A cathode and method of preparing the cathode are disclosed. The cathode includes a current collector, and a cathode active material layer disposed on the current collector, wherein the current collector includes a metal substrate, and a conductive protective layer disposed on at least a portion of the metal substrate, and the conductive protective layer includes one or more of a protrusion and a recess which react with base, a lithium battery including the cathode, and a method of preparing the cathode.