At the 'Kim Yuna's Angels on Ice with KB Kookmin Bank' charity performance held at Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on the 25th, a hospital ambulance arrived at the venue. A young child lying on a bed struggled to sit up and move to a wheelchair. This was Kim Kang-san (8), who suffers from achondroplasia, an incurable disease. Kang-san received a special invitation to 'Yuna *nuna*'s charity performance that day.

Achondroplasia is a disease in which the growth plate in the joints fails to produce cartilage, preventing bone growth. Kang-san's current height is 1m 6cm, which is more than 10cm shorter than his peers. Even this height is after he underwent a surgery called 'Ilizarov' two years ago, which increased his height by about 10cm. This surgery involves cutting the bone and creating a small space in between, allowing the bone to regenerate on its own. It artificially lengthens the bone to increase height. It takes at least 6 months to 1 year to grow about 10cm in height. This is because the device is implanted in the leg and the space must be constantly adjusted with screws. Each surgery costs 20 million won, including hospitalization fees. Kang-san had a similar surgery on his thigh at the hospital three weeks ago. Next, he needs to lengthen his short arms, because he is currently unable to take care of his own bowel movements due to his short arms.

Kang-san smiled brightly for the first time in a long time thanks to Kim Yuna. When the performance started, Kang-san clapped to the music with his small hands that wouldn't grow. He stretched his arms out as far as he could and clapped with effort and strength. When the figure skaters of his age group skated freely on the ice rink, he couldn't take his eyes off them with an expression of envy and wonder.


Kang-san went on the ice rink in his wheelchair that day and received donations. The total amount of 143,637,000 won raised that day, including 50 million won in sponsorship from KB Kookmin Bank, will be donated to four hospitals, including Korea University Guro Hospital, where Kang-san is hospitalized, to cover surgery costs for child patients.

Kang-san's mother, Han Kuk-cheon (42), said, "Kim Yuna's performance today was excellent." She added, "Kang-san dreams of becoming a baseball player, but he is happy but also frustrated because he can't move his body as he wants."

**Kim Kang-san is receiving surgery from Professor Song Hae-ryong at Korea University Guro Hospital and is currently hospitalized.

Kim Yun Ah’s 'Kim Yun Ah’s Angels on Ice with KB Kookmin Bank' charity concert took place at the Mokdong Ice Rink, Seoul on June 25. Kim Kang San (8), who is suffering from achondroplasia was specially invited to this charity concert. Achondroplasia is a disease where the growth plate does not form cartilage. Kang San’s current height is 1m 6 cm, which is more than 10 cm shorter than his peers. Even this short height is after leanghtening his legs 10 cm with Ilizarov surgery. This surgery took 6 months to a year to increase 10 cm and the medical expenses costed 20,000,000 won. He received another similar surgery on his thigh 3 weeks ago and will have to have more surgeries on his arms.

Kang San smiled broadly for the first time in a while thanks to Yun Ah Kim. He clapped with his small hands and could not take his eyes off of the figure skaters who skated with amazing speed and grace.

Kang San went on the ice rink with his wheel chair and received the donation. He received 50,000,000 won from KB Kookmin Bank and the profit of 143637000 won from the day’s concert for his medical expenses.

Kang San’s mother Han Kook Chun (42) commented "Today’s concert by Kim Yun Ah was excellent. Kang San’s dream is to become a baseball player so he does feel a sense of disappointment."