Norway’s Johannes Klaebo wins record six golds at one Winter Olympics, brings total to 11 Norway’s Johannes Klaebo set a Winter Olympics record by winning six gold medals at a single Games. Klaebo won the men’s 50-kilometer mass start at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Feb. 21 (Korean time) at the cross-country stadium in Tesero, Italy, finishing in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 44.8 seconds. The victory completed a sweep of all six cross-country events he entered: skiathlon (10km plus 10km), sprint classic, 10km interval start free, 4x7.5km relay, team sprint and the 50km mass start. His six golds broke the previous record for most titles at one Winter Olympics, set by American speedskater Eric Heiden with five at the 1980 Lake Placid Games. Klaebo also raised his career Olympic gold total to 11 after winning three in Pyeongchang in 2018 and two in Beijing in 2022, extending his own record for the most Winter Olympic gold medals. In the 50km mass start, Klaebo trailed Norwegian teammate Martin Loewstroem Nyenget by 0.1 seconds at the 48.6km mark. He then covered the final 1.4km, which included a climb, in 4:33.8 to pull away and win by 8.9 seconds. Nyenget took silver in 2:06:53.7, and Emil Iversen won bronze in 2:07:15.5, giving Norway a sweep of the podium. Klaebo debuted on the senior circuit in the 2015-16 International Ski Federation cross-country World Cup season and became the youngest overall World Cup champion at age 20. At these Games, he won both sprint and distance events to set new Olympic marks.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 23:06:00

Korea’s Kim Jin-su Four-Man Bobsled Team Sits Eighth After Two Runs at Milan-Cortina Olympics South Korea’s men’s four-man bobsled team led by Kim Jin-su is in eighth place after the first two heats at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Kim, with pushers Kim Hyeong-geun and Kim Seon-uk and brakeman Lee Geon-woo, posted a combined time of 1 minute, 49.50 seconds on Saturday (Korean time) at the Cortina Sliding Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, ranking eighth among 27 teams. The team was eighth in Heat 1 in 54.60 seconds and recorded the sixth-fastest time in Heat 2 at 54.90. In the same event, the South Korean sled piloted by Seok Yeong-jin, with Lee Do-yoon, Jeon Su-hyeon and Chae Byeong-do, is 23rd after two heats in 1:50.73. In four-man bobsled, the final standings are determined by the combined time across four runs. Kim’s team previously won bronze in the four-man event at the IBSF World Cup season opener in November on this Olympic track. Heats 3 and 4, which will decide the final results, begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 22.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 22:54:00

Choi Min-jeong Says Milan Olympics Will Be Her Last as Teammates Pay Tribute Short track teammates who trained and lived together while preparing for the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics shared messages of support and regret after Choi Min-jeong (Seongnam City Hall) said she would retire from the Olympics. Choi won silver in the women’s 1,500 meters on Feb. 21 (Korean time) at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy. The medal was her seventh Olympic medal (four gold, three silver), setting a new record for most Olympic medals by a South Korean athlete. She surpassed Jin Jong-oh (shooting), Kim Soo-nyung (archery) and Lee Seung-hoon (speed skating), who each had six. Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the race, Choi said it was her Olympic “last dance.” “Thinking this is my last Olympics makes me cry,” she said, adding that the thought stayed with her from the start to the finish. “Even after it ended, all I could think was, ‘This is really the last one.’ I don’t think you’ll see me at the Olympics anymore.” Choi drew a line at retiring from competition altogether. At a news conference at Korea House set up at Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan, she said, “It’s definitely my last Olympics. As for what I’ll do next with the national team or my career, I’ll think it through step by step and sort it out.” Teammates who shared her final Olympic run offered praise and disappointment at her decision. Kim Gil-li (Seongnam City Hall), who won two gold medals and one bronze at these Games, said, “Choi Min-jeong worked so hard as captain. It was an honor to compete on a big stage with her. I think it’ll be an unforgettable memory.” Lee So-yeon (Sports Toto), described as the team’s oldest member, said Choi was “more diligent than anyone.” She said she was moved when Choi cried after the women’s 1,500 final. “I cheered for her because I saw how hard she worked,” Lee said. “I think she could keep going, but I support her choice.” Shim Suk-hee (Seoul City Hall) thanked Choi, saying she must have been busy preparing for individual events but still prioritized the team. “The burden must have been heavy as captain, but thank you for quietly putting in the work,” Shim said. Noh Do-hee (Hwaseong City Hall) said she learned of Choi’s decision through an interview article and felt upset. “She’s not the type to show how hard things are,” Noh said. “Seeing her cry and show her emotions made me guess how difficult it must have been.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 22:18:00

South Korea’s Lee Seung-hoon vows comeback after ACL tear ends Olympic halfpipe run Lee Seung-hoon, who made history as the first South Korean to reach an Olympic final in freeskiing, said he is focused on recovery after an unexpected injury ended his 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. After completing his Olympic schedule, Lee (Korea National Sport University) wrote on social media on the 21st that he had a fever and flu-like symptoms from the morning of competition day and began final practice with an injured right shoulder after the qualifying round. He said he hurt his knee after a bad landing during practice. “I went back up to try to ride at least the third run, but the injury was more serious than I thought, so I decided to go to the hospital,” he wrote. Tests showed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, damage to the lateral cartilage and a lateral bone bruise. Lee also described the disappointment of missing the final. “When I realized something was wrong after I fell, I didn’t want to give up the Olympic final stage I had dreamed of,” he wrote. “I prepared for the Olympics doing my best so I wouldn’t have regrets. I wanted to show everything I had and compete without regrets.” He added that accepting the situation was difficult, but said he would move on quickly and commit to rehabilitation “to work for what comes next.” Earlier, Lee scored 76 points in qualifying to place 10th, becoming the first South Korean to advance to an Olympic freeski final. He credited those who helped him reach his second Olympics and said he was glad to close out his run in the pipe event, adding, “I’ll recover with strength,” as he wrapped up his Milan Winter Olympics journey.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 21:06:00

BLACKPINK tops 100 million YouTube subscribers, thanks fans Girl group BLACKPINK has shared its reaction after becoming the first artist worldwide to surpass 100 million YouTube subscribers. On the afternoon of the 20th, BLACKPINK crossed the 100 million mark and received YouTube’s “Red Diamond Button” to certify the milestone. The members thanked fans in a video posted that afternoon. Jennie said, “I want to once again thank everyone who always takes interest in our music and loves us,” adding, “I’m especially happy we could make this record together with BLINK,” the group’s fandom. Rosé said the achievement “means even more,” adding that she had heard BLACKPINK was the first official artist channel to reach 100 million subscribers on YouTube. Lisa thanked YouTube “for creating a space where we can always communicate with fans around the world,” and added, “Most of all, thank you so much to BLINK for being with us every moment, watching and listening to our music, and growing with us. We couldn’t have come this far without you.” BLACKPINK is also set to release its third mini album, “DEADLINE,” on the 27th. The release will be the group’s first album in three years and five months since its second full-length album in September 2022. Jisoo said, “We worked hard for a long time and put a lot of care into preparing our third mini album, ‘DEADLINE,’ so please give it lots of love.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 20:42:15

IOC Apologizes After Incorrect South Korean Flags Used at Short Track Medal Ceremonies The Korean Olympic Committee said it secured an official apology and immediate corrective action from the International Olympic Committee and the organizing committee after an incorrect South Korean flag was repeatedly displayed at Olympic short track medal ceremonies. On Feb. 20 (Korea time), the KOC said it lodged a formal protest with the IOC and organizers and demanded prompt fixes over the inaccurate flag used during ceremonies at the short track venue. The misprinted flag showed the taegeuk symbol in the center tilted counterclockwise. It was used four times: the men’s 1,000 meters medal ceremony on Feb. 13, where Lim Jong-eon won bronze; the men’s 1,500 meters on Feb. 15, where Hwang Dae-heon won silver; the women’s 1,000 meters on Feb. 16, where Kim Gil-li won bronze; and the women’s 3,000-meter relay on Feb. 19, where South Korea won gold. The KOC said it visited IOC and organizing committee offices in the athletes’ village with the officially approved flag specifications and showed that the design used at ceremonies did not match the approved version, pressing for changes. The IOC and organizers acknowledged an error in the local printing process and apologized, the KOC said. They reprinted the correct flag and completed the necessary steps before competition, and began using the corrected flag starting with the women’s 1,500 meters and men’s 5,000-meter relay medal ceremonies. The KOC said it sent an official letter urging measures to prevent a repeat and calling for a full recheck of flag specifications across all venues at the Milan Winter Olympics.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 20:00:00

Actor Koo Sung-hwan mourns death of pet dog Flowerbun, featured on 'I Live Alone' Actor Koo Sung-hwan's dog Flowerbun, who drew attention after appearing on MBC's "I Live Alone," has died. Koo wrote on social media on the 21st that he had rewritten and deleted the post many times, saying he still did not want to accept it. He said Flowerbun, whom he called his "daughter," "younger sister" and "partner," died on the 14th. "Flowerbun received so much love, and I wanted to say thank you for all the love she was given in this life," he wrote, adding that he regretted not feeding her more good food or taking her on more walks. "Flowerbun, you were so kind and affectionate. Thank you, I'm sorry, and I love you so, so much," he wrote. "Let's meet again someday. Over there, eat lots of tasty food, run around with your friends and be happy." He also thanked people for loving Flowerbun and said he would pull himself together and return in good health. After the news, Koo's close friend Lee Joo-seung wrote, "My little friend, rest easy," and Code Kunst posted, "I love you, Flowerbun." Flowerbun appeared on "I Live Alone" in May 2024 and became popular.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 19:33:14

