Kim was born on August 11, 1928, in Unjon County, North Pyongan Province during the Japanese occupation of Korea.

[1] He later lived in Seoul for a brief period with his family and went to college there, but left to serve as a volunteer soldier upon the Korean War commencing in 1950.

[1][2] According to the July 2002 issue of the North Korean magazine Chosun Art, the characteristics his comedy works were "above all, beautifully singing the socialist reality with an optimistic smile and praising a hopeful future.

[2] Among his scripting credits outside of the comedy genre are Blood Relative (1979),[3] Pulgasari (1985; with Ri Chun-gu who was uncredited),[2][5][6] Hong Kil-dong (1986),[1] the Rim Kkok Jong film series (1987–1989),[1] and Bird (1990).

[1] In December 1992, he earned the Kim Il Sung Prize and the title of a "Labor Hero" for co-creating the Nation and Destiny film series.