Junhwan Cha: “It’s tough to maintain technical precision while balancing both aspects, but figure skating is a sport that resonates with music, and that’s something I don’t want to lose. To me, it’s something I simply cannot give up.”
Junhwan Cha reflects on his journey, challenges, and motivation to keep moving forward
original source: mfocus.kr dd. August 28th 2025 by Kim Hyun-jin
From his debut as a 14-year-old on the international figure skating stage to becoming a World Championship medalist, Junhwan Cha shares his story of perseverance, overcoming challenges, and staying motivated as he prepares for his third Olympics. Here’s a translation of his interview posted on MFocus.
Q: Personally, I vividly remember your Junior Grand Prix debut. It was such a sensational start, and the attention around you skyrocketed after that event.
Junhwan Cha: I remember being extremely nervous during that competition. Back then, the skating order was decided by a draw, and I was the last to skate. While waiting, I kept hearing the crowd give standing ovations for the skaters before me, and it made me really anxious.
Q: You even set a junior world record in that competition!
Junhwan Cha: Even after the free skate, I didn’t realize I had done so well. I remember being disappointed because I wobbled slightly on a flip combination. I was thinking about that mistake and didn’t realize my score was a world record. When the score came out, I didn’t fully grasp how high it was – I just thought, “Oh, okay.”
Cha’s stellar debut included setting a junior world record and achieving the youngest-ever successful quad salchow landing. That moment began a glittering international career that includes podium finishes at the Junior Grand Prix Final, Senior Grand Prix events, a Four Continents Championship victory, World Championships silver, and an Asian Games title. Each was a first for a Korean male figure skater.
Q: Out of all your “firsts,” can you share three moments that were the most thrilling and meaningful to you?
Junhwan Cha: My World Championships medal probably means the most to me. As a junior skater, I set my sights on a Junior World Championships medal but couldn’t quite achieve it. When I reached senior-level competitions and finally won a World Championships medal after so much effort, it was incredibly fulfilling. That medal is deeply significant to me. The emotions from that moment were so overwhelming that it’s hard to choose another moment that compares.
Q: You’ve faced continuous injuries, especially during the 2023/2024 season. I heard your skate boots caused a lot of difficulties.
Junhwan Cha: That’s true. Like all manufacturers, skate companies constantly update their designs based on feedback about issues. However, those updates don’t always suit me.
For example, last season, the overall size of the boots suddenly increased. Even though I wore the same size as before, the boots were larger and had a wider fit. I tried adding insoles, but this caused other areas of my feet to be compressed, resulting in pain that kept me off the ice for more than a month. I simply couldn’t skate.
We communicated a lot with the company last year, and it seems the issue has been resolved – they’ve returned to the earlier sizing. These ongoing adjustments and minor updates often create unforeseen issues, but as technology improves, updates are inevitable.
Q: It seems like you’ve rarely had a smooth season. Physically and mentally, what was the most challenging time for you?
Junhwan Cha: Last year’s World Championships were probably the hardest for me. That entire season was incredibly tough.
In the 2023/2024 season, Cha battled a persistent right ankle injury from the start. The injury affected his training, and he eventually had to withdraw from the Grand Prix’s fifth event. Despite this, he competed in domestic events and the Four Continents Championships. However, his results at the World Championships fell short of his expectations. “I never felt like I was competing at 100% or that I had trained to a level I was satisfied with,” he admitted in a post-event interview.
Q: What kept you moving forward, even when faced with so many challenges?
Junhwan Cha: As a child, my goals were my biggest motivation. I didn’t want to give up on them. But over time, it wasn’t just the goals – responsibility became a big motivator as well.
Q: Could you elaborate on the kind of responsibility you mean?
Junhwan Cha: I’ve come so far, received so much love, and felt a lot of moments where I had to step up as a senior skater. There’s responsibility toward my family, as a national team member, as a trailblazer for Korean skating, and for the fans who support me. All of that creates a sense of accountability.
