Kim Min-jae

On 29 January 2019, Kim transferred to Beijing Sinobo Guoan.

The first game of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2018 was 2018 AFC Champions League group stage match against Kashiwa Reysol on 13 February 2018. It was Kim's AFC Champions League debut. The first half ended as Kashiwa's two goal leading, but Jeonbuk scored three goals without losing any point at the second half. On 18 March 2018, Kim scored first goal of this season against FC Seoul in 2018 K League Classic 3rd round. Included starting line-up, Kim showed strong defense and headed opening goal from a corner kick by Lee Jae-sung, which made him awarded MVP of this round. From 5th round to 7th round Kim was named on Best XI of the round in a row. During this period, Jeonbuk's defense line including Kim didn't lose a goal. And this cleen sheet records lasted to 10th round against Suwon Samsung Bluewings on 29 April. On 18 April 2018, Jeonbuk defeated Kitchee SC by 3–0 at the last game of 2018 AFC Champions League group stage and set the seal on advancing to round of 16, finishing atop Group E. Kim played 5 games of the group matches, playing full-time. It was nine games that Jeonbuk consecutively lost no points and ten games won including AFC Champions League games. On 2 May 2018, the 11th league round against Daegu FC, Kim was injured in the progress of blocking Park Byeong-hyun's shot. It was hairline crack in calfbone that Kim suffered.

On 14 August 2017, Kim Min-jae was named in South Korea's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification against Iran and Uzbekistan. On 31 August 2017, Kim made his international debut against Iran in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. Being named in starting line-up, Kim showed a great performance until he was substituted with six minutes remaining by Kim Ju-young. During the match, Saeid Ezatolahi was shown a red card when he stepped on Kim's head. On 5 September 2017, Kim played for full-time against Uzbekistan. In the two games that Kim Min-jae took part in, South Korea kept a clean sheet. After these matches, South Korea had qualified for nine consecutive FIFA World Cups.

Kim played youth football with Suwon Technical High School and Yonsei University before starting his professional career with Gyeongju KHNP in 2016. The next year, Kim moved to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

On 1 July 2016, Kim joined Gyeongju KHNP during the first additional registration for new players in the Korea National League. On 8 July 2016, Kim made his debut for Gyeongju KHNP against Busan Transportation Corporation in the Korea National League. In the game, he was included in starting line-up and played as full 90 minutes, being shown a yellow card. For four months from, July to October, Kim played fifteen regular league games as a starter and full-time player, picking up three yellow cards. Gyeongju KHNP advanced to the championship play-off round. On 2 November 2016, when the championship play-off quarter-final game between Gyeongju KNHP and Changwon City took place, Kim was put on the starting line-up and played for 78 minutes. Gyeongju KHNP defeated Changwon 2–0 in the game. On 5 November 2016, in the semi-final, Kim played for full-time, as Gyeongju KHNP failed to advance to final.

On 22 December 2016, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors announced that Kim Min-jae joins Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on a free transfer. During the winter pre-season training camps in Dubai Choi Kang-hee expressed his expectancy about him. Kim received back number 3, which Kim Hyung-il had used. On 5 March 2017, Kim made his debut for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in Jeolla derby against Jeonnam Dragons in the first round of the 2017 K League Classic. Kim played for full-time and Jeonbuk Hyundai defeated Jeonnam Dragons 2–1. On 25 June 2017, Kim made his debut goal for his career against Daegu FC in the 16th round of the 2017 K League Classic. With 12 minutes remaining and 2–1 down, Kim calmly slotted home, converting a corner from Kim Jin-su. On 19 August 2017, Kim scored his second goal for 2017 season against Gwangju FC in the 27th round of the 2017 K League Classic. Hooking home a mid-range shot with his left foot, Kim made the headed goal at the 31st minute. On 20 September 2017 in the 27th round match of the 2017 K League Classic against Sangju Sangmu, Kim was ousted from the game for warnings accumulated at the 40th minute. On 15 October 2017, it turned out that Kim suffered a semilunar valve injury and for this reason Kim had to have surgery in Japan, being unable to play remaining games of the season. Kim played 29 games, scoring two goals, being shown nine yellow cards and one red card during this season. With his performance, he was awarded the K League Young Player of the Year and nominated for a part of the K League Best XI.

Born in Tongyeong, Kim started his youth football career with Tongyeong Elementary School football club. He later transferred to Gaya Elementary School in Haman County and graduated from there. He entered Yeoncho Middle School and Suwon Technical High School which has produced many international footballers such as Park Ji-sung and Kim Sun-min. After he graduated from high school in 2015, he went on to Yonsei University. In July 2016, when he was sophomore, he dropped out of school to fulfill his dream of making his professional debut, although Yonsei University tried to dissuade him.

Kim Min-jae (Hangul: 김민재; Hanja: 金玟哉; [kim.min.dzɛ] ; born 15 November 1996), nicknamed "Monster", is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan and the South Korea national team.