Cha Seung-won

3.1. Film

Cha Seung-won's film career began in 1997 with Holiday In Seoul. While his initial roles did not immediately establish him as a major star, his performance as an arsonist in the 2000 firefighting film Libera Me garnered significant attention. The following year, his leading role in Kim Sang-jin's comedy Kick the Moon sold over 4.3 M tickets, solidifying his status as a leading actor with strong box office appeal.

In 2003, Cha took on a more serious role as a corrupt schoolteacher transferred to a country school in My Teacher, Mr. Kim, which grossed over 2.4 M admissions and earned him further praise. He reunited with director Jang Gyu-seong for the 2007 comedy Small Town Rivals. In 2004, he re-teamed with director Kim Sang-jin for Ghost House, a successful comedy about a man whose dream home is haunted.

Cha diversified his roles in 2005, moving away from comedy to star in the period thriller Blood Rain, which became a commercial success and confirmed his broad appeal. He further showcased his versatility in Jang Jin's Murder, Take One (also known as The Big Scene). In 2006, he starred in his first melodrama, Over the Border, portraying a North Korean defector. He reunited with Jang Jin again in My Son (2007), noting that his own experience as a father greatly aided his portrayal of the character. This was followed by stylish crime thrillers Eye for an Eye (2008) and Secret (2009).

2010 was a busy year for Cha, as he appeared in Lee Joon-ik's period action film Blades of Blood and the Korean War film 71: Into the Fire, where he portrayed Park Moo-rang.

In 2014, he starred in the comedy neo-noir film Man on High Heels, his third collaboration with director Jang Jin, where he played a transgender homicide detective, a role that subverted his established "macho" image. He also provided the Korean voice dubbing for the narrator in the 2015 animated film Minions. In 2016, he played cartographer and geologist Kim Jeong-ho in the period epic The Map Against The World (also known as Gosanja, Daedongyeojido), directed by Kang Woo-suk. He made a special appearance as Brian Lee in the 2018 crime thriller Believer and reprised this role in the 2023 Netflix film Believer 2. In 2019, he starred in the family comedy-drama Cheer Up, Mr. Lee, and in 2021, he appeared in the disaster film Sinkhole and the Netflix film Night in Paradise. His upcoming film roles include King Seonjo in the 2024 Netflix film Uprising and a cameo as Mr. Kim in the 2025 Netflix series Mercy For None.

3.2. Television Series

Cha Seung-won's television career began in 1997 with the SBS sitcom New York Story. He gained significant popularity through various drama roles, becoming a household name. In 2003, he starred as a private bodyguard in KBS2's weekend drama Bodyguard. His return to television in 2009 in the political romantic comedy City Hall, penned by writer Kim Eun-sook, was well-received.

In 2010, he appeared in the spy series Athena: Goddess of War. A major turning point came in 2011 with the hit romantic comedy series The Greatest Love, where his portrayal of the arrogant top star "Dokko Jin" became a pop culture phenomenon, leading to numerous commercial deals and parodies, as well as several awards for Cha.

He continued his television presence in the police series You're All Surrounded (2014) and then took on the historical role of Prince Gwanghae in the 2015 period drama Splendid Politics, which depicted the power struggles within the Joseon Dynasty. In 2017, Cha was cast in tvN's fantasy romantic comedy drama A Korean Odyssey by the Hong sisters, portraying Woo Hwi-chul. In 2022, he appeared in the tvN drama Our Blues as Choi Han-soo, a character that resonated with viewers. His upcoming projects include Pigpen in 2025 as the pension owner.

3.3. Web Series

Cha Seung-won has expanded his acting portfolio to include web-based drama series, featuring in productions for popular streaming platforms. In 2021, he starred alongside Kim Soo-hyun in the Coupang Play original series One Ordinary Day, which was based on the British television series Criminal Justice. He is also set to appear as a main role in the 2024 Disney+ original web series The Tyrant, and will make a cameo appearance as Mr. Kim in the upcoming Netflix series Mercy For None.

3.4. Theater

Cha Seung-won made his stage debut in 2004 with a cameo appearance in the play Taxi Driver. He then took on a more significant role in 2012, starring 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 play focused on the friendship of artists from Korea and Japan who collaborated to preserve traditional Korean arts. He continued this role into 2013, expressing a desire to return to the origins of acting through theater.

4.1. Variety and Television Shows

Cha Seung-won has been a frequent and beloved presence on South Korean variety and television shows. His early hosting gigs include co-hosting Lee Seung-yeon's Say Say Say, Kim Hye-soo Plus You, and hosting GO! Our Heaven and Music Camp in 1998. He made guest appearances on popular talk shows such as Happy Together (various seasons), Ya Sim Man Man, Kim Yong-man Shin Dong-yup's Enjoyment, Come to Play, Infinite Challenge, and Healing Camp.

A significant turning point in his variety career came with his participation in the cable reality show Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village (2015), filmed on the remote Manjae Island. His surprising and versatile cooking skills, even with minimal ingredients, earned him the affectionate nickname "Chajumma" (a portmanteau of his surname "Cha" and the Korean word for "auntie," 아줌마_ajumma^Korean), which became a mini pop culture phenomenon and garnered him widespread acclaim. He reprised this role in subsequent seasons, including Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 2 (2015), Three Meals a Day: Gochang Village (2016), and Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 5 (2020), and most recently, Three Meals a Day Lite (2024).

