Kim Ye-ji (32), a silver medalist in shooting at the 2024 Paris Olympics, announced on August 20 that she is interested in pursuing acting, provided it doesn’t interfere with her training.
During a press conference held at the Jeonnam International Shooting Range in Naju, where the 54th Bonghwanggi National Shooting Competition took place, Kim responded to a question about her potential acting career by stating, “I would like to challenge myself in acting as long as it doesn’t disrupt my training.”
Kim, who recently signed a management contract with an entertainment company, explained that her goal is to boost interest in shooting by participating in advertisements and dramas. “I thought it might help bring more attention to the sport,” she said.
Kim Ye-ji garnered attention after winning a silver medal in the 10m air pistol final at the Paris Olympics on July 28. Her stoic expression, paired with a white baseball cap emblazoned with the Korean flag, a shooting scope, and an eye patch, earned her the nicknames “Korea’s John Wick” and “Sci-fi Assassin.”
Her viral moment was further amplified by footage from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, in May, where she set a world record with a calm demeanor that captivated global audiences, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk commented on the video, praising her, saying, “(Kim) should be cast in an action movie. No acting required!”
She had been dismissing the idea of branching out into acting, telling the LA Times, “I haven’t given it much serious thought. I’ve gotten requests to appear on television already, but I don’t know.”
However, she now feels a sense of responsibility to promote shooting and is open to appearing in various media, including advertisements, dramas, and films, as long as it doesn’t interfere with her training and competitions.
“Offers from game companies and American corporations have come in,” Kim shared, adding that she plans to take on these roles if they don’t conflict with her shooting schedule. “I think people might pay more attention to shooting if they see me involved in other activities.”
Kim noted a shift in her perspective, stating, “I realized that just focusing on my sport might not be enough to raise awareness about shooting.” She acknowledged that even after winning an Olympic medal, the attention on less popular sports like shooting tends to fade quickly.
“If the shooting label sticks with me, maybe people will continue to remember the sport,” she said, believing that her involvement in media could help keep the sport in the public eye.
Looking ahead, Kim revealed plans to shoot a luxury brand Louis Vuitton commercial on the 23rd, immediately after her 10m air pistol competition on the 22nd. Addressing concerns that her media engagements might draw criticism, she responded, “I have no excuses. I just need to perform better.”
Kim reaffirmed her commitment to her primary career as a shooter, setting her sights on the World Championships next year, the Asian Games in two years, and the Los Angeles Olympics in four years. “My only goal is to surpass myself each time,” she declared.
Reflecting on the newfound attention, Kim said, “I’ve set many records in competitions, but I’ve never received this much attention before. It’s heartening to see people on social media say they’ve gained hope or developed an interest in shooting because of me. It gives me strength to know that I’m inspiring others.”
When asked about her appeal, Kim joked, “I’m not sure, but people say I have charisma. Am I really that charming? I guess I must be.”
At the 54th Bonghwanggi National Shooting Competition, Kim set a new tournament record in the women’s general division with a score of 590.0 in the 25m pistol preliminary round, though she finished fourth in the final with 23 points.
BY MUNGYU CHO, YOUNGNAM KIM [chomg@joongang.co.kr]
