Junhwan Cha: “Before the performance, I kept telling myself, ‘Don’t give up, just do your best until the end.’ However, the mistakes in my jumps were very disappointing. Some errors felt like they were outside of my control.”
Junhwan Cha Reflects on Challenges and Growth After Cup of China Performance
original source: mfocus.kr dd. October 24th 2025 by Kim Hyun-jin / mfocus.kr dd. October 25th 2025 by Kim Hyun-jin
South Korean figure skater Junhwan Cha faced challenges with jumps and equipment at the Grand Prix of China, but his determination remains strong as he prepares for his next competition at the NHK Trophy in Japan. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on MFocus.
On October 24 in Chongqing, the first day of the 2025 ISU Grand Prix Series Cup of China unfolded. Representing South Korea, Junhwan Cha performed his short program to Rain, In Your Black Eyes. Cha scored a total of 75.61 points, finishing in seventh place.
After his performance, Cha shared his mixed feelings in the mixed zone: “Overall, I’m quite disappointed with today’s skate. I made mistakes on two jumps, but I gave everything I could in the moment, so I want to accept that and focus on preparing for tomorrow.” When asked about what went well, he said, “Aside from the jumps, I gave my best and poured everything into my performance. I’m satisfied with that part.”
Junhwan had to withdraw from his previous competition, the Denis Ten Memorial Challenge, due to boot issues. Explaining the situation, he said, “My boots kept breaking down, and I couldn’t perform jumps with them in that state. I knew that if I kept pushing through, I might end up injured again, so I decided to withdraw.”
He also discussed ongoing issues with his equipment, a topic foreign reporters were keen to ask about: “Last week, I received new boots, but they had problems, so I had to replace them again.” He added, “Yesterday’s practice was almost the first time I could successfully attempt jumps properly.” Despite the difficulties, Cha expressed resilience: “With everything going on, I’ve had to tape up both sides to keep going. Of course, I hope these problems don’t happen again, but I’ll keep pushing through positively.”
When asked about physical condition, Cha said, “I worked really hard on off-ice training this summer, so I feel physically prepared. However, until my boots are fully broken in, it’s hard to go through normal training routines.”
Reflecting on the theme of his short program, Cha shared its deeper meaning: “This program is about human emotions, the depths of life – it’s not just a happy story. I wanted to incorporate the tough moments and convey the emotional highs and lows through my performance, offering comfort to those supporting me. Sometimes, expressing these feelings visually can be more impactful than words.”
Cha also mentioned changes to his costume for this program, which now includes enhanced details, particularly on the back. “At the Kinoshita Cup, my look was more formal and polished. Later, I wanted to reflect more color, texture, and dimension, so I collaborated with my designer to add details to the back. I wanted the tempestuous nature of the music to visually come through as well.”
On the second day of competition in Chongqing, Cha Junhwan performed his free skate to the soundtrack of Moulin Rouge, scoring 141.92 points for his free skate. His combined score of 217.53 placed him in eighth overall.
In the mixed zone after the event, Cha reflected on his performance. “Before the performance, I kept telling myself, ‘Don’t give up, just do your best until the end.’ That mindset helped me nail the first combination, but my rhythm broke down later,” he said. “Despite moments where I lost control, I kept going and finished the program. While it wasn’t my best skate, I’ll prepare with a strong mindset for the next competition.”
Speaking further, he said, “The focus on finishing the program with determination and not giving up was a positive takeaway for me. However, the mistakes in my jumps were very disappointing. Some errors felt like they were outside of my control, and I tried not to dwell on them.” Cha also highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive attitude moving forward: “I think the off-season and early-season training went well, so the key is to continue with a strong and positive mindset to keep improving.”
Cha addressed his free skating program, inspired by the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, which he has modified since the Kinoshita Cup earlier this season. After returning to South Korea from Japan following Kinoshita, Cha spent a week collaborating with his choreographer Shae-Lynn Bourne to revise the program, focusing on the music and structure. “Initially, the ‘Roxanne’s Tango’ section was longer because it felt captivating and beautiful. But over time, it became clear that the ‘Come What May’ part held a deeper emotional tone. After discussing with Shae-Lynn, we decided to extend that section, tying it to the step sequence and building toward the climax of the program,” Cha explained.
Cha also adjusted his costume to better match the music and reflect the “Christian” character from Moulin Rouge. He revealed, “Since Kinoshita, we added black detailing to the costume to enhance the emotions portrayed by Christian. I wanted the costume to further represent the musical intensity.”
Cha Junhwan’s next competition will be the Grand Prix Event, NHK Trophy, held in Osaka from November 7–9. “This season is long, so it’s crucial to recover well and prepare properly. Injury management is my top priority,” he stated. “I want to show a better version of myself, not just for spectators, but for myself.”
A week after celebrating his 24th birthday amid rigorous training and competitions, Cha remains intent on pushing his limits while overcoming obstacles. “It’s about continuing forward, even through setbacks. This season is my chance to challenge myself and discover new strengths,” he said, embodying the resilience to rise each time he falls.
Related topics: Grand Prix of China, Junhwan Cha
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