Of course, I’m human too. There were so many moments of frustration when my injuries worsened, my skates didn’t fit, and my training didn’t go well. But every time I went out to compete, that sense of responsibility, while heavy at times, gave me strength and became a driving force.
Q: It seems that sense of responsibility also extends to yourself.
Junhwan Cha: Absolutely. While I feel responsible for myself, I also think I wouldn’t have come this far without the help of many people. So, my sense of responsibility includes the people around me, those who have supported me.
Q: You’ve mentioned before that your MBTI emphasizes minimizing time and emotional energy for “extreme efficiency.” Does this principle strongly apply to your training or daily life?
Junhwan Cha: If I had to name an example… I enjoy going for walks and spending time outdoors. At the end of the day, after almost everything is done, I like to take an evening walk. But sometimes, I want to soak up sunlight during the day. So recently, I’ve started riding a bike while heading to exercise. Something like that, perhaps?
Q: Do you have any specific routines during competitions?
Junhwan Cha: When warming up, I stick to a set schedule. For example, if I have an hour, I’ll allocate the first 5 minutes to stretching, 10 minutes to other things, and so on. Since competition times vary, I calculate everything backward – 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there – and I always make sure to leave 20 minutes because I tend to take my time putting on my skates.
For example, some skaters warm up in their costumes, while others get dressed after finishing their warm-ups. My routine is to warm up halfway, then change into my costume, and then finish warming up. I also see changing clothes as a break—like a moment to breathe. So I allocate about 10–15 minutes for changing, but before that, I prepare intensely for 20 minutes – changing my socks, putting on knee protectors, and so on. My process alternates between building and cooling down my energy – it’s how I prepare.
Q: It seems like your routine is already incredibly efficient, though you might not realize it because it feels so natural to you.
Junhwan Cha: That’s probably true, yes. That’s just how I do things.
Q: Fans and others frequently share anecdotes about your kindness. But to some, being kind might seem “inefficient.” While you say you value extreme efficiency, it doesn’t seem to apply to how you treat others.
Junhwan Cha: I apply the principle of “extreme efficiency” to myself, but not to relationships. Efficiency is more about how I work, while interacting with others falls outside that scope. I try hard to separate work and life completely.
Fans are always there for me, whether I’m doing well or not, and I sense their support strongly at both domestic and international competitions. Since I receive their encouragement, the only opportunities I have to give back are through my performances, like competitive events or ice shows, and the brief moments I meet them after. So during those times, I want to return the positive energy they’ve given me to the best of my ability.
In April, Cha gave a lecture titled “The Strength to Achieve Slowly but Surely” at his alma mater Korea University to celebrate its 120th anniversary. Reflecting on the event, Cha shared:
“I was so nervous. It was my first time giving a lecture, and I felt that the most genuine way to deliver my message was to share my own story.”
Q: You’ve mentioned that you’d rather be remembered as a hardworking athlete than simply as a talented one. Despite your remarkable achievements, do you still feel that way?
Junhwan Cha: Yes, I do. I said “slowly but surely” because I believe everyone has their own timeline. My results so far are largely due to the consistency I’ve built over my long skating career. I don’t think of myself as slow; rather, I’ve steadily achieved things over time.
The key point I wanted to share in my lecture was that speed – whether slow or fast – doesn’t matter. What’s important is to commit to the process within your own timeline. If the results are good, that’s wonderful. But even if things don’t go as expected or in the desired direction, there is always something to learn. That’s what I wanted to emphasize.
Q: What’s your vision of the ideal skater?
Junhwan Cha: For me, it’s about being a skater who fully embodies the essence of figure skating. That means harmonizing technical skills with choreography and achieving true balance. That’s my goal, and I’m doing my best to get there.
Q: What efforts do you make to reach that vision?
Junhwan Cha: I set new goals at the start of every season, usually right after Worlds. These goals are less about results and more about how I want to grow – areas where I want to improve or things I want to work on.
For example, in the 2022–23 season, I focused on building strength. During the following season, I worked on increasing strength while also cutting weight. I think I ran nearly every night for three or four months last summer because it was too hot to run during the day. It made me proud to accomplish something every day. Running 5–10 kilometers about four or five times a week was a rewarding routine.
