After a standout junior career, Korea’s Jia Shin is stepping confidently into senior-level competition for the 2025–26 figure skating season. During her career as a junior, Shin won four consecutive silver medals at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. She also medaled at eight out of ten of her Junior Grand Prix (JGP) events, including two silver medals at the JGP Final. Now, with new programs, international assignments, and a deeper artistic focus, the 17-year-old skater is embracing the next phase of her career with both passion and purpose.

Gaining experience and self-awareness

In her final two seasons on the junior international circuit, Shin continued to learn and gain more experience. In particular, at the 2024 Youth Olympics where she took great joy performing in front of her home crowd.

“It was the most impressive competition of that season,” she recalled. “It was such a massive event in every way. Staying at the Olympic village was a totally new experience, and the cheers and support from the audience was unheard of! But there were also some difficulties. I had to find a way to control myself, to fight back my nerves and pressures. After the competition, I felt I grew up a lot in terms of mind control and focus.”

Perhaps the “biggest epiphany” the skater learned is her self-awareness and taking the initiative do things on her own.

“I used to train as my coaches and trainers say what to do and how to do,” she explained. “They would find my weakness or points of improvements for me and teach me how to train and revise. Since they are good teachers, I thought I would be good if I do only what they tell me to do.”

However, Shin quickly learned that she could also self-evaluate and fix problems herself combined with the advice from my coaches.

“It creates bigger synergy and is more effective when I practice and perform,” she summed up.

Another moment stands out for Shin: winning her first silver medal at the 2022 Junior World Championships.

“Training had been hard during the COVID period, so competing when things were starting to get better made it even more special,” recalled the two-time Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist.

Now, with her sights on the senior circuit, her goals have evolved. While consistent technical execution remains important, Shin is placing increasing emphasis on skating maturity.

“I want to show a more mature performance,” she said. “I’ve been focusing on improving areas like skating skills and overall presentation.”

A New Chapter at Home

After a year of training with Brian Orser and Tracy Wilson in Toronto, Canada, Shin returned to Korea in June to resume full-time training with her long-time coach Chi Hyun-jung.

“I really liked how I could fully focus on training in Toronto,” said Shin of her time there. “The experience felt fresh and exciting in a way that was different from being in Korea. I’m also grateful for the warm support I received from everyone at TCC.”

Training in home at the Taereung Ice Rink, her weekly routine includes five training days and one full rest day and structured around two daily on-ice sessions. These are supplemented by off-ice work like personal training, Pilates, and occasional physical therapy to maintain optimal condition.

The skater plans to return to Toronto in the future to work on her programs.

“I focused a lot on improving my skating skills this summer,” Shin shared of her experience. “I tried to make my movements blend more naturally with the music, and I hope that shows in my performances.”

Shin said she has been making “steady progress” little by little.

“I just hope I’ll be able to show that growth and refinement in competition,” she said.

New Music, New Stories

Shin’s senior debut season features two carefully chosen programs, each with deep personal significance and emotional storytelling.

Her short program, choreographed by Jeffrey Buttle, is set to Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor. The piece has long held a special place in her heart.

“It’s a piece I’ve loved since I was a novice,” she shared. “I’ve always dreamed of skating to it someday, so I’m happy I could use it this season for my senior debut. The music expresses the quiet mood of night through delicate violin sounds. I tried to bring out that lyrical atmosphere in my performance. There isn’t a specific character or storyline, but I hope the audience can feel the beauty and calm of a peaceful night.”

In contrast, her free skate dives into powerful theatrical territory with Aram Khachaturian’s “Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia” from Spartacus, choreographed by David Wilson. Shin chose the music herself, drawn to the intensity of its emotional arc.

“The program is based on the love between Spartacus, who becomes a slave, and Phrygia,” she explained. “I want to express the sorrow and deep emotion in their story through the ‘Adagio’. The fast-paced sequences reflect the spirit of rebellion and emotional urgency central to the program.”

“I’ve been focusing on interpreting the choreography and step sequences in a way that brings out the passion and drama of the music,” Shin added. “Since this is my senior debut, I’ve been preparing with a lot of excitement and determination. I’ve waited a long time for this moment, and I’ve working hard to be ready.”

On the Grand Prix Stage

The four-time world junior champion is set to make her Grand Prix debut at Cup of China. The event will be held in Chongqing, China, Oct. 24-26, 2025, and is a moment she’s been working toward for years.

“It feels like a dream, and I am grateful,” said Shin of her first Grand Prix event. “I’m doing my best to prepare so I can show a strong and memorable performance.”

First, however, she will make her international senior debut at 2025 Cranberry Cup—a Challenger series—this week in Norwood, Mass.

Her second Challenger event will be at 2025 Nebelhorn Trophy next month, in Oberstdorf, Germany.

“In my senior debut, I hope to show the results of the hard work I put in during the off-season,” she said. “More than anything, I’d like to show how I’ve developed since last year and became a skater who belongs to the senior stages.”

Beyond the Rink

Away from the competitive spotlight, Shin finds joy in simple pleasures. In May, she visited Los Angeles for a summer break and spent a day at Universal Studios.

“It really felt like a whole new world,” she said with a smile.

Back home, she continues her studies in the 11th grade at Sehwa Girls’ High School, a private girls’ high school located in Seocho-gu, Seoul. In her spare moments, Shin unwinds with home baking—sharing her creations with teammates.

“My new hobby while in Canada was knitting!” Shin shared. “I started it watching some YouTube videos, but I had a hard time learning it because there are some instruction videos only for right-hands and I’m left-handed. But I managed to learn it with my right hand. I knitted some hats, bags, and tried a cardigan.”

Since returning to home, the skater has also been baking again.

“I’ve tried lots of recipes, including a dessert called a ‘brick cake,'” she said. “I love sharing what I make with others, and it makes me really happy when they say it tastes good!”

While Shin doesn’t have any one particular role model, she draws inspiration from Yuna Kim and Yuma Kagiyama.

“I truly admire everything about Yuna Kim,” she said. “As I prepare for my senior debut and continue to grow as a skater, I find myself looking to her example more and more. I also really like Yuma Kagiyama’s skating—his movements are smooth, and his jumps are strong and powerful.”

Shin has two French bulldogs named Lily and Mimi.

“I love them so, so, so much!” she said. “They are such lovely creatures. They are my source of energy! Lily is now 11, and I just hope she stays healthy. Mimi is still full of energy and always tries to sneak onto my desk. They make me smile every day.”

Like other teenagers, Shin spends time on her phone chatting with friends and scrolling through photos. However, there’s not much time for anything else.

“I usually sleep early at about 10pm,” she said. “I tend to save some energy for the next day.”

From the quiet strength of her training to the passion she brings to her programs, Shin’s transition to the senior stage is marked by thoughtful growth and deep personal intention. With artistry, athleticism, and heart, she is poised to leave a lasting impression.

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Paula Slater

Founder of Golden Skate in 1999, Paula has followed the sport of figure skating for over four decades. A retired U.S. Army veteran, she takes joy in promoting the sport worldwide, covering events, interviewing skaters, and providing resources. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and in her free time, enjoys reading, walking her dogs, painting, and consuming large quantities of coffee.