[1] Kim started his professional career in Anyang LG Cheetahs (FC Seoul before 2004) in 2000, and spent his prime with them before joining Zenit Saint Petersburg.

On 28 June 2006, he transferred to Zenit, following coach Dick Advocaat and Korean teammate Lee Ho.

Furthermore, he had a sudden problem with the blood circulation of his brain, and Zenit finally terminated his contract on 26 January 2010.

[3] He moved to Ulsan Hyundai and FC Seoul after other medical check-ups that found he was healthy enough to play,[4] but he couldn't settle there.

In 2004, Kim's performance against Germany while under Jo Bonfrère secured him the left-back or left midfield position (depending on the formation that was usually 4–3–3 or 3–4–3), which originally belonged to Lee Young-pyo.