1. Overview
Kim Hak-kyun (born March 12, 1996) is a South Korean curler. He primarily plays the lead position for the Gyeongbuk Sports Council curling team, which is currently skipped by Kim Soo-hyuk. Kim Hak-kyun is a highly accomplished athlete in the sport, recognized as a two-time champion of the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships, having secured gold medals in 2019 and 2021. He has also achieved significant success domestically, winning multiple medals at the Korean Curling Championships, including two national titles.
2. Early Life
Kim Hak-kyun was born on March 12, 1996, in South Korea. Details regarding his early life or how he was introduced to the sport of curling are not widely available.
3. Career
Kim Hak-kyun's professional curling career began with significant team affiliations and competitive performances, progressing through various seasons and overcoming challenges such as the global pandemic.
3.1. 2019-20 Season
For the 2019-20 curling season, Kim Hak-kyun joined the team skipped by Kim Chang-min, playing as the second. This team also included twin brothers Lee Ki-jeong as third and Lee Ki-bok as lead. Their debut season was notably successful, highlighted by their dominant performance at the 2019 Korean Curling Championships. The team went undefeated with a perfect 8-0 record throughout the tournament, ultimately winning the championship. This victory earned them the distinction of being the Korean National Team for that season, qualifying them to represent South Korea at both the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships and the World Men's Curling Championship.
In addition to their national success, Team Kim also achieved favorable results in various tour events. They secured a victory at the 2019 China Open in December 2019 and finished as runner-up at the Cameron's Brewing Oakville Fall Classic. The team also reached the semifinals at both the Medicine Hat Charity Classic and the Changan Ford International Curling Elite. The team was scheduled to represent South Korea at the 2020 World Men's Curling Championship, but the event was regrettably canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.2. 2020-21 Season
During the abbreviated 2020-21 curling season, Team Kim did not participate in any international tour events, as there were no competitions held in South Korea or other parts of Asia. However, they actively competed in the 2020 Korean Curling Championships, which took place from November 19 to 24 in Gangneung. The team performed strongly, topping the round robin standings with an impressive 5-1 record. They then advanced to the championship final by defeating Jeong Yeong-seok's team in the 1 vs. 2 page playoff game. In the final, they faced Team Jeong once again, but despite their strong performance, they were unable to secure a second consecutive national championship, ultimately losing the game 12-10 in an extra end.
Following the conclusion of this season, Kim Hak-kyun and skip Kim Chang-min decided to leave their team. They subsequently formed a new team under the sponsorship of the Gyeongbuk Athletic Association. This new lineup included Kim Soo-hyuk and Jeon Jae-ik. Kim Hak-kyun initially took on the lead position within this new team, with Jeon Jae-ik playing second, Kim Chang-min at third, and Kim Soo-hyuk serving as skip. However, Kim Chang-min later assumed the role of skip for the team.
3.3. 2021-22 Season
The newly formed team, featuring Kim Hak-kyun, competed in the 2021 Korean Curling Championships during the summer of 2021. This national championship was structured in three rounds, as it also served as the crucial determinant for the team that would represent South Korea at the 2021 Olympic Qualification Event - Curling, an effort to secure a spot at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Throughout the championship, Team Kim demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency, achieving an impressive 11-2 record. This strong performance led them to victory in both the first and second rounds of the competition. They ultimately clinched the national title with a narrow 6-5 victory over their former teammate, Lee Ki-jeong, in the final of the second round.
3.4. Recent Activities
Kim Hak-kyun has continued his competitive curling career in recent seasons. For the 2022-23 season, he remained as lead for the team skipped by Kim Chang-min, which also featured Kim Soo-hyuk at third, Seong Se-hyeon at second, and Jeon Jae-ik as an alternate. In the subsequent 2023-24 season, Kim Hak-kyun shifted his position to play second for the team, which was skipped by Kim Soo-hyuk, with Kim Chang-min at third and Jeon Jae-ik at lead. For the upcoming 2024-25 season, Kim Hak-kyun will return to his primary role as lead for the team skipped by Kim Soo-hyuk. The team's current lineup for this season includes Kim Chang-min at third, Yoo Min-hyeon at second, and Jeon Jae-ik as an alternate.
4. Teams
Kim Hak-kyun has been a member of several curling teams throughout his career, often playing the lead position, though his role has sometimes varied. The following table details his team affiliations and positions by season:
| Season | Skip | Third | Second | Lead | Alternate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Kim Chang-min | Lee Ki-jeong | Kim Hak-kyun | Lee Ki-bok | |
| 2020-21 | Kim Chang-min | Lee Ki-jeong | Kim Hak-kyun | Lee Ki-bok | |
| 2021-22 | Kim Chang-min | Kim Soo-hyuk | Jeon Jae-ik | Kim Hak-kyun | |
| 2022-23 | Kim Chang-min | Kim Soo-hyuk | Seong Se-hyeon | Kim Hak-kyun | Jeon Jae-ik |
| 2023-24 | Kim Soo-hyuk | Kim Chang-min | Kim Hak-kyun | Jeon Jae-ik | |
| 2024-25 | Kim Soo-hyuk | Kim Chang-min | Yoo Min-hyeon | Kim Hak-kyun | Jeon Jae-ik |
5. Major Achievements and Records
Kim Hak-kyun has amassed a significant number of achievements and medals throughout his curling career, particularly at the international and national levels.
He is a two-time gold medalist at the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships, winning the title in:
- Gold - 2019 Shenzhen
- Gold - 2021 Almaty
At the Korean Curling Championships, Kim Hak-kyun has won multiple medals, including two gold medals:
- Bronze - 2013 Chuncheon
- Gold - 2019 Gangneung
- Silver - 2020 Gangneung
- Gold - 2021 Gangneung
- Silver - 2022 Jincheon
- Bronze - 2023 Gangneung
- Bronze - 2024 Uijeongbu
In addition to his championship wins, Kim Hak-kyun also achieved a significant victory at the 2019 China Open. He has made one appearance at the World Men's Curling Championship in 2022 and two appearances at the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships (2019, 2021).
6. Personal Life
Kim Hak-kyun is dedicated to his sport and is known to be a full-time curler.