In 2012, while Levir Culpi resigned and Cerezo Osaka appointed Sérgio Soares as the new manager, he remained a key player for the team, scoring 7 goals in 15 matches.

On 10 July 2012, his agents confirmed that his club Cerezo Osaka, had entered talks with Welsh Championship side Cardiff City over a possible transfer.

[11] He scored his first Premier League goal against Manchester United on 24 November 2013, to secure a late 2–2 home draw with an injury time headed equaliser.

On 9 January 2010, Kim made his first international appearance for South Korea in a friendly match against Zambia and participated in the 2010 World Cup later that year.

He scored the winning goal against Switzerland via a spectacular left-foot volley shot and helped his side advance to the knockout stage.