Q: Finding harmony between artistic expression and technical perfection seems incredibly demanding. It must consume a lot of energy, potentially impacting technical excellence. How do you balance these two aspects?
Junhwan Cha: Honestly, it’s really difficult. The boundary between technique and expression is deeply intertwined, and it’s a challenging issue for skaters.
As you said, it’s tough to maintain technical precision while balancing both aspects, but figure skating is ultimately a sport that resonates with music, and that’s something I don’t want to lose. To me, it’s something I simply cannot give up.
Of course, there are moments where adjustments must be made. However, unless it’s absolutely necessary, I try to stick to my original artistry as much as possible. To achieve this balance, I think it’s ultimately about effort – continuously practicing, revisiting the feeling and inspiration from when I first created the program, and embodying those emotions within myself.
There are definitely moments during competitions when I need to focus more on the technical side. So I try to internalize everything, allowing it to come out naturally and refining it further to achieve that balance.
Q: Are there any programs you found particularly easy or challenging to perform?
Junhwan Cha: I don’t recall any program being outright difficult because I’ve always chosen music that I wanted to skate to.
The easiest programs, I think, were the short program The Clockmaker from the Beijing Olympics and last season’s Ballade for the Madman for the free skate. The Clockmaker felt like breathing – not in the sense that it was effortless, but because I was so connected to the music from the beginning. Every time I performed it, it just matched perfectly.
As for Ballade for the Madman, I think I connected deeply with the emotions of the piece. It felt almost hypnotic, especially with the vocals – it was a program that just resonated with me so well.
Q: Do you have a program that you’re especially attached to?
Junhwan Cha: It’s hard to pick just one. I think I’ve been deeply attached to all of my programs at the time I skated them.
Q: Do you watch other disciplines often? Have any recent programs inspired you or stood out to you?
Junhwan Cha: Yes, I watch them a lot. I find ice dance particularly mesmerizing. Their skills and the way they express music – it’s incredible. There are so many programs I admire because ice dance, as a whole, inspires me deeply.
Q: Have you ever considered trying ice dance?
Junhwan Cha: I wonder if I could manage it! I did test it briefly in novice skating. I’d love to learn ice dance training someday. Last year, I worked with Guillaume (Guillaume Cizeron) and even practiced stroking. The way skates and body weight are balanced is completely different in ice dance. If I ever have the chance, I’d love to fully learn it someday.
Q: You’ve experienced two Olympics already. What have you gained from them?
Junhwan Cha: As a young skater, I focused on carrying out my assignments and training diligently. But the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics lit a fire of passion within me. Olympics are such an honorable moment for athletes it’s truly the dream stage for everyone. When it’s hosted in your own country, it feels that much more meaningful. I remember being incredibly nervous but ultimately finishing with immense joy. That experience made me take a more active approach to skating. I still remember PyeongChang’s slogan, “Passion Connected – One United Passion”, and I feel like I truly learned the meaning of passion then.
In Beijing, I learned the importance of living in the moment. Until 2020, competing in events felt like an ordinary routine. But with COVID-19, the world changed drastically – not just for sports, but for humanity as a whole. Through that experience, I truly understood the significance of enjoying and valuing each moment. That’s why I think I was able to compete with genuine joy during Beijing.
So as I look ahead to Milan, I don’t know what new experiences await me, but I feel excited about them.
Q: The third Olympics is coming up. We’re curious about your mindset as you prepare. What’s your biggest goal for these Games?
Junhwan Cha: Honestly, I don’t think I have any particular thoughts about it. It’s not that I lack the passion – the same was true for my first and second Olympics – I’ve always prepared without overthinking. I see it as something I must do and as something that inevitably leads to a dream moment, regardless of the results. So, I just focus on heading toward that moment.
