control and considered skating at a minor competition a positive experience. She also stated that she concentrated on her elements, but intended to improve upon her free skate's choreography and emotional aspect and was looking towards the [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|South Korean Championships]] and the 2014 Olympics.<ref name="showssomerust">{{cite news|last=Kany |first=Klaus-Reinhold |date=December 9, 2012 |title=Kim Shows Some Rust, Still Breaks 200-point Mark |work=Ice Network |url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121209&content_id=40589096&vkey=ice_news |url-status=dead |access-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214074350/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121209&content_id=40589096&vkey=ice_news |archive-date=December 14, 2012}}</ref> Moon reported that Kim began her free skate "with indelible poise and sublime grace... launching herself fearlessly into jumps and landing with implausible softness".<ref name="instyle" /> Kany called Kim's opening triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination jump "brilliant";<ref name="showssomerust" /> Kim also successfully executed a triple flip that earned her a +2 GOE, two additional triples, and a double Axel coming out of an Ina Bauer, although she singled her first Axel, turned her two planned double toe loops into single jumps, and fell during her triple Salchow-double toe combination jump. Kany stated, however, that although she appeared tired towards the end, the rest of her program was "solid".<ref name="showssomerust" /> With the technical qualifications met, Kim's agency said she would focus on the [[2013 South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2013 South Korean Championships]] and the [[2013 World Figure Skating Championships|2013 World Championships]].<ref name="instyle">{{cite news|last=Moon |first=Gwang-lip |date=December 11, 2012 |title=Figure Queen Returns in Style, Wins Event |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2963736 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126200730/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2963736 |archive-date=January 26, 2013}}</ref> Kim also told reporters that she was enjoying her reunion with Shin and Ryu, and that she had missed training at home in Korea.<ref name="showssomerust" />

Kim was a strong favourite to win the South Korean Championships.<ref name="navernews">{{cite news |last=Ahn |first=Kyung-nam |date=January 1, 2013 |title= |script-title=ko:2013년, 김연아를 읽는 3가지 키워드 |trans-title=Three keywords for Yuna Kim in 2013 |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0002296874 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112133004/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0002296874 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |work=My Daily |language=ko |via=Naver}}</ref> She skated a clean short program, placing first with a score of 64.97. She also won the free skate with a score of 145.80 points and 210.77 points overall. She won her fifth national title and qualified to compete in the World Championships. Koh Dong-wook of [[Yonhap News Agency]], who called Kim's free skate a "flawless performance",<ref name="physicaleducation" /> reported that even though she felt nervous going into the free skate because of a fall during practice, she completed her program with no errors.<ref name="physicaleducation">{{cite news|last=Koh |first=Dong-wook |date=January 6, 2013 |script-title=ko:체육(김연아, 합계 210.77점...종합선수권...) |language=ko |trans-title=Physical Education (Yuna Kim wins the national championship with 210.77 points) |work=Yonhap News Agency |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0006025152 |url-status=live |access-date=September 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411133623/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0006025152 |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |via=Naver}}</ref>[[File:Kim 2013 World Championship FS.jpg|thumb|left|Kim performing her free skate to ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'' at the [[2013 World Figure Skating Championships|2013 World Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]

At the 2013 World Championships and looking to win her second World title, Kim placed first in the short program with a score of 69.97 points. She completed a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination jump, a triple flip, which was downgraded due to her take-off on the wrong edge of her skate, and a double Axel.<ref name="ioc140109" /><ref name="koreaherald" /> According to ''[[The Korea Herald]]'', she also "performed flawless spins and step sequences the rest of the way".<ref name="koreaherald" /> She later told reporters that she was disappointed with her score, but had no regrets about her short program. She also said that she enjoyed skating "in the middle of the pack"<ref name="koreaherald">{{cite news|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130315000175|title=Kim Yu-na Leads After Short Program at World Championships|work=The Korea Herald|agency=Yonhap News Agency|date=March 15, 2013|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327145415/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130315000175|url-status=live}}</ref> because skating later on made her more nervous.

Kim also won the free skate after executing a clean program that earned her 148.34 points. With 218.31 points overall, Kim claimed her second world title, surpassing the rest of the competitors by 20.43 points,<ref name="CT130316" /><ref name="2013worlds">{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2013/03/600_132217.html|title=Kim Yu-na Wins 2013 World Figure Skating Championships|work=The Korea Times|date=March 17, 2013|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327145416/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2013/03/600_132217.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the largest difference between gold and silver in the nine years the ISU Judging System had been used in the World Championships.<ref name="4yearslater">{{cite news|last=Armour |first=Nancy |date=March 17, 2013 |title=4 Years Later, Kim Remains Olympic Gold Standard |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=figureskating&id=9061580 |url-status=live |access-date=September 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331114409/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=figureskating&id=9061580 |archive-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref><ref name="CT130316" /> Her free skate included a "string of perfectly executed triple-triple combinations".<ref name="ioc140109" /> As Nancy Armour of the Associated Press said, Kim "could have stood at center ice for the second half of her program and still won".<ref name="4yearslater" /> Kim, who told reporters that she felt less pressure, also seemed "able to enjoy the moment".<ref name="4yearslater" /> Armour speculated that if Kim continued to skate like that in Sochi, she would be hard to beat at the Olympics. Kim received a standing ovation for her free skate,<ref name="4yearslater" /> which Philip Hersh of the ''Chicago Tribune'' called "an ethereal free skate of surpassing brilliance".<ref name="CT130316" /> Last to skate, her free skate included six "flawless" jumps, one of which was in combination. Kim said later that she felt happy with her free skate; she also said that it was the first time she no longer focused on the results, but had been able to enjoy both skating and competing. Up to that point, Kim had earned medals at all 30 of her international competitions, both at the junior and senior levels, and had won gold medals at 19 of them.<ref name="CT130316" />

====2013–2014 season: Olympic silver medal and retirement from competition====
{{Main|Yuna Kim Olympic_seasons#2013–2014 season: Olympic silver medal|Figure skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics}}

For the [[2013–14 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating|2013–14 ISU Grand Prix]] season, Kim was assigned to compete in the [[2013 Skate Canada International]] and in the [[2013 Trophée Eric Bompard|2013 Trophée Éric Bompard]]. However, on September 26, it was announced that Kim would not compete in the Grand Prix series due to a metatarsal injury to her right foot (bruised bones) from excessive training, with recovery expected to take up to six weeks.<ref>{{cite news|date=September 26, 2013 |title=Olympic Champ Kim Yu-na Sidelined with Foot Injury |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=figureskating&id=9725808 |url-status=live |access-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727165834/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=figureskating&id=9725808 |archive-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref>

Kim competed in the [[2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb]], her first competition in nine months. She placed first in the short program with a score of 73.37 points and won the free skate with 131.12 points.<ref name="yunakimimperfect">{{cite news|last=Zaccardi |first=Nick |date=December 6, 2014 |title=Yuna Kim Imperfect in Season Debut Short Program |work=NBC Sports |url=http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/06/yuna-kim-figure-skating-golden-spin-zagreb-short-program/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203200627/http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/06/yuna-kim-figure-skating-golden-spin-zagreb-short-program/ |archive-date=February 3, 2014}}</ref><ref name="despitemixed">{{cite news|title=Despite Mixed Performance, Kim Yu-na Remains Olympic Contender|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2013/12/08/26/0702000000AEN20131208000200315F.html|access-date=September 4, 2023|work=Yonhap News Agency|last=Yoo|first=Jee-ho|date=December 8, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212141540/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2013/12/08/26/0702000000AEN20131208000200315F.html|archive-date=February 12, 2014}}</ref> Yoo Jee-ho of Yonhap News Agency stated that Kim's choice of music for her short program, "[[Send In the Clowns|Send in the Clowns]]", was a departure from her recent choices, which tended to be set to "more powerful tunes" and could have fallen flat in its choreography, but that Kim made up for it with "a series of exquisite steps and spins".<ref name="despitemixed" /> She earned the highest short program component scores of her career and the highest short program score in the Grand Prix that season. Her overall score was the fifth-best of her career and the third consecutive time she scored over 200 points.<ref name="yunakimimperfect" /><ref name="despitemixed" />

In early January, Kim competed in the [[2014 South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2014 South Korean Championships]]. She finished first after the short program with 80.60 points, which was her personal best score, and won the free skate, which was called "flawless",<ref name="lastsochirehearsal" /> with 147.26 points. Kim won her sixth national title with a total score of 227.86 points, the second-highest score ever earned. Yonhap News Agency stated that Kim's victory raised expectations for winning a second gold medal at the Olympics.<ref name="lastsochirehearsal">{{cite web |last1=Koh |first1=Dong-wook |last2=Choi |first2=Song-a |date=January 5, 2014 |title= |script-title=ko:김연아 '마지막 소치 리허설'서 227.86점 우승(종합) |trans-title=Yuna Kim Wins with 227.86 Points in 'The Last Sochi Rehearsal' |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0006684417 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226081917/https://m.sports.naver.com/general/article/001/0006684417 |archive-date=December 26, 2024 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko |via=Naver}}</ref>
[[File:Yuna Kim 2014 Olympic Free Skating.jpg|alt=Refer to caption|left|thumb|Kim performing her free skate to ''[[Adiós Nonino]]'' at the [[2014 Winter Olympics|2014 Sochi Olympics]]]]
In February 2014, Kim competed at the [[Figure skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2014 Winter Olympic Games]], seeking to become the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals since [[Katarina Witt]] and with the intention of retiring from competitive skating afterwards.<ref name="retirement" /> According to Moon Gwang-lip of ''[[Korea JoongAng Daily]],'' she did not want to not feel burdened or pressured and wished to finish her career with no regrets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2013/05/14/Baseball/Kim-Yuna-eyeing-final-stage-on-ice/2971546.html|title=Kim Yu-na Eyeing 'Final Stage' on Ice| work=Korea JoongAng Daily |last=Moon |first=Gwang-lip |date=May 14, 2013 |access-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311231243/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2013/05/14/Baseball/Kim-Yuna-eyeing-final-stage-on-ice/2971546.html |url-status=live}}</ref> She narrowly came in first place after the short program with 74.92 points.<ref name="kimseizeslead">{{cite news|last=Longman |first=Jeré |title=Kim Seizes Lead; Then the Surprises Start |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/sports/olympics/kim-yu-na-leads-figure-skating-after-short-program.html |access-date=September 5, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=February 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728150643/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/sports/olympics/kim-yu-na-leads-figure-skating-after-short-program.html |archive-date=July 28, 2023|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Kim skated earlier than the other favorite competitors, due to her lower international standing, although she later said that it lessened her pressure.<ref name="sadperfectend" /><ref name="kimseizeslead" /> She skated last in the free skate. Kim later admitted that she was not as motivated as she was in Vancouver.<ref name="sadperfectend" /> Her overall score was 219.11 points, 5.5 points less than Sotnikova's score. Her silver medal win was, as Graham called it, "controversial", and said that it "strikes a blow to the artistry that sets figure skating apart from all other sports—and to many, seems to stink of corruption".<ref name="sadperfectend" /> Graham cited Sotnikova's free skate score, 149.95 points, which was 40 points higher than her average score over the previous year and less than one point than Kim's free skating score in Vancouver, as well as impropriety about two judges, as the reasons for the controversy.<ref name="sadperfectend" /> Kim declined to comment on the controversy at the press conference after the Olympics and told Philip Hersh in 2020 that her feelings about it had not changed.<ref name="nbcs200225" />

In 2023, the [[Korean Sport & Olympic Committee]] requested that the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) re-investigate the results of the women's figure skating competition in Sochi after Sotnikova admitted to failing her first doping test earlier that year, but the IOC refused.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 8, 2023 |title=IOC Will Not Investigate Sochi Gold Medalist's Doping Admission |language=en |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/08/08/sports/more/Adelina-Sotnikova-IOC-KSOC/20230808091751985.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018233515/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/08/08/sports/more/Adelina-Sotnikova-IOC-KSOC/20230808091751985.html |archive-date=October 18, 2023}}</ref> As anticipated, Kim announced that the 2014 Olympics would mark the end of her competitive skating career and that she would not compete at the [[2014 World Figure Skating Championships|2014 World Championships]].<ref name="retirement">{{cite news|last=Estrada |first=Chris |date=February 21, 2014 |title=Yuna Kim Announces Retirement after Sochi Silver |url=http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/20/yuna-kim-announces-retirement-after-sochi-silver/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709080908/http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/20/yuna-kim-announces-retirement-after-sochi-silver/ |archive-date=July 9, 2014 |work=NBC Sports |access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref> During an interview in 2016, David Wilson expressed his "great disappointment" about her retirement.<ref name="JT201603152" />

=== Coaches ===
* [[Shin Hea-sook]] ([[2012–13 figure skating season|2012]]–[[2013–14 figure skating season|2014]])<ref name="in121024" />
* Ryu Jong-hyun ([[2012–13 figure skating season|2012]]–[[2013–14 figure skating season|2014]])<ref name="in121024" />
* [[Peter Oppegard]] ([[2010–11 figure skating season|2010–11]])<ref name="in121024" />
* [[Brian Orser]] (2006–[[2009–10 figure skating season|2010]])<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="bethharris" />
* [[Kim Se-yol]]<ref name="isuresults2010" />
* [[Chi Hyun-jung]]<ref name="isuresults2010" />
* Ryu Jong-hyun (2000–2002)<ref name="in121024" />
* [[Shin Hea-sook]] (1997–2000)<ref name="in121024" />

==Professional skating career==
Kim participated in the South Korean ice show, Superstars on Ice, in 2006, shortly before her senior debut,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0000060270|script-title=ko:김연아 "시니어무대, 새로운 프로그램으로 준비"|trans-title=Yuna Kim: "Preparing for the senior level with a new program"|work=My Daily|via=Naver|last=Kim|first=Hyeon-ki|date=September 16, 2006|access-date=October 1, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=December 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219180250/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0000060270|url-status=live}}</ref> and in the Japanese show Dreams on Ice the following year.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kim |first=Cheol-o |date=July 2, 2007 |title= |script-title=ko:김연아, 아사다 마오와 우정의 무대 |language=ko |trans-title=Yuna Kim, Mao Asada and the stage of friendship |work=Newsis |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=003&aid=0000474378 |access-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112133005/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=003&aid=0000474378 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |via=Naver|url-status=live}}</ref> Between 2008 and 2010, she performed in [[Festa On Ice|Festa on Ice]], produced by her agency, IB Sports.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0002034032|script-title=ko:김연아 아이스쇼, 5월 목동에서 개최|trans-title=Yuna Kim's Ice Show to be Held in Mokdong in May|work=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|last=Lee|first=Yeung-ho|date=April 7, 2008|access-date=October 1, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128165751/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0002034032|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ifs0908">{{cite news|url=https://ifsmagazine.com/yuna-kim-riding-a-golden-wave/|title=Yuna Kim Riding a Golden Wave|work=International Figure Skating|last=Russell|first=Susan D.|date=August 2009|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031185117/https://ifsmagazine.com/yuna-kim-riding-a-golden-wave/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2020/02/600_62060.html|title=Kim Yu-na Performs on Ice Show in Korea|work=The Korea Times|author=Yoon-chul|date=March 9, 2010|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128165751/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2020/02/600_62060.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She hosted a charity ice show, Angels on Ice, on December 25, 2008, in Seoul, appearing alongside 2008 World bronze medallist [[Johnny Weir]] and ten young South Korean figure skaters. Kim stated she wanted to show her gratitude to local fans for their support.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2008/11/600_35216.html|title=Kim Yu-na to Skate on Charity Ice Show|work=The Korea Times|last=Kang|first=Seung-woo|date=November 27, 2008|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-date=December 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219180247/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2008/11/600_35216.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2009, she headlined three shows in Korea.<ref name="ifs0908" /> IB Sports produced another ice show, [[Ice All Stars]], which took place in Seoul on August 14–16, 2009. Michelle Kwan also performed.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2009/07/136_47815.html | title = Kwan to Join Yuna in Local Ice Show | date = July 2, 2009 | work=The Korea Times | last = Kang | first = Seung-woo | access-date = October 1, 2023 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121113005343/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2009/07/136_47815.html | archive-date = November 13, 2012 }}</ref>[[File:Yuna Kim at the 2010 All That Skate LA.jpg|left|thumb|Kim performs her exhibition to "[[Méditation (Thaïs)|Méditation]]" at the 2010 [[All That Skate|All That Skate LA]]|alt=Refer to caption]]In April 2010, Kim left IB Sports and with her mother, set up her own management agency called All That Sports Corporation (AT Sports).<ref>{{cite news| url = http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=070000&biid=2010042703328 | title = Yuna Kim Setting Up Own Mgmt. Company | date = April 27, 2010 | work=The Dong-a Ilbo | access-date = October 1, 2023 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121112221552/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=070000&biid=2010042703328 | archive-date = November 12, 2012 }}</ref> They organized an ice show, [[All That Skate]], which as of 2020, was held annually.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2010/06/136_67089.html |title=Yuna, Kwan to Do Another Show in July |date=June 4, 2010 |work=The Korea Times |last=Yi |first=Whan-woo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606192331/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2010/06/136_67089.html |archive-date=June 6, 2010 |access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref><ref name="nbcs200225" /> In October 2010, AT Sports debuted All That Skate LA, an American version of their Korean ice show brand, at the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles. The show, directed by David Wilson, featured Kwan, the reigning Olympic champions from three skating disciplines including Kim, and many world champions. It received positive reviews from both figure skating fans and critics for bringing a new style of skating show to the U.S. and for overall high production quality.<ref>{{cite news| title = Kim, Kwan Come Together for "All That Skate L.A."| work= Ice Network| last = Rutherford| first = Lynn| date = October 3, 2010| url = http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101003&content_id=15379862&vkey=ice_news| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101013225631/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101003&content_id=15379862&vkey=ice_news| archive-date = October 13, 2010 |access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = Show Skating Alive and Well in LA| work = Golden Skate| last = Walker| first = Elvin| date = October 3, 2010| url = http://goldenskate.com/articles/2010/ats.shtml| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101007235343/http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2010/ats.shtml| archive-date = October 7, 2010 |access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref>

In June 2012, Kim took part in Artistry on Ice in China. According to Li Sheng, president of SECA, the host of the show, it took two years to attract Kim. He added, "It's a breakthrough in Artistry on Ice, and even in China's figure skating history, although she only took part in the Shanghai stop".<ref>{{cite news|last=Wang |first=Zhenghua |date=June 20, 2012 |title=Kim Focused on Now, for Now |work=China Daily |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-06/20/content_15513594.htm |url-status=dead |url-access= |access-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621121720/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-06/20/content_15513594.htm |archive-date=June 21, 2012}}</ref> Kim held farewell ice shows in Seoul following her retirement from competition in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140310000807|title=Kim Yu-na to Hold Farewell Ice Shows in May: Agency|work=The Korea Herald|agency=Yonhap News Agency|last=Jeong|first=Ju-won|date=March 10, 2014|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128155059/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140310000807|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, she made a special appearance in an All That Skate show, performing on the ice for the first time in four years. She skated to the song "House of Woodcock" from the soundtrack of the film ''[[Phantom Thread]]'', which she thought was not flashy or dramatic and suited her well.<ref name="fouryearabsence"/> She worked with David Wilson in Canada to develop the program, even though they had not spoken in four years. Kim also mentored younger skaters who appeared in the show. Kim did not include any jumps in her show program,<ref name="fouryearabsence" /> but wanted a program that was "pure and beautiful, not dramatic".<ref name="JT201808213">{{cite news |last=Gallagher |first=Jack |date=August 21, 2018 |title=Choreography Legend David Wilson a Man in Demand |work=The Japan Times |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/08/21/figure-skating/choreography-legend-david-wilson-man-demand/#.W31YluTP1ZV |access-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822123445/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/08/21/figure-skating/choreography-legend-david-wilson-man-demand/#.W31YluTP1ZV |archive-date=August 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> She "enthralled the crowd"<ref name="fouryearabsence"/> with her signature Ina Bauer and Yuna camel, as well as a new [[Twizzle|twizzle spin]]. The audience gave her a standing ovation.<ref name="fouryearabsence"/>  Also in 2018, she appeared in the Spanish ice show Revolution on Ice, hosted by [[Javier Fernández (figure skater)|Javier Fernández]]. She donated her skater's fee to [[UNICEF]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181217000721|title=Kim Yuna to Perform at Ice Skating Show in Spain|work=The Korea Herald|last=Kim|first=Jee-min|date=December 17, 2018|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128155059/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181217000721|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ats2018"/> In 2019, Kim performed again in All That Skate, using music from Variations from the Russian song "[[Dark Eyes (Russian song)|Dark Eyes]]" and the 2017 [[Julia Michaels]] song "[[Issues (Julia Michaels song)|Issues"]]. Wilson and [[Sandra Besic]] created the program's choreography.<ref name=Chosun190507/>

In 2010, Kim told Susannah Palk of [[CNN]] that the tickets to the shows she headlined sold out a few minutes after going on sale. She also said that her fellow performers wanted to return to her shows because of the audience's responses.<ref name="queenofice" /> In 2009, Canadian singles skater [[Patrick Chan]] said that he and other skaters, including Canadian ice dancers [[Tessa Virtue]] and [[Scott Moir]], enjoyed performing at Kim's ice shows because of the enthusiastic reactions from the audiences.<ref name="ifs0908" />

==Skating technique and style==
{{Main|Impact of Yuna Kim#Skating technique|Impact of Yuna Kim#Artistry}}

[[File:Camel yuna1.jpg|thumb|left|Kim performs a bent-leg layover [[camel spin]] during practice at the [[2008–2009 Grand Prix Final]]|alt=Refer to caption]]Kim was known for the "lighter-than-air grace in her movements on the ice",<ref name="lat100227" /> her jumps, her speed, and her grounding in the demands of the ISU judging system.<ref name="lat100227">{{cite news|last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=February 25, 2010 |title=It's Kim Yuna and Everyone Else in Women's Figure Skating" |work=Los Angeles Times. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-27-la-sp-olympics-figures27-2010feb27-story.html |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610020704/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/27/sports/la-sp-olympics-figures27-2010feb27 |archive-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref> According to Michelle Kwan, Kim was what competition judges were looking for, "when it comes to jump quality, spin quality and edges".<ref name="lat100211">{{cite news|last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=February 11, 2010 |title=Kim Yuna Has South Korea's Full Attention |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-11-la-sp-olympics-kim11-2010feb11-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105052058/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-11-la-sp-olympics-kim11-2010feb11-story.html |archive-date=January 5, 2023}}</ref> She was known for her execution of her triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination jump, and her "signature" layover spin, also called the "Yuna Camel".<ref name="ioc140109" /> In 2009, the Associated Press praised Kim's ease, lightness, speed, power, strength, and landings. In 2020, Scott Hamilton stated that Kim was the best model of how to earn the most points under the IJS, especially her component scores and praised her speed, technique, and spiral sequences.<ref name="itgirlvancouver" />[[File:Kim 2009 Worlds Gala.jpg|thumb| Kim performs a layback [[Ina Bauer (element)|Ina Bauer]] at the [[2009 World Figure Skating Championships|2009 World Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]During Kim's junior years, South Korea had limited facilities for figure skaters, which impacted Kim's training.<ref name="queenofice" /> Early in Kim's skating career, her parents were her most important financial support for her career, although the South Korean skating community provided her with grants to pay for her training expenses.<ref name="2006junior gpfinal2" /> One of Kim's first coaches in South Korea, Ryu Jong-hyun, considered the injuries Kim struggled with early on "almost routine";<ref name="KJAD20050131" /> Korean news outlet ''KBS Global'' considered her 2005 Junior Grand Prix Final win an example of Kim's ability to overcome obstacles and her "invincible determination".<ref name="skatingelf" /> In the summer of 2006, Kim relocated to Toronto to work with choreographer David Wilson and her coach, Brian Orser.<ref name="gs0808112" /> Juliet Macur of ''The New York Times'' called it "the turning point of her career".<ref name="olympichopes2" /> Her team of specialists worked with her on her presentation skills, on her interpersonal skills, and the treatment and prevention of her injuries.<ref name="gs0808112" /><ref name="olympichopes2" /> In 2010, Orser said that Kim was able to lead a more "normal life" in Toronto,<ref name="olympichopes2"/> without the great fame she experienced in South Korea. In 2009, she told ''Golden Skate'' that she liked to be "perfectly prepared", and that when she was, she felt that she was able to give a better performance.<ref name="gs0910232">{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Nahui-Adelaide|date=October 23, 2009|title=Yu-Na Kim: Twenty Percent to Perfection|work=Golden Skate|url=http://www.goldenskate.com/2009/10/yu-na-kim-twenty-percent-to-perfection/|url-status=live|access-date=November 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609134118/http://www.goldenskate.com/2009/10/yu-na-kim-twenty-percent-to-perfection/|archive-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref>

According to Bae Young-eun of ''[[The Dong-a Ilbo]]'', Kim had "no rival in terms of artistry".<ref name="secretweapons" /> Music was as important a part of her skating as her elements were and was part of the reason for her success.<ref name="JT201603152" /><ref name="crushescompetition2" /> Despite the pressure she felt as a skater, she did not compete to win competitions or for her country, but that she did it for herself.<ref name="lat100211" /> Kim was highly praised for her skating and presentation skills.<ref name="lat100211" /><ref name="nbcs200225" /><ref name="itgirlvancouver" /> Philip Hersh of the ''Los Angeles Times'' said about Kim, after the Vancouver Olympics, "Never have athlete and artist been more perfectly balanced than they are with Kim. Never has a skater with both those qualities displayed them so flawlessly in the sport's most important competition".<ref name="lat100227" /> [[Frank Carroll (figure skater)|Frank Carroll]], who was Michelle Kwan's coach, said that Kim was able to combine athletics and creativity, despite it being "almost impossible" under the new judging system.<ref name="lat100211" />

===Collaboration with David Wilson===
[[David Wilson (figure skating)|David Wilson]] initially began working with Kim as her choreographer prior to the 2006–07 season, shortly after her 2006 Junior World Champion title. He choreographed all of Kim's competitive programs from the 2007–08 season to her retirement in 2014.<ref name="JT201808213"/> Wilson later said that it was a challenge to connect with her because she expressed very little emotion and spoke almost no English and that he spent the first three months getting Kim to smile and to laugh.<ref name="JT201808213" /> Eventually Kim relaxed and learned to use facial expressions to win over both her audiences and the judges.<ref name="gs09102322">{{cite news|last=Kim |first=Nahui-Adelaide |date=October 23, 2009 |title=Yu-Na Kim: Twenty Percent to Perfection |work=Golden Skate |url=http://www.goldenskate.com/2009/10/yu-na-kim-twenty-percent-to-perfection/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609134118/http://www.goldenskate.com/2009/10/yu-na-kim-twenty-percent-to-perfection/ |archive-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> Wilson praised Kim's work ethic, noting that she "took everything [he] said to heart"<ref name="JT201808213" /> and said that she believed in him, which was fulfilling, adding that she had never been rude or temperamental with him. He called her "an absolute dream" to work with. He also praised her integrity as a person.<ref name="JT201603152"/>

==Legacy and impact==
=== Impact on figure skating ===
{{Main|Impact of Yuna Kim#Impact on figure skating}}
[[File:Figure skating shoes signed by Kim Yu-Na.jpg|thumb|upright|Figure skating shoes signed by Kim at the Gangneung Olympic Museum]]
As early as 2005, it was reported that Kim's success boosted the popularity of figure skating in South Korea, where she was called "Queen Yuna".<ref name="KJAD20050131" /><ref name="nbcs200225" /> As Philip Hersh stated shortly before the 2010 Olympics, no other figure skater was as celebrated as Kim was in her country.<ref name="lat100211" /> Former skater and Kim's coach in 2005, [[Chi Hyun-jung]], stated that Kim's success served as a turning point for skating in South Korea and expressed the hope that it would produce more competitors there.<ref name="KJAD20050131" /> In 2020, her coach, Brian Orser, said that Kim's performances at the 2010 Olympics were among the greatest ever and that she inspired thousands of South Korean girls to take up figure skating.<ref name="nbcs200225" /> ''International Figure Skating'' magazine stated in 2009 that some felt that she was the invigoration figure skating needed.<ref name="ifs0908" /> In 2010, according to [[Forbes|''Forbes'' magazine]], she was one of the highest paid athletes in the world.<ref name="queenofice" />

Kim and Japanese skater [[Mao Asada]] were called rivals since they competed as juniors.<ref name="setsnewstandard2">{{cite news|last=Rutherford |first=Lynn |date=March 28, 2009 |title=Kim Sets New Standard in Ladies Short at Worlds |work=Ice Network |url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090327&content_id=63271&vkey=ice_news |url-status=dead |access-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324040603/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090327&content_id=63271&vkey=ice_news |archive-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref> In 2009, when Kim won the Worlds Championships and Asada came in second place, the [[Associated Press]] called their rivalry "the best thing going in skating these days" and stated that it was the reason for their fame in their respective countries.<ref name="crushescompetition2"/>

===Olympic ambassador===
{{Main|Impact of Yuna Kim#Olympic ambassador}}[[File:Opening_ceremony_DVo-tC7U0AAPyz3.jpg|thumb|2018 Olympics opening ceremony, after Kim lit the Olympic cauldron|left|alt=Refer to caption]]
In 2005, Kim was appointed a public relations ambassador by the South Korea Olympic Committee's [[Pyeongchang bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics|unsuccessful bid]] to host the [[2014 Winter Olympics|2014 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee |first=Seok-moo |date=August 25, 2005 |script-title=ko:'피겨요정' 김연아, 평창올림픽 유치 홍보대사 위촉 |trans-title='Figure skating fairy' Yuna Kim appointed as public relations ambassador for the Pyeongchang Olympics bid |url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0000020848 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622122959/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=117&aid=0000020848 |archive-date=June 22, 2021 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |work=My Daily |language=ko |via=Naver}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kim |first=Jack |date=July 5, 2007 |title=Pyeongchang Pick Themselves up After 2014 Loss |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-korea-reaction-idUSSP27080820070705 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016212606/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-korea-reaction/pyeongchang-pick-themselves-up-after-2014-loss-idUSSP27080820070705 |archive-date=October 16, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, she was one of 24 Korean athletes chosen to a committee to promote their bid for the 2018 Olympics.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yoon |first=Chul |date=May 18, 2010 |title=Athletes to Join Forces for Olympic Bid of PyeongChang |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2010/05/600_66079.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312014741/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2010/05/600_66079.html |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |work=The Korea Times}}</ref> She was later credited with helping Korea win the bid.<ref>{{cite news|last=Radford |first=Paul |date=July 5, 2011 |title=Korean Relief as Pyeongchang Gets 2018 Games |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-idUSTRE7652BR20110706 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407111050/https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-xpm-2011-07-06-chi-vote-for-2018-winter-games-over-in-one-round-20110706-story.html |archive-date=April 7, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=July 6, 2011 |title=Pyeongchang Wins 2018 Winter Olympics |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/07/06/pyeongchang-wins-2018-winter-olympics/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023406/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-06/sports/chi-vote-for-2018-winter-games-over-in-one-round-20110706_1_winter-sports-ioc-kim-yuna |archive-date=November 17, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="yoojeeho" /> In October 2011, Kim was appointed a member of the [[PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games|2018 Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games Organising Committee]] and was named an official ambassador for the 2018 Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|title=Meet the Ambassadors of Pyeongchang 2018!|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/meet-the-ambassadors-of-pyeongchang-2018|work=Olympic.org|publisher=International Olympic Committee|date=January 12, 2017|access-date=November 24, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301182018/https://www.olympic.org/news/meet-the-ambassadors-of-pyeongchang-2018|archive-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0005297923|script-title=ko:2018 평창올림픽 조직위원장에 김진선 추대(종합)|trans-title=Kim Jin-sun appointed chairman of the 2018 Pyeongchang Organising Committee|work=Yonhap News Agency|via=Naver|last=Chun|first=Byung-hyeok|date=October 4, 2011|access-date=November 24, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311235918/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=001&aid=0005297923|url-status=live}}</ref> She appeared as the final torch bearer and lit the [[Olympic flame]] in the [[2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|Opening Ceremony]].<ref name="nbcs200225" /><ref name="torchbearer">{{cite news|last=Rutherford |first=Peter |date=February 10, 2018 |title=Olympics: "Queen Yuna" Thrilled with Final Torchbearer Role |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2018-ioc-yuna/olympics-queen-yuna-thrilled-with-final-torchbearer-role-idUSKBN1FU06W |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216085033/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2018-ioc-yuna/olympics-queen-yuna-thrilled-with-final-torchbearer-role-idUSKBN1FU06W |archive-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref> In February 2022, she was named the honorary ambassador for the [[2024 Winter Youth Olympics]] in [[Gangwon Province, South Korea|Gangwon]], South Korea. She was also appointed a member of the Organising Committee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://olympics.com/en/news/yuna-kim-named-official-ambassador-gangwon-2024-winter-yog|title=Yuna Kim to Serve as Official Ambassador to Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024|work=International Olympic Committee|last=Bregman|first=Scott|date=February 21, 2022|access-date=November 24, 2023|archive-date=November 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127180207/https://olympics.com/en/news/yuna-kim-named-official-ambassador-gangwon-2024-winter-yog|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/gangwon-2024-organising-committee-appoints-two-olympic-champions-as-co-presidents|title=Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee Appoints Two Olympic Champions as Co-Presidents|work=Olympics.com|publisher=International Olympic Committee|date=February 22, 2023|access-date=November 24, 2023|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311235919/https://olympics.com/ioc/news/gangwon-2024-organising-committee-appoints-two-olympic-champions-as-co-presidents|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Media image===
{{Main|Yuna Kim in the media}}
Kim has been active in a variety of fields, including music, television, and fashion. In 2021, it was reported that due to her sponsorships, she was one of highest-paid athletes in South Korea, well into her retirement.<ref name="olympicrecords" /><ref name="nbcs200225" /> In early 2023, when she donated 127 million Korean won (US $100,000) to aid [[Humanitarian response to the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake|earthquake recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria]], Kim's "history of [[philanthropy]]" was reported.<ref name="yunakimdonates">{{cite news|date=February 13, 2023 |title=Yuna Kim Donates 100,000 USD to Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Recovery Fund |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/yuna-kim-donation-turkiye-syria-earthquake-recovery |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228062614/https://olympics.com/en/news/yuna-kim-donation-turkiye-syria-earthquake-recovery |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2023 |work=International Olympic Committee}}</ref> In 2010, she was named as a [[goodwill ambassador]] for [[UNICEF]].<ref name="yunakimdonates"/>

==Awards and honours==
{{Main|Impact of Yuna Kim#Awards and honours}}
[[File:Kim Yu Na Time Shankbone 2010 NYC.jpg|thumb|Kim at the 2010 [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]] Gala|left|alt=Refer to caption]]

Kim has received many awards and honours during her career and afterwards in South Korea and from around the world. In 2008 and 2009, a major Korean newspaper named her Korea's "person of the year" and [[Gallup, Inc.|Gallup polls]] named her South Korea's top athlete in the three years preceding the 2010 Olympics.<ref name="nbcs200225" /> In August 2010, the city of Los Angeles designated August 7 as "Yu-Na Kim Day" and granted her honorary citizenship.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2010/08/242_70825.html|title=Los Angeles Designates Aug. 7 as 'Yu-na Day'|work=The Korea Times|date=August 4, 2010|last=Kwon|first=Mee-yoo|access-date=November 25, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928102925/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2010/08/242_70825.html|archive-date=September 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100805&content_id=13057612&vkey=ice_news|title=Los Angeles Proclaims Aug. 7 as "Yu-Na Kim" Day|work=Ice Network|date=August 5, 2010|last=Rutherford|first=Lynn|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827014140/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100805&content_id=13057612&vkey=ice_news|archive-date=August 27, 2011|access-date=November 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Content/Articles/Events/123/2010-Annual-Salute-to-Women-in-Sports.aspx|title=2010 Annual Salute to Women in Sports|work=Women's Sports Foundation|last=Hock|first=Lindsay|date=October 13, 2010|access-date=November 25, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020131936/http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Content/Articles/Events/123/2010-Annual-Salute-to-Women-in-Sports.aspx|archive-date=October 20, 2010}}</ref> She has been featured in various lists, including the [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]] (2010) and several ''[[Forbes]]'' lists (2016).<ref name="queenofice" /><ref>{{cite news|title=The 2010 Time 100: Kim Yu-na|url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984949_1985220,00.html|work=Time|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228170142/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984949_1985220,00.html|archive-date=February 28, 2017|date=April 29, 2010|last=Kwan|first=Michelle|access-date=November 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=2016 30 Under 30 Asia: Entertainment & Sports|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmh45edfje/yuna-kim/#3bca9238cf66|work=Forbes|date=February 24, 2016|access-date=November 25, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228173304/https://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmh45edfje/yuna-kim/#3bca9238cf66|archive-date=February 28, 2017}}</ref>

