Figure skater Mao Asada, well-known in Korea for her friendly rivalry with Kim Yuna, made a surprise visit to Korea, where the two athletes once pushed each other to improve their skills through healthy competition.
Asada's visit was to attend the 60th-anniversary ceremony of Japan Airlines' (JAL) Korea route (Gimpo-Haneda), marking six decades of friendship between JAL and Korea. This surprise visit to the homeland of her former rival, Kim Yuna, added a special significance to the event.
Korean fans closely followed the rivalry between Asada and Kim, and when Asada shed tears after struggling with her jumps at the Vancouver Olympics, many in Korea felt a deep sense of empathy and compassion.
JAL had kept Asada’s visit a secret, with only a few employees, including JAL Korea branch president Kim Kyung-lin, being aware of it. As a result, her appearance was both a surprise and a delight for many in Korea.
The former Japanese figure skating star reflected on her rivalry with Kim, stating, "Without Yuna, I wouldn't be where I am today. She is a very important person to me." She added, "I'm proud that Yuna and I were able to lead a generation of figure skaters in Asia together."
Asada also reminisced about their early years, saying, "I first met Yuna when we were 14 years old. Our mothers were friends, and they were so close that they would even exchange onigiri and kimchi."
Around 200 people from the aviation and travel industries attended the JAL event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Gimpo-Haneda route.
Around 200 people from the aviation and travel industries attended the JAL event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Gimpo-Haneda route.
JAL began operating three weekly flights between Gimpo and Haneda in 1964, a year before Japan and Korea established diplomatic relations.
Today, JAL continues to operate three daily flights on this route, making it the longest-running service on the route.
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