After returning to South Korea, Kim began his career as a screenwriter and won the first prize in a scenario contest held by the Korean Film Council in 1995. In the following year, Kim made his debut as a director with a low budget movie titled "Crocodile" (1996). The film received sensational reviews from movie critics in South Korea. Ki-duk said that his international breakthrough occurred with "The Isle" at the Toronto International Film Festival. His 2000 film "Real Fiction" was entered into the 23rd Moscow International Film Festival.