Uee Completes First Half-Marathon in 2 Hours 9 Minutes After Overcoming Injuries
The Iron Ladies star braves the rain to cross the finish line at the 2026 New Balance Half Race Seoul
By Park Chulwon
Singer-actress Uee has proven once again that she thrives on pushing beyond her limits, completing her first-ever half-marathon at the 2026 New Balance Half Race Seoul on March 2 with an impressive time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 28 seconds — all while running through pouring rain.
Overcoming Injury to Cross the Finish Line
The former After School member, whose real name is Kim Yu-jin, shared the milestone achievement through her social media accounts, posting photos and videos from the event that showed her beaming with a finisher's medal despite the challenging weather conditions. In a candid post, Uee revealed that the road to race day was anything but smooth, admitting that hip and knee injuries had made running increasingly difficult and cast serious doubt on whether she could even finish.
Her concerns deepened during training when a practice run of 22 kilometers took three hours to complete. With the event's cutoff time set at 2 hours and 30 minutes, Uee confessed she was genuinely worried and scared about whether she could make it within the limit. Yet she chose to face her fears head-on, adopting the mindset of running without regret regardless of the outcome.
A Race Against Herself
The half-marathon course stretched from Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul to the Jamsil Sports Complex, and Uee described the entire distance as an ongoing battle with herself. She acknowledged a fellow runner named Sumin who helped her maintain pace throughout much of the race, expressing deep gratitude for the companionship and support during the grueling kilometers.
As the finish line drew closer, the physical toll became apparent. Uee noted that with just 2 kilometers remaining, her pace had dropped to a 7-minute kilometer rate. However, the enthusiastic cheers from spectators braving the rain along the course gave her the final burst of energy she needed to power through. She crossed the finish line at the New Balance-branded arch, where the words "2026 Run Your Way" celebrated every participant's personal journey.
A Pattern of Pushing Boundaries
This half-marathon accomplishment is the latest in a series of athletic challenges that have defined Uee's public image in recent years. She kicked off 2026 with a New Year's Day sunrise run, completing a 10-kilometer race in 1 hour and 7 minutes on January 1. The actress also previously served as a sports ambassador for the Mariana Tourism Authority, participating in the 2025 Saipan Marathon alongside singer Sean.
Perhaps most notably, Uee earned widespread admiration through her appearances on tvN's variety show "Iron Ladies," where she took on grueling challenges including triathlon racing and boxing. The show documented her relentless determination to overcome physical barriers, resonating deeply with viewers who praised her never-give-up attitude and inspiring countless fans to pursue their own athletic goals.
A New Reason to Keep Going
Reflecting on the accomplishment, Uee shared an emotionally charged message that captured the significance of the day. She expressed gratitude to the New Balance event organizers for the wonderful experience and sent congratulations to every participant who braved the rainy conditions alongside her. Her closing words struck a particularly resonant chord, as she wrote that surpassing her own limits had given her yet another reason to live life with renewed passion and dedication. For fans who have watched Uee evolve from K-pop idol to versatile actress to endurance athlete, the half-marathon finish stands as further proof of her remarkable spirit.
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저작권자 © KEnterHub 무단전재 및 재배포, AI학습 및 활용 금지
Entertainment Journalist · KEnterHub
Entertainment journalist focused on Korean music, film, and the global K-Wave. Reports on industry trends, celebrity profiles, and the intersection of Korean pop culture and international audiences.
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