1. Early Life and Education
Kim Lee-sub was born in Gwangju, South Korea. He developed his football skills throughout his formative years, attending Seungui Science High School and later Jeonju University, where he played for their respective football teams before embarking on his professional career.
2. Playing Career
Kim Lee-sub's professional football career spanned 13 years, primarily in the K League. He played for several prominent clubs, including Pohang Steelers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and Incheon United.
2.1. Pohang Steelers
Kim Lee-sub began his professional career in 1997 by joining Pohang Steelers. During his initial two seasons, he served as the team's starting goalkeeper, playing a crucial role in their success. Under his watch, Pohang Steelers achieved a fourth-place finish in the 1997 K League and a third-place finish in the 1998 K League. The team also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for two consecutive seasons. A significant highlight of his time with Pohang was contributing to the club's back-to-back victories in the AFC Champions League.
However, his position as the primary goalkeeper began to shift in 1999 with the arrival of Jo Jun-ho, who is now the goalkeeper coach for the Malaysia national football team. Kim Lee-sub was relegated to second-choice goalkeeper. In 2001, the team further strengthened their goalkeeper lineup by signing Kim Byung-ji from Ulsan Hyundai, pushing Kim Lee-sub entirely out of the starting role. Consequently, on August 1, 2001, he was released as a free agent and spent some time without a team.
2.2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
After a year of undergoing trials with various professional teams, Kim Lee-sub found a new home midway through the 2002 season, joining Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The club was based in Jeonju, the city where his alma mater, Jeonju University, is located. During his tenure with Jeonbuk until the end of the 2003 season, he primarily served as a backup goalkeeper. Despite this role, he experienced a significant achievement by being part of the squad that won the 2003 FA Cup.
2.3. Incheon United
Following the conclusion of the 2003 season, Kim Lee-sub attained free agent status. Ahead of the 2004 season, he became a founding member of the newly established club, Incheon United. He remained with Incheon United until the end of the 2010 season, alternating between roles as a backup and starting goalkeeper. He was a key figure in the club's remarkable run to a runner-up finish in the 2005 K League and their consecutive appearances in the FA Cup semi-finals.
After the 2010 season, he ceded his starting position to younger goalkeeper Yoon Ki-won. In 2011, Kim Lee-sub officially announced his retirement from professional football, concluding a 13-year playing career, alongside teammate Lim Joong-yong.
3. Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player, Kim Lee-sub transitioned into a coaching role. He currently serves as the goalkeeper coach for Pohang Steelers, the club where he began his professional playing career.
4. Personal Life
4.1. Family
Kim Lee-sub is married and has a son, Kim Jun-hong, who has followed in his father's footsteps and also become a professional football goalkeeper. In 2021, Kim Jun-hong joined Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, one of his father's former teams. He subsequently played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors B team and, as of 2023, is the goalkeeper for Gimcheon Sangmu FC and the South Korea national under-20 football team.
5. Legacy and Assessment
Kim Lee-sub is highly regarded in South Korean football, particularly for his contributions to Incheon United. He is celebrated as an "Incheon United legend," a testament to his long tenure and significant impact on the club's early history and success, including their 2005 K League runner-up finish. His career, spanning 13 years as a player and his continued involvement as a coach, highlights his enduring dedication to the sport and his positive influence on the development of goalkeeping talent in South Korea.