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.[1]
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.[2][3] Furthermore, South Korea's manager Cha Bum-kun was sacked, although the tournament was ongoing.[4] However, Kim struggled in the Netherlands' 17 shots on target,[5] and became the only player to receive acclaim despite conceding five goals.[6][7]
Style of play
Kim was a sweeper-keeper who could show clearances outside the penalty area at a rapid pace.[8] He also had great reflexes, and was skilled in making super saves.[9] 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.[10] Kim formed a strong rivalry with Lee Woon-jae in the K League and the national team,[11] 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.[10]
After retirement
Kim is currently working as a YouTuber in the "Kkong-byung-ji-tv", his YouTube channel, after his retirement in 2015.[12]
^Hong, Se-young (11 March 2021). 빈센조' 김성철·김병지·임채무·전국향 특별출연 [공식] [Vincenzo' Kim Seong-cheol, Kim Byeong-ji, Lim Chae-mu, and Jeon Guk-hyang Special Appearances [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved 11 March 2021 – via Naver.
^Jang, Jin-ri (1 August 2022). 강철부대' 세계관 확장된다…시즌1-2 컬래버 '강철볼', 8월 론칭 [The worldview of 'Steel Force' expands... Season 1-2 collaboration 'Steel Ball', launched in August] (in Korean). Spotv News. Retrieved 1 August 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (17 December 2022). 골때녀 잔칫날' 감독진 11명, 올해의 리더상 [2022 SBS 연예대상] [Leader of the Year Award [2022 SBS Entertainment Awards], 11 directors] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved 17 December 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-gil (18 December 2022). 유재석, 감격의 '대상' 영예…통산 19번째 트로피 품었다 [2022 SBS 연예대상] (종합) [Yoo Jae-seok had the honor of the "Grand Prize"...won his 19th trophy in his career [2022 SBS Entertainment Awards] (comprehensive)]. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 18 December 2022 – via Naver.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kim Byung-ji.