South Korea’s ‘coolest’ markswoman Kim Yeji shoots to fame after Paris Olympics

Hosting an Olympic Games during the internet age offers the world more than just sporting heroes; it can also create unexpected cultural stars. This year Kim Yeji – a South Korean markswoman – has become the star of the Games not just for her sporting prowess but also her devastatingly cool demeanour.

South Korea’s pistol shooter Kim, 31, won silver at the women’s 10 metre air pistol event in Paris on 28 July, just behind her roommate and compatriot, Oh Ye-jin, who took gold.

While Kim’s Olympic performance has won her new fans, it is a resurfaced video clip taken during a competition in May that has resulted in an outpouring of awe and respect on social media.

The clip, taken at the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup, shows Kim breaking a world-record in the 25 metre air pistol event.

With her clipped bob tucked beneath a black backwards-facing cap, and wearing a pair of Terminator-style glasses, Kim fires off her rounds. As the results of her record-breaking efforts appear on screen, she acknowledges them with total nonchalance – a reaction that has earned her the title of “the coolest person ever”.

Social media erupted with praise for Kim’s “main character” energy.

“This girl is a movie character like how is she real?” one person posted on X.

“Underrated aspect of Yeji Kim’s coolness is how blasé she seems about the whole thing. She looks like she knows she could do this in her sleep,” said another.

GQ Magazine dubbed Kim the first “breakout style star” of the 2024 Games.

“Kim looked straight out of a cyberpunk fan-fic—and what’s more, her Olympic ensemble featured enough personable details (the elephant plushie charm!) that could even warrant her theoretical character’s own built-out backstory,” the magazine’s Eileen Cartter wrote.

“Is this the hottest and coolest anyone has ever looked in history? Possibly,” another X user asked.

Kim’s demeanour has drawn comparisons to action heroes (and anti-heroes) including John Wick and the Terminator.

After her silver medal win, Kim spoke of the joy she felt watching her friend Oh – 12 years her junior – win gold.

“She is like my youngest sibling, and I always want to care for her and always be there for her. So, when she won the gold medal, I was extra happy,” Kim told Associated Press.

“I do not view her as my rival. This is a big stage, the Olympics, and we won the gold and silver. When we won these medals, we were so proud we are Koreans.”

Kim will compete in the 25 metre pistol women’s final on 2 August.