== Personal life and education ==
Kim went to Dojang Middle School,<ref name="skatingelf">{{cite news|date=March 10, 2007 |title=Kim Yu-na, "Skating Elf" Startles the World |work=KBS Global. |url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/people/1377374_11774.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311044515/http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/people/1377374_11774.html |archive-date=March 11, 2007}}</ref> though she stopped attending classes after joining the national team,<ref name="KJAD20050131">{{cite news |last=Limb |first=Jae-un |date=January 31, 2005 |title=Grace and Beauty, at a Price |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2005/01/31/features/Grace-and-beauty-at-a-price/2524387.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311174116/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2005/01/31/features/Grace-and-beauty-at-a-price/2524387.html |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |access-date=September 25, 2023 |work=Korea JoongAng Daily}}</ref> and later Suri High School in [[Gunpo]].<ref>{{cite news|last=On |first=Nu-ri |date=July 22, 2008 |title=Skater Kim Yu-na Plans to Attend Korea Univ. |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2008/07/22/etc/Skater-Kim-Yuna-plans-to-attend-Korea-Univ/2892649.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218002018/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2008/07/22/etc/Skater-Kim-Yuna-plans-to-attend-Korea-Univ/2892649.html |archive-date=February 18, 2023}}</ref> As of 2009, she had applied as a physical education major and was a graduate of [[Korea University]] (KU) in 2013. In 2014, she applied to the university's graduate program in physical education, after taking a break to compete at the Sochi Games.<ref name="gradschool">{{cite news|last=Nam |first=Hyun-woo |date=May 13, 2014 |title=Kim Yu-na to Enter Graduate School |work=The Korea Times |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2014/05/136_157075.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216094632/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2014/05/136_157075.html |archive-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kim |first=Mun-jeong |date=May 13, 2013 |title=Figure Queen, Kim Yuna Receives Achievement Award from KU |work=The Granite Tower |location=Seoul, Korea |url=http://www.thegranitetower.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=524 |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218002019/http://www.thegranitetower.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=524 |archive-date=February 18, 2023}}</ref> She was initially attracted to KU because she wanted to attend a college that would understand and accommodate her needs as an athlete, which included taking a year off to compete in the Olympics, and because of their sports facilities, which included an ice rink.<ref name="gs0808112" />

Kim, along with her mother, became a [[Roman Catholic]] in 2008 after they came in contact with local nuns and Catholic organizations through her attending physician at a sport clinic in Seoul, a devout Catholic who was treating her for knee injuries. Her [[confirmation]] name is Stella from ''Stella Maris'' in Latin, meaning [[Our Lady, Star of the Sea]], an ancient title of [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|The Blessed Virgin Mary]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kim |first=Won-cheol |date=June 1, 2008 |title= |script-title=ko:피겨스케이팅 김연아 선수 영세 |language=ko |trans-title=Figure skater Yuna Kim is baptised |work=CPBC |url=http://web.pbc.co.kr/CMS/newspaper/view_body.php?cid=251560&path=200805 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326062629/http://web.pbc.co.kr/CMS/newspaper/view_body.php?cid=251560&path=200805 |archive-date=March 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name="nationalcathregister"/> In 2014, ''[[National Catholic Register]]'' called her "an example of how to live the faith publicly"<ref name="nationalcathregister">{{cite news|last=Mena |first=Addie |date=February 17, 2014 |title=Olympic Figure-Skating Star Hailed as Example for Catholics |work=National Catholic Register |url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/olympic-figure-skating-star-hailed-as-example-for-catholics |url-status=live |access-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311164746/https://www.ncregister.com/news/olympic-figure-skating-star-hailed-as-example-for-catholics |archive-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref> and reported that she would pray while on the ice during the Vancouver Olympics and other competitions, when she would make the [[sign of the cross]] and when she bowed her head before competing. In 2010, she joined with the Korean bishops in a national campaign that explained the Rosary to the public; she wore a [[rosary ring]], which many fans mistook for an engagement ring. She also made charitable donations and volunteered at Catholic hospitals, universities, and organizations.<ref name="nationalcathregister" />

By 2020, Kim was "very protective" about her private life, making infrequent posts on Instagram and no Twitter posts since 2018.<ref name="nbcs200225" /> On July 25, 2022, it was confirmed that Kim would marry singer {{Ill|Ko Woo-rim|ko|고우림 (성악가)}} of [[Forestella]], with whom she had been in a relationship for three years. They had met at the 2018 All That Skate show, where Forestella performed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220725000560|title=Former Figure Skater Kim Yuna to Tie the Knot with Forestella's Ko Woo-rim|work=The Korea Herald|last=Jie|first=Ye-eun|date=July 25, 2022|access-date=November 26, 2023|archive-date=March 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311164746/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220725000560|url-status=live}}</ref> They married in a private ceremony on October 22, 2022, at [[Hotel Shilla]] in Seoul.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://olympics.com/en/news/olympic-figure-skating-star-yuna-kim-shares-stunning-wedding-photos|title=Olympic Figure Skating Star Yuna Kim Shares Stunning Wedding Photos|work=Olympics.com|publisher=International Olympic Committee|last=Merrell|first=Chloe|date=October 24, 2022|access-date=November 26, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228073653/https://olympics.com/en/news/olympic-figure-skating-star-yuna-kim-shares-stunning-wedding-photos|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Records and achievements==
[[File:Kim 2010 Olympic medal ceremony.jpg|thumb|Kim after winning the gold medal at the [[2010 Winter Olympics]]|alt=Refer to caption]]
* Former world record holder for the women's combined total score, short program score and free skate score.<ref name="LadiesTotal">{{cite web|date=February 26, 2010 |title=ISU Judging System Statistics, Progression of Highest Score, Ladies Total Score |url=http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/phslto.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316181600/http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/phslto.htm |archive-date=March 16, 2010 |access-date=November 26, 2023 |publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref><ref name="LadiesSP">{{cite web|date=March 27, 2010 |title=ISU Judging System Statistics, Progression of Highest Score, Ladies SP |url=http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/phslsp.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505081957/http://www.isuresults.com:80/isujsstat/phslsp.htm |archive-date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=November 26, 2023 |publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref><ref name="LadiesFS">{{cite web|date=March 27, 2010 |title=ISU Judging System Statistics, Progression of Highest Score, Ladies FS |url=http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/phslfs.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402090147/http://www.isuresults.com:80/isujsstat/phslfs.htm |archive-date=April 2, 2010 |access-date=November 26, 2023 |publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref>
* First Korean female skater to win an international event (Triglav Trophy, Slovenia, 2002).<ref name="gs0808112" />
* First Korean female skater to win a Junior Grand Prix event (Budapest, 2004).<ref name="gs0808112" />
* First Korean skater to place at and win a Junior Grand Prix Final (2005, 2006).<ref name="gs0808112" />
* First Korean skater to place at and win a Junior World Championships (2005, 2006).<ref name="gs0808112" />
* First Korean skater to place at and win a Senior Grand Prix event (2006 Skate Canada, 2006 Trophée Eric Bombard).<ref name="gs0808112" />
* First Korean skater to place at and win a Senior Grand Prix Final (2006).<ref name="gs0808112"/>
* First female figure skater to have never finished off the podium in her entire career (as of 2014).<ref>{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Dong-pil |date=February 25, 2014 |title= |script-title=ko:[소치올림픽] 김연아, 올포디움 달성.. "피겨 100년 역사상 최초" |trans-title=[Sochi Olympics] Yuna Kim achieved all-podium... "The first in the 100-year history of figure skating" |url=https://v.daum.net/v/20140225140109594 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820142606/https://v.daum.net/v/20140225140109594 |archive-date=August 20, 2023 |access-date=November 26, 2023 |work=Kukmin Ilbo |language=ko |via=Daum}}</ref>
* Youngest skater to win back-to-back Grand Prix Finals (2006, 2007).<ref name="gs0808112" />
* First Korean skater to place at a World Championship (2007).<ref name="gs0808112" />
* First Korean skater to place at and win the Winter Olympics (2010).<ref name="KT100226"/>
* First female skater to win the Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championships, World Championships, and Winter Olympic Games.<ref name="KT100226"/>
* First figure skater to win all major ISU championship titles including the Junior Grand Prix Final, World Junior Championships, Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championships, World Championships, and Winter Olympic Games.<ref name="olympicrecords"/>
* First female skater, under the International Judging System, to break the 200-point and 220-point mark in the women's combined total in international competition ([[2009 World Figure Skating Championships|2009 World Championships]], 2010 Winter Olympics).<ref name="kt20090329"/><ref name="olympicrecords"/>
* First female skater to break the 150-point mark in the women's free skate total in international competition (2010 Winter Olympics).<ref name="olympicrecords"/>

