New York Times article about Kim Yu-Na's victory:

So intense was the interest in the Kim-Asada rivalry that Korean reporters and photographers began arriving at the arena 12 hours before Thursday’s competition, only to find that some of their Japanese counterparts had spent the night at the rink.

...

“I think the whole nation is in front of the television,” said John Moon, chief of staff of the South Korean Olympic Committee. “Kim Yu-na is the country’s special sister. Every athlete is important, but her medal is more important than the others. She is beautiful. She’s our pride. I think Koreans will have a lot of drinks.”

Oh those Koreans and their drinking. :)

As Kim Raises the Bar, South Korea Delights (New York Times)