[theqoo] [PHOTO] CHOI GAON, STANDING TALL AT THE CENTER OF THE PODIUM WITH THE TAEGEUKGI FLAG (ft. SURGERY)

Choi Gaon won the X Games in the United States in January 2023 at the age of 14 years and 3 months, setting a new record as the youngest champion ever. This surpassed the previous record held by Chloe Kim (USA), considered the ‘strongest’ in women’s snowboarding, who was 14 years and 9 months old when she won.

She then burst onto the scene like a comet, claiming her first victory at her debut FIS Snowboard World Cup event in December 2023 at Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA.

However, a back injury hampered her progress, leaving her in such poor condition that she couldn’t compete in last year’s Harbin Asian Winter Games. It was a significant injury, so severe that she admitted she was afraid to ride her board after undergoing back surgery.

At this critical moment, Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group, emerged as her savior. As the chairman of the Korea Ski Association, Lotte fully covered Choi Gaon’s 70 million won (~48K USD) in medical expenses.

Chairman Shin and Lotte’s support for snow sports shone brightly at these Olympics. The silver medal in men’s snowboard parallel giant slalom by Kim Sang-gyeom, the bronze medal in women’s big air by Yoo Seung-eun, and the gold medal in halfpipe by Choi Gaon were all made possible by Chairman Shin and Lotte’s generous backing.

1. Let’s go to the Lotteria Customer Appreciation Event

2. This is what a successful fan is

3. Today is Lotte’s day

4. Oto-san arigatou

5. While eating, I see it’s Lotte snacks, but I love Lotte snacks and Lotteria ㅋㅋ I’ll buy and eat a lot ㅋㅋㅋ

6. Wow I’ll be going to Lotteria

7. As expected, having rich fans is the best. I will eat a lot of Lotte snacks

8. Lotteria did well here. Today’s snack will be Lotte!

9. I’m going to Lotteria

10. Thank you