===World record scores===
Kim has broken world records 13{{nbsp}}times in her career in the [[Technical element score|+3/-3{{nbsp}}GOE System]], including two [[List of highest historical junior scores in figure skating#Progression of junior records|historical junior records]].
{{smalldiv|
*J – Junior world record
}}
{{Figure skating world records
|historical=yes|notes=yes|ref=<ref name="LadiesTotal"/><ref name="LadiesSP"/><ref name="LadiesFS"/>
|Sep 4, 2004|101.32|[[Free skating]] (J)|event1=[[2004–05 ISU Junior Grand Prix|2004 JGP Budapest]]
 |note1=The record was broken by [[Mao Asada]] on December{{nbsp}}5, 2004.
|Mar 11, 2006|60.86|[[Short program (figure skating)|Short program]] (J)
 |event2=[[2006 World Junior Figure Skating Championships|2006 World Junior Championships]]
 |note2=The record was broken by [[Caroline Zhang]] on March{{nbsp}}1, 2008.
|Mar 23, 2007|71.95|Short program|event3=[[2007 World Figure Skating Championships|2007 World Championships]]
|Nov 24, 2007|133.70|Free skating|event4=[[2007 Cup of Russia]]
|Feb 4, 2009|72.24|Short program|event5=[[2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|2009 Four Continents Championships]]
|Mar 27, 2009|76.12|Short program|event6=[[2009 World Figure Skating Championships|2009 World Championships]]|span6=2
|Mar 28, 2009|207.71|Combined total|note7=Kim became the first woman to score above 200{{nbsp}}points.
|Oct 17, 2009|133.95|Free skating|event8=[[2009 Trophée Éric Bompard]]|span8=2
|Oct 17, 2009|210.03|Combined total
|Nov 14, 2009|76.28|Short program|event10=[[2009 Skate America]]
|Feb 23, 2010|78.50|Short program|event11=[[Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2010 Winter Olympics]]|span11=3
|note11=The record was broken by [[Mao Asada]] on March{{nbsp}}27, 2014.
|Feb 25, 2010|150.06|Free skating
 |note12=Kim became the first woman to score above 150{{nbsp}}points in free skating. The record was broken by [[Evgenia Medvedeva]] on April{{nbsp}}2, 2016.
|Feb 25, 2010|228.56|Combined total
 |note13=Kim became the first woman to score above 220{{nbsp}}points. The record was broken by [[Evgenia Medvedeva]] on January{{nbsp}}27, 2017.
}}

==Programs==
===Programs as a competitive skater===
[[File:2007-GPF-ladies-Kim003.jpg|thumb|Kim performing her exhibition program to [[No Doubt]]'s "[[Just a Girl]]" at the [[2007–08 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2007 Grand Prix Final]]|alt=Refer to caption]]
[[File:Kim 2008 Worlds FS.jpg|thumb|Kim performing to ''[[Miss Saigon]]'' at the [[2008 World Figure Skating Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]
[[File:Kim 2010 Worlds Gala.jpg|thumb|Kim performing to "[[Méditation (Thaïs)|Méditation]]" from ''[[Thaïs (opera)|Thaïs]]'' at the [[2010 World Figure Skating Championships|2010 World Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]
[[File:2011 WFSC 5d 343 Kim Yu-Na.JPG|thumb|Kim performing to ''[[Giselle]]'' at the [[2011 World Figure Skating Championships|2011 World Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]
[[File:Yuna Kim 2014 Olympic Free Skating.jpg|thumb|Kim performing to ''[[Adiós Nonino]]'' at the [[2014 Winter Olympics]]|alt=Refer to caption]]

{{smalldiv|
*Program details mentioned at first occurrence
*[[Winter Olympic Games|Olympic]] seasons highlighted in blue
*Programs performed at the [[Figure skating at the Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]] highlighted in '''bold'''
}}
{{Figure skating program list
|exhibition=yes
|season1=2001–02|ref1=<ref name=icenetBio>{{cite news|title=Yu-Na Kim |url=http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/profile/yu-na_kim |work=Ice Network |publisher=U.S. Figure Skating |access-date=November 26, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812141255/http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/profile/yu-na_kim |archive-date=August 12, 2014 }}</ref>
|SP1={{FS program|[[Can-can]]|from=''[[Jacques Offenbach#Orphée aux enfers|Orphée aux enfers]]''|composer=[[Jacques Offenbach]]|choreographer=Catarina Lindgren}}
|FS1={{FS program|''[[The Carnival of the Animals]]''|composer=[[Camille Saint-Saëns]]|choreographer=Garnet}}

|season2=2002–03|ref2=<ref name=icenetBio/>
|SP2=Can-can
|FS2={{FS program|''[[Carmen Fantasy (Sarasate)|Carmen Fantasy]]''|composer=[[Pablo de Sarasate]]|choreographer=Catarina Lindgren}}

|season3=2003–04|ref3=<ref name=icenetBio/>
|SP3={{FS program|"[[Georgi Sviridov#List of works|Snowstorm]]"|composer=[[Georgy Sviridov]]|choreographer=[[Catarina Lindgren]]}}
|FS3=''Carmen Fantasy''

|season4=2004–05|ref4=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | title = Yuna Kim: 2004/2005 | publisher = International Skating Union| date = December 4, 2023 | access-date=November 26, 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050210234624/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | archive-date = February 10, 2005 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|SP4="Snowstorm"
|FS4={{FS program|"[[Papa, Can You Hear Me?]]"|from=''[[Yentl (film)|Yentl]]''|composer=[[Michel Legrand]]|choreographer=[[Jeffrey Buttle]], Jadene Fullen}}
|EX4={{FS program|"[[Ben (song)|Ben]]"|performer=[[Michael Jackson]]|choreographer=[[Chi Hyun-jung]], Yuna Kim}}

|season5=2005–06|ref5=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | title = Yuna Kim: 2005/2006 |publisher = International Skating Union | date = March 9, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060426210747/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | archive-date = April 26, 2006 |access-date=November 26, 2023| url-status = dead }}</ref>
|SP5={{FS program|"[[Moulin Rouge! Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film|El Tango de Roxanne]]"|from=''[[Moulin Rouge!]]''|composer=[[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Mariano Mores]]|performer=[[José Feliciano]], [[Ewan McGregor]], [[Jacek Koman]]|choreographer=Tom Dickson}}
|FS5="Papa, Can You Hear Me?"
|EX5={{FS program|"[[One Day I'll Fly Away]]"|from=''Moulin Rouge!''|composer=[[Will Jennings]], [[Joe Sample]]|performer=[[Nicole Kidman]]|choreographer=[[Kim Se-yol]], Yuna Kim}}

|season6=2006–07|ref6=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | title = Yuna Kim: 2006/2007 | date = June 4, 2007 |publisher = International Skating Union| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070609152900/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | archive-date = June 9, 2007|access-date=November 26, 2023 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|SP6="El Tango de Roxanne"
|FS6={{FS program|''[[The Lark Ascending (Vaughan Williams)|The Lark Ascending]]''|composer=[[Ralph Vaughan Williams]]|choreographer=[[David Wilson (figure skating)|David Wilson]]}}
|EX6={{FS program|"[[Reflection (Mulan song)|Reflection]]"|from=''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]''|performer=[[Christina Aguilera]]|choreographer=[[Brian Orser]]}}

|season7=2007–08|ref7=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | title = Yuna Kim: 2007/2008 | date=March 20, 2008|publisher = International Skating Union | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080607221515/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | archive-date = June 7, 2008 | access-date=November 26, 2023| url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="ifs2007" /><ref name="2007cupofrussia" />
|EXnum7=3
|SP7={{FS program|''[[Die Fledermaus]]''|composer=[[Johann Strauss II]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|FS7={{FS program|''[[Miss Saigon]]''|composer=[[Claude-Michel Schönberg]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX7={{FS program|"[[Only Hope]]"|from=''[[A Walk to Remember]]''|performer=[[Mandy Moore]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX7_2={{FS program|"[[Jekyll & Hyde (musical)#Songs from Broadway production|Once Upon a Dream]]"|from=''[[Jekyll and Hyde (musical)|Jekyll and Hyde]]''|performer=[[Linda Eder]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX7_3={{FS program|"[[Just a Girl]]"|performer=[[No Doubt]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}

|season8=2008–09|ref8=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | title = Yuna Kim: 2008/2009 | date = April 1, 2009 | publisher = International Skating Union | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090610024706/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00007232.htm | archive-date = June 10, 2009 |access-date=November 26, 2023  | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|EXnum8=2
|SP8={{FS program|''[[Danse Macabre (Saint-Saëns)|Danse Macabre]]''|composer=Camille Saint-Saëns|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|FS8={{FS program|''[[Scheherazade (Rimsky-Korsakov)|Scheherazade]]''|composer=[[Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX8="Only Hope"
|EX8_2={{FS program|"[[Camille Claudel (musical)#Songs|Gold]]"|from=''[[Camille Claudel (musical)|Camille Claudel]]''|performer=Linda Eder|choreographer=David Wilson}}

|season9=2009–10|ref9=<ref name="gs0910232"/><ref name="isuresults2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007232.htm | title = Yuna Kim: 2009/2010 | date = March 27, 2010 | publisher = International Skating Union | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100527225704/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007232.htm | archive-date = May 27, 2010 | access-date=November 26, 2023 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|olympic9=yes|EXnum9=2
|SP9={{FS program|'''''[[James Bond music|James Bond]]'''''|composer=[[John Barry (composer)|John Barry]], [[David Arnold]], [[Monty Norman]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|FS9={{FS program|'''[[Concerto in F (Gershwin)|Concerto in F]]'''|composer=[[George Gershwin]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX9={{FS program|"'''[[Méditation (Thaïs)|Méditation]]'''"|from=''[[Thaïs (opera)|Thaïs]]''|composer=[[Jules Massenet]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX9_2={{FS program|"[[Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna song)|Don't Stop the Music]]"|performer=[[Rihanna]]|choreographer=[[Sandra Bezic]]}}

|season10=2010–11|ref10=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007232.htm | title = Yuna Kim: 2010/2011 |date=April 30, 2011 |publisher = International Skating Union| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110717172421/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007232.htm | archive-date = July 17, 2011 |access-date=November 26, 2023 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|SP10={{FS program|''[[Giselle]]''|composer=[[Adolphe Adam]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|FS10={{FS program|''[[Korean folk music|Homage to Korea]]''|annotations=incl. "[[Arirang]]", {{lang|ko|아리랑}}|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX10={{FS program|"[[Bulletproof (La Roux song)|Bulletproof]]"|performer=[[La Roux]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}

