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[스포츠뉴스]Kim Yeong-mi steps away from curling, but spirit of silver medalists 'Team Kim' will continue to echo

온카뱅크관리자

2026-03-31 16:01:00

<div class="ab_photo photo_center ab_zoom"> <div class="image"> <img src="https://imgnews.pstatic.net/image/640/2026/03/31/0000086386_001_20260331160213940.jpg" alt="" />Former curler Kim Yeong-mi poses during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo at Uiseong Curling Center in Uiseon County, North Gyeongsang, on March 27. [SONG BONG-GEUN] </div> </div> UISEONG COUNTY, North Gyeongsang &#8212; At the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, one name repeatedly echoed throughout Gangneung Curling Centre: “Yeongmi.” Now, Kim Yeong-mi has stepped away from curling, bringing an end to the “Team Kim” era that once captivated Korea. The famous sound came from skip Kim Eun-jung, who repeatedly shouted “Yeongmi” during matches at the Olympics to direct sweeping. The sharp, high-pitched calls became a defining sound of Korea’s silver medal run and drew national attention. That voice will no longer be heard on the ice, as Kim Yeong-mi, 35, recently retired, officially ending the era of Team Kim &#8212; composed of Kim Yeong-mi and four other members all surnamed Kim: Kim Eun-jung, Kim Cho-hi, Kim Kyeong-ae and Kim Seon-yeong. The team rose to prominence during the 2018 Olympics not only for winning a silver medal in a sport that was practically unheard of in Korea but also for their remarkable sportsmanship and team spirit. The five former classmates from Uiseong Girls' High School in rural North Gyeongsang captured hearts with their unity. Kim Yeong-mi recalled the 2018 Olympics moments when she spoke during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo at Uiseong Curling Center in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang on Friday. “The more Eun-jung called my name, the more urgently I had to sweep,” Kim Yeong-mi said. “Sometimes I thought, ‘Why me again?’ I still get recognized on public transportation, with people asking if we’ve met before. I competed in curling for 20 years, but I received more love than I can measure in years.” Team Kim decided to disband earlier this month. The members chose to go their separate ways after failing to secure spots in the national team selection contest for this year's winter Olympics. Kim Yeong-mi, who gave birth to a daughter last year, returned to Uiseong County after considering her post-retirement path. She now works as a curling coach at Uiseong Elementary School, where she trains young athletes. “I dreamed of becoming a kindergarten teacher when I was young, so I studied child studies,” Kim said. “I feel happy working with children. I am not wealthy, but I have donated to children’s organizations for 15 years.” The remaining Team Kim members have yet to retire. Kim Eun-jung joined Uiseong County Office, Kim Kyeong-ae moved to Jeonbuk Provincial Office and Kim Seon-yeong and Kim Cho-hee are still with Gangneung City Hall. <div class="ab_photo photo_center ab_zoom"> <div class="image"> <img src="https://imgnews.pstatic.net/image/640/2026/03/31/0000086386_002_20260331160214089.jpg" alt="" />Skip Kim Eun-jung delivers a stone during the women’s curling final at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics between Korea and Sweden at the Gangneung Curling Centre in Gangneung, Gangwon, on Feb. 25, 2018. From left: Kim Seon-yeong, Kim Eun-jung and Kim Yeong-mi. [YONHAP] </div> </div> All of them will compete in the Uiseong County national tournament next month as three separate teams. “Any of the three teams can take first place,” Kim Yeong-mi said. Kim also enjoys watching baseball and often visits Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu to watch pitcher Lee Ho-sung in action. “We talked in our group chat recently and decided to gather in two years for a commemorative photo to mark the 10th anniversary of the PyeongChang Olympics,” Kim said with a smile. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

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