He converted to Donghak around 1890 and played a significant role during the Samrye and Boeun gatherings, which led to his recognition as a leader.

When Choi Si-hyeong visited Taein in 1891, Kim Gaenam warmly welcomed him into his home, providing him with clothing and showing him utmost respect.

During this time, he established close relationships with prominent Jeopju figures in the Honam region, including Jeon Bong-jun, Son Hwa-jung, Kim Deok-myeong, and Choi Gyeong-seon.

In early 1894, when Jeon Bong-jun led the Gobu Uprising, Kim Gaenam and Son Hwa-jung raised the Donghak army.

In April, they established the Honam Changui Office, the headquarters of the Donghak movement, in Baeksan and appointed Jeon Bong-jun as the Dongdo Daejang (Commander-in-Chief), while Kim Gae-nam took the position of Chonggwanryeongju (Overall Commander).

They seized control of Donghak organizations in the northeastern part of Jeolla, including Suchang, Yongdam, Geumsan, and Jangsu, and attempted to expand their sphere of influence to Hamyang and Anui in Gyeongsangdo.

Jo Byeong-gap, who became Gobu Gunsu in 1892, mobilized the farmers without pay to build Manseokbo, even though there was a perfectly functional dam.

In January 1894, about 60 farmers gathered at Gobugwan Hall to protest against Gunsu Jo Byeong-gap's misdeeds and demanded reforms.

On 15 February, Jo Byeong-gap was exiled, and Ahnhaeksa Yi Yong-tae, who came to quell the uprising, agreed to meet the demands of the Donghak peasant army.

[1] However, Ahnhaeksa Yi Yong-tae, under the pretext of identifying the instigators, arrested the farmers and committed various atrocities, such as looting their property.

Jeolla Gamasa became obsessed with accumulating wealth and forced the Gobu people to join the Donghak movement, seizing their possessions.

On 21 March 1894, the Donghak peasant army rose up again, unable to tolerate the tyranny of Ahnhaeksa and Jeolla Gamasa.

Thousands of Donghak peasants gathered at armed strongholds led by Son Hwa-jung, relocating their base to Baeksan and Hwangtohyeon, with numerous farmers voluntarily joining.

Without the support of the Northern Expansion led by Choi Si-hyeong, and upon hearing news of the Qing and Japanese armies' participation, they decided to withdraw from Jeonju Castle.

He believed that establishing a classless country by advancing to Hanyang was more important, so he refrained from actively participating in the Second Donghak Peasant Uprising, which aimed to protect the Joseon Dynasty from foreign aggression.

[1] On 9 October, before the Council of Samrye had reached its conclusion, there was a minor skirmish in Daejeon, at the time a small village called Hanbat, between rebels and governmental forces.

On 3 December 1894, Kim went into hiding, just as Jeon Bong-jun did, evaded government troops and took refuge in a wheat mill at Chorokbawi, near Jeonju South Gate.