# Cha Seung-won

Cha Seung-won (Korean: 차승원; born June 7, 1970) is a South Korean actor, who began his career as an in-demand fashion model in the 1990s. Cha achieved stardom through the hit comedy films Kick the Moon (2001), Jail Breakers (2002), My Teacher, Mr. Kim (2003), and Ghost House (2004). After proving his versatility in other genres, notably in the period thriller Blood Rain (2005) and the melodrama My Son (2007), Cha's popularity continued with the television series Bodyguard (2003), City Hall (2009), The Greatest Love (2011), A Korean Odyssey (2017), One Ordinary Day (2021) and Our Blues (2022).

## Career

Cha dropped out of Sungkyunkwan University, and began a successful career as a fashion model in 1988. He was cast in the TV sitcom New York Story, which would eventually pave the way for his debut in film.
Although his debut film Holiday In Seoul (1997) and many of his subsequent roles did not establish him as a major star, he attracted attention in 2000 for his performance as an arsonist in the firefighting film Libera Me. The following summer, the runaway success of Kim Sang-jin's comedy Kick the Moon (over 4.3 million tickets sold) secured his place in the industry as a leading actor with strong star appeal. Since then, Cha has become one of the few surefire box office draws in the country. In a 2005 survey of influential movie producers, he was ranked among the top ten most bankable stars in South Korea.
In early 2003, Cha took on a slightly more serious role as a corrupt schoolteacher who is transferred to a country school in the film My Teacher, Mr. Kim. The film grossed over 2.4 million admissions and drew Cha additional praise for his acting abilities (he would later team up again with director Jang Gyu-seong for 2007 comedy Small Town Rivals).
Cha appeared as a private bodyguard in KBS2's weekend drama Bodyguard aired in July, 2003.
His next role, in Ghost House, reunited him with director Kim Sang-jin in a successful comedy about a man who buys a dream home, only to discover it is haunted by a young female ghost.
In 2005, Cha put aside the comic roles he had become known for and appeared in the grisly period thriller Blood Rain. The film's unexpectedly robust commercial success confirmed Cha's popularity among Korean audiences. He further proved his versatility in Jang Jin's Murder, Take One (also known as The Big Scene). He was named as major film actor from his agency Gooder Better Entertainment.
Cha starred in his first melodrama Over the Border (2006), about a North Korean defector. He then reunited with Jang Jin in My Son (2007), and he said his experience as a father helped a lot in learning the character. Stylish crime thrillers Eye for an Eye (2008), and Secret (2009) followed.
Cha returned to television in 2009, in the political fairytale City Hall penned by writer Kim Eun-sook. 2010 was a busy year for him, with Cha appearing in two films, the Lee Joon-ik-helmed period actioner Blades of Blood, and Korean War film 71: Into the Fire, followed by spy series Athena: Goddess of War.
In 2011 his character in the hit romantic comedy series The Greatest Love, arrogant top star "Dokko Jin," became a mini pop culture phenomenon, giving rise to numerous commercial deals and parodies, as well as awards for Cha.
Cha made his theater debut in 2012 in the stage play Bring Me My Chariot Fire alongside Japanese actors Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Ryōko Hirosue, Teruyuki Kagawa, and Korean veteran actor Kim Eung-soo. Set in the historically turbulent early 1900s, the plot focuses on the friendship of artists from Korea and Japan who work together to preserve traditional Korean arts.
In 2014, Cha signed with the talent agency YG Entertainment, then starred in the police series You're All Surrounded. This was followed by his third team-up with director Jang Jin in the comedy noir film Man on High Heels, which subverted Cha's "macho" image by having him play a transgender homicide detective.
In 2015, Cha appeared in Three Meals a Day: Gochang Village, a cable reality show set on the remote Manjae Island for which he earned the nickname "Chajumma" (from the word ajumma) because of his versatile cooking skills despite the minimal amount of ingredients and implements. He was then cast as Prince Gwanghae in the period drama Splendid Politics, which focused on power struggles for the throne amid the backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty. Cha next plays cartographer and geologist Kim Jeong-ho in Kang Woo-suk's period epic Gosanja, Daedongyeojido, adapted from Park Bum-shin's novel The Map Maker.
In 2017, Cha was cast in tvN's fantasy romantic comedy drama A Korean Odyssey by the Hong sisters. Cha the starred in the family comedy-drama film Cheer Up, Mr. Lee in 2019 and the disaster film Sinkhole in 2021.
Later in 2021, he starred alongside Kim Soo-hyun in the Coupang Play's television series One Ordinary Day, based on the British television series Criminal Justice. In 2022, he appeared in the tvN drama Our Blues.
In March 2025, Cha left YG Entertainment and signed with new agency KeyEast.

## Personal life

Cha and his wife Lee Soo-jin are biological parents to daughter Cha Ye-ni (born 2003, christened as Rachel). In July 2014, a man claiming to be the birth father of Cha and Lee's son Cha No-ah (born 1989, christened as Noah) filed (and quickly dropped) a ₩100 million defamation lawsuit against Cha, which led to the actor admitting that No-ah is Lee's son from her previous marriage, and that when he and Lee got married, Cha legally adopted No-ah, who was then three years old. Cha had previously falsified his marriage date as 1989 to match No-ah's age, apologizing for entering the wrong date since their son did not know his paternity.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | Holiday in Seoul | Leg model's boyfriend | |
| 1998 | If the Sun Rises in the West | Ji-min | |
| 1999 | Ghost in Love | Na Han-su | |
| 1999 | Attack the Gas Station | | Bit part |
| 1999 | Fin de Siecle | Sang-woo | |
| 2000 | Black Honeymoon | Kim Joon-ho | |
| 2000 | Libera Me | Yeo Hee-su | |
| 2001 | Kick the Moon | Choi Ki-woong | |
| 2002 | Break Out | Yang Cheol-gon | |
| 2002 | Jail Breakers | Choi Mu-seok | |
| 2003 | My Teacher, Mr. Kim | Kim Bong-doo | |
| 2004 | Ghost House | Park Pil-gi | |
| 2004 | Lovely Rivals | Kim Bong-doo | Cameo |
| 2005 | Blood Rain | Lee Won-gyoo | |
| 2005 | Murder, Take One | Choi Yeon-gi | |
| 2006 | Over the Border | Kim Sun-ho | |
| 2007 | Small Town Rivals | Jo Choon-sam | |
| 2007 | My Son | Lee Kang-shik | |
| 2008 | Eye for an Eye | Ahn Hyun-min | |
| 2009 | Secret | Kim Seong-yeol | |
| 2010 | Blades of Blood | Lee Mong-hak | |
| 2010 | 71: Into the Fire | Park Moo-rang | |
| 2012 | The Suck Up Project: Mr. XXX-Kisser | Cha Seung-won | Cameo |
| 2014 | Man on High Heels | Yoon Ji-wook | |
| 2015 | Minions | Narrator | Voice, Korean dubbed |
| 2016 | The Map Against The World | Kim Jeong-ho | |
| 2018 | Believer | Brian Lee | |
| 2019 | Cheer Up, Mr. Lee | Chul-soo | |
| 2021 | Night in Paradise | Executive Ma | Netflix film |
| 2021 | Sinkhole | Jeong Man-soo | |
| 2023 | Believer 2 | Brian Lee | Netflix film |
| 2024 | Uprising | Seonjo of Joseon | Netflix film |

### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Note |
| 1997 | New York Story [ko] | Himself | Cameo |
| 1998 | Song of the Wind | Lee Ji-hoon | |
| 1998 | Run Barefoot [ko] | Director Park | |
| 1998 | Shy Lovers [ko] | Im Sung-bom | |
| 1998 | Angel's Kiss [ko] | Jang Tae-ju | |
| 1999 | Roses and Bean Sprouts [ko] | Choi Gyu-dae | |
| 1999 | TV Movie: "Love Story" | Mr. Popular | |
| 1999 | Woman vs. Woman [ko] | | |
| 1999 | I Show You The Taste [ko] | Seung-il | Yeong-nam's husband, psychiatrist |
| 2003 | Bodyguard | Hong Kyung-tak | |
| 2009 | City Hall | Jo Gook | |
| 2010 | Athena: Goddess of War | Son Hyuk | |
| 2011 | The Greatest Love | Dokko Jin | |
| 2014 | You're All Surrounded | Seo Pan-seok | |
| 2015 | Splendid Politics | Prince Gwanghae | |
| 2017 | A Korean Odyssey | Woo Hwi-chul | |
| 2022 | Our Blues | Choi Han-soo | |
| 2025 | Pigpen | The pension's owner | |

### Web series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2021 | One Ordinary Day | Shin Jung-han | Coupang Play original |
| 2024 | The Tyrant | Lim Sang-won | Main role; Disney+ original |
| TBA | Mercy For None | Mr. Kim | Cameo; Netflix series |

### Television shows

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1998 | Lee Seung-yeon's Say Say Say | Co-host |
| 1998 | GO! Our Heaven | Host |
| 1998 | Kim Hye-soo Plus You | Co-host |
| 1998 | Music Camp | MC |
| 2006 | Cha Seung-won's Health Club (Sunday Sunday Night) | Cast member |
| 2015 | Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 1 | Cast member |
| 2015 | Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 2 | Cast member |
| 2016 | Three Meals a Day: Gochang Village | Cast member |
| 2019 | Korean Hostel in Spain | Cast member |
| 2020 | Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 5 | Cast member |
| 2021 | Hangout with Yoo | Guest |
| 2023 | Follow Hyung to Maya | Cast member |
| 2024 | Three Meals a Day Lite | Cast member |

### Music video appearances

| Year | Title | Artist |
| 1998 | "Even if the World Fools You" | Kim Jang-hoon |
| 1998 | "Poison" | Uhm Jung-hwa |
| 2000 | "I am a Man" | Kim Jang-hoon |
| 2001 | "I Love You" | Position |
| 2002 | "In My Heart" | 4U |
| 2003 | Project X | |
| 2008 | "Rain Shower" | Kim Jang-hoon |
| 2011 | "Cry Cry" | T-ara |
| 2012 | "Lovey Dovey" | T-ara |
| 2012 | "I'm Sorry" | Lena Park |
| 2017 | "Beautiful" | Wanna One |
| 2025 | "Earthquake" | Jisoo |

