33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave  #16 EAT, DRINK, SING & DANCE

#16 People who enjoy Eating, Drinking, Singing and Dancing

<4> DANCE  

*Note to Readers

The columns published in the Zoom section of NYCultureBeat contain selected excerpts—typically the opening paragraphs—from each chapter of the book 33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave: Beyond BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game (2025). These previews are meant to introduce the book’s themes and tone.

The complete book—featuring 33 updated chapters and new cultural insights—is available in both paperback and hardcover editions:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7HYLVCL

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7HZ34Y3

© Sukie Park. All rights reserved. These excerpts are for preview purposes only and may not be reproduced in full or redistributed.

Yuna Kim, Prima Ballerina on Ice

“Yuna Kim possesses the DNA of a Korean dancer.”

“The coronation is complete. Long live the Queen!”

-Tom Hammond, NBC -

During the broadcast of the women’s singles figure skating event at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 26th, American sports caster Tom Hammond of NBC-TV provided the commentary on Yuna Kim’s performance. On that day, Yuna Kim ascended to the status of Figure Skating Queen as she secured the gold medal. Furthermore, that same year, she was selected as one of Time magazine's “100 Most Influential People in the World” alongside renowned chef David Chang of Momofuku in New York City. Yuna Kim broke figure skating world records 11 times, achieving the grand slam of figure skating and inspiring numerous “Yuna Kids” in Korea.

Yuna Kim showcased not only the technical prowess of figure skating as an Olympic sport but also reached the pinnacle of artistic expression through dance on ice. Figure skating is often referred to as “Ballet on Ice.” The spins in figure skating, as well as the rotations in ballet, along with spirals (a movement where one leg is raised backward at a 90-degree angle) and arabesques, share similarities. From “Giselle” to “Scheherazade,” Yuna Kim enthralled the audience with ballet on ice.

Hee Seo and Kimin Kim performed in ABT’s “La Bayadère” at the Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center in May 2014. Photo: Sukie Park/NYCultureBeat

16. DANCE: From K-Ballet to K-Pop  225

Yuna Kim, Prima Ballerina on Ice   225

Traditional Korean Dances   226

Ganggangsullae:  Dance under the full Moon   227

Seungmoo: Stillness within Movement    227

K- Dancers on the World Stage   228

Pioneers of K-Ballet  228

K-Ballet Luminaries on the World Stage   229

The Secrets Behind the Success of K-Ballet   230

Korea: The Breakdancing Powerhouse    231

K-Pop: Dance, Dance, Dance    233

K-Pop Dance Theories in Academia    234

K-Pop Dance: A Global Movement  236

Young Soon Kim’s DUMBO Dance Festival  237

The Pulse of Korean Dance    237