Olympic snowboard bronze medalist Yoo Seung-eun says it still feels like a dream Yoo Seung-eun of Seongbok High School, the first South Korean woman to win an Olympic medal in skiing or snowboarding, returned home wearing her bronze medal from the Milano-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Games. After arriving through Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 21st, Yoo told reporters it was an honor just to ride “with the Taegeuk mark” at the Olympics, adding, “It’s an even greater honor that I was able to win a medal.” Yoo placed third with 171 points in the women’s big air final held Feb. 10 (Korea time) at the Livigno Snow Park in Italy. Big air features riders accelerating down a slope of more than 30 meters before launching off a large jump, with scores based on jumps, spins, landings and distance. Big air became an official Olympic event at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Yoo was the first South Korean woman to compete in the event, and she won a medal in her first Olympic final. She also became the first South Korean to win an Olympic medal in a judged freestyle snowboarding discipline. “I learned a lot through the Olympics, and my confidence went up,” Yoo said. “It was a stage where I could feel and learn a lot about what I do well and what I still lack.” She added, “Honestly, it still feels like I’m dreaming. Even though the Olympics are over, it all feels like a dream.” Born in 2008, Yoo dealt with injuries at a young age. In 2024, she fractured her right ankle and spent more than a year in rehabilitation. After returning, she suffered a wrist fracture as well. She said her condition is now strong, emphasizing, “I’m very healthy. The injuries are almost recovered now.” Asked what she wanted to tell herself after the Olympics, Yoo said, “Good job, and let’s keep working hard.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 18:45:00

Actress Jeon Won-ju Says Her Sons May Be Eyeing Her Assets Actress Jeon Won-ju said she feels her children may be coveting her property. A video titled “Jeon Won-ju visits a romance-focused fortune-telling shop as its first customer” was posted on the YouTube channel “Younggu TV” on the 20th. In the video, a shaman told Jeon that things would go well for her in 2026, adding that she had “made it through a major hurdle” and warning her to go to the hospital if she has headaches. The shaman also said Jeon should be especially careful about her health in 2027 and 2028, and advised her to sort out and organize her assets. Jeon said, “My children are after my property. I have two sons, and I don’t know why they keep asking me for my seal stamp,” adding that she has recently felt she should stop being someone who trembles and instead become someone who spends freely. Comedian Shim Hyung-rae responded that he was not telling her to spend unconditionally, but to use her money for herself. Jeon replied, “Now I’m going to spend a little,” emphasizing her point.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 18:09:15

China’s Lin Xiaojun Ends Milan Olympics Without a Medal, Says Past With Hwang Dae-heon Is Behind Him China short track skater Lin Xiaojun finished his first Olympics in eight years without a medal. Lin skated Saturday (Korea time) in the men’s 5,000-meter relay B final at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics at the Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, closing out his competition. He failed to reach the finals in the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters and was left off the lineup for the mixed 2,000-meter relay, ending the Games without a medal. Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone, Lin said it was his first Olympics since Pyeongchang 2018. “There were moments I wanted to give up, but short track was my whole life,” he said. “I’m disappointed I didn’t get the results I wanted, but the process of not giving up and pushing through matters. I did my best, so I have no regrets.” Lin also addressed his relationship with South Korea’s Hwang Dae-heon, with whom he was involved in a past incident. “I don’t have any particular feelings or thoughts about him. What happened is in the past,” Lin said. “I believe happier days are ahead, and I want to show that I’m doing my best as an athlete.” Lin, the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic champion in the men’s 1,500 meters, was suspended for one year by the Korea Skating Union after an incident during training at the national team camp in Jincheon in 2019, when he pulled down Hwang’s pants. He later chose to switch nationality to China in 2020. In May 2021, South Korea’s Supreme Court issued a final not-guilty ruling on the allegation. Lin still could not compete at the Beijing 2022 Olympics because of an International Olympic Committee rule requiring athletes to wait three years after changing nationality before competing. Hwang, whose potential head-to-head matchup with Lin drew attention in Milan, won silver in the men’s 1,000 meters and added another silver Saturday in the men’s 5,000-meter relay.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-21 17:48:00