Photo: Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Rijksfotoarchief: Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Fotopersbureau (ANEFO), 1945-1989 - negatiefstroken zwart/wit, nummer toegang 2.24.01.05, bestanddeelnummer 930-5808 / CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Public records list Cha Bum-kun as an association football player and association football coach. Cha Bum-kun was born on May 22, 1953 in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. That works out to 73 years old in 2026. Education on record includes Korea University. Listed accolades include Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2019).
My Take
Cha Bum-kun is, to me, one of the most important footballers Asia has ever produced. Nicknamed Cha Boom in Germany for his thunderous strikes, he tore through European defenses at a time when Asian players were rarely taken seriously on that stage. His explosive pace and finishing made him a genuine pioneer, not just a curiosity, and the 2019 Cross of the Order of Merit underlines how deeply Germany still respects him. What I appreciate most is that he carried that excellence into coaching, paying it forward to the next generation. He opened a door, and I think the modern Asian game still walks through it.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Cha Bum-kun
- Name (Japanese)
- 車範根
- Born
- May 22, 1953 (age 73)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Gemini / Snake
- Origin
- Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
- Height
- 179 cm
- Occupation
- association football player / association football coach
2. Background
- University
- Korea University
Awards & achievements
- 2019 Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cha%20Bum-kun
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%BB%8A%E7%AF%84%E6%A0%B9
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q346751
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-19
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Cha Bum-kun born?
Born May 22, 1953 (age 73).
Where is Cha Bum-kun from?
Cha Bum-kun is from Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
What does Cha Bum-kun do?
Cha Bum-kun works as association football player, association football coach.
How tall is Cha Bum-kun?
Cha Bum-kun is 179 cm.
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