Cha Jun-hwan (Seoul City Hall) used the Italian singer Milva’s ‘Ballad for a Madman (Balada para un loco)’ for his men's singles free skating at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics. Right after the event, a message of thanks from the singer’s family drew attention.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee said on the 18th, “Martina Cornia, the daughter of singer Milva, visited Korea House and left a message to Cha Jun-hwan thanking him for using her mother’s song.” Milva is a legendary Italian singer known as the ‘Queen of Canzone’. She passed away five years ago.

Cornia said, “I was deeply moved by the fact that you chose my mother’s song and performed on the ice. You fell during the program, but that is not important. Next time, you will not fall,” and added, “Even after you fell, the way you got back up and continued to perform was truly astonishing. Your performance was elegant, and you were in deep communion with the music. I felt an emotion I could not have imagined.” She continued, “My mother passed away five years ago, but if she had seen this, she would have been as grateful and moved as I am. On her behalf, I want to convey our gratitude.”

She also said, “I would like to give you as a gift a CD album containing the piece you used for your performance and a set of special stamps issued by the Italian state four years ago. These stamps are very rare, and I am truly proud that they can be kept at your home in Korea.” Introducing herself as an art historian who also visits Asia, Cornia added, “If you come to Europe again, I would be very happy if we could meet and I could offer help. Simply meeting you would be wonderful. Thank you so much.”

Cha Jun-hwan finished fourth in the men's singles and missed out on a medal. However, he improved the best Olympic placement for a Korean man in figure skating, which he had set at fifth at the 2022 Beijing Games.

Although his competition schedule was over, Cha Jun-hwan did not leave Milan. He will attend the gala after receiving an official invitation from the International Skating Union (ISU). The Olympic gala features medalists from four disciplines, including men's singles, women's singles, pairs, and ice dance, as well as skaters invited by the ISU. The figure skating gala will be held on the 22nd.