Lee Chae-woon, a 20-year-old snowboarder from South Korea, faced disappointment at the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan-Cortina, finishing 6th in the men's halfpipe event. On February 14, during the final held at the Livigno Snow Park in Italy, he scored 87.50 points, placing him among the top competitors after initially qualifying in 9th position with 82.00 points. The halfpipe competition involves performing aerial tricks as participants descend a sloped, semi-cylindrical course, judged on height, difficulty, execution, and variety.

In the final, Lee's performance showcased his skill and determination. He started confidently, executing his first two jumps successfully; however, he fell during his attempt at a critical trick known as the frontside triple cork 1620, which he had prepared specifically for this event. In the subsequent attempts, he adjusted his strategy to attempt a less difficult double cork 1400, but also stumbled during the landing. Ultimately, while he did manage to successfully perform the challenging 1620-degree spin in his final run, it wasn't enough to secure a medal, leading to a poignant moment as he celebrated the feat but also reflected on the overall lower score than anticipated.

Lee had previously made history as the youngest member of the South Korean team during the 2022 Beijing Olympics but faced challenges, finishing 18th in qualification and missing the finals. Since then, he has undergone remarkable growth, winning a record-setting championships title in March 2023 and becoming the first athlete in South Korea's ski and snowboard history to win a medal at world events. Additionally, he achieved victories in both halfpipe and slopestyle events at the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics and topped the slopestyle at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games, paving the way for his inclusion in the recent Olympic final, a first for a South Korean male participant in halfpipe.