South Korean Olympic silver medallist Kim Ye-ji, known for her incredible precision as a pistol shooter, is now setting her sights on a new target: acting.
The 32-year-old athlete has been cast in her first-ever role, taking on the character of an assassin in the upcoming series Crush, according to entertainment company Asia Lab.
Crush is a short-form spinoff from the film Asia, directed by Lee Jung-sub. The series will dive into powerful and emotional stories about individuals grappling with racial hatred and discrimination. Kim will be sharing the screen with Indian actress Anushka Sen, making this a highly anticipated debut for the sharp shooter.
Kim first gained widespread attention after her stunning silver medal win in the 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. But it wasn’t just her medal that captivated fans—it was a viral clip from her performance at the ISSF World Cup in May that truly elevated her to internet fame.
In the clip, Kim nonchalantly takes her shot, flicks up the cover on her sleek shooting glasses to check her score, and barely reacts when she breaks a record with a score of 42 points in the 25m air pistol event. With her cap turned backward and one hand casually tucked into her pocket, her cool demeanour quickly won the hearts of netizens.
Even Elon Musk, the owner of X, took notice, tweeting, "She should be cast in an action movie. No acting required!" It seems Musk’s prediction was spot on, as Kim now prepares to bring her talents to the screen.
In addition to her new acting venture, Kim recently signed with a South Korean talent agency and has begun branching out into other areas, including a glamorous Louis Vuitton photo shoot. While she remains dedicated to her sport, Kim has expressed openness to exploring exciting opportunities that can help promote shooting.
With her poise and precision, Kim Ye-ji is proving that she’s not just a star on the range, but one on the rise in the entertainment world as well.
