Airing on March 28, JTBC's documentary 'Snow Dream' will spotlight the growth and behind-the-scenes stories of ski and snowboard athletes.
South Korea's snow sports have shown unprecedented potential with their best-ever performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Notably, gold medalist Choi Ga-on, who persevered through initial failures, and bronze medalist Yoo Seung-eun, who created her own stage despite consecutive injuries, left a lasting impression.
However, behind these changes lies a lesser-known reality. With insufficient domestic training infrastructure, overseas training has become essential, forcing athletes to bear financial burdens and injury risks. Despite these challenges, their relentless pursuit and dedication have led to today's achievements.
This progress is backed by various support efforts to expand the sport's base. Lotte Group, the president company of the Korea Ski & Snowboard Association, has provided over 30 billion won in support since 2014. In 2022, they established the Lotte Ski & Snowboard Team, enhancing athlete-specific support with training funds, equipment, and educational programs. Additionally, they have operated a local support system to ensure athletes can prepare stably in overseas training environments. Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin, known as a former ski athlete, recently showed his deep affection for the sport by shedding tears while watching a special video of the athletes' efforts during a team encouragement event.
Nevertheless, challenges remain. There are calls for continuous interest and support from both corporations and the government to create a stable training environment domestically.
The documentary also sheds light on the present and future of snow sports through the stories of aspiring athletes dreaming of becoming the next Choi Ga-on or Yoo Seung-eun.
Meanwhile, JTBC's documentary 'Snow Dream' will air on March 28 at 10:50 AM on JTBC.
TenAsia Newsroom news@tenasia.co.kr