South Korea’s leading figure skater, Cha Jun-hwan, has been named the most handsome male athlete competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics by fashion magazine Vogue Hong Kong.

An exclusive photoshoot of figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. (Naver Sports' official Channel)
An exclusive photoshoot of figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. (Naver Sports' official Channel)

In an article titled “13 Most Handsome Male Athletes of the Milano 2026 Winter Olympics,” published Friday, Vogue Hong Kong ranked Cha first among athletes noted for combining athletic excellence with standout visuals.

Junhwan Cha of South Korea competes in the Men's Short Program during the ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championships 2026 at National Olympic Stadium on Jan. 24 in Beijing. (Getty Images)
Junhwan Cha of South Korea competes in the Men's Short Program during the ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championships 2026 at National Olympic Stadium on Jan. 24 in Beijing. (Getty Images)

The magazine dubbed Cha the “Prince of Korean Ice,” describing his “restrained yet captivating presence” and a “clear, composed aura with sharp physical lines.” It added that he undergoes an “ultimate transformation” once he steps onto the ice, where “every movement reconstructs him into a different person.”

The article also highlighted Cha’s childhood experience as an actor and model, saying those early career experiences helped shape his on-camera presence and contributed to his polished, artistic performances on ice. It noted that fans are eagerly anticipating his clean quadruple jumps and more daring step sequences.

Appeared in a TV interview (L) and as a child actor in an official Orion Choco Pie advertisement.
Appeared in a TV interview (L) and as a child actor in an official Orion Choco Pie advertisement.

Milan marks Cha’s third Olympic juncture, following his debut at the 2018 PyeongChang Games and a fifth-place finish at the 2022 Beijing Games. Vogue highlighted his determination to reach the podium, citing his strengthened technical ability and increasingly creative expressions.

Cha Jun-hwan performs a remarkably flexible Ina Bauer during the men’s singles free skating at 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Feb. 10, 2022. (Getty Images)
Cha Jun-hwan performs a remarkably flexible Ina Bauer during the men’s singles free skating at 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Feb. 10, 2022. (Getty Images)

Following Cha, the list included Norway’s cross-country skier Johannes Hosflot Klaebo, Japan’s snowboarder Ayumu Hirano, Hungarian-born short track skater Shaoang Liu representing China, France’s ice dancer Guillaume Cizeron, Italy’s men’s singles figure skater Daniel Grassl, and US men’s singles figure skater Ilia Malinin.

Cha skated his first men’s single short programs of the games in the team event on Sunday night at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, marking the first time South Korea has competed in the team event in eight years, since 2018. With no pair entry, a top finish is deemed challenging, yet participation offers a valuable chance to adjust to the venue and ice conditions. The men’s singles short program will be held at the same arena at 2:30 am on Wednesday.

Cha Jun-hwan performs during the men’s singles short program in the team event at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Milanon Saturday. (Yonhap)
Cha Jun-hwan performs during the men’s singles short program in the team event at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Milanon Saturday. (Yonhap)

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