Abby Laurie ‘26, Student Life Editor
Imagine a world where dreams are pursued with dedication, where one path is bravely chosen over another, and the spirit of athletic excellence can be carried forward in unexpected ways. This is the story of Sunghoon Park, a name that might be new to some, but whose journey is resonating far beyond a stage. Park is a K-pop idol from the globally recognized group Enhypen under Belift Lab, and he is set to revisit a once lost dream, carrying the Olympic flame as a torchbearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. To him, carrying the torch is not just a ceremonial duty; it is a connection to a past life and a deeply cherished dream.
Before captivating the audiences with his music, Park was a nationally recognized figure skater. The 23-year-old began skating in 2010 when he was just eight, and he continued for nearly a decade. Figure skating was not just a hobby, but rather his life. He dedicated himself to rigorous training, the demanding artistry, and the competitive spirit of the sport. His talent was evident—achieving success in novice and junior figure skating competitions. These were not just minor competitions; according to Google Gemeni, Park competed at significant international events like the prestigious Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy and Lombardia Trophy. In 2015, he won gold medals at both events; in 2016-2017 he won silver at the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy; and in 2018-2019, during his seniors competitions, he competed in the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy and Alpen Trophy.
Another important achievement Park made in his early years of figure skating was when he skated for a performance featuring admired and popular soloist IU. He was a background skater during her “Good Day” promotion era on the 2011 figure skating reality show Kim Yuna’s Kiss and Cry. These achievements demonstrate a high level of skill and dedication, placing him among the promising young talents in Korean figure skating. He was even part of Korea’s national ice skating team during the 2016-2017 season at age 13-14—he participated in events like the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Estonia (2016) and Poland (2017) according to an article by Korea JoongAng Daily. The national team includes the best figure skaters of the nation. Because of this, he went through rigorous training which ultimately showed his dedication, giving him a deep understanding and respect for the passion and effort national athletes pour into their Olympic dreams. “I know how much passion and effort national athletes have put into preparing for the Winter Olympics, and I sincerely want to support and cheer for them,” Park shared, as reported by Forbes.
However, Sunghoon Park was presented with a separate opportunity, one that is cherished more heavily amongst the country of Korea: a K-pop idol. Idols are entertainers who perform music and dances either as groups or soloists. Many people in Korea admire idols because their dances are very synchronized, they have really good visuals, and relatable personalities. At just 18 years old, Park gave up his dream of skating in the Olympics and went through even more training to become an idol. He appeared on a South Korean reality survival TV show named I-LAND and later debuted as one of the seven members out of 23 contestants in the company HYBE. Trainees lived in a specifically built facility where performance, teamwork, and skill tests determined who stayed, which were evaluated by judges and viewer votes. This was a significant shift, as figure skating had been a part of his identity for so long. He expressed that leaving the sport was “a little sad,” yet, he was driven by a “new dream” and the desire to “see it off the best I could.” Interestingly, the skills and presence developed through figure skating seem to have translated into his current career. Park, along with many fans, has observed that he possesses a certain “figure skating aura.” He describes it as an “inseparable part of me,” suggesting that even though he no longer competes, the grace, discipline, and performance quality from his skating days are still very much present when he sings and dances on stage. He even mentioned having “muscle memory ingrained” that influences his movements.
Now, Park had the opportunity to serve as the torchbearer. He was first recognized by the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC), as he was appointed as a Public Relations Ambassador of the Committee. He was then later invited by Samsung Electronics since the group Enhypen have been long-time ambassadors for Samsung. From this, Park has emphasized the honor of this role: “Competing in the Olympics was once my dream as an athlete, so being connected to that dream now as a singer is truly meaningful and an incredible honor.” On Thursday, Feb 5, Park carried the torch for 20 minutes along the streets of Milan, Italy, at Bolivar Station according to an article by INQUIRER.NET. Many fans showed up to celebrate and encourage him throughout the ceremony. Sunghood said, “It [was] incredibly emotional to be part of the Olympics, which has long been a dream of mine. Being able to support the athletes and take part in this journey is a true honor, and I am grateful for all the energy and love from fans around the world.” Again indicated by Korea JoongAng Daily, after Park’s duties were over, he spent some time watching the Olympics and reflecting on his past. Park grew up with 2026 Olympic skater Cha Jun-hwan, and he watched him compete on Feb 7. Watching Cha compete made Park nervous: “I don’t even know why I got nervous, but I did. Feeling the vibes inside the arena took me back in time. It was great to see Jun-hwan skate, and I was really impressed.”
Park’s selection as a torchbearer makes him the second K-pop artist to hold this honor, following Jin from popular idol group BTS, who participated as a torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This trend shows the global influence of K-pop and its artists, who are increasingly recognized for their numerous talents and positive global impact.
Further cementing his connection to the Olympic spirit, Enhypen’s song “SHOUT OUT,” from their third mini-album MANIFESTO: DAY 1, has been chosen as the official cheer song for Team Korea at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Park also continues to weave skating into his present as much as possible even as an idol. In fact, Park performed a skating-style intro at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) ceremony. MAMA awards are a major annual music awards show that celebrates K-pop and Asian music, similar to the GRAMMYS. For many fans, that MAMA intro was a symbolic closing of a chapter from his life as a figure skater into his new journey in Enhypen. It also highlighted his unique identity within the group. Another way he presents skating throughout his current career is through Enhypen’s weekly variety youtube show “ENO’CLOCK.” These episodes showcase behind-the-scenes chaos, games, challenges, themes, and an opportunity to see the idols as themselves. In one of the episodes, Enhypen goes to the ice rink to play games and challenges. At this moment, Park transformed into his former national-level athlete where he skated effortlessly with proper technique and a huge smile on his face. Many fans discuss how happy he looked on the ice and how incorporating ice-skating into his every-day life must be really valuable for him.
This dual role—as a personal ambassador through his torchbearer duties and as a collective voice for his nation’s athletes through his group’s music—makes Sunghoon Park a compelling figure in the lead-up to the Milan-Cortina games. His journey exemplifies the power of dreams, the pursuit of passion, and the enduring connection between athletic endeavor and artistic expression.
Lyon Life 