Kim Yong-dae (footballer)
A commanding South Korean goalkeeper whose agility and consistency made him a domestic stalwart and a fan favorite nicknamed after a Dutch great.
Born 1979 (age 47)·South Korean footballer·Birthday: October 11·Generation X
Biography
Kim Yong-dae built a career defined by remarkable longevity and sharp reflexes in the goalmouth for South Korea's most successful clubs. He first made his name at the University of Ulsan before joining the professional ranks with the Ulsan Hyundai Horangi, where he would spend the majority of his career. His shot-stopping ability and calm demeanor under pressure earned him the affectionate fan nickname 'Yong Der Sar,' a playful comparison to Manchester United's legendary Dutch keeper. While his international opportunities were limited due to the presence of other talented keepers, he was a constant and reliable figure in the K-League. Kim later moved to FC Seoul, where he continued to perform at a high level, adding more silverware to his collection. His career arc is one of a dedicated club man, a goalkeeper whose steady hands provided a foundation for his teams' successes over more than a decade at the top level of Korean football.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Kim was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kim Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Kim's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the K League 1 championship with FC Seoul in the 2012 season.
- Lifted the Korean FA Cup on two occasions, with Ulsan Hyundai in 2011 and FC Seoul in 2015.
- Played in the AFC Champions League for both Ulsan Hyundai and FC Seoul.
- Made over 200 appearances in the K League during his professional career.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Yong Der Sar' combines his first name with that of Edwin van der Sar.
He served as the backup goalkeeper for the South Korean national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
He played his entire professional club career in South Korea, never moving to a foreign league.
He made his K League debut for Ulsan Hyundai Tigers in the 2002 season.
“My job is simple: keep the ball out of the net, no matter what.”
