Lee Eun-jin from Busan and Han Da-som from Gyeonggi-do faced challenges in their Olympic debut at the women's cross-country skiathlon, where they both failed to complete the race. The event, which combines classic and freestyle techniques over a distance of 20 kilometers, was held in Tesero, Italy. After struggling, Lee managed to reach 13.3 kilometers but was unfortunately too far behind the leaders to finish, while Han fell behind after 11.8 kilometers. Only 52 out of 70 participants successfully completed the race, showcasing the rigorous competition.

In the broader context of the Olympics, U.S. Sports Illustrated has projected South Korea to finish 15th overall with a total of three gold medals, two silver, and two bronze. The bulk of these medals are expected to come from short track events, with key predictions including gold medals in the men's 1000m and women's 1500m, and strong performances anticipated in relay events. This aligns closely with earlier projections from Canadian sports analytics firm Shoreview Analytics, indicating consistency in medal forecasting for South Korea.

Additionally, the Korean Olympics have experienced some off-field incidents, such as the theft of passports and valuables from the Israeli bobsled team's training accommodation. Pilot AJ Edelman discussed the robbery on social media, underscoring the security challenges athletes face during such major international competitions. These aspects highlight not just the athletic performances but also the associated difficulties that can impact the overall experience in the Olympic Games.