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Kim Yuna Is Our July 2025 Cover Star

Life less ordinary.
Published: July 3, 2025
Kim Yuna On Life After Skating, Fashion With Dior, And Inspiring Korea’s Next Generation
Jacket; shirt; skirt; earrings; ring; sandals, DIOR.

It’s been over a decade since South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna last competed on Olympic ice. Her presence, however, continues to glide effortlessly into our consciousness, as she leaves her imprint on culture, style and the imagination of a generation—so much so that she’s still affectionately referred to as Queen Yuna to this day.

From her Olympic and Youth Olympic Ambassador roles, where she passionately mentors the next generation of athletes, to her philanthropic activities and UNICEF Goodwill ambassadorship, Yuna’s story is inspiring for the quiet yet powerful way that she has embraced a new life beyond global competitions with poise, purpose, grace and humility. During her ELLE cover shoot, she tells us, “Strength and elegance were just aspects people saw when I was an athlete. In daily life, I’m just like everyone else.” We didn’t quite know how to tell her that “everyone else” didn’t have a showcase of gold medals stashed in their home. Nor do they have the reputation of being one of the greatest figure skaters of all time—she is the first figure skater to achieve a Career Super Grand Slam by winning all the major junior-level and senior-level international competitions.

On set, she moves with the grace and technical precision that led to global adoration. However, it is arguably her grounded personality and unassuming demeanour that pull you into the riptide of her charm. When we ask her what she hopes the public sees in her today, she replies, “I don’t need to ask them to notice anything more. I’ve already received so much.” Instead, what she hopes is for the next generation of sports professionals to be supported the way she was. “When I see our athletes perform well, I feel joy. I hope they do better than our generation did… Passing this great tradition from generation to generation is what I appreciate the most.”

And it’s in this spirit of embracing transitions and continually striving for betterment that we proudly bring you the ELLE Beauty Awards (launching soon). Our beauty experts and industry insiders have tried and tested 80 winning beauty products, just so you’re able to present the best side of yourself to the world.

So here’s to facing life on our own terms, with the quiet confidence of knowing who we are, and the courage to strive for even more.

Photographed by SINAE KIM
Styled by JEFFREY YAN

Make-up Artist YUNYOUNG KIM using Dior Beauty
Hairstylist SEUNG HONG
Talent Stylist REGINA SUH
Executive Producer ESTHER KIM
Production Coordinator CRYSTAL SANG

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