Mentor and ambassador: Life after retirement of figure skating queen Kim Yuna

Queen Yuna, as she is affectionately known to her fans, once stole the hearts of millions. Even 11 years after retirement, the 35-year-old legend still proves her undeniable appeal.

While Kim has left the professional rink behind, she remains a powerhouse in the artistic and commercial worlds, serving as an ambassador for more than a dozen luxury brands, according to Osen.

Kim Yuna is currently an ambassador for Dior. Photo by Instagram/@yunakim

Dior praised Kim as a "global icon" who is always striving to bring glory to her country on the world ice rink and influence young people positively, placing her alongside figures like Natalie Portman and Cara Delevingne.

Her influence extends to humanitarian work as an international goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

"When I was younger and traveling for training, not many people knew about South Korea," Kim told Elle. "Now, when you say you’re from Korea, people greet you in Korean; they know our food, our sports, K-pop, and art. My role now is to do my best in Korea, even if I’m no longer on the national stage."

Kim is also invested in the future of South Korean figure skating. She dedicates much of her time to training young talents at her academy and investing in new ice rinks to make the sport more accessible.

According to News1, watching the new generation of athletes make their mark on the international stage provides Kim with a different kind of fulfillment than her competitive days.

"When I see our athletes perform well, I feel joy. I hope they do better than our generation did, and I want to support them," she said. "Passing this great tradition from generation to generation is what I appreciate the most."

Celebrated legacy

Kim's rise to stardom was defined by discipline and a lack of the childhood freedom enjoyed by her peers. She had to train every single day, and from 10 a.m. until late at night, she was not allowed to eat her favorite foods.

The New York Times and sports experts consider Kim one of the greatest figure skaters in history. Her professional achievement is unparalleled, featuring 11 world records and a collection of gold medals from the Olympics, World Championship and Grand Prix Final.

South Korean media called her "queen of figure skating" and "national treasure".

Following the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Kim decided to retire. Four years later, she was selected to light the torch at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Forbes has recognized her influence by including her on the Korea Power Celebrity 40 list eight times.

"I’m very grateful that even though I’ve retired, people still remember me and support me no matter what I do," Yuna told Elle. "They know how many hardships I had to overcome. So while I can't present myself as a figure skater anymore, I try to show professionalism in what I do as my way of repaying that kindness."

Kim is currently married Ko Woo-rim, 40, a member of the band Forestella. The couple first met in 2018 while filming a figure skating program. They married in 2022 and Ko enlisted in the military the next year.

After his discharge from military service in May 2025, the couple celebrated with a 10-day vacation to Paris. On a broadcast of MBC's Radio Star last year, Ko expressed his gratitude for her support during his service.

"I want to make up for the time I was away from home," Ko said, adding that the couple want to enjoy their married life together before considering children.

Kim Yuna and her husband Ko Woo-rim. Photo by Instagram/@yunakim