After graduating from Paichai High School in Seoul, Kim went undrafted in the 2003 KBO Amateur Draft.
As a freshman in 2003, Kim became a member of the team to win the Fall League of the National Collegiate Championship as the leadoff hitter.
In his sophomore and junior years at Konkuk University Kim led his team to two consecutive runner-up finishes at the National Amateur Championship alongside future KBO star Jeon Jun-woo, winning the batting title in 2004 and the RBI title in 2005.
He went 1-for-5 during the series, hitting a single off future MLB relief pitcher Daniel Moskos in Game 3.
He made his KBO league debut on August 27, inserted as a pinch runner against the Doosan Bears.