South Korean figure skating icon Yuna Kim is reintroducing herself to audiences through a new creative lens, teaming up with Google to spotlight its generative artificial intelligence model, Gemini.
The project centers on Kim’s transformation into a ballerina, using the shift from figure skating to ballet as a narrative device to highlight how AI can expand creative expression. The campaign positions Kim—long known as the “Queen on Ice”—as a bridge between human artistry and emerging technology.
The video, titled “Our Queen Is Back,” was directed by Shin Woo-seok of production company Dolphin Kidnappers. It features a ballet reinterpretation of Kim’s iconic short program “Danse Macabre,” reimagined through choreography designed with the support of AI tools. The video was released on Google Korea’s official YouTube channel.
At the core of the project is Gemini, Google’s generative AI model, which was used across the production process—from choreography development and stage design to costume creation. According to Kakao Entertainment, Kim also used the tool to analyze and refine her ballet movements, integrating AI directly into her performance preparation.
The campaign goes beyond a simple performance piece, offering a case study in how AI can be embedded in the creative workflow. Kim’s transition from skating to ballet serves as a symbolic representation of how technology and human creativity can intersect to produce new forms of artistic output.
To ensure artistic integrity, the ballet adaptation was reviewed by Kang Sue-jin, former artistic director of the Korean National Ballet. Professionals across choreography, staging and costume design also incorporated AI tools to map movement, shape stage direction and develop visual elements.
Director Shin said the project carries a broader message about perseverance in the face of real-world constraints. “This work reflects the idea of continuing to pursue one’s goals despite limitations such as time, cost and competition,” he said, adding that Kim’s full commitment to transforming into a ballerina underscores that message.
By leveraging Kim’s global recognition, the campaign aims to make generative AI more accessible to the public, using a familiar figure to demonstrate how technology can enhance—not replace—human creativity.