Other notable appearances include Cha Seung-won's Health Club (2006), Korean Hostel in Spain (2019), where he was a cast member, and Follow Hyung to Maya (2023), where he joined as a cast member with the nickname "Cha-baksa" (Dr. Cha). He also appeared as a guest on Hangout with Yoo in 2021 and You Quiz on the Block in 2019 and 2024.

Cha Seung-won also did narration for the EBS FM program EBS Reading Radio Series in 2016.

4.2. Music Video Appearances

Cha Seung-won has appeared in several music videos, lending his charismatic presence to various artists. He featured in music videos for Kim Jang-hoon's "Even if the World Fools You" (1998) and "I am a Man" (2000), Uhm Jung-hwa's "Poison" (1998), Position's "I Love You" (2001) and "Desperado" (2003), and 4U's "In My Heart" (2002). He also appeared in the music video for the "Project X" music short film in 2003. In 2011, he starred in T-ara's music videos for "Cry Cry" and "Lovey Dovey" (2012), and for Lena Park's "I'm Sorry" (2012). Later, he featured in Wanna One's "Beautiful" (2017) and is slated to appear in Jisoo's "Earthquake" in 2025.

4.3. Endorsements and Ambassadorships

Cha Seung-won has been a prominent figure in advertising, endorsing a wide range of products and services. His endorsement activities span various industries including fashion, electronics, food, telecommunications, and finance. He has appeared in campaigns for brands such as Geumgang Shoes (Landrover), Ssangbangwool (Try, X-Zone underwear), E-Land (Roem women's clothing), LG Electronics (Freeway mobile phones), Lotte Confectionery (Lotte Gum), Unam Construction, Youngjin Pharm (Ssark), Orion (Hot Break, O-Friend snacks), Binggrae (Spicy Bean Ramen), Hite Jinro (Hite beer), Oxy Reckitt Benckiser (Power Clean), ONMEDIA, Korea Dairy & Beef Association (Milk Sharing Campaign), Aekyung Industrial (Sunsam), Konica Film (Centuria), Chamont Cosmetics (Vov for Men), Philips Korea (Philishave), Cosmetic Land (Woman Plus), SG Global (Vasso men's suits), Woongjin Food (Green Cider), Lotte Nestle Korea (Taster's Choice coffee), Taeseung Apparel (ru jeans), KT (1541 Collect Call, KT Home Phone ANN), LG U+ (Economic Common Sense for Couples), Zespri International Korea (Gold Kiwi), SK Telecom (Nate Drive, SK Telecom band LTE), Lotte Chilsung (MBP Bone General, Del Monte Cold Juice), Woori Home Shopping (woori.com), LF (Townzen men's suits), Daesang (Sunchang Gochujang), HK Inno.N (Condition), Ottogi (Jin Ramen, Jin Ramen CUP), CJ (Channel CGV), Ildong International (Duldul Chicken), Bohae (Bokbunja Wine), Kwangdong Pharmaceutical (Sunkist, Kwangdong Hutgaecha), Winia Electronics (Classe air conditioner), Dongkook Pharmaceutical (Complex Madecassol), Woongjin Thinkbig (Thinkbig learning materials), KDB Life (corporate promotion), S-Oil (gas station), Heim Intertrade (Hedgren bags), SK Pantech (Sky VEGA smartphone), Namyang Dairy Products (Delicious Milk GT), Ourhome (Handmade Natural Pork Frankfurt Sausage), Samil Pharmaceutical (Zerojeong), Giorgio Armani Korea (Giorgio Armani Mineral for Men), Hyundai Motor (Santa Fe The Style), Dongwon F&B (Dongwon Tuna), Samsung Card (Samsung S-Class), MK Trend (Buckaroo), FILA Korea (Fila Sport), Home & Shopping, Samsung Electronics (Samsung Zipel Asak Grande Style 508 kimchi refrigerator), Edgewell Personal Care Korea (Schick razors), Amorepacific (Median dental care), Lotte Asahi Liquor (Asahi Super Dry), Shinhan Korea (JDX Multisports golf wear), Coca-Cola Beverage (Schweppes, Seagram sparkling water), Paldo (Paldo Bibim Myeon x Three Meals a Day), Lotteria (Lotteria Gangjeong Burger), Netmarble (Raven mobile game), RGP Korea (Yogiyo House delivery app), Samsung Securities (Samsung Securities POP UMA), Sempio (Cooking Essence Yeondo), Takeda Pharmaceutical Korea (Actinum), Hankook Tire (T Station), KB Financial Group (KB Kookmin Card Only You Card), Rankingdakcom, and HMC Networks (CareNation care platform).

He also received the "Good Model Award" from the Korea Advertisers Association in 2003 and 2015, and the "Best CF Model for 2006" from TVCF Awards in 2007, recognizing his significant impact in commercial advertising.

6.1. Awards and Nominations

6.2. State Honors

6.3. Listicles