Kim Byung-ji

Kim Byung-ji (; born 8 April 1970) is a former football goalkeeper who played for the South Korea national team as well as several clubs in the K League.

Playing career Kim spent 24 seasons as a professional player from 1992 to 2015. He kept 229 clean sheets and scored three goals while playing a record 706 games in the K League and Korean League Cup.

Kim was selected for the South Korean squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. South Korea lost 5–0 to the Netherlands in its second match, and South Korean players couldn't avoid journalists' criticisms after the defeat. Furthermore, South Korea's manager Cha Bum-kun was sacked, although the tournament was ongoing. However, Kim struggled in the Netherlands' 17 shots on target, and became the only player to receive acclaim despite conceding five goals.

Style of play Kim was a sweeper-keeper who could show clearances outside the penalty area at a rapid pace. He also had great reflexes, and was skilled in making super saves. However, his excessively active personality sometimes resulted in eccentric plays. In a match of the 2001 Lunar New Year Cup against Paraguay, he was deprived of the ball after he suddenly tried to dribble, and embarrassed Guus Hiddink, the former South Korea's manager. Kim formed a strong rivalry with Lee Woon-jae in the K League and the national team, and also competed with him for the position as a starter in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Hiddink agonised over the choice of a goalkeeper until the start of the tournament, but selected Lee because of Kim's eccentric play in the Lunar New Year Cup.

On 27 January 2021, Kim was appointed a vice-president of the Korea Football Association (KFA).

On 28 May 2022, Kim signed with entertainment company Angry Dogs.

Kim became the president of Gangwon FC on 15 December 2022, and he resigned from KFA the next month to concentrate on Gangwon.

On 20 October 2024, he played as a goalkeeper for Team Spear at the Nexon Icons Match, which invited retired legendary players.

On 9 April 2025, Kim was once again appointed vice-president of the KFA by president Chung Mong-gyu, returning to the association.

Career statistics Club

International

Filmography Television Year Title Role Note(s) 2021VincenzoYouth football team coach 2021–presentKick a GoalHimself 2022 Steel BallHimself (host)

Honours Player Sangmu FC Korean Semi-professional League (Spring): 1992 Korean FA Cup runner-up: 1998 Korean League Cup: 1995, 1998 K League All-Star: 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015 K League 1 Best XI: 1996, 1998, 2005, 2007 K League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player: 2000 K League Hall of Fame: 2025

Records K League all-time appearance leader: 708 appearances Kick a Goal