In terms of preparation, I don’t approach the Olympic season with an extraordinary resolve. Instead, I think of it as a continuation of the moments I’ve built so far, and I’m still filling my life with those moments. It’s like I’m running toward these ‘moments’ while continuing to stay in the flow of that journey. Rather than doing something especially different this time, I’m preparing the same way I’ve done over the past few seasons. I can’t say for certain, but I believe the moments I’ve built during my first and second Olympics will contribute to this one.
Q: Since this season, you’ve been affiliated with the Seoul City Hall professional team. It seems like it wasn’t an easy process to establish such a team. How do you feel about being part of Korea’s first professional figure skating team?
Junhwan Cha: I think starting something new is always a difficult task. The process seemed to take quite a long time, and many people provided help and worked on coordination behind the scenes. I believe such efforts are necessary for new beginnings.
Throughout that time, I had a lot of concerns myself. Questions like, “Upon graduating from university and becoming a professional athlete, would joining such a team be a good thing? Would it be the right thing to do? What direction would it lead me in?” To me, it felt like a crossroads. Although joining the first professional team is an honor, I saw it as a pivotal moment for figure skating as a sport.
Looking abroad, figure skaters tend to have longer careers. They’re all skating because they love it, pursuing dreams on the ice. But many athletes worldwide have been forced to quit due to injuries, environmental limitations, or external issues. If professional teams in Korea could become a viable option, I believe many could keep chasing their dreams without having to give up. This way, athletes could perform without regret, skating as long as they’re able.
I thought professional teams could help ensure a better environment for athletes and provide significant support. More importantly, I believed this would create a solid foundation for the next generation of athletes. While the decision wasn’t just for me, I saw it as a meaningful step for Korean figure skating’s development. Thinking bigger, it felt like a moment of growth not just for the sport but for Korean athletics overall.
Q: In recent interviews, you’ve often discussed the communal importance of figure skating. Since this is a highly individual sport, it’s quite rare to see such a mindset. How did you develop this perspective?
Junhwan Cha: I think it comes from the lessons and growth I’ve experienced through those kinds of moments. As you said, figure skating is a personal sport, so there’s not a lot that one person can do alone. But within what I can do, I’ve wanted to share my experiences. I’ve always thought it would be great to share opportunities with fellow and younger skaters.
These experiences don’t just help them as athletes; they’ve also helped me grow as a person. I feel that fostering such connections has been valuable for personal and collective development. I think this helps not only the progress of our sport but also the individual growth of everyone involved. That’s why I’ve gradually come to value such responsibility more deeply.
Q: Korean men’s figure skating has improved tremendously, with younger athletes making significant strides. Have you had any direct impact on them, especially as they’ve watched your training over the years?
Junhwan Cha: Observing training is important. I say that because it was vital for me during my time at the Cricket Club in Toronto (where I trained from 2015 to 2020). Back then, I had just debuted as a junior skater, but I trained alongside top and legendary athletes. Those experiences were incredibly invaluable for me. Similarly, in Korea, from young juniors to senior-level skaters making their debuts, everyone is working hard and doing well.
Q: With so many younger skaters now doing well and naming you as their role model, how does that make you feel? Do you ever feel pressure or a sense of responsibility? Have you offered advice or guidance for their challenges?
Junhwan Cha: Are there really skaters who see me as their role model? (Smiling) I’m so grateful they think of me that way. Honestly, I’ve just walked my own skating path, so knowing that there are young, hardworking skaters following in my footsteps is truly rewarding. Practicing alongside them is always enjoyable for me.
Every now and then, some athletes ask me questions. When they do, I do my best to give advice within my capacity.
Q: What kinds of questions do they ask you?
Junhwan Cha: They range from training methods to dealing with challenges they face in skating or their mindset. It’s been quite varied.
Q: Lastly, what kind of legacy would you like to leave after retiring from your competitive career?
Junhwan Cha: I’ve never really thought deeply about that. Maybe… “There was a skater like that once.” It doesn’t have to be anything extraordinary or grand. Having skated for 15 years and representing the national team for 10, I hope to simply remain a fond memory for fans and those who were part of my journey.
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