Cha Bum-Kun, football legend and former coach of the Korean national football team, stresses the importance of fair play, both on the field and in the real world.
By Min Yea-Ji and Lee Hana
Photos = Kim Soon-ju
Seoul | Aug. 25, 2017
“The Bundesliga’s Top Asian Goalscorer” (Der erfolgreichste Profi aus Asien in der Bundesliga-Geschichte)
This was the title given to Cha Bum-Kun by the German Football League (DFL) when he was named as one of nine “Bundesliga Legends” on Aug. 7.
Cha was the first Korean player to debut on the Bundesliga stage back in 1978. Over a Bundesliga career spanning 10 years, Cha played in 308 games and scored a total of 98 goals. During this time, his team won the German Cup once and the UEFA Cup twice.
On Aug. 25, Korea.net sat down with Cha Bum-Kun at his Seoul residence in Pyeongchang-dong, in Jongno-gu District. He was dressed casually in a t-shirt, playfully teasing Junior, his Doberman pinscher. There were two large tables, one inside the home and one outside on the patio, perfect for hosting footballers or guests from Germany. A tube of Schmerzgel, a brand of German ointment, seemed to provide some insight into the life of this living football legend.
Cha Bum-Kun is proud whenever he runs into former youth football school students who are now working in various sectors of society.
-You were recently selected as an ambassador for the Bundesliga’s Legend Network.
There are many excellent players in the Bundesliga. They are great on the field, and have many fans, but the Bundesliga is not promoted as much as other leagues. By announcing a list of legends, the Bundesliga is trying to give more exposure to the teams. To my knowledge, they will focus on promoting football in other countries as well as cultivating better players.
-As the first Korean player to represent a German league, how did you succeed in being called a legend?
Expectations were high back at home, and the only way I could repay my Korean fans was by performing my best on the field. During my 10 years in Germany, I constantly practiced self-discipline, and fiercely so. This state of mind was what helped me to survive those years, walking a path no one had taken before.
-Are there any memorable anecdotes from your 10-year stay in Germany?
Germans enjoy cold buffets, meals consisting of an assortment of cold foods, including bread, cheese and ham. It was hard for me to enjoy or get used to eating cold food, especially for dinner. During the training season, we were served steak along with the cold buffet, but as I didn’t eat any of the cold food, I was very hungry. So I asked for another serving of steak, despite being embarrassed. Technically, you’re not supposed to eat two, since those meals were allotted on a set budget.
Reminiscing about his 10-year stay in Germany, Cha Bum-Kun says that he still stays in touch with many of the people he met during his German chapter.
-What has kept you busy lately?
This July, I travelled to Germany with my youth league, Team Cha Bum, for a friendly match with the Bundesliga youth team. Starting Aug. 28, I will be in Yeongdeok, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, for the U-15 International Football Tournament. On Aug. 28, the Korean U-15 national team will play against the Frankfurt youth league. I’m looking forward to the match.
-Is there a special reason why you are so focused on developing youth football leagues?
I believe the concept of fair play should be learned at a young age, through sports. The reason why I run my youth football school is to teach kids, in a natural way, the importance of fair play so that they can become healthy members of society when they grow up.
-What are your plans for the future of youth football?
My youth league, Team Cha Bum, is made up of recipients of the Cha Bum-Kun Award. This award was created during my Bundesliga career. As such, the DFL is very interested in my pursuits, and has helped me out often. Using this year’s friendly match as leverage, we plan to hold matches in Germany annually.
-Korea.net, the Korean government’s multilingual website, has readers from all over the world. Do you have a message for your fans, who still remember you as the legendary Cha Bum?
Thirty years have passed since I left Germany, but I’m still filled with happiness whenever I think of Germany. I received a lot of love from the fans during my German years. I’m grateful that they still remember me after all this time. I am proud to let my fans know that I’m living my life to the fullest, in return for their undying support.
jesimin@korea.kr
