2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics: South Korea's Grand Entrance and Thrilling Performances

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony at the San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, Italy, broadcast live by JTBC. South Korea's delegation, led by figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan, made a proud entrance that captivated viewers at home.

In the early hours of February 7 (KST), the ceremony, hosted by commentators Bae Sung-jae and Lee Soo-bin, along with expert analyst Koo Ji-hoon, delivered the artistic splendor of Italy to audiences worldwide. The opening act, inspired by the works of Italian neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova, set a powerful tone. Characters symbolizing ancient Rome and the Renaissance paraded through the stadium, followed by a performance from global pop icon Mariah Carey that electrified the venue. After Italian President Sergio Mattarella's opening declaration, the atmosphere soared with the entrance of the Olympic flame, accompanied by the enchanting voice of maestro Andrea Bocelli.

This ceremony was notable for its 'distributed opening' format, a rarity in Winter Olympics history. As Cha Jun-hwan (figure skating) and Park Ji-woo (speed skating) proudly entered as the 22nd delegation at the main venue, the cheers of the South Korean team echoed simultaneously in other cities hundreds of kilometers away. JTBC's multi-location broadcast captured this 'festival of unity,' ensuring no one was left out. Previously, Cha Jun-hwan made history by winning South Korea's first-ever gold medal in men's singles figure skating at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games, earning a military exemption.

The competitions on February 6 were equally thrilling. 'Figure skating prodigy' Shin Ji-a delivered a flawless 'clean performance' in the team event women's single short program, finishing 4th among 10 competitors, drawing cheers from the crowd. Shin Ji-a aims to maintain her momentum for the individual event on February 18. In ice dance, the duo of Lim Hae-na and Kwon Ye-joo contributed by placing 7th in the rhythm dance, gaining valuable experience on their Olympic debut and reaffirming the bright future of South Korean figure skating.

In curling mixed doubles, the team of Kim Sun-young and Jung Young-seok faced a tough 2-8 loss against Great Britain on February 6. Despite their fighting spirit, including a strategic power play in the 5th end, they experienced the formidable challenge of the global stage, resulting in a four-game losing streak. The team is regrouping to pursue their first victory against the Czech Republic tonight (February 7) at 10:20 PM. The subsequent match against the United States will be broadcast live on JTBC Sports Channel on February 8 at 2:55 AM.

On February 8, starting at 1:00 AM, the 'bullets on ice' luge men's singles event will take place, followed by the highlight of the weekend, the figure skating team event (team competition) men's short program at 3:45 AM. South Korea's flag bearer and ace, Cha Jun-hwan, will compete in the men's short program, marking the beginning of his medal quest. As figure skating fans worldwide watch, Cha Jun-hwan is set to captivate viewers with his unique artistry and impressive technical skills, performing 5th among 10 competitors.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr