Cha Seung Won
Cha Seung-won: From the Runway to the Limelight
Cha Seung-won, born on June 7, 1970, in Gyeonggi, South Korea, is a name synonymous with versatility in the Korean entertainment industry. His journey from being a sports enthusiast to an in-demand fashion model in the late 1980s, and eventually a celebrated actor, is nothing short of remarkable. Cha made his foray into acting with the TV sitcom ‘New York Story’, which soon led to his film debut, ‘Holiday in Seoul’.
Despite a strong start and multiple roles, it wasn’t until the 2001 comedy, ‘Kick the Moon’, that he truly shined and established his credibility as an actor. He continued impressing audiences with performances in movies like ‘Blood Rain’ and ‘Ghost House’, dispelling any notions of him being just another handsome face in the industry.
A Versatile Actor Who Is More Than Just a Pretty Face
Cha’s career is replete with roles that defy typecasting. In 2003, he portrayed a corrupt teacher in ‘My Teacher, Mr. Kim’. Six years later, he returned to the small screen with the political drama, ‘City Hall’. However, 2011’s ‘The Greatest Love’ is arguably his most iconic TV role, where he played “Dokko Jin”, a character that became a sensation in pop culture.
2011 wasn’t the end of his successful TV journey; in 2021, he was cast alongside Kim Soo-Hyun in ‘One Ordinary Day’, a Coupang Play series inspired by the British show ‘Criminal Justice’. A year later, he graced the screen in ‘Our Blues’.
Life Away From the Limelight
Beyond his acting endeavors, Cha’s personal life has seen its share of challenges. In the mid-90s, he briefly served in the military. He once shared a light-hearted misunderstanding with Park Joon-hyung of G.O.D regarding their ages, showcasing his candid nature.
Cha’s family life has been under public scrutiny. Married to Lee Soo-jin, the couple shares a daughter, Cha Ye-ni. However, in 2014, controversies arose regarding the paternity of their son, Cha No-ah. Cha gracefully handled the situation by confirming that No-ah is Lee’s son from a previous marriage whom he legally adopted. He also admitted to altering their marriage date to align with No-ah’s birth, asking for understanding as it was to protect their son’s feelings.
Through highs and lows, Cha Seung-won has remained a beloved figure, both for his talent and his character.