Biography
Who is Cha Seung-won?
Early career and modeling
Cha Seung-won attended Dankook University High School before enrolling at Sungkyunkwan University. He eventually left his studies to pursue a professional career in fashion modeling. He began this work in 1988 and quickly became an in-demand figure in the industry.
His transition into acting started with the television sitcom New York Story. This early television role helped prepare him for his future film debut. He officially entered the film industry with his first movie appearance in Holiday In Seoul in 1997.
Rise to stardom
The actor gained significant notice in 2000 for his performance as an arsonist in the film Libera Me. The following year, his career reached a turning point with the comedy Kick the Moon. This movie sold over 4.3 million tickets and established him as a leading performer in South Korea.
Throughout the early 2000s, he starred in multiple successful comedies including Jail Breakers, My Teacher, Mr. Kim, and Ghost House. His work in My Teacher, Mr. Kim drew particular praise for his portrayal of a corrupt schoolteacher. He also appeared in the weekend drama Bodyguard in 2003.
Acting versatility and television roles
In 2005, he expanded his range by appearing in the period thriller Blood Rain. This project proved his ability to handle serious, non-comedic material successfully. He continued this versatility with the melodrama Over the Border in 2006 and the film My Son in 2007. Other crime thrillers like Eye for an Eye and Secret followed shortly after.
His television career remained highly active throughout the 2010s and 2020s. He starred in the hit series The Greatest Love in 2011, where his character became a pop culture hit. Later projects included the fantasy drama A Korean Odyssey, the police series You're All Surrounded, and the disaster film Sinkhole. In 2021, he appeared in One Ordinary Day and later joined the cast of the 2022 drama Our Blues.
Personal life and family
Cha is married to Lee Soo-jin. The couple has a daughter named Cha Ye-ni, who was born in 2003 and later christened Rachel. He also raised a son named Cha No-ah, who was born in 1989 and christened Noah.
In 2014, a legal dispute occurred when a man claimed to be the biological father of Cha No-ah. Cha Seung-won publicly acknowledged that No-ah was his wife's son from a previous marriage and that he had legally adopted him after they married. He apologized for previously providing an incorrect marriage date that he had used to protect his son's privacy regarding his paternity.
Birthday and age
Cha Seung-won was born on June 7, 1970, which makes Cha 56 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Cha shares the date with 27 other famous people.
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