Looking Back To The Start: Pyeongchang Olympics Edition

Spreading thrill and joy all over the world, the 17 days of excitement has brought the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games to a successful end.

Considering the fact that the Olympics has returned to South Korea for the first time in 20 years, many variety shows have updated the public throughout the whole process of the event. In addition to this special occasion, South Korean athletes made triumphant records, bringing pride to the people of the country.

We Are Also National Athletes

All Photos: Channel A

In honor of the Olympics, Channel A aired a one-time show called We Are Also National Athletes. Broadcasting a total of two episodes that were released as a Chuseok special last year, the cast of the program was able to experience the difficulties of athletes all over the world and show their support for the upcoming Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics.

Featuring a wide variety of celebrities, We Are Also National Athletes fired up the passion for sports within the public. With Lee Soogeun, Hyoyeon, Sunny, Jeong Jinwoon, Kangnam, and Jaegal Sungyeol (former speed skater) taking a part as MCs and commentators, they emphasized the essential parts of the matches, adding more intensity onto the games.

The short track team members consisted of Tony Ahn, Son Hoyoung, Sam Okyere, Eli, Lee Hoyeon, TEEN TOP’s Ricky, Halo’s OOON, JBJ’s Kenta, Kriesha Chu, and Berry Good’s Johyun. Practicing for weeks, the members were able to go through the hardcore trainings and workout routines of actual short track skaters during the limited amount of time. Even being able to compete against short track skater Lee Hosuk, the cast got an extraordinary opportunity to see the living legends of this sport.

Personally trained by two famous figures (short track legend Jin Sunyu and current skating coach Park Sewoo) and by their corresponding team captains, the celebrities showed signs of improvement as the day of the competition came closer. Among the cast, Berry Good’s Johyun surprised everyone with her unexpectedly superb skating skills, and she rose up to the ace position at once thanks to her prior experience as a short track athlete during her childhood days. Although everyone did not start off as the best skater, practices helped them develop techniques that prepared them for the final game. Take a look at the cast’s progression into short track skaters!

And It Goes

Designed to perform as a boom-up project for the Olympics, We Are Also National Athletes exhibited an intense game of short track in its second episode. With Jin Sunyu as their leader, Tony Ahn, Sam Okyere, Ricky, Kenta, and Johyun showed impressive development in their skating. Team Park Sewoo, made up of Son Hoyoung, Eli, OOON, and Kriesha Chu, displayed their perfect teamwork. Although some unfortunate mistakes occurred on the competition day, the skaters performed with integrity and passion, bringing warmth and encouraging support for all athletes participating in the Winter Games.

The final game was the co-ed 2000 meter relay race that determined the ultimate outcome of the teams. A game full of thrill and energy, the show indeed had a format that brought viewers’ attention. Check out the unceasing tension, even until the last match!

With this, the show came to an end. An original way to cheer on the teams participating in the Olympics, the program provided a unique method of promoting the event. As an entertaining and visually appealing source of support for many, We Are Also National Athletes warmed the hearts of fans and revitalized the energy of the contestants. Likewise, the 23rd Winter Games have been concluded.

(A quick note to all the athletes, coaches, and staff who helped make this Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics possible: thank you for all your efforts!)