L.A. is a city that has given me great support for skating.
Building a better life for every child is a lot harder than becoming a world champion. Both goals take dedication and commitment.
I always thought the Vancouver Olympics would be my last destination, but I'm extending it to Sochi... I want to start anew, not as an Olympic medalist but just as yet another figure skater.
I have been compared to Mao since we were both junior skaters. We've felt the rivalry since then, so we wanted to avoid each other. However, she has been my motivation.
What I miss the most is chatting with my friends and family and having a good laugh over a simple meal.
Even in the hardest circumstances, dreams can give you the courage to live, and I hope I can share that message with children in need.
Korean audiences are amazing. The fans scream so loud, and that really surprises skaters when they first perform in my shows.
In Toronto and Los Angeles, too, there are a lot of Koreans - Koreatown, Korean markets. I feel like I'm at home and very comfortable.
Watching previous figure skaters, I always wondered why they cried after their performance.
Where there is peace, there is sports; where there is sports, there is peace. Peace is what allows us, especially young people, to dream, go after one's goals and prepare you for the next challenge in life.
I always wanted to be Olympic champion and do clean programs.
Peace is what enables development and is critical in providing opportunities to young people. Efforts to preserve peace are absolutely vital in bringing prosperity and hope for the future.
I think I'm a born athlete. My coaches have told me my muscles and body structure are perfect for skating.
I am not trying my best because it is the Olympics. I try my best always.
I had trouble finding my next goal after winning a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, but the interest of the public and my fans in me got even bigger. I wanted to get away from the pressure, even for a single day.
A coach told my mum I had talent and I would make a very good skater.
For the off-ice training, I do basic strength training, and for the on-ice training, I practice jumps, spins, steps, and my new long program with my new coach Peter Oppegard.
After I won the Olympics, like any gold medalist, I did feel some emptiness in my heart. I did think about coming back to the ice for a long time. What motivated me is skating is something I am best at and I love the most. So I want to give it one more try.
I like to be just an athlete, but if I go to competition and compete, I love to be a star, maybe.
For a long time, just skating in the Olympics had been my goal because not many Koreans had done it.
