NEWS from Discovery Channel



NEWS from Discovery Channel

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STEP INTO THE RINK WITH YU-NA KIM AS SHE AIMS TO MAKE HISTORY AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST FIGURE SKATERS

- Hip Korea: Yu-nA KIM – seoul spirit takes a peek into her life to reveal why she is Korea’s golden girl -

Still in her teens, Korean athlete Yu-na Kim is on the verge of becoming one of the greatest figure skaters in history. Behind her smooth icy grooves and winning smile, this spectacular athlete is much more than just a world-class champion. Capturing the nation’s attention with her youthful optimism, Yu-na has become a symbol of grace and triumph for people of her generation. Discovery Channel's Hip Korea: Yu-nA KIM – seoul spirit traces Yu-na's journey across continents from her home in Korea, to her training base in Toronto, Canada, as she prepares for the next season's trials. Follow the gifted athlete as she adjusts to her new life and training regime, on Hip Korea: Yu-nA KIM – seoul spiriT. Premiering at . Encores .

A lifetime of tenacity and determination paid off for Yu-na when she clinched the top prize at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships – the first Korean to ever do so. Just 19, Yu-na is already regarded as a national hero. In the capital city of Seoul, Yu-na's influence as a role model for the growing power of Korean women extends beyond the ice skating rink. Through interviews with Korea’s first astronaut Yi So-yeon and the hottest new girl-group 2NE1, hear about how Yu-na is seen as a leader of a hip young generation of Korean women who are coming of age in the 21st century.

Hip Korea: Yu-nA KIM – seoul spirit also looks at how the sport of figure skating is being transformed. With the advancements in modern sports science, coaches and athletes like Yu-na are able to gain unprecedented insight into training methods and further enhance athletic performance. The programme takes viewers into the heart of Seoul, where Yu-na participates in an ice-skating performance alongside world-renowned stars, and offers passionate fans a firsthand look at her latest moves.

HIP KOREA is a broadcast initiative by Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The initiative commenced in 2009 with the award-winning program HIP KOREA: SEOUL VIBES – RAIN. The HIP KOREA series is a co-production with Bang Singapore Pte Ltd.

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About Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel, the flagship network of Discovery Communications, is devoted to creating the highest quality non-fiction programming in the world and remains one of the most dynamic networks on television. First launched in 1985, Discovery Channel now reaches more than 165 million households in Asia-Pacific. Globally, Discovery Channel is one of the world’s most widely distributed television brands, reaching 371 million households in 175 countries in 35 languages. It offers viewers an engaging line-up of high-quality non-fiction entertainment from blue-chip nature, science and technology, ancient and contemporary history, adventure, cultural and topical documentaries. For more information, visit .

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery HD, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including . In Asia-Pacific, seven Discovery brands reach 459 million cumulative subscribers in 32 countries with programming customized in 10 languages.

YU-NA KIM

BIOGRAPHY

Yu-na was discovered at age 7 while taking a lesson at a new skating rink in Gunpo, southwest of Seoul. The instructor immediately identified Yu-na as a girl with real promise. When she won a local competition a year later, Yu-na’s mother decided to dedicate herself full-time to helping Yu-na fulfill her potential.

With her mom as live-in coach, Yu-na practiced tirelessly both before and after school on a near daily basis. Her incredibly disciplined schedule paid off when Yu-na landed her first triple jump when she was only 10 years old. She arrived on the international scene at age 12, winning her first overseas championship at the Triglav Trophy for Novices in Slovenia.

In 2006, Yu-na’s mother took her to Canada, to be coached by former Canadian Olympian Brian Orser and choreographer David Wilson. Together, they added a vital new element to Yu-na’s impressive array of skills – the spirit of having fun.

Since then, Yu-na has broken new barriers and historical records: winning the Junior Grand Prix in 2006, the World Junior Championship in 2006, crowned the Grand Prix Final champion in 2007, 2008 and 2009, as well as the Four Continents Champion in 2009. In 2009, Yu-na became the first Korean to ever win the World Figure Skating Championships.

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