At the 2024 Paris Olympics, a 31-year-old South Korean pistol shooter emerged as an unexpected star. Kim Ye-ji's silver medal win in the women's 10-meter air pistol event was overshadowed by her unique style and demeanor, which quickly captured global attention12. Her futuristic steampunk-esque glasses, calm composure, and nonchalant attitude drew comparisons to iconic characters like James Bond and Satoru Gojo from the manga Jujutsu Kaisen1. This blend of athletic prowess and distinctive persona catapulted Kim from a relatively unknown athlete to a social media phenomenon, marking her as one of the most memorable figures of the Paris Games.

Kim Ye-ji's rise to viral stardom was fueled by her impressive performance and distinctive style at the 2024 Paris Olympics. A 27-second clip from the Baku World Cup in May, showing Kim calmly breaking a world record, spread rapidly across social media platforms, garnering millions of views1. Her cool demeanor and futuristic look caught the attention of celebrities, with Elon Musk suggesting she be cast in an action movie23. Kim's popularity extended beyond social media, with mainstream media outlets like GQ declaring her "the coldest style star of this year's Games"1. The shooter's newfound fame even prompted her to remark, "I think I have become a bit famous now," highlighting the unexpected nature of her viral success1.

Kim Ye-ji's distinctive appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics has become her signature look, combining functional equipment with a stylish aesthetic. Here are the key elements that contribute to her iconic image:

• Futuristic shooting glasses: Custom-designed to enhance visual focus and precision, featuring a lens, blinders, and a mechanical iris1

• All-black uniform: A sleek, form-fitting outfit that adds to her cool demeanor2

• Baseball cap: Often worn backwards, adding to her casual yet focused appearance32

• Nonchalant pose: Hand-in-pocket stance that exudes confidence and composure4

• Stuffed elephant toy: A personal touch, clipped to her side as a gift from her daughter21

This combination of high-tech gear and personal style has led to comparisons with sci-fi assassins and action movie characters, cementing Kim's status as a breakout style star of the Olympics24.

At the Paris Olympics, Kim competed with a small stuffed elephant tucked in her back pocket - a gift from her 5-year-old daughter12. Despite losing gold to her 19-year-old teammate Oh Ye-jin, Kim expressed pride in their collective achievement, highlighting the camaraderie between the athletes23. Looking ahead, Kim is set to compete in the 25-meter pistol precision qualifier on August 2, where she aims to secure a gold medal4. Known for her unwavering confidence, Kim stated, "At worst, I will try to win one gold medal," solidifying her status as a formidable competitor in the shooting sports world24.