Even Balenciaga Captivated... 'Shooting' Kim Yeji, Photo Shoot

"Amazing Things Happening in a Short Time... Grateful Every Day"

Kim Yeji (31), the silver medalist in shooting who rose to stardom at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is now making headlines by participating in the campaign for the French luxury brand Balenciaga.

On the 10th (local time), Balenciaga released the trailer for its 2025 Fall/Winter campaign. German fashion photographer Juergen Teller collaborated with Balenciaga, and the photoshoot featured Kim Yeji. Kim Yeji was seen wearing all-black and denim outfits, gazing seriously at the camera.

Player Kim Yeji. Balenciaga

After the Balenciaga photoshoot, Kim Yeji also gave an interview to the British fashion magazine i-D. When asked, "You became a world record holder, Olympic silver medalist, and viral style icon all within a few months. How does that feel?" she replied, "Honestly, it still feels unreal. So many amazing things have happened in such a short time, and I am grateful every day."

Regarding the Balenciaga collection, Kim Yeji said, "All the items were very unique and cool, but I was especially drawn to the jackets this season." She added, "The jacket designs perfectly balanced comfort and sophistication." About her own style, she said, "As a shooter, I tend to prefer comfortable and practical clothes. In that sense, Balenciaga's oversized clothes were attractive because they combined comfort with a unique aesthetic."

Player Kim Yeji. Balenciaga

Kim Yeji shared her next goals: "To grow as a shooter and set new records," and "Besides that, I aim to share my story and experiences with as many people as possible and start new challenges along the way."

Earlier, Kim Yeji was included in the BBC's '100 Women of the Year.' The BBC described her as having "captured global attention this year with her charisma and achievements in sports," noting that "she won the silver medal in the women's 10m air pistol at the Olympics and set a world record in the women's 25m pistol a few months earlier." They added, "Her videos went viral on social media, and she was praised not only for her skills but also for her ice-cold demeanor, unbreakable concentration, and custom glasses inspired by science fiction."

Meanwhile, after the Olympics, Kim Yeji signed with a management company and actively engaged in public activities. However, last month she announced that she would temporarily pause her athletic career to focus on childcare. It is reported that this decision was influenced by malicious comments directed at her. Her agency, Pupil, stated in a press release, "Kim Yeji has ended her contract with her team, Imsil County Office. After the National Sports Festival last month, there are no expected competitions for the rest of this year, and considering that the next season starts in April, the contract was terminated early."