Idol Actor Snapshot: Cha Eunwoo

Welcome to the first of a series of Idol Actor Snapshots which will highlight different idol actors as they star in current dramas. Allow me to first introduce an idol actor who is quickly becoming a household name in South Korea: Cha Eunwoo (차은우). Hard-working and exceedingly polite, he is making waves in many parts of the entertainment industry. Let’s take a closer look at him, shall we?

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Current Drama

Cha Eunwoo is currently playing the male lead role of Prince Lee Rim in the historical drama (sageuk) Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung. His character is a naive, hidden prince who also writes popular romance novels. Thus far the drama is light in tone and has plenty of humorous situations so it has been fun to watch Cha Eunwoo show his comedy skills.

Most Popular Role

Cha Eunwoo’s most popular drama role to date has been the attractive yet aloof college student Do Kyung Seok in My ID is Gangnam Beauty, which was based on the webtoon by the same name. His character had a personality markedly different from his own, and his portrayal led him to win Best Male Rookie Actor and Hallyu Star at the 2018 Korea Drama Awards. Not too shabby for his first outing as a lead character in a major drama!

Drama and Movie Appearances

• Popular idol star MJ in Hit the Top/The Best Hit
• Woo Yeon Woo, an idol actor somewhat similar to himself in Top Management (the first Korean YouTube Premium web series)
• Three different versions of ‘Himself’ in:
  • Sweet Revenge, web drama
  • My Romantic Some Recipe, web drama
  • To Be Continued, web drama for ASTRO
• Support role in the movie My Brilliant Life (acting debut, 2014)

Music Career

He debuted in 2016 as member of ASTRO, a six-member Kpop boy group known for their synchronized choreography and refreshing concepts. Cha Eunwoo fills the role of vocalist and visual within the group. One of his nicknames is ‘Morning Alarm’ since he wakes up first and responsibly wakes up the other members as well. ASTRO has been steadily gaining popularity. This year they earned their first music competition show win and made their Japan debut.

Cha Eunwoo performed a solo song (vocals and piano), Rainbow Falling, for the My ID is Gangnam Beauty soundtrack. He also performed a solo song and as part of the fictional group S.O.U.L. for the soundtrack for the web series Top Management.

Random Facts about Cha Eunwoo

• His legal name is Lee Dong Min (이동민).
• In school he ranked third, was Student Body President and got accepted into Sungkyunkwan University.
• He enjoys eating and has a large appetite. For alcohol, he prefers wine.
• Often seen studying or caught napping backstage/on-set.
• He has expressed a growing interest in fashion.
• Languages he can speak: Korean, Japanese, English, and Basic Chinese.

Not Just a Face Genius

He is also a widely-known spokesmodel for many national and international brands: Polham, Samsonite, TikTok, and Atelier Cologne to name just a few. Cleantopia even made clothes hangers with Cha Eunwoo’s face on them! The hangers quickly sold out and have been used in funny ways by fans.

Cha Eunwoo is often referred to as a “Face Genius” and even a “ManJjitNam,” meaning a handsome boy straight out of a comic. Sometimes male guests who appear with him on variety shows will joke that they don’t want to sit next to him so they won’t look bad in comparison. He’s so much more than a pretty face, though!

In many interviews he gets asked how he feels about being so attractive. He always answers graciously, saying that he is thankful but he wants people to pay more attention to his personality and the work he puts into his roles.

As a common guest on variety shows, Cha Eunwoo is known for his politeness and how he diligently researches about his hosts and fellow guests ahead of time so he can better interact with them. When he’s on travel shows abroad he prepares by studying the language so he can be helpful to his team.

He is also extremely loyal to his group, ASTRO. Though he is consistently busy with individual schedule events, at the slightest opportunity he introduces himself as “ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo” and promotes their group.

Hope you enjoyed our first Idol Actor Snapshot!
Fangirl Disclaimer: It may be more detailed than future posts in the series, due to my personal involvement as an active fan of both Cha Eunwoo and ASTRO.

Related Post:

• 4 Reasons to Watch “My ID is Gangnam Beauty”