K-POP Craze Sweeps Figure Skating as Cha Jun-hwan and Lee Hae-in Dominate International Stage

Korean figure skaters are demonstrating the global influence of K-POP culture through the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. After serving as the flag bearer at the Olympic opening ceremony, male singles skater Cha Jun-hwan has drawn international attention for being described as resembling a K-POP idol.

On the 7th (Korean time), during the opening ceremony held at the San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, Italy, Cha Jun-hwan entered the venue alongside veteran figure skater Park Ji-woo as part of the South Korean delegation’s flag bearers. His appearance, waving the Taegukgi flag as he moved toward the center of the stadium, caught the attention of Japanese media outlet The Answer. Japanese figure skating fans expressed reactions on social media such as “The male figure skater who carried South Korea’s flag in the parade looks just like a K-POP idol” and “This is where cuteness truly reigns supreme.”

The Answer reported that “despite being 24 years old, he exuded a youthful aura that made one forget his age.” It added that “he is already a well-known figure among skating fans, with social media filled with praise like ‘Cha Jun-hwan looking as cute as ever as the flag bearer’ and ‘Just watching Cha Jun-hwan was worth staying awake all night.’” Cha Jun-hwan was also welcomed by dozens of local fans upon arriving at Malpensa Airport. This marks his third Olympic appearance, having finished 15th in Pyeongchang 2018 and 5th in Beijing 2022. Prior to the Olympics, he won a silver medal at the ISU Four Continents Championships.

Female singles skater Lee Hae-in is also showcasing K-POP’s influence on the international stage. On the 10th, ISU announced the 16 candidates for the “Best Costume” category at the 2026 Figure Skating Awards, with Lee Hae-in being the only South Korean skater on the list. ISU will select the final candidates through online fan voting and expert evaluations by the 18th.

Ahead of the Olympic season, Lee Hae-in used George Bizet’s “Carmen Suite” and music from the musical “Notre-Dame de Paris” as background music for her free skate. She wore a dress accentuated with red floral patterns on a black base. Designed by American designer Lisa McKinnon, this dress ranked second among “Vogue Italia’s” selected “Best Olympic Figure Skating Outfits” during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Notably, at the Olympic figure skating gala held on the 22nd, Lee Hae-in captivated international audiences with a dramatic outfit transformation. She began her performance wearing a black hat, fan, and dureumagi while to the music of “KPop Demon Hunters,” before switching to a white crop top and shorts in the second half to deliver a stunning dance routine. Japanese outlet The Answer commented, “Fans cheered at the 180-degree image change, and Lee Hae-in is expected to become South Korea’s next rising star.”