South Korean Olympic Shooter Kim Yeji Is The ‘Coolest Person Ever’, At Least According To The Internet

Whenever the Olympics come around, we’re wowed by the sporting prowess displayed by the world’s top athletes. Of all the competitors across 32 sports participating in this year’s Paris Olympics, a number have stood out for the most unexpected of reasons.

South Korean air-pistol shooter, Kim Yeji, is one of them.

The 31-year-old won silver in the women’s 10-metre air pistol event this past weekend, finishing behind her fellow countrywoman and roommate, Oh Ye Jin.

Equally impressive is how she has won over the internet.

Yeji, dressed in a simple black Fila tracksuit and white cap, fired her rounds in the coolest of manners.

Her unique stance and ice-cold stare, combined with her sci-fi looking wire-rimmed shooting glasses, has made her ultimate crush of the moment.

An adorable detail some might have noticed was the small elephant plushie that hung from her waist.

According to reports, the toy belongs to Yeji’s five-year-old daughter, and she apparently keeps it close as a good-luck charm.

Not long after going viral, Yeji’s new-found fans found a clip of her competing in the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup two months ago.

It was during that competition that Yeji broke the world record in the 25 metre air pistol event.

Donning a similar pair of wire-framed shooting glasses and a backwards-facing black cap, Yeji exuded imperturbable tranquillity even as her record-breaking results were announced.

No wonder she’s been dubbed “the coolest person ever”.

Netizens have since taken to the internet to express their admiration for her, with many gushing over how “hot” and bad***” she looks.

“I’m kinda crazy about Kim Yeji,” wrote one TikTok user, while others enthused about how “lethal”, “deadly”, and “effortlessly chill” she looked.

A comment that perfectly sums up how netizens feel about Yeji goes: “I’m equally terrified of, and obsessed with her.”

Many agreed that her aura — a trending term used to describe how cool an individual is — was off the charts.

After seeing her in action, we totally agree.

Another Olympic sharpshooter who’s caught the attention of many is Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish representative who finished second in the mixed team 10-metre air pistol event alongside his partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan.

Yusuf, 51, arrived at the competition with limited gear, taking his shots with no specialised lens, eye cover, or ear protection.

Instead, he wore his regular prescription glasses and ear plugs, and kept his spare hand in his pocket, radiating the same unbothered vibe as Yeji.

The match took place just two days ago (Aug 30), and Yusuf has already spawned dozens of memes on the internet.

Yusuf’s picture was compared to those of the other fully-kitted Olympian shooters, with many drawing hilarious comparisons between how he was able to excel at the same task despite having minimal equipment.

“Five screen setup vs using your laptop,” read one comment. No prizes for guessing who’s using the “laptop” in this scenario.

Many also expressed their respect for his skills, and were left in awe at how he had managed to clinch a silver medal with literally the most no-frills approach.

“I know a trained assassin when I see one,” read a popular post on X.

This marks Yusuf’s fifth time participating in the Olympics. His win on Tuesday marked his first ever medal at the games.

Many have since expressed their wish to see both Yeji and Yusuf star in an action movie. We dare you name a cooler duo.

Watch Yeji in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol Finals here, and watch Yusuf in the Mixed Team Air Pistol Finals here. 

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Photos: Yonhap news, theqoo, Naver, MBC, PicturesFoIder/ X