|season11=2011–12|ref11=<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=311&aid=0000060948|script-title=ko:김연아, 새 갈라프로그램 '피버' 5월 첫 공개|trans-title=Yuna Kim to Reveal New Gala Program 'Fever' for the First Time in May|work=Xports News|via=Naver|last=Cho|first=Young-jun|date=April 4, 2011|access-date=November 26, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=May 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521161308/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=311&aid=0000060948|url-status=live}}</ref>
|EX11={{FS program|"[[Fever (Beyoncé Knowles song)|Fever]]"|performer=[[Beyoncé]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}

|season12=2012–13|ref12=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007232.htm | title = Yuna Kim: 2012/2013 | date = March 23, 2013 | publisher = International Skating Union| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130625181727/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007232.htm | archive-date = June 25, 2013 | access-date=November 26, 2023 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
|EXnum12=2
|SP12={{FS program|''[[The Kiss of the Vampire]]''|composer=[[James Bernard (composer)|James Bernard]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|FS12={{FS program|''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]''|composer=[[Claude-Michel Schönberg]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX12="El Tango de Roxanne"
|EX12_2={{FS program|"[[Someone Like You (Adele song)|Someone Like You]]"|performer=[[Adele]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}

|season13=2013–14|ref13=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007232.htm |title=Yuna Kim: 2013/2014 |date = November 4, 2014 |publisher = International Skating Union|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107093602/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00007232.htm |archive-date=November 7, 2013|access-date=November 26, 2023 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
|olympic13=yes|EXnum13=2
|SP13={{FS program|"'''[[Send in the Clowns]]'''"|from=''[[A Little Night Music]]''|composer=[[Stephen Sondheim]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|FS13={{FS program|'''''[[Adiós Nonino]]'''''|composer=[[Astor Piazzolla]]|performer=Lisandro Adrover|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX13={{FS program|"[[Nessun dorma]]"|from=''[[Turandot]]''|composer=[[Giacomo Puccini]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
|EX13_2={{FS program|"'''[[Imagine (John Lennon song)|Imagine]]'''"|from=[[John Lennon]]|performer=[[Avril Lavigne]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}
}}

===Programs as a professional skater===
{{Figure skating program list 2
|year1=2014|span1=2
|P1={{FS program|"Send In the Clowns"<ref name="ats2014">{{cite news|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2014/05/06/Baseball/A-glorious-farewell-for-Yuna/2988769.html|title=A Glorious Farewell for Yu-na|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|last=Kwon|first=Sang-soo|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=May 19, 2024|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004165555/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2014/05/06/Baseball/A-glorious-farewell-for-Yuna/2988769.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}|E1=[[All That Skate]]|Enum1=2
|P1_2={{FS program|"Nessun Dorma"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2014/05/600_156625.html|title=Kim Yu-na Hangs up Skates|work=[[The Korea Times]]|last=Jung|first=Min-ho|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=May 19, 2024|archive-date=January 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104023236/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2014/05/600_156625.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|year2=2018|span2=3
|P2={{FS program|"[[House of Woodcock]]"<ref name="fouryearabsence">{{cite news|url=https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=056&aid=0010578751|script-title=ko:김연아, 4년 만의 복귀에도 결점 없는 이유|trans-title=The reason why Yuna Kim has no flaws despite a four-year absence|work=Korean Broadcasting System|via=Naver|last=Jung|first=Hye-jeong|date=May 22, 2018|access-date=November 26, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=August 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823163541/https://sports.news.naver.com/news.nhn?oid=056&aid=0010578751|url-status=live}}</ref>|from ''[[Phantom Thread]]''|composer=[[Jonny Greenwood]]|choreographer=David Wilson}}|E2=All That Skate|Enum2=1
|P2_2={{FS program|"House of Woodcock"<ref name="ats2018">{{cite news|url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/437/0000199236?sid=115|script-title=ko:한 편의 영화처럼…스페인 팬 사로잡은 '피겨 퀸' 김연아|trans-title=Like a movie... 'Figure skating queen' Yuna Kim captivates Spanish fans|work=JTBC|via=Naver|last=On|first=Nu-ri|date=December 26, 2018|access-date=November 26, 2023|language=ko|archive-date=May 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521160734/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/437/0000199236?sid=115|url-status=live}}</ref>}}|E2_2=Revolution on Ice|Enum2_2=2
|P2_3={{FS program|[[Charlie Chaplin filmography|Charlie Chaplin medley]]<ref name="ats2018"/>|choreographer=Sandra Bezic, David Wilson|live with=[[Javier Fernández (figure skater)|Javier Fernández]]}}
|year3=2019|span3=8
|P3={{FS program|Variations on "[[Dark Eyes (Russian song)|Dark Eyes]]"<ref name=Chosun190507>{{cite news|url= http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/07/2019050700984.html |script-title=ko:'여왕' 김연아, 새 갈라곡 공개 '다크아이즈+이슈' |trans-title= 'Queen' Yuna reveals new gala programs 'Dark Eyes and Issues' |last= Park |first= Chan-joon |work= The Chosun Ilbo |date= May 7, 2019 |access-date= June 9, 2019 |archive-date= June 9, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190609100735/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/05/07/2019050700984.html |url-status= live }}</ref>|performer=[[Lara St. John]], [[Ilan Rechtman]]|choreographer=Sandra Bezic, David Wilson}}
|E3=All That Skate|Enum3=2
|P3_2={{FS program|"[[Issues (Julia Michaels song)|Issues]]"<ref name=Chosun190507/>|performer=[[Julia Michaels]]|choreographer=Sandra Bezic, David Wilson}}
}}

==Competitive highlights==
[[File:2013 World Championships Ladies Podium.jpg|thumb|Kim on the podium with [[Carolina Kostner]] (left) and [[Mao Asada]] (right) at the [[2013 World Figure Skating Championships|2013 World Championships]]|alt=Refer to caption]]
{{smalldiv|
*GP – Event of the [[ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating|ISU Grand Prix Series]]
*JGP – Event of the [[ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating|ISU Junior Grand Prix Series]]
}}
{{Figure skating competitive highlights
|level=senior|ref={{r|SS-YK}}
|season1=2006–07|season2=2007–08|season3=2008–09|season4=2009–10
|season5=2010–11|season6=2012–13|season7=2013–14
|{{FS placements|7|[[Figure skating at the Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]]|p4=1st|p7=2nd}}
|{{FS placements|7|[[World Figure Skating Championships|World Championships]]|p1=3rd|p2=3rd|p3=1st|p4=2nd|p5=2nd|p6=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|[[Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|Four Continents Championships]]|p3=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|[[Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|Grand Prix Final]]|p1=1st|p2=1st|p3=2nd|p4=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|[[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|South Korean Championships]]|p6=1st|p7=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|{{small|GP}} [[Cup of China]]|p2=1st|p3=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|{{small|GP}} [[Cup of Russia]]|p2=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|{{small|GP}} [[Skate America]]|p3=1st|p4=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|{{small|GP}} [[Skate Canada International|Skate Canada]]|p1=3rd}}
|{{FS placements|7|{{nowrap|{{small|GP}} [[Trophée Éric Bompard]]}}|p1=1st|p4=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|[[Golden Spin of Zagreb]]|p7=1st}}
|{{FS placements|7|[[NRW Trophy]]|p6=1st}}
}}
{{Figure skating competitive highlights
|level=junior|ref={{r|SS-YK}}
|season1=2001–02|season2=2002–03|season3=2003–04|season4=2004–05|season5=2005–06
|{{FS placements|5|{{nowrap|[[World Junior Figure Skating Championships|World Junior Championships]]}}|p4=2nd|p5=1st}}
|{{FS placements|5|[[ISU Junior Grand Prix Final|Junior Grand Prix Final]]|p4=2nd|p5=1st}}
|{{FS placements|5|[[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|South Korean Championships]]|p1=1st|lv1=J|p2=1st|p3=1st|p4=1st|p5=1st|lv2=S|lv3=S|lv4=S|lv5=S}}
|{{FS placements|5|{{small|JGP}} [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Bulgaria|Bulgaria]]|p5=1st}}
|{{FS placements|5|{{small|JGP}} [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in China|China]]|p4=2nd}}
|{{FS placements|5|{{small|JGP}} [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Hungary|Hungary]]|p4=1st}}
|{{FS placements|5|{{small|JGP}} [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovakia|Slovakia]]|p5=1st}}
}}

==Detailed results==
[[File:2010 Olympic ladies podium.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|The women's podium at the [[Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2010 Winter Olympics]]<br>From left: [[Mao Asada]] (2nd), Yuna Kim (1st), and [[Joannie Rochette]]]]

{{Figure skating personal bests|historical=yes
|ref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_pb_00007232.htm|title=Personal bests – Yuna Kim (KOR)|date=July 27, 2014|work=International Skating Union|location=[[Lausanne]]|archive-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216143723/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_pb_00007232.htm|url-status=live|access-date=November 26, 2023}}</ref>
|228.56|[[Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Women's singles|2010 Winter Olympics]]
|78.50|2010 Winter Olympics
|44.70|2010 Winter Olympics
|35.89|[[Figure skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2014 Winter Olympics]]
|150.06|2010 Winter Olympics
|78.30|2010 Winter Olympics
|74.50|2014 Winter Olympics
}}

