Viral Korean Olympic shooter lands first acting role as assassin
South Korean Olympic shooter Kim Ye-ji, who became an internet sensation during the 2024 Paris Olympics, has secured her first acting role. The 32-year-old silver medalist will portray an assassin in the upcoming short-form series Crush. This series is a spin-off of the global film project Asia, which is currently in production. Kim's calm demeanor and unique style during the Olympics had caught the attention of many, including billionaire Elon Musk.
Kim to star alongside Indian actor Anushka Sen
Kim will be starring in Crush alongside Indian actor and influencer Anushka Sen, according to a statement by Asia Lab, the Seoul-based entertainment company behind the project. The company expressed its excitement about the potential synergy between Kim and Sen as they transform into a "killer duo." The film Asia, from which Crush is derived, is directed by South Korean filmmaker Lee Jung-sub, who also serves as the CEO of Asia Lab.
Behind-the-scenes content shared on social media
Asia Lab shared behind-the-scenes photos and videos from the series on Instagram on September 14. The posts show Kim and Sen dressed in black, holding guns, and standing side by side. Sen also shared a clip of Kim correcting her gun-holding technique, expressing her happiness about collaborating with the Olympic shooter.
Kim's rise to internet fame
Kim won the silver medal in the women's 10m air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while her South Korean teammate Oh Ye-jin clinched the gold. Despite not winning the top prize, Kim's composed demeanor and distinctive style, which included wire-rimmed shooting glasses, a baseball cap, and her daughter's stuffed elephant toy as a lucky charm, made her an internet sensation.
Musk's tweet sparked acting speculation
Kim's viral fame was further amplified when the Tesla CEO tweeted about her, writing, "She should be cast in an action movie. No acting required!" This tweet sparked speculation about a potential acting career for Kim. In August, she signed with a South Korean talent agency to manage her extracurricular activities and has since been featured in a magazine photoshoot for French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton.
