Olympic Sharpshooter Kim Ye-ji Takes Aim at Acting Career as Assassin

Kim Ye-ji, South Korea's Olympic silver medalist in the 10m air pistol event, is set to make her acting debut in a role that mirrors her real-life expertise. The 32-year-old sharpshooter, who gained viral fame during the Paris Olympics two months ago, will portray an assassin in a new series.

The project, titled "Crush," is a spinoff of the film "Asia," which addresses racial discrimination. Kim will star alongside Indian actress Anushka Sen in this short-form series. The production company, Asia Lab, reports that Kim is experiencing a mix of excitement and nervousness about her new role.

Kim's journey to stardom began at the Olympic Games, where her unwavering focus and distinctive eyewear caught the attention of social media users. Her popularity soared when Elon Musk suggested on X that she would be perfect for an action movie role, noting her natural on-camera presence.

The Olympic shooting competition, a sport that has been part of the modern Games since 1896, requires immense concentration and precision. Kim's silver medal performance in the 10m air pistol event, which was introduced to the Olympics in 1988, showcased these qualities. This discipline involves using a 4.5mm caliber air pistol to hit targets 10 meters away, with scoring so precise that it measures to decimal points.

Since her Olympic success, Kim has embraced new opportunities. She signed with a Korean talent agency and participated in a photo shoot for W magazine, featuring Louis Vuitton designs. The shoot cleverly incorporated her athletic background, using props like shooting glasses and air pistols.

Kim expressed surprise at her sudden fame, questioning why she was chosen for these opportunities when there were gold medalists and other accomplished athletes. However, she sees this as a chance to elevate the profile of shooting sports.

"I want to be remembered as the greatest shooter and make people recognize shooting."

This statement reflects the broader challenge faced by shooting sports, which, despite being practiced by people of various ages and abilities, often struggle for mainstream recognition. South Korea, however, has a strong tradition in Olympic shooting, having won multiple medals since 1984.

As Kim prepares for her acting role, she brings with her the discipline and mental control honed through years of competitive shooting. These skills, crucial in a sport where athletes must maintain focus amidst strict noise controls and high-pressure environments, may well translate to her new career on screen.

Kim's transition from athlete to actress is not unprecedented in the world of shooting sports. Some Olympic shooters have moved on to careers in coaching, sports administration, and now, entertainment. This diversity of paths highlights the transferable skills developed through competitive shooting.

As "Crush" enters production, audiences worldwide will have the opportunity to see if Kim Ye-ji's precision and focus on the shooting range translate to captivating performances on screen. Her journey from Olympic medalist to actress serves as a unique chapter in the ongoing story of athletes finding success beyond their original sporting disciplines.