Kim Ye Ji, a 31-year-old shooter from South Korea, has emerged as the most captivating star of the Paris 2024 Olympics, captivating the world with her distinctive attitude and style.

The Surprise of Kim Ye Ji

In a twist of events, it was not the dazzling performances of Simone Biles, the American gymnastics star, nor the exceptional feats of French swimmer Leon Marchand, nor the emotional moments of Rafael Nadal, but rather a relatively unknown name that stole the spotlight at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

That name is Kim Ye Ji, the South Korean shooter who clinched the silver medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Her impact was so profound that it eclipsed the achievements of her compatriot Oh Ye Jin, who won the gold.

Kim Ye Ji’s Impact at Paris 2024

Kim Ye Ji’s brief stint in the French capital has secured her a unique place among over 10,000 athletes at the Summer Games: she has garnered significant media attention and viral popularity.

“I’ve never seen more energy from a ‘remarkable main character’ in my life,” reads one of the first tweets about Ye Ji, which has received over half a million likes. The tweet highlights Ye Ji’s commanding presence in the digital realm.

Viewers were mesmerized by her poised and unyielding demeanor during her performance. Her style played a crucial role: a sleek black Fila jacket with a zip-up collar, a baseball cap tucked behind her ponytail, hands in pockets, and signature glasses on her aiming eye.

Despite being dubbed the “coolest person in the world,” standing at 1.57 meters tall and weighing 45 kilograms, Ye Ji remained calm and passionate, showing no overt excitement when hitting the target, as if winning a medal were a routine affair.

Adding to her iconic look was a small plush elephant hanging from her belt, a cherished talisman from her 5-year-old daughter.

According to South Korean media, the plush toy has become Ye Ji’s personal good luck charm.

A Confident Competitor

Her composed demeanor is no accident. “I am always confident in myself,” Ye Ji stated in an interview with South Korean media.

“She looks like an action movie star,” commented USA Today. GQ echoed the sentiment: “Kim has the attitude of a futuristic sci-fi assassin.”

“Wired proclaimed, “The gold medal for the most formidable ‘auntie’ of the Olympics goes to Kim.”

The Spirit of Sportsmanship

The impact of the South Korean athlete has been so profound that it has inspired countless illustrations, fictional stories, and tributes.

Her Instagram account, once private, has seen its follower count quadruple and continues to grow. On TikTok, a video of Kim has garnered over 10 million views.

Beyond her striking appearance, Kim has also demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship by celebrating the gold medal of her compatriot and roommate Oh Ye Jin.

Kim has become a phenomenon that transcends sports.

In her statement, Kim affirmed that she does not view Oh Ye Jin as a rival but rather as a younger sister. “The Olympics is a wonderful stage; we won gold and silver. When we received these medals, we felt very proud to be Korean. I don’t think it matters who wins the gold,” Kim shared.

On August 2, Kim Ye Ji did not advance past the qualifiers in the women’s 25m sports pistol event, with Trinh Thu Vinh from Vietnam advancing to the finals. She placed 27th out of 40 competitors.

Despite this, Kim Ye Ji, who holds the world record in the 25m sports pistol event, continues to enchant the world with her compelling presence.

The inspiration and level of buzz surrounding Ye Ji are unlikely to end with the Paris 2024 Olympics. At this moment, she is becoming a new fashion icon.