Seoul, South Korea – Kim Ye-ji, who won a silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has decided to take a break from competitive shooting to focus on personal matters, including raising her child.   

Kim's agency, Pfil, announced on November 7th that the athlete would be taking a hiatus from the sport. "Kim Ye-ji has been working on a very busy schedule and decided that she needed a break," said an agency representative. "With no more competitions scheduled for this year and the next season starting in April, she has decided to terminate her contract early."

It has been revealed that online hate comments have also contributed to Kim's decision to step away from the sport. Following her successful performance at the Paris Olympics, Kim became a sought-after figure in South Korea, appearing in various commercials and photo shoots. However, she also faced a surge of negative comments criticizing her increased public profile.

Kim stated through her agency, "I hope people will understand that this break is a step towards my growth as a shooter. I will do my best to return as soon as possible."

Kim's silver medal win at the Paris Olympics brought her international recognition, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk even sharing a clip of her performance on social media and praising her skills. Since then, she has become a popular figure in South Korea, appearing in various advertisements and even making a cameo appearance as a killer in a short film.   

Speculation has arisen that Kim might be transitioning into an acting career following her recent film appearance, but her agency has confirmed that this is not the case.

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