Who Is Kim Yeji? South Korean Shooter Winning Medals And The Internet

The internet has a new girl crush-- South Korean pistol shooter Kim Yeji. The athlete won silver in the women's 10m individual air pistol at the Paris Olympics 2024, but it wasn't just the medal that captured hearts. The 31-year-old is going viral on social media for her 'cool' charisma. The Danyang-born athlete's awe-inspiring body language and trendy fashion, coupled with record-breaking athleticism have been making netizens swoon. 

Kim Yeji's 'Cool' Aura

Since Kim Yeji's Olympic victory, a video from the 2024 ISSF World Cup has been going viral where the South Korean athlete set a world record in the women's 25-meter pistol event with a score of 42 to clinch gold. Her composure and 'laidback' demeanour as she achieved the momentous feat took social media by storm.

Yeji Kim sets a new world record in the women's 25m pistol pic.twitter.com/gN97y4lPgW

— Women Posting W's (@womenpostingws) July 30, 2024

Kim Yeji's calm body language with the pistol in hand makes her look straight out of a badass action film. Some fashionable professional photographs of the athlete in her shooting glasses have also been going viral as social media users have been enthralled by her "aura", with many calling it 'main character energy'.

Kim Yeji, the woman who just set a new world record for the Women's 25m Pistol pic.twitter.com/dPS3JGdgfR

— Women Posting W's (@womenpostingws) July 30, 2024

At the Paris Olympics, Kim Yeji carried a face towel with an elephant doll head attached to it, which reportedly belongs to her daughter. This adorable sight has completely impressed netizens who cannot help but remark, "The mother is mothering!", an endearing TikTok slang for someone who has peaked in excellence.

Omg her daughter’s elephant doll was with her during the olympics🥹 Kim Yeji is MOTHERING. pic.twitter.com/kiZlb7Beia

— Lit 🍉 (@hahyunsing) July 30, 2024

Kim Yeji, who is reportedly a mom to a five-year-old, has become an online sensation overnight. Meanwhile, Paris Olympic gold medallist Oh Ye Jin, also from South Korea, has been going viral too for a pink heart attached to her pistol. Yeji and Ye Jin are also reportedly roommates at the Games Village.

Kim Yeji told the media that Ye Jin is like a little sister to her. She told the Associated Press, “I always want to care for her and always be there for her. So when she won the gold medal, I was extra happy... I do not view her as my rival. This is a big stage, the Olympics, and we won the gold and silver."