Ja-In
Kim

South Korea

Bouldering

A talented and skilful lead climber and bouldering champion from South Korea, Ja-In Kim is one of the sport's most accomplished athletes.

Date of birth	11 September 1988
Place of birth	Goyang
Age	37
Nationality	South Korea
Career start	2004
Disciplines	Climbing Boulder / Climbing Lead / Climbing Speed

When your parents meet through a common love of mountaineering and you’ve spent your childhood watching your older brothers climbing walls, it’s inevitable that one day you’ll follow their lead and find yourself high above ground alongside them. This is what happened to Ja-In Kim, South Korea’s strongest lead climber and boulder specialist.

"At that time, I think I just did it because my brothers were doing it, rather than thinking, ‘This is so fun, I should try it.’ So, I thought, ‘Well, I should try climbing too.’ I was jealous of my brothers travelling to go to overseas competitions as a little girl. I think that’s why I started climbing."

Jain Kim poses for a portrait against the Marina Bay Sands skyline in Singapore on March 1, 2025. — Ja-In Kim enjoys the Singapore sun
© Jon Ho/Red Bull Content Pool

Jain Kim is seen during the IFSC Climbing World Championships Lead Semi-Final in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan on August 15, 2019. — Jain Kim in action at the IFSC Climbing World Championships
© Suguru Saito/Red Bull Content Pool

Jain Kim is seen during the IFSC Climbing World Championships Lead Semi-Final in Innsbruck, Austria on September 8, 2018. — Jain Kim climbing in Innsbruck
© undefined

Jain Kim climbs a qualification route during the IFSC World Cup in Chamonix, France on July 11, 2016. — Ja-In Kim climbs a qualification route in Chamonix
© Heiko Wilhelm/ASP/Red Bull Content Pool

Ja-In Kim is a three-time World Cup winner and a World Champion

Kim is known for her grace and poise when climbing

Kim has enjoyed success on the world stage for many years

Ja-InKim

Ja-In
Kim