The Ice All Stars 2009 Spectacular, Showcased a Dazzling Array of Stars Options

[IFS Photos]

Ice All Stars 2009
A Skating Spectacular

By Susan D. Russell

Korea may no longer be Asia’s best-kept secret following the Ice All Stars 2009 skating spectacular which took place in the beautiful city of Seoul August 14-16.

Aside from the 30,000 people in attendance whose cheering and applause was at times deafening, millions watched the opening show on television and on the Internet. The show garnered a whopping 14% of the television ratings in Korea the night it was broadcast.

The stunning production, directed and choreographed by Brian Orser and David Wilson, was a sell-out all three evenings.

And what a line-up! Headliner, Yu-Na Kim was joined by Michelle Kwan, who made her first on-ice appearance in three years, Shizuka Arakawa, Stéphane Lambiel, Ilia Kulik, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Adam Rippon, Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy and Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski.

Conductor Suh Hee-Tai led the 60-piece Millennium Symphony Orchestra and 30-voice choral choir, which performed live as the skaters performed. Korean singing duo Davichi presented two numbers, including Rihanna’s “Please Don’t Stop the Music,” to which Yu-Na Kim performed her new show program.

On August 17, Orser and Korean publishing house Woongjin Think Big Co. Ltd. released “One Thousand Jumps for One Leap.” The book, an autobiographical recount of Orser’s lengthy skating career and his life as the coach of Yu-Na Kim is only available in Korean at this time.

IFS was in Korea to capture all the action.

THE REHEARSALS

THE SHOWS

BACKSTAGE

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Evan Lysack is the focus of the cover story for the Sept./Oct. 09 of IFS, which is available now in digital form. The issue also includes features on David Wilson, the PSA Choreographer of the Year, and Chinese coach Bin Yao. Also included are a Grand Prix Series preview and a look at Nicole Bobek’s arrest on drug charges as well as updates on Michelle Kwan, Brian Boitano, Joannie Rochette, Alissa Czisny, Kimmie Meissner, Jeremy Ten, Johnny Weir, Brian Joubert and more.

Our digital extra section recaps the 2008-09 season with a special focus on Yu-Na Kim.

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