Korea's 'main character' Kim Ye-ji goes viral after air pistol final

Korean sports shooter Kim Ye-ji went viral Monday, a day after taking silver in the women's 10-meter air pistol. But it wasn't her shiny new medal or that she nearly shot an Olympic record that made her famous — it was how cool she looked doing it

Kim Ye-ji competes during the women's 10-meter air pistol final in Chateauroux, France on July 28. [XINHUA/YONHAP]

Korean sports shooter Kim Ye-ji went viral Monday, a day after taking silver in the women's 10-meter air pistol. But it wasn't her shiny new medal or that she nearly shot a new Olympic record that made her famous — it was how cool she looked doing it.

Kim, 31, appears to have taken off online due to the combination of her obvious talent and how completely unfazed she looks while competing. With her black tinted shooting glasses, one hand in her pocket — actually a pose that is shared by nearly all air pistol Olympians to improve balance — and absolutely no emotion on her face, Kim's ice-cold approach to the biggest stage in global sport was an immediate hit.

Videos of Kim in action, both at the Paris Olympics and the Baku World Cup in May this year, were shared on the Women Posting W's X page on Monday, racking up close to 500,000 likes as of press time Tuesday.

Dubbed "the main character" by many of her new online fans, Kim will be back in action on Friday in the women's 25-meter air pistol, in which she is already the current world record holder.

Kim was one of two Koreans to medal in the event on Sunday, when 19-year-old Oh Ye-jin narrowly beat her to the gold medal with her own Olympic record. While just as talented on the range, Oh lets a bit more emotion show.

Here's some more pictures of Kim "the main character" Ye-ji in action.

Kim Ye-ji listens to her coach at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in France on July 27. [YONHAP]

Kim Ye-ji trains at the Jincheon National Training Center in North Chungcheong on May 27. [YONHAP]

Kim Ye-ji during the women's 10-meter air pistol final at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in France on July 28. [YONHAP]

Kim Ye-ji reacts during the women's 10-meter air pistol final in Chateauroux, France on July 28. [XINHUA/YONHAP]

Kim Ye-ji celebrates winning a silver medal at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in Chateauroux, France on July 28. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]