Kim began to garner international attention at the 2011 Summer Universiade where she won the bronze medal in the women's individual sabre fencing.

In the semifinals, Kim lost to two-time European champion and eventual gold medalist Olha Kharlan of Ukraine 15-10.

[3] In May 2012, Kim became a semi-finalist at the Bologna World Cup in Italy[4] and the Tianjin Grand Prix in China[5] in a row.

Kim competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London capturing the gold medal in the women's individual sabre event.

Kim reached the final when she defeated two-time Olympic individual sabre champion Mariel Zagunis 15–13 in the semifinal match.