Kim was selected to compete at the 2007 World Championships in Tokyo based on her performance during the season. Because of the placement of Choi Ji-eun the year before, South Korea had only one spot in the World Championships. During the event, Kim won the short program with 71.95 points, setting the highest short program score ever under the ISU Judging System. She was on her way to a near certain gold medal but two costly falls on triple Lutzes placed her in third overall, behind Miki Ando and Mao Asada, and finished fourth in the long program. Kim's placement qualified South Korea two ladies entries for the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships.