Paralympic Champion Kim Yoon-ji's Inspiring Journey and Future Aspirations Revealed on 'The Manager'

MBC's 'The Manager' has unveiled the intense training and heartfelt aspirations of Kim Yoon-ji, the Paralympic Nordic skiing champion who made history with five gold medals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics.

In the 395th episode aired on the 25th, viewers witnessed Kim Yoon-ji's 'battle on asphalt' as she achieved the remarkable feat of winning five gold medals in a single event, a first in the barren landscape of snow sports.

Known as the 'Weeble' for her resilience during the Paralympics, where she fell but quickly got back up to continue racing, Kim's determination was evident in her training sessions. The show highlighted the challenges faced by Nordic skiers, who often have to train on regular roads due to a lack of proper facilities.

Despite training on asphalt roads, Kim Yoon-ji, nicknamed 'Smiley,' impressed with her bright smile as she tackled hill workouts. Her achievement of five gold medals in a single event also brought attention to the rewards she received. Kim revealed that she earned a prize of 500 million won and a pure gold medal weighing 20 don (approximately 75 grams) for her Paralympic success.

Additionally, it was shared that Kim has secured a lifelong monthly pension of 1 million won by fulfilling the medal pension criteria. Beyond her achievements, the broadcast also revealed Kim's next goal. She expressed her hope to see more disabled athletes participate, aiming to compete in relay events together, which left a profound impact. Kim also shared her heartfelt wish for children with disabilities to gain courage from watching her performances, adding to the emotional resonance of the episode.

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