Cha Seung-won
| Cha Seung-won | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
June 7, 1970 Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Agent | YG Entertainment |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism[1] |
| Spouse(s) | Lee Soo-jin (m. 1992) |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 차승원 |
| Hanja | 車勝元 |
| Revised Romanization | Cha Seung-won |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'a Sŭng-wŏn |
Cha Seung-won (born June 7, 1970) is a South Korean actor. He began his career as an in-demand fashion model in the 1990s, before embarking on an acting career. 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 the period thriller Blood Rain (2005) and melodrama My Son (2007), Cha's popularity continued with the television series Bodyguard (2003), City Hall (2009), and The Greatest Love (2011).
Career
Cha Seung-won dropped out of Sungkyunkwan University,[1] and began a successful career as a fashion model in 1988.[2] He was cast in the TV sitcom New York Story, which would eventually pave the way for his debut in film.[3]
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.[3] 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.[4]
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[5]). 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.[3]
In 2005 Cha put aside the comic roles he had become known for and appeared in the grisly period thriller Blood Rain.[6][7] The film's unexpectedly robust commercial success confirmed Cha's popularity among Korean audiences.[3] He further proved his versatility in Jang Jin's Murder, Take One (also known as The Big Scene).[8][9][10]
Cha starred in his first melodrama Over the Border (2006), about a North Korean defector.[11][12][13] 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.[14] Stylish crime thrillers Eye for an Eye (2008),[15] and Secret (2009) followed.[16][17][18][19]
Cha returned to television in 2009, in the political fairytale City Hall penned by writer Kim Eun-sook.[20][21][22] 2010 was a busy year for him,[23][24] with Cha appearing in two films, the Lee Joon-ik-helmed period actioner Blades of Blood,[25] and Korean War film 71: Into the Fire,[26][27][28] followed by spy series Athena: Goddess of War.[29][30][31][32]
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.[33][34][35]
Cha made his theater debut in 2012 in the stage play Bring Me My Chariot Fire alongside Japanese actors Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Ryoko 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.[36][37][38]
In 2014, Cha signed with the talent agency YG Entertainment,[39][40] then starred in the police series You're All Surrounded.[41] 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.[42][43]
Then in 2015, Cha appeared in Three Meals a Day: Fishing 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.[44][45] He next starred as Prince Gwanghae in the period drama Splendid Politics, which focused on power struggles for the throne amid the backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty.[46][47]
Personal life
Cha married wife Lee Soo-jin in 1992. He and Lee are biological parents to daughter Cha Ye-ni (born 2003, christened as Rachel).[48] 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)[49] 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 the white lie since their son did not know his paternity.[50][51]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Attack the Gas Station | bit part | |
| A Century's End | ||
| 2000 | Black Honeymoon | Kim Joon-ho |
| Libera Me | Yeo Hee-su | |
| 2001 | Kick the Moon | Choi Ki-woong |
| 2002 | Break Out | Yang Cheol-gon |
| Jail Breakers | Moo-seok | |
| 2003 | My Teacher, Mr. Kim | Kim Bong-doo |
| 2004 | Ghost House | Park Pil-gi |
| Lovely Rivals | cameo - Kim Bong-doo | |
| 2005 | Blood Rain | Lee Won-gyoo |
| Murder, Take One | Choi Yeon-gi | |
| 2006 | Over the Border | Kim Sun-ho |
| 2007 | Small Town Rivals | Jo Choon-sam |
| 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 |
| 71: Into the Fire | Park Moo-rang | |
| 2012 | The Suck Up Project: Mr. XXX-Kisser | cameo - Cha Seung-won |
| 2014 | Man on High Heels | Yoon Ji-wook |
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | New York Story | SBS | |
| 1998 | Song of the Wind | SBS | |
| Barefoot Run | MBC | ||
| Shy Lover | Im Sung-bom | MBC | |
| Angel's Kiss | Jang Tae-ju | KBS2 | |
| 1999 | Women vs. Women | MBC | |
| Roses and Bean Sprouts | Choi Gyu-dae | MBC | |
| Woman On Top | Seung-il | SBS | |
| Love Story "Message" | SBS | ||
| 2003 | Bodyguard | Hong Kyung-tak | KBS2 |
| 2009 | City Hall | Jo Gook | SBS |
| 2010 | Athena: Goddess of War | Son Hyuk | SBS |
| 2011 | The Greatest Love | Dokko Jin | MBC |
| 2014 | You're All Surrounded | Seo Pan-seok | SBS |
| 2015 | Splendid Politics | Prince Gwanghae | MBC |
Variety shows
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Lee Seung-yeon's Say Say Say | Co-host | SBS |
| GO! Our Heaven | MC | MBC | |
| Kim Hye-soo Plus You | Co-host | SBS | |
| Music Camp | MC | MBC | |
| 2006 | Cha Seung-won's Health Club (Sunday Sunday Night) | Himself | MBC |
| 2015 | Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village | Himself | tvN |
Music video appearances
| Year | Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Even if the World Fools You" | Kim Jang-hoon |
| "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 | [52] |
| 2008 | "Rain Shower" | Kim Jang-hoon |
| 2011 | "Cry Cry" | T-ara |
| 2012 | "Lovey Dovey" | |
| "I'm Sorry" | Lena Park | |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Bring Me My Chariot of Fire | Lee Soon-woo |
Commercials/endorsements
| Year | Product |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Kumkang Land Rover |
| 1996 | LG Electronics Kumho Airline Roem Fashion |
| 1998 | Hite Beer Unam Apartment |
| 1999 | Philips Philishave Konica Centuria Chamon Cosmetics for Men SBS Campaign Oxy Oxy Power Clean CHB Bank |
| 2000 | Basso Homme Aekyung Chemical: Soonsaem Bubble |
| 2001 | Nestlé Korea Orion Frito-Lay |
| 2002 | RU Jeans |
| 2003 | LG Telecom KT 1541 Collect Call |
| 2004 | Daewoo Electronics Zespri® Gold Kiwifruit SK Telecom NATE Drive Lotte Chilsung MBP Drink for Kids Woori Home Shopping |
| 2005 | Daewoo Electronics Ottogi Jin Ramen Chung Jung Won Sunchang Pepper |
| 2006 | S-Oil Kumho Life Daewoo Electronics Haitai beverage Channel CGV Ottogi Jin Ramen Chung Jung Won Sunchang Pepper Dongkook Pharmaceutical Madecassol complex ointment Bohae Black Raspberry Wine Woongjin ThinkBig |
| 2007 | S-Oil Kumho Life Lotte World 'Island Castle' KT landine phone |
| 2008 | S-Oil Kumho Life Hedgren Bag |
| 2010 | Pantech Sky Vega Namyang Delicious Milk GT |
| 2011 | Dongwon Chamchi Samsung Card S Class Buckaroo Jeans FILA Sport Hyundai Santa Fe Giorgio Armani Skin Minerals for Men Lotte Chilsung Del Monte Cold Juice Asahi Super Dry Me2day Xero |
| 2012 | HOME & SHOPPING Maserati Amorepacific Median Schick Hydro 5 DAKS Accessories JDX Emporio Armani Watches F/W 2012 |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Model Line | Best Dressed Award | N/A | Won |
| Korea Model Association | Model of the Year | N/A | Won | |
| Korea Fashion Photographers Association | Model of the Year | N/A | Won | |
| 12th Best Dressed Awards | Best Dressed, Model category | N/A | Won | |
| 1996 | Korea Fashion Association | Male Model of the Year | N/A | Won |
| 1997 | Model Center's Adieu Fashion Festival | Grand Prize/Daesang, Fashion category | N/A | Won |
| 1999 | 16th Korea Best Dresser Swan Awards | Best Dressed | N/A | Won |
| 2000 | 37th Grand Bell Awards | Best New Actor | A Century's End | Nominated |
| 21st Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Libera Me | Nominated | |
| 2001 | 38th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | |
| 22nd Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Actor | Kick the Moon | Nominated | |
| 2002 | 25th Golden Cinematography Awards | Popularity Award | Won | |
| 2003 | 39th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor (Film) | Jail Breakers | Won |
| 40th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | My Teacher, Mr. Kim | Nominated | |
| 24th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
| 16th Grimae Awards | Best Actor | Bodyguard | Won | |
| KBS Drama Awards | Popularity Award | Won | ||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor | Won | |||
| Korea Advertisers Association | Good Model Award | N/A | Won | |
| 2004 | 40th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor (TV) | Bodyguard | Nominated |
| 2006 | 42nd Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor (Film) | Blood Rain | Nominated |
| 2007 | TVCF Awards | Best CF Model for 2006 | Won | |
| 15th Chunsa Film Art Awards[53] | Best Actor | My Son | Won | |
| Korea Fashion & Design Awards | Fashion Icon Award | N/A | Won | |
| 2008 | 1st Korea Jewelry Awards | Sapphire Award | N/A | Won |
| 2009 | SBS Drama Awards | Top 10 Stars | City Hall | Won |
| Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special | Won | |||
| 2010 | 5th Asia Model Festival Awards | Asia Special Award, Film category | N/A | Won |
| 2011 | 1st Hong Kong Cable TV Awards | Best Actor | City Hall | Nominated |
| 5th Mnet 20's Choice Awards | Hot Male Body (Best Six-Pack) | N/A | Won | |
| Hot Drama Star - Male | The Greatest Love | Won | ||
| 4th Style Icon Awards | Style Icon of the Year | N/A | Won | |
| 9th Korea Lifestyle Awards[54] | Best Dressed of the Year - Male | N/A | Won | |
| 4th Korea Drama Awards | Best Actor | The Greatest Love | Nominated | |
| 38th Korea Broadcasting Awards | Best Actor | Won | ||
| 24th Grimae Awards | Best Actor | Won | ||
| SBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama | Athena: Goddess of War | Nominated | |
| MBC Drama Awards[55] | Best Couple Award with Gong Hyo-jin | The Greatest Love | Won | |
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Won | |||
| 2012 | 48th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor (TV) | Nominated | |
| 2014 | SBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special | You're All Surrounded | Nominated |
References
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won's Movie Picks". 10Asia. January 18, 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Cha Seung-won". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
- ↑ "Jang Dong-gun Voted Korea's Most Bankable Star". The Chosun Ilbo. October 20, 2005.
- ↑ "Small Town Rivals puts comic twist on friendship". The Korea Herald. March 22, 2007.
- ↑ "Dogged Cha Seung-won: Movie Tears of Blood". The Dong-a Ilbo. April 13, 2005.
- ↑ "K-FILM REVIEWS: 혈의 누 (Blood Rain)". Twitch Film. September 12, 2005.
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won: Not Groomed for Stardom". The Chosun Ilbo. August 2, 2005.
- ↑ "The Big Scene showcases a clever detective thriller". The Korea Herald. August 11, 2005.
- ↑ "K-FILM REVIEWS: 박수칠 때 떠나라 (Murder, Take One)". Twitch Film. January 2, 2006.
- ↑ "Comic star's melodramatic acting in South of the Border". The Korea Herald via Hancinema. April 27, 2006.
- ↑ "Go South". The Dong-a Ilbo. April 27, 2006.
- ↑ "Border, Personal Stories of NK Defectors". The Korea Times via Hancinema. May 4, 2006.
- ↑ "Movies Reflect on Contemporary Fathers". The Korea Times. April 24, 2007.
- ↑ "Eye Spies Perfect Crime". The Korea Times. July 24, 2008.
- ↑ "Thriller lays bare the secrets that we keep". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 27, 2009.
