We caught up with Jia Shin of the Republic of Korea following her debut at the 2026 World Championships in Prague, diving into a fun A–Z of her favorites and the little details that shape her life on and off the ice.
With thanks to Leanne for translation.
Most Used App?
The app I use the most is Instagram.
Bedtime?
I go to sleep at 11 P.M.
Comfort food?
My comfort food is Tteok- boki (Korean spicy rice cake)!
Your last Dream or any recurring Dreams?
No, I don’t dream that much (laughs).
Embarrassing moment you can laugh at now?
It was at a competition in China after my short program; I had made a mistake and as I came out, I shouted ‘Nooo!’ in a cute way. It made all the other Korean skaters on the team laugh.
Favorite Fan encounter?
I remember the fans who always come greet me at the airport when I’m leaving for a competition.
Goals you’re working on right now?
I don’t have a non-skating related goal at the moment, but my next goal in skating is to perform better than I did this season.
Holiday memory?
My favorite holiday memory was when I went to Los Angeles with my mom last year.
Biggest Inspiration?
Yuna Kim is my biggest inspiration.
Dream Job as a child?
I started figure skating so young that I didn’t really have much time to think about that.
Karaoke song?
I don’t go to karaoke often, but my current favorite song is ‘Passion’ by Cortis.
Language you’d like to learn/speak?
I want to learn Japanese.
Movie-night favorite?
It’s a recent Korean film called ‘Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight’ (오늘 밤, 세계에서 이 사랑이 사라진다 해도).
Niche interest of yours?
I’m really into dressing up and fashion!
One book, TV show, and movie that you would recommend?
I don’t really read (laughs), but I’d recommend the Korean TV show ‘Please Take Care of My Refrigerator’ (냉장고를 부탁해).
Favourite Podcast?
I don’t listen to podcasts.
Quote you live by?
I always tell myself, ‘I can do it!’ Before heading into a competition.
Favourite Restaurant?
It’s ‘Haidilao’ (Chinese hot pot restaurant chain).
Skating program or performance you wish you could’ve seen live
I always like to see Kaori Sakamoto and her programs.
Training Day Essentials?
I use two bags. In my training bag, I keep a skipping rope, a resistance band, and a massage ball, and in my skating bag, I put my skates and their covers/guards.
Who or what do you think is Underrated?
I want all the skaters that I like to do well!
Dream Vacation destination?
I want to go to Japan, I want to go to Tokyo!
Your Whereabouts on a day off?
I am either meeting with my friends or at home baking salt bread.
An eXperience that changed you?
It was going to the Olympics. It was a very nerve-wracking experience. It was a privilege to skate with big-name skaters and in front of a big crowd where I received a lot of cheers for the first time
A Year that you would like to visit if you had a time machine?
It is not a year, but if I could, I’d want to go back to the beginning of this season. I feel like I can do better now that I know what I need to improve on.
What is your Zodiac sign (and your big 3), and do you believe in the zodiac?
My sign is Pisces, I don’t really believe in star signs.
Read our previous A-Z interviews:
A to Z with Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel
A to Z with Loïcia Demougeot and Théo Le Mercier
A to Z with Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps
A to Z with Valentina Plazas and Maximiliano Fernandez
A to Z with Yuka Orihara and Juho Pirinen
A to Z with Júlia Sylvía Gunnarsdottir and Manuel Piazza
A to Z with Natálie Taschlerová and Filip Taschler
A to Z with Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko
A to Z with Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby
