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Discovery Channel to Feature Seoul and Star Figure Skater Kim

Stay tuned for the next appearance by Kim Yu-na, Korea's figure skating sensation who further solidified her position with a gold medal just last month in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The Discovery Channel will feature "Hip Korea – Seoul Spirit" a promotional video about Seoul portrayed through the success story of Kim Yu-na. In the program Kim Yu-na will take the viewers to some of Seoul's well-known spots, such as the newly revamped Han River, Gwanghwamun Plaza, popular shopping districts around Ewha Womans University and Hongik University, noted for its art and indie music. The latest documentary has been in production since August last year.

The documentary closely follows Kim Yu-na's journey to the Winter Olympics from Seoul to Toronto from August 2009. The footage contains moments of her preparation and practice.

In the video, Kim's own story of triumph over so many various obstacles – injuries, financial burden, lack of facilities and so on, -- to win a gold medal will be likened to the city's own rise from the ashes of war to become a global city. Seoul Metropolitan Government explained that Kim Yu-na agreed to star in the show for free.

Other female celebrities in Korea such as Kim So-yeon, the first Korean astronaut, and female pop group 2NE1 will also appear in interviews to demonstrate the rising status of women in Korea.

The 60-minute documentary, which is the third of the "Hip Korea-Seoul" series, will start airing in Southeast Asian countries starting Mar. 19. The first two previous programs featured singer Rain (Seoul Vibe) and actor Lee Byung-hun (Seoul Savvy), both in 2009. Rain introduced Seoul as a city of modernity and fashion. Lee emphasized the vibrancy of the city through its rapid transformation by combining tradition, modernity and art, like to his acting career.

"Now that Kim Yu-na stands as the indisputable champion in women's figure skating, we believe this new documentary will garner an equal amount of attention, " said Kang Cheol-won, a Seoul City spokesperson. Seoul also looks forward the documentary being aired in other countries like the United States, China and Australia as well.

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