- ↑ "INTERVIEW: Cha Seung-won - Part 1". 10Asia. December 2, 2009.
- ↑ "INTERVIEW: Cha Seung-won - Part 2". 10Asia. December 2, 2009.
- ↑ "INTERVIEW: Cha Seung-won - Part 3". 10Asia. December 2, 2009.
- ↑ "City Hall to Bring Public Officials to TV". The Korea Times. April 21, 2009.
- ↑ "More romantic comedy for prime time". The Korea Herald. April 29, 2009.
- ↑ "Male Actors Try New Roles in TV Dramas". KBS Global. July 2, 2009.
- ↑ "Interview: Actor Cha Seung-won - Part 1". 10Asia. April 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Interview: Actor Cha Seung-won - Part 2". 10Asia. April 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Traces of Lee Joon-ik's work in Blades of Blood". 10Asia. April 20, 2010.
- ↑ "Korean War resurrected onscreen". The Korea Times. May 11, 2010.
- ↑ "TOP says lived as 17-year-old for 6 months for Fire (1)". 10Asia. May 11, 2010.
- ↑ "TOP says lived as 17-year-old for 6 months for Fire (2)". 10Asia. May 11, 2010.
- ↑ "Will Athena Exceeds Popularity of IRIS?". KBS Global. September 1, 2010.
- ↑ "Athena to sneak into homes this month". The Korea Times. November 30, 2010.
- ↑ "Preview: SBS TV series Athena". 10Asia. December 3, 2010.
- ↑ "'Iris' spinoff set for its small-screen debut". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 7, 2010.
- ↑ "TV soap to peek into celebrity life". The Korea Times. May 3, 2011.
- ↑ "Preview: Cha Seung-won: I wanted to show the cute side to men". 10Asia. June 23, 2011.
- ↑ "Interview: Actor Cha Seung-won". 10Asia. June 27, 2011.
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won to expand career into play". 10Asia. September 7, 2012.
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won stars in Tokyo play". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 6, 2012.
- ↑ "Korean, Japanese actors come together in Chariot". Korea JoongAng Daily. November 8, 2012.
- ↑ "Veteran actor Cha works with YG". The Korea Times. January 20, 2014.
- ↑ "YG Entertainment signs more actors". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 21, 2014.
- ↑ "Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Go Ara Confirm New Drama". 10Asia. February 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Still cuts show Cha Seung-won garnered as woman in High Heel (2014)". The Korea Herald. May 29, 2014.
- ↑ "Gender focus of noir film". Korea JoongAng Daily. June 2, 2014.
- ↑ "Three Meals a Day spawns spinoff". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 13, 2015.
- ↑ "Chajumma signs ad deals". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 21, 2015.
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won has to act hungry for power". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 26, 2015.
- ↑ "Gwanghaegun returns in factional drama". The Korea Times. April 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won "My energy charger is my daughter"". Newsen via Hancinema. June 26, 2011.
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won reveals his son Noah, already 20 years old". Newsen via Hancinema. December 8, 2011.
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won is sued by wife's ex". Korea JoongAng Daily. October 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Cha Seung-won cleared of libel charges". The Korea Herald. October 8, 2014.
- ↑ "Project X - Original Music DVD". YesAsia. March 14, 2003.
- ↑ "차승원, 춘사영화제 블랙수트로 한껏 멋냈어요~" (in Korean). Newsen via Daum. September 6, 2008.
- ↑ "Hyundai Mobis awarded grand prize at 2011 Korea Lifestyle Awards". The Korea Herald. December 6, 2011.
- ↑ "The Greatest Love snags 7 honors at 2011 MBC Drama Awards". 10Asia. January 2, 2012.
External links
- Cha Seung-won at YG Entertainment
- Cha Seung-won fan cafe at Daum (Korean)
- Cha Seung-won at HanCinema
- Cha Seung-won at the Internet Movie Database
- Cha Seung-won at the Korean Movie Database