Cha Eun-woo

Lee Dong-min (Korean: 이동민; born March 30, 1997), known professionally as Cha Eun-woo (차은우), is a South Korean singer and actor under the label Fantagio. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Astro.

Early life

Cha was born on March 30, 1997, in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. He attended Nungnae Elementary School, Suri Middle School and Suri High School before graduating from Hanlim Multi Art School in 2016. He studied at Sungkyunkwan University, majoring in performing arts in the theater department.

Career

2013–2015: Career beginnings

Cha debuted as an actor in 2014 with a minor role in the film My Brilliant Life. Due to his impact in the film, Cha as the rookie actor Lee Dong-min, was selected as model for Korean cosmetics brand Shara Shara. He was the fourth trainee to be officially introduced with the Fantagio iTeen Photo Test Cut. In August 2015, Cha, along with the other members of Astro, participated in the web-drama To Be Continued.

2016–2022: Debut with Astro, solo activities and rising popularity

Astro debuted on February 23, 2016, with the EP Spring Up. In August, Cha participated in the Chuseok special variety show, Replies That Make Us Flutter. In September, he participated in another Chuseok pilot program, Boomshakalaka.

Cha was announced as a host of Show! Music Core alongside Kim Sae-ron, Lee Soo-min and Xiyeon from 2016 to 2018. In 2016, he also starred in the web drama My Romantic Some Recipe.

In 2017, Cha was cast in the KBS2 drama Hit the Top and starred in the web drama Sweet Revenge. Cha was announced as a host of MBC Gayo Daejejeon from 2017 to 2019.

In 2018, Cha starred in the web drama Top Management. He was later cast in the JTBC romantic comedy series Gangnam Beauty, his first leading role on television. He saw a rise in popularity after the series aired and was included in GQ Korea's "Men of the Year".

In 2019, Cha starred in the historical drama Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung alongside Shin Se-kyung. He played the role of a royal prince who became a romance novelist, and won the Excellence Award for an Actor and Best Couple Award with Shin at the MBC Drama Awards. In December, he was announced as a cast member of the new variety show Handsome Tigers alongside Joy, Lee Sang-yoon, Yoo Seon-ho, and Seo Jang-hoon.

In April 2020, Cha joined SBS television show Master in the House as a fixed cast member. At the 2020 SBS Entertainment Awards, he won the Rookie Award for his role on the show. In December 2020, he starred in the tvN coming-of-age romance drama True Beauty based on the webtoon of the same name, playing a high school student alongside Moon Ga-young.

In June 2021, he left Master in the House. In November 2021, Cha released "Don't Cry, My Love", a ballad song featuring a piano performance, for the official soundtrack of the comic Under The Oak Tree.

In 2022, Cha recorded the remake of "Focus on Me" for the soundtrack of the Kakao webtoon The Villainess Is a Marionette, released on February 22. He then played the role of a Navy officer in Hwang In-ho's urban terror action film Decibel which was released in November 2022. Later that year he starred in TVING drama Island alongside Kim Nam-gil, Lee Da-hee and Sung Joon, playing the role of an exorcist priest. On December 30, Fantagio released an official statement stating that Cha had decided to renew his contract with the agency.

2023–present: Solo debut and focus on solo career

In 2023, Cha starred in the webtoon-based fantasy romance drama A Good Day to Be a Dog. On June 1, Cha was confirmed for Wonderful World led by veteran actress Kim Nam-joo with premiere scheduled for the first half of 2024. On October 18, Cha released the remake of "Jealousy", which was originally sung by Yoo Seung-beom, for the official soundtrack of the drama A Good Day to Be a Dog. On October 27, Cha became the first artist to receive the Global Icon Award at MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2023, a special award given to honor the achievements of global activities as an artist. On December 8, according to Fantagio, Cha will be having his first ever fan concert "Mystery Elevator" in 2024.

In 2024, Cha will embark on the Just One 10 Minutes "Mystery Elevator", his first solo fan concert. It begins on February 17 in South Korea, and includes visits to Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia. On January 9, Fantagio confirms Cha will debut as soloist and is preparing for his solo album to be released by the first half of 2024. Cha will perform all the songs included in his album for the first time at the Seoul fan concert. On February 15, Cha extended play "Entity" was released, containing the lead single "Stay". The music video features him and American actress India Eisley. On February 19, the music video of the EP, "Where Am I" was released. On March 27, it was announced that three more concerts were added in Hongkong, Brazil and Mexico between April 26 and June 5. On April 25, due to demand, a second show was added in Mexico at Arena CDMX on June 4. On May 16, it was announced the encore fan concert tour Just One 10 Minutes "Mystery Elevator Encore". It begins in Japan at K-Arena Yokohama on June 29 and 30. Cha is scheduled to reunite with the audience in South Korea at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium on July 6.

Other ventures

Fashion and endorsements

In February 2021, Cha became Penshoppe's international ambassador. In March, he was selected as the brand model for Noona Holdak Chicken. In May, Cha was chosen as a new model for clothing brand O'Neill. In July, Cha became a brand ambassador for Burberry. Cha was then chosen as Konvy's first presenter, as well as a model for Mackiss Company's Now We Are soju and the health functional food Perilla in the Eyes. In August, Cha was selected as a model for Samhwa Foods, and the new muse of Dashu Perfume.

In January 2022, Cha became the muse for the hair styling brand Dashu. The next two months, he became as a new brand ambassador for Ms Glow, and Mister Potato. In April 2022, Cha was selected as a model for contemporary men's clothing brand Liberclassy. In June, Cha became a brand ambassador for Dior Beauty, announced after attending Jean-Michel Othoniel's exhibition. In December, there was a post announcing Cha became a brand ambassador for Dior.

In January 2023, Cha became a regional brand ambassador for Skechers, this partnership covers seven key Asia-Pacific markets for Skechers: Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. In February, Cha and actress Han So-hee were selected as CF models together for global clothing brand Giordano. Cha launches the global campaign 2023 New Liens collection Liens Evidence, featuring a bridge that connects two people who express different emotions, felt at important moments of life with Chaumet's unique artistic sense. In March, Cha became a brand ambassador for Est Cola. Cha became a brand ambassador for Dunkin' Philippines. In May, Cha has been appointed as honorary ambassador for the '2023–2024 Visit Korea Year', participated in the launching ceremony of the 'K-Tourism Cooperation Group' along with First Lady Kim Keon-hee and Chairperson Lee Boo-jin. In June, Cha has been selected as a brand model for Subway and plans to continue various activities starting with the "Eat Fresh, Feel Good" campaign video that will be sent to major Asian countries including Korea next month. In August, Cha has been selected as a brand model for Chung Jungwon Home:ings. Cha has been selected as the new brand ambassador for outdoor brand The North Face. In October, Cha has been selected as the new brand ambassador for Ricola. Cha is also announced as the face of the insurance company Hanwha Life.

In January 2024, Cha became a brand ambassador for Cornetto in Southeast Asia. In February, Cha has been selected as the new brand ambassador for Milo Thailand. In March, Cha has been selected as a brand model for Sprite.

Philanthropy

In April 2019, Cha donated ₩10 million to help support the victims of the Sokcho Fire. In February 2020, It was revealed that Cha had donated ₩30 million to help those affected by COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

In June 2022, Cha participated as a special audio guide for the art exhibit of Sir Michael Craig-Martin & even donated some proceeds for cancer patients at the National Cancer Center. In November 2022, it was announced that Cha will hold a photo exhibition at the end of the year and will donate all profits to help the underprivileged.

In July 2023, Cha donated ₩10 million for the Ice Bucket Challenge campaign, receiving a challenge from actor Lee Jung-jae and he nominated Yoon San-ha, Moon Ga-young and Park Gyu-young to join the campaign.

Impact and influence

In November 2018, Cha was included as one of GQ Korea's Men of the Year. In the K-pop Radar Year-End Chart of 2019, Cha was named as the male "Hot Instagrammer".

In April 2021, Cha placed 17th on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity and sixth in the SNS category. In April 2022, after Cha was selected to represent contemporary men's clothing brand Liberclassy, traffic to the company's mall increased by 806% in the first week of April from the previous week, and the brand also saw an increase in social media engagement. An official from Liberclassy said, "The Cha Eunwoo effect was seen as more than 70 million won in sales generated for pre-application alone".

In February 2023, Cha placed on Forbes 30 Under 30. In October 2023, survey conducted by JoyNews24, Cha was included as one of entertainment industry power people in South Korea. In December 2023, survey conducted by Gallup Korea, Cha ranked as the 11th on Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year.

In April 2024, Cha placed 11th on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity, being the highest-ranked actor on the list, and fourth in the SNS category.

Discography

Extended plays

Singles

Other charted songs

Songwriting credits

All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.

Videography

Music videos

Filmography

Film

Television series

Web series

Television shows

Web show

Hosting

Music video appearances

Awards and nominations

Listicles

Notes

References

External links

• Cha Eun-Woo on Fantagio
• Cha Eun-woo at IMDb 
• Cha Eun-woo at HanCinema