## Stage

Theatre play performances :
| Year | Title | Title | Role | Ref. |
| Year | English | Korean | Role | Ref. |
| 2004 | Taxi Driver | 택시드리벌 | Taxi passenger | |
| 2012–2013 | Bring Me My Chariot of Fire | 나에게 불의 전차를 | Lee Soon-woo | |

## Accolades
### Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
| A-Awards | 2011 | The Best Black Collar Workers of 2011 — Style Award | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| A-Awards | 2016 | The Best Black Collar Workers of 2016 — Style Award | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| APAN Star Awards | 2015 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Splendid Politics | Nominated |
| Asia Model Festival Awards | 2010 | Asia Special Award, Film category | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Asia Model Festival Awards | 2015 | Asia Star Award | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2003 | Best Actor – Film | Jail Breakers | Won |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2004 | Best Actor – Television | Bodyguard | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2006 | Best Actor – Film | Blood Rain | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2012 | Best Actor – Television | The Greatest Love | Nominated |
| Best Dressed Awards | 1995 | Best Dressed, Model category | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2000 | Best Supporting Actor | Libera Me | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2001 | Best Actor | Kick the Moon | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2003 | Best Actor | My Teacher, Mr. Kim | Nominated |
| Broadcast Advertising Festival | 2022 | CF Star Award | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actor | Night in Paradise | Nominated |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2007 | Best Actor | My Son | Won |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actor | Night in Paradise | Nominated |
| Consumers' Day KCA Culture and Entertainment Awards | 2024 | Actor of the Year | The Tyrant | Won |
| Elle Style Awards | 2017 | Super Icon (Male) | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Golden Cinema Film Festival [ko] | 2002 | Popularity Award | Kick the Moon | Won |
| Golden Cinema Film Festival [ko] | 2021 | Cinematographers’ Choice Popularity Award | Sinkhole | Won |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2000 | Best New Actor | A Century's End | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2001 | Best Actor | Libera Me | Nominated |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2003 | Best Actor | My Teacher, Mr. Kim | Nominated |
| Grimae Awards | 2003 | Best Actor | Bodyguard | Won |
| Grimae Awards | 2011 | Best Actor | The Greatest Love | Won |
| Hong Kong Cable TV Awards | 2011 | Best Actor | City Hall | Nominated |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2003 | Popularity Award | Bodyguard | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2003 | Top Excellence Award, Actor | Bodyguard | Won |
| Korea Advertisers Association | 2003 | Good Model Award | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Korea Best Dresser Swan Awards | 1999 | Best Dressed | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Korea Broadcasting Awards | 2011 | Best Actor | The Greatest Love | Won |
| Korea Drama Awards | 2011 | Best Actor | The Greatest Love | Nominated |
| Korea Drama Awards | 2015 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Splendid Politics | Nominated |
| Korea Fashion & Design Awards | 2007 | Fashion Icon Award | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Korea Fashion Association | 1996 | Male Model of the Year | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Korea Fashion Photographers Association | 1995 | Model of the Year | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Korea Jewelry Awards | 2008 | Sapphire Award | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Korea Lifestyle Awards | 2011 | Best Dressed of the Year – Male | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Korea Model Association | 1995 | Model of the Year | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2011 | Best Couple Award | Cha Seung-won The Greatest Love | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2011 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | The Greatest Love | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2015 | Top 10 Stars Award | Splendid Politics | Won |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2015 | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Splendid Politics | Nominated |
| MBC Drama Awards | 2015 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Splendid Politics | Nominated |
| Mnet 20's Choice Awards | 2011 | Hot Drama Star – Male | The Greatest Love | Won |
| Mnet 20's Choice Awards | 2011 | Hot Male Body (Best Six-Pack) | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Model Center's Adieu Fashion Festival | 1997 | Grand Prize (Daesang) in Fashion | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| Model Line | 1995 | Best Dressed Award | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2009 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special | City Hall | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2009 | Top 10 Stars | City Hall | Won |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2011 | Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama | Athena: Goddess of War | Nominated |
| SBS Drama Awards | 2014 | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special | You're All Surrounded | Nominated |
| Style Icon Awards | 2011 | Style Icon of the Year | Cha Seung-won | Won |
| TVCF Awards | 2007 | Best CF Model for 2006 | Cha Seung-won | Won |

### State honors

Name of the organization, year presented, and the award given :
| Country | Award body | Year | Award | Ref. |
| South Korea | The Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards | 2017 | Presidential Commendation | |
| South Korea | 7th Finance Day | 2022 | Chairman of the Financial Services Committee Commendation | |

### Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement :
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement |
| Forbes | 2012 | Korea Power Celebrity 40 | 25th |
| Forbes | 2016 | Korea Power Celebrity 40 | 11th |
| The Screen | 2009 | 1984–2008 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies | 12th |