Kim played as a forward for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Japanese club Vissel Kobe during his professional career.

[5] On 29 September 2003, Kim scored his first international hat-trick in a 16–0 thrashing victory against Nepal during the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

[6][7] He performed the role of assistant coach at Seongnam until Hak-bum's successor, Shin Tae-yong, left from the club in 2012.

[13] On 18 May 2021, Kim was appointed to manage Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

[16][17] On 20 May 2024, Kim was appointed the caretaker manager of South Korea national team by KFA for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June against Singapore and China.