===Senior level===
[[File:2007-2008 GPF Ladies Podium.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|The women's podium at the [[2007–08 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final]]<br>From left: [[Mao Asada]] (2nd), Yuna Kim (1st), and [[Carolina Kostner]] (3rd)]]
[[File:2008 WC Ladies Podium.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|The women's podium at the [[2008 World Figure Skating Championships]]<br>From left: [[Carolina Kostner]] (2nd), [[Mao Asada]] (1st), and Yuna Kim (3rd)]]
[[File:2009 WC Ladies Podium.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|The women's podium at the [[2009 World Figure Skating Championships]]<br>From left: [[Joannie Rochette]] (2nd), Yuna Kim (1st), and [[Miki Ando]] (3rd)]]
[[File:2011 World Championships Ladies Podium.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|The women's podium at the [[2011 World Figure Skating Championships]]<br>From left: Yuna Kim (2nd), Miki Ando (1st), and [[Carolina Kostner]] (3rd)]]
[[File:2013 World Championships Ladies Podium.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|The women's podium at the [[2013 World Figure Skating Championships]]<br>From left: [[Carolina Kostner]] (2nd), Yuna Kim (1st), and [[Mao Asada]] (3rd)]]
{{smalldiv|
*Small medals for the short program and free skating are only awarded at [[ISU Figure Skating Championships|ISU Championships]].
}}

{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2006–07|ref=<ref name=SS-YK>{{cite web|url=https://skatingscores.com/kor/women/yuna_kim|title=KOR–Yuna Kim|website=SkatingScores.com|location=United States|language=en-US|archive-date=March 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308105541/https://skatingscores.com/kor/women/yuna_kim/|url-status=live|access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref>|small4=yes
|Nov 2–5, 2006|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CAN}} [[2006 Skate Canada International]]|1|62.68|4|105.80|3|168.48
|Nov 16–19, 2006|{{#invoke:flag|icon|FRA}} [[2006 Trophée Éric Bompard]]|1|65.22|1|119.32|1|184.54
|Dec 14–17, 2006|{{#invoke:flag|icon|RUS}} [[2006–07 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2006–07 Grand Prix Final]]|3|65.06|1|119.14|1|184.20
|Mar 19–25, 2007|{{#invoke:flag|icon|JPN}} [[2007 World Figure Skating Championships|2007 World Championships]]|1|71.95|4|114.19|3|186.14
}}
{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2007–08|ref={{r|SS-YK}}|small4=yes
|Nov 8–11, 2007|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CHN}} [[2007 Cup of China]]|3|58.32|1|122.36|1|180.68
|Nov 22–25, 2007|{{#invoke:flag|icon|RUS}} [[2007 Cup of Russia]]|1|63.50|1|133.70|1|197.20
|Dec 13–16, 2007|{{#invoke:flag|icon|ITA}} [[2007–08 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2007–08 Grand Prix Final]]|1|64.62|2|132.21|1|196.83
|Mar 17–23, 2008|{{#invoke:flag|icon|SWE}} [[2008 World Figure Skating Championships|2008 World Championships]]|5|59.85|1|123.38|3|183.23
}}
{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2008–09|ref={{r|SS-YK}}|small4=yes|small5=yes
|Oct 23–26, 2008|{{#invoke:flag|icon|USA}} [[2008 Skate America]]|1|69.50|1|123.95|1|193.45
|Nov 6–9, 2008|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CHN}} [[2008 Cup of China]]|1|63.64|1|128.11|1|191.75
|Dec 10–14, 2008|{{#invoke:flag|icon|KOR}} [[2008–09 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2008–09 Grand Prix Final]]|1|65.94|2|120.41|2|186.35
|Feb 2–8, 2009|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CAN}} [[2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|2009 Four Continents Championships]]|1|72.24|3|116.83|1|189.07
|Mar 23–29, 2009|{{#invoke:flag|icon|USA}} [[2009 World Figure Skating Championships|2009 World Championships]]|1|76.12|1|131.59|1|207.71
}}
{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2009–10|ref={{r|SS-YK}}|small5=yes
|Oct 15–18, 2009|{{#invoke:flag|icon|FRA}} [[2009 Trophée Éric Bompard]]|1|76.08|1|133.95|1|210.03
|Nov 12–15, 2009|{{#invoke:flag|icon|USA}} [[2009 Skate America]]|1|76.28|2|111.70|1|187.98
|Dec 3–6, 2009|{{#invoke:flag|icon|JPN}} [[2009–10 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|2009–10 Grand Prix Final]]|2|65.64|1|123.22|1|188.86
|Feb 14–27, 2010|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CAN}} [[Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2010 Winter Olympics]]|1|78.50|1|150.06|1|228.56
|Mar 22–28, 2010|{{#invoke:flag|icon|ITA}} [[2010 World Figure Skating Championships|2010 World Championships]]|7|60.30|1|130.49|2|190.79
}}
{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2010–11|ref={{r|SS-YK}}|small1=yes
|Apr 24 – May 1, 2011|{{#invoke:flag|icon|RUS}} [[2011 World Figure Skating Championships|2011 World Championships]]|1|65.91|2|128.59|2|194.50
}}
{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2012–13|ref={{r|SS-YK}}|small3=yes
|Dec 5–9, 2012|{{#invoke:flag|icon|GER}} [[2012 NRW Trophy]]|1|72.27|1|129.34|1|201.61
|Jan 2–6, 2013|{{#invoke:flag|icon|KOR}} [[2013 South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2013 South Korean Championships]]|1|64.97|1|145.80|1|210.77
|Mar 10–17, 2013|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CAN}} [[2013 World Figure Skating Championships|2013 World Championships]]|1|69.97|1|148.34|1|218.31
}}
{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2013–14|ref={{r|SS-YK}}
|Dec 5–8, 2013|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CRO}} [[2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb]]|1|73.37|1|131.12|1|204.49
|Jan 1–5, 2014|{{#invoke:flag|icon|KOR}} [[2014 South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2014 South Korean Championships]]|1|80.60|1|147.26|1|227.86
|Feb 6–22, 2014|{{#invoke:flag|icon|RUS}} [[Figure skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2014 Winter Olympics]]|1|74.92|2|144.19|2|219.11
}}

===Junior level===
{{smalldiv|
*Results of qualification rounds are listed in brackets below the results of the main event in the respective competition segment.
*The 2005 South Korean Championships were judged in the old [[6.0 system]], recording only placements.
}}
{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2004–05|ref={{r|SS-YK}}|small5=yes
|Sep 1–5, 2004|{{#invoke:flag|icon|HUN}} [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Hungary|2004 JGP Hungary]]|1|47.23|1|101.32|1|148.55
|Sep 16–19, 2004|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CHN}} [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in China|2004 JGP China]]|4|38.87|1|92.35|2|131.22
|Dec 2–5, 2004|{{#invoke:flag|icon|FIN}} [[2004–05 ISU Junior Grand Prix|2004–05 Junior Grand Prix Final]]|2|51.27|3|86.48|2|137.75
|Jan 1–4, 2005|{{#invoke:flag|icon|KOR}} [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2005 South Korean Championships (Senior)]]|1|–|1|–|1|–
|Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2005|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CAN}} [[2005 World Junior Figure Skating Championships|2005 World Junior Championships]]|QFSplace5=1|QFSscore5=102.98|6|48.67|2|110.26|2|158.93
}}
{{Figure skating detailed results
|season=2005–06|ref={{r|SS-YK}}|small5=yes
|Sep 1–4, 2005|{{#invoke:flag|icon|SVK}} [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Slovakia|2005 JGP Slovakia]]|1|58.63|1|110.20|1|168.83
|Sep 29 – Oct 2, 2005|{{#invoke:flag|icon|BUL}} [[ISU Junior Grand Prix in Bulgaria|2005 JGP Bulgaria]]|1|53.45|1|99.98|1|153.43
|Nov 24–27, 2005|{{#invoke:flag|icon|CZE}} [[2005–06 ISU Junior Grand Prix|2005–06 Junior Grand Prix Final]]|1|57.51|1|116.61|1|174.12
|Jan 5–8, 2006|{{#invoke:flag|icon|KOR}} [[South Korean Figure Skating Championships|2006 South Korean Championships (Senior)]]|1|61.44|1|104.08|1|165.52
|Mar 6–12, 2006|{{#invoke:flag|icon|SLO}} [[2006 World Junior Figure Skating Championships|2006 World Junior Championships]]|QFSplace5=1|QFSscore5=107.52|1|60.86|1|116.68|1|177.54
}}

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kim Yuna}}
*{{ISU figure skater|00007232}}
*[https://www.skatingscores.com/kor/women/yuna_kim/ Yuna Kim] at Skating Scores
*{{Olympics.com|yuna-kim|org_archive=20210419031908}}
*{{Olympedia|119090}}
*{{IMDb name|2960824}}
*{{Instagram|yunakim}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports|oly}}
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{{Succession box|title=[[List of people who have lit the Olympic Cauldron|Final Winter Olympic torchbearer]]|before={{#invoke:flag|icon|RUS}} [[Vladislav Tretiak]] and [[Irina Rodnina]]|after={{#invoke:flag|icon|CHN}} [[Dinigeer Yilamujiang]] and [[Zhao Jiawen]]|years=[[2018 Winter Olympics|PyeongChang 2018]]}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Yuna}}
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