Rim Jongun is in many ways a typical Korean teenager: he lives at home in Seoul with his mum, dad and sister, enjoys playing video games, eating ramen and watching Formula 1. 

Strap a pair of skates on him though, and he becomes something quite extraordinary. 

After a superlative junior career, he stunned the Short Track world with his performance at the Korean national qualifiers – finishing first ahead of an assortment of highly experienced seniors. 

Rim (KOR) of the White Tigers © ISU

Then came Montreal, the first of two legs of the ISU Short Track World Tour hosted in the Canadian city this Olympic season. 

On his senior debut in the competition for the Korean White Tigers, the racer, who turned 18 on October 30, stormed to victory in the 1500m, ahead of Olympic gold medalist Hwang Dae Heon and former World Champion Sun Long of the Chinese Loongs.

“It was wonderful, winning in Montreal,” Rim said. “I am very happy. It was a very good experience and the ice quality was good.

“Now I would like to go on and become a champion of Short Track, a great of the sport. The Olympic Games, this is my aim. I want to go to the Olympics and win, be a hero. Short Track is very important to Korea.”

Rim (KOR) on his way to 1500m gold at the ISU Short Track World Tour in Montreal, Canada © ISU

‘I worked harder than everyone else’

Like many Korean skaters, Rim started honing his impeccable technique at a young age. 

“I started skating when I was eight years old,” he said. “At first it was a hobby, I wasn’t good. But when I was 12, I could see I had talent.

“I think I got good because I worked harder than everyone else, compared to other students. I love to skate and to work to get faster. I am determined and I want to win. I run a lot.”

Rim (KOR) in action during the 1000m, in which he took silver, at the ISU Short Track World Tour in Montreal, Canada © ISU

A current teammate has smoothed his path. “My hero in the sport is Kim Tae Sung,” Rim said.

“I skate with him on the Korean team and he has helped me. When I was young, I trained with him and looked up to him. He trains very hard.”

So far, Rim’s progress has been seamless. “The 2023/24 season was very good in the juniors,” he said. “I got two gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze.

“Then in 2024/25, I had four gold medals in total. In the 500m I slipped, but I could have won that, too. I felt ready to go on to the senior tour.

“The [senior team] trials were very good for me. I really wanted it. I got good results but I made some mistakes. I think I can improve my skills so I can be ready for the Olympics.”

Rim (KOR) celebrates the White Tigers' 5000m Relay gold medal in Montreal, Canada © ISU

‘He is very talented’ 

Back home, life is more routine. “I grew up in Seoul and have always lived there,” Rim said. “I live with my parents and sister, and I am studying English, maths and science. My favorite is English.

“I am doing quite well at school and can study to go to university. I hope to go and be a university athlete.

“I like shows about F1, and watching that. I like the Ferrari team and Charles Leclerc. I like Ferraris, but I’m too young to drive a car.

“I love eating lots of delicious food – my favorites are ramen and teokbokki. Spicy food is the best. And I like to play League of Legends. I’m good at that, too. 

“My family and friends at school are very proud of me and what I am doing. They see me on the TV.”

Legendary skater Choi Min Jeong (KOR), a big fan of Rim, at the ISU Short Track World Tour in Montreal, Canada © ISU

His team certainly believes in his potential. “Jongun is very good and works very hard,” one of his coaches, Dr Lim Jungjun, said. 

“Physically, he is very gifted, I think that is what sets him apart. But his technique is very good, very smooth.” 

The White Tigers’ legendary Olympic champion, Choi Min Jeong, agrees. “Rim brings a lot of energy to the team, he is always happy and smiling,” she said. “It inspires me and gives me energy too. He is a great young skater.”

Rim Jongun then: remember the name. He could soon be very well known beyond his homeland.