1. Overview
Kim Hyung-il (김형일Korean; born April 27, 1984) is a South Korean former professional footballer who primarily played as a defender. Throughout his career, he became known for his tough, fearless, and aggressive defending style, which earned him the nickname "Gladiator". He played for several prominent clubs in the K League and K League 2, including Daejeon Citizen, Pohang Steelers, Sangju Sangmu Phoenix, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Kim's career highlights include winning multiple K League 1 titles, the Korean FA Cup, K League Cup, and two AFC Champions League titles. He also briefly played for Guangzhou Evergrande in China and Siam Navy FC in Thailand. Internationally, Kim represented the South Korea national football team and was part of the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Following his retirement from football, he transitioned into activities within the entertainment industry.
2. Early Life and Education
Kim Hyung-il was born on April 27, 1984, in Incheon, South Korea. He attended Bupyeong Middle School and Bupyeong High School, both located in Incheon. For his higher education, he pursued studies at Kyung Hee University.
3. Playing Career
Kim Hyung-il's playing career spanned several years, taking him through various South Korean clubs, including a period of mandatory military service, and brief international stints in China and Thailand. He also achieved national team recognition, culminating in a call-up for the FIFA World Cup.
3.1. Club Career
Kim Hyung-il's club career saw him rise through the ranks of South Korean professional football, make a significant impact with top-tier teams, and conclude his playing days with experiences abroad.
3.1.1. Early Club Career
Kim Hyung-il began his professional career in 2007 when he joined Daejeon Citizen in the K League. During his time with Daejeon, he showcased strong performances and was considered a strong contender for the K League Rookie of the Year award. However, he narrowly missed out on the accolade, which was ultimately awarded to Ha Tae-kyun of Suwon Samsung Bluewings. He remained with Daejeon Citizen until 2008.
In 2008, Kim transferred to Pohang Steelers as part of a trade involving Kwon Jip. At Pohang, he quickly established himself as a vital member of the team. A standout moment in his tenure was his pivotal contribution in the 2009 AFC Champions League final against Al-Ittihad in Tokyo. In that match, he scored a crucial header in the second half, securing Pohang's 2-0 lead and ultimately contributing to their AFC Champions League title victory. During the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup, which followed this victory, he wore jersey number 17. His strong performances during this period garnered interest from international clubs, including FC Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan and Birmingham City from England. However, by the 2011 season, increased competition led to a reduction in his playing time compared to previous seasons.
3.1.2. Military Service
Following the conclusion of the 2011 K League season, Kim Hyung-il fulfilled his mandatory military service by joining Sangju Sangmu Phoenix. During his service, he played a significant role in Sangju Sangmu's successful campaign, contributing to their 2013 K League Challenge championship. His exceptional performance that year earned him a selection in the 2013 K League Best 11 for defenders. He completed his military service on November 12, 2013, and subsequently returned to his parent club, Pohang Steelers. After his return, there were reports of transfer negotiations with Shanghai Shenhua, but the move did not materialize, and he remained with Pohang.
3.1.3. Later Club Career and Transfers
Prior to the 2015 K League season, Kim Hyung-il made a transfer to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. He played for Jeonbuk for two seasons, contributing to their domestic and continental competitions.
After the 2016 season, Kim became a free agent. On December 23, 2016, he signed a short-term, six-month contract with Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande. This move was intended to provide cover for the injured Kim Young-gwon. However, Kim Hyung-il did not make any appearances for the club. Due to Kim Young-gwon's unexpectedly swift recovery from injury, Kim Hyung-il's contract with Guangzhou was terminated prematurely in June 2017.
On June 29, 2017, he returned to South Korea, joining K League 2 side Bucheon FC 1995. He played for Bucheon for approximately half a year. Following a period without a club in early 2019, Kim then moved to Thai League 1 club Siam Navy FC in Thailand for his final half-season before officially announcing his retirement from professional football.
3.2. International Career
Kim Hyung-il received his first call-up to the South Korea national football team in March 2009. He made his senior international debut (A-match) on June 3, 2009, in a friendly match against the Oman national team played in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. His consistent performances led to his inclusion in the South Korea squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Throughout his international career in 2009, he accumulated three official A-match appearances for the national team, without scoring any goals.
4. Career Statistics
This section details Kim Hyung-il's official statistical records throughout his professional playing career, encompassing appearances and goals for both club and national teams. On October 31, 2010, he notably achieved the milestone of playing his 100th professional match.
4.1. Club Statistics
| Club performance | League | Domestic Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | League | Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| South Korea | League | KFA Cup | League Cup | Asia | Total | |||||||
| Daejeon Citizen | K League 1 | 2007 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | - | 30 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 17 | 0 | |||
| Pohang Steelers | 2008 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 44 | 3 | ||
| 2010 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 31 | 2 | ||
| 2011 | 19 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 25 | 0 | |||
| Sangju Sangmu Phoenix | K League | 2012 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 17 | 1 | ||
| K League 2 | 2013 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 28 | 0 | |||
| Pohang Steelers | K League Classic | 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2014 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | 4 | 0 | 19 | 2 | |||
| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | K League Classic | 2015 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 7 | 1 | 31 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 7 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |||
| Guangzhou Evergrande | CSL | 2017 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bucheon FC 1995 | K League 2 | 2017 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 10 | 0 | ||
| Siam Navy FC | Thai League | 2018 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 15 | 1 | ||
| Career Total | 224 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 37 | 2 | 293 | 10 | ||
4.2. International Statistics
| National Team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 2009 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | |
5. Honours
Kim Hyung-il accumulated a significant number of team and individual accolades throughout his professional football career, reflecting his impact on the clubs he represented.
5.1. Club Honours
- Pohang Steelers
- K League 1: 2013
- Korean FA Cup: 2008
- K League Cup: 2009
- AFC Champions League: 2009
- Sangju Sangmu Phoenix
- K League 2: 2013
- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
- K League 1: 2015
- AFC Champions League: 2016
5.2. Individual Honours
- K League Best XI: 2009
- K League Challenge Best XI: 2013
6. Post-retirement Activities
Following his retirement from professional football, Kim Hyung-il embarked on a new career path in the entertainment industry. In November 2021, he signed with DH Entertainment, an agency that also manages other sports figures. He has made appearances on television programs, including tvN's "Legends Arise: Military League" and "Golden Eleven", both in 2022.
7. Playing Style and Public Image
Possessing a strong physical presence, Kim Hyung-il, who stood at 74 in (187 cm) and weighed 183 lb (83 kg), was well-known for his distinctive playing style as a defender, characterized by his toughness, fearlessness, and aggressive, relentless approach to defense. This combative and unwavering style earned him the popular nickname "Gladiator" among fans and within the K League community. He was considered one of the most popular defenders in the K League due to his tireless contributions on the field. Kim Hyung-il notably expressed admiration for former Spanish national team defender Carles Puyol, citing Puyol's playing style and even his long hair as influences.