Paris, 1 August 2024 (TDI): Kim Yeji, the South Korean shooter, the newest sensation on the internet, won a silver medal in Paris with her 19-year-old teammate Oh Ye Jin, who brought home the gold medal
Kim is effortlessly shattering world records and is unbelievably cool. Her futuristic glasses and cap, are merely accessories in the world of pro shooting, but they would also look great on a runway inspired by street style.
However, it was a previous clip of Kim competing in Azerbaijan in May that became extremely popular on X, the platform that was originally known as Twitter. In a matter of days, it amassed over 7 million views and a large following.
Kim can be seen in the video sporting a backward cap over her blunt hair and a pair of shooting glasses, which are specialized eyewear meant to help athletes focus on the target while also giving off an impressive sci-fi movie-like appearance.
With her head lowered and her arms outstretched, she fires, barely realizing that she’s broken the previous record. She turns up the lens on her glasses and looks straight at the camera, then gives the adjacent screen an emotionless glance.
Several people commented on her unwavering expression, her black Fila jacket, her Sauer shooting shoes, and the plush elephant she had in her pocket while competing as pictures from her Sunday performance went viral online.
With a description that read “the most aura I have ever seen in an image,” the X account Women Posting W’s posted a picture of Kim sitting back, one hand casually resting on her hip and the other clutching a revolver, her ponytail flashing out from the back of her cap. Over 300,000 people have loved it since then.
Hundreds of thousands of people liked other postings on X that praised her “main character energy” and referred to her as “mother,” which is the greatest online approval symbol. Elon Musk, the platform’s proprietor, added that Kim “belongs in an action movie.”
Kim, competing for the first time at the Olympics, will next participate on Friday in the 25-metre pistol qualifying round.
Kim and Oh’s podium finishes serve as evidence of South Korea’s shooting prowess since the country has won medals in the activity at every Summer Olympic Games since 2000.
As Kim said, Oh was like a sister to her. According to the Associated Press, Kim and Oh reside together in the Olympic Village.
Before the ceremony on Sunday, she stated, “I always want to care for her and always be there for her.” I was therefore really pleased when she took home the gold medal because I don’t see her as a competitor. We won gold and silver at the Olympics, which is a great stage. We were quite happy to be Korean when we received these awards.”
