Figure champion Kim Yu-na debuted as an MC at her own figure-skating show on Sunday.

‘Kiss and Cry,’ the show featuring Kim as the new MC, is the first figure-skating variety show aired in Korea. On the show, 10 celebrities pair up with professional skaters to compete and to be judged by Kim Yu-na on their figure-skating performance. The first episode was aired Sunday, May 22.

“I wanted the public to know more about figure-skating and I wanted to get closer to the public through this program. That’s why I decided to appear on the show,” Kim said at an interview with the production crew. “I’ve been skating all my life but this is a new challenge,” she said.

The program’s title ‘Kiss and Cry’ was picked up from the ‘Kiss and Cry Zone’ which is a place at the stadium where skaters wait to receive their scores after their performance. “It’s the place that makes me most nervous,” Kim said, “even more nervous than when I’m skating.”

The show aired on SBS made a smooth debut with 12.4 percent ratings on the first day, exceeding that of ‘Happy Sunday- The Qualities of Man’ of KBS, the show aired by a rival broadcasting company during the same timeslot. ‘Happy Sunday- The Qualities of Man’ recorded 9.9 percent ratings.

Viewers made positive comments on the internet after the program. “The program showed us that figure-skating was not just a “pretty” sport, but also one that requires a lot of energy and effort,” one viewer said. “I like the fact that the show gives an opportunity for challenge to celebrities. It’s different from typical entertainment shows featuring celebrities,” another viewer said.

The show features celebrities such as comedian Kim Byung-man, singers U-Know Yunho, IU, and Son Dam-bi, speed skating gold medalist Lee Kyou-hyuk, and several other popular actors and singers.

By Yun Suh-young (syun@heraldcorp.com)