At the Paris Olympics, Korean shooter Kim Yeji became a viral sensation for her unique style and impeccable precision. Following in the footsteps of Turkey’s Yusuf Dikec, Kim captured the attention of social media with her impressive performances. Now, at 32, she is venturing into a new field—acting. Kim has landed her first role as an assassin in a short-form series.
As her fame grew, Kim signed with a talent agency in August to manage her off-the-range activities. In just a month, she secured her acting debut in Crush, a spin-off of the film Asia, according to AFP. She will star alongside Indian actress Anushka Sen, with both portraying assassins in a multi-national cast featuring actors from the U.S. and beyond.
Kim’s composed demeanor at the shooting range, often characterized by her baseball cap and custom shooting glasses, gained her significant attention. A viral video clip from the Baku Shooting World Cup highlighted her cool style, adding to her recognition during the Olympics. She further made headlines by securing a silver medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, where she narrowly lost to her South Korean teammate Oh Ye Jin, who set a new Olympic record. India’s Manu Bhaker claimed the bronze.
Kim’s transition to acting was also influenced by billionaire Elon Musk, who suggested she be cast in an action movie, saying “no acting required.” Her calm and confident persona has drawn comparisons to famous action icons like James Bond.
A key part of Kim’s appeal is the personal touch she brings to her competitions. During the Olympics, she wore a stuffed elephant toy on her waist, a sentimental gift from her daughter. This, along with her outstanding performances, led to further media attention, including a photoshoot with luxury brand Louis Vuitton.
Having started shooting in the sixth grade, inspired by her gym teacher, Kim quickly rose through the ranks. With an Olympic medal and an acting career now on her résumé, she’s set to make an impact in both fields.