Kim was picked up by Busan IPark in 2002, a year after he graduated from Yonsei University. From there, he quickly spent three seasons in and out, from 2002 to 2005, amassing 85 appearances. His first trophy would soon come as Busan IPark would become the 2004 Korean FA Cup champions.
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma acquired his services from Busan in 2006 where he spent another three years, from 2006 to 2009, but saw his play time reduced with a total of 53 appearances. Despite his appearances, in the first year of his club, he was able to become the 2006 K-League champions, and the K-League Cup runner-up. The following year saw him become the runner-up of the K-League and once more in the 2009 K-League.
As required by law, every male South Korea member must attend a mandatory two-year service. Kim was then transferred to the army club Gwangju Sangmu for two years, in 2008, in which he played for the club with 50 appearances.
After his military stint was finished, he moved to FC Seoul in 2010 where he would finally start getting more play time. That year, in 2010, he won the 2010 K-League, 2010 K-League Cup, and was selected as the best goalkeeper in the K-League via the 2010 K-League Best XI. In 2011, FC Seoul would come third in a close battle between the second and fourth positions sandwiched between Pohang Steelers and Suwon Bluewings.
In 2012, success would keep following Kim as he won the 2012 K-League and, once again, was voted as the best goalkeeper in the K-League via the 2012 K-League Best XI, as he was an integral part of FC Seoul.
The 2013 season saw a slight decline in Kim's goalkeeping abilities as he was benched for big games like the Super Match and 2014 Asian Champions League matches. However, his form would regain especially in vital knockout matches which saw him play well against Beijing Guoan.
On 31 July 2013, an in-form Kim Yong-dae put in a clear Man of the Match performance against Jeju United making many saves and to end it, saving a penalty in injury-time to deny Jeju United a draw and give FC Seoul the win.
On 21 August 2013, Kim brilliantly denied BrazilianBruno César of Al-Alhi, during the start of the second half, from a free-kick spot from the middle of their half when he dove to save ball which many fans declared it as a "super save."
In the 2013 AFC Champions League Final, Kim played Guangzhou Evergrande of China in a two-legged affair ending 2–2 and 1–1. In both legs, Kim performed fantastic saves to keep his team level including a diving save from Dario Conca and a kick-save from Muriqui among others. Despite both legs being ties, Guangzhou Evergrande went on to win due to the away-goal rule thus leaving Kim and FC Seoul once again runners-up.
International career
Although he did not have a chance to play for South Korea in 2006 FIFA World Cup as he was pushed to Lee Woon-Jae, the number one goalkeeper in South Korea during the worldcup (even Lee was only able to play three times since Korea did not get through to the Round of 16), he was enlisted as the second [number two] goalkeeper for South Korea.
He was considered as the number two goalkeeper of South Korea currently and if he won the competition between Lee Woon-Jae and Kim Young-Kwang for the position of goalkeeper, he would be able to play in 2007 AFC Asian Cup, which will be taking place in July 2007. When the tournament rolled around, Kim was given the bench while the current, at the time, goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae played all the matches.
In 2008, Kim saw his bargain for the top goalkeeper drop due to newcomer Jung Sung-Ryong taking over while Kim sat on the bench for many matches.
Two more years would go by after Kim would not be picked for a match until 2011 when he started on the bench against an Asian Cup match between Bahrain.
After another two years, in 2013, Kim was called up for the national team to sit on the bench against Qatar in a World Cup qualifying match, however would not see play time due to Jung Sung-Ryong, of Suwon Bluewings, currently being South Korea's main goalkeeper.
^"천하제일장사2' 조진형·남경진·모태범, 인터뷰…조진형 "피지컬팀 마선호·김경진, 우승 확률 50%" [Interview with Cho Jin-hyung, Nam Kyung-jin, and Mo Tae-beom of ‘The First Merchant 2’ Cho Jin-hyung “Physical team Ma Seon-ho and Kim Kyung-jin, 50% chance of winning”] (in Korean). Channel A. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023 – via Naver.
