Dr. Kim earned his doctoral degree from Indiana University in the United States. Prior to joining Arizona State University (ASU), he held academic appointments at universities in Canada, China, and Australia, where he received multiple awards for teaching excellence. He has also secured several prestigious research grants, including the Hundred Talents Program from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), a grant from the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan (NSTC), funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC), and the ASU-HAIC Teaching Innovation Grant.
Since joining ASU in 2022, Dr. Kim has served as Associate Director and Graduate Program Lead at the Hainan University–Arizona State University International College (HAIC). In these roles, he has actively supervised and mentored both undergraduate and graduate students, supporting their development in research skills and engaging them in a range of scholarly projects.
Dr. Kim’s recent research focuses on consumer behavior, with a particular emphasis on memorable experiences among Chinese travelers. His work has made significant contributions to the understanding of Chinese tourist behavior and has played a key role in enhancing the global appeal of Chinese tourism firms and destinations. To date, he has published more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles in this area.
In recognition of his research impact, Dr. Kim has received numerous accolades. In 2024, he was ranked 38th globally among highly cited scholars in the field of Sport, Leisure, and Tourism, according to a study conducted by Stanford University researchers. He was also recognized by Tourism Tribute as one of the top researchers in China (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), ranking 33rd overall based on SSCI publications. Additionally, he has received multiple Best Paper Awards at international conferences.
Dr. Kim currently serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Tourism, Heritage, and Services Marketing (Scopus-indexed) and sits on the editorial boards of several SSCI journals, including the Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, Leisure Studies, and Sustainability. To date, he has served as the primary advisor for thirteen doctoral and master’s students.