Cha Eun-woo is one of the most talented and well-known people in the world of K-pop and Korean entertainment. Lee Dong-min was born on March 30, 1997, in Gunpo, South Korea. This 28-year-old star has wowed audiences around the world with his otherworldly looks, soulful performances, and unwavering dedication to his art. Cha Eun-woo is known as the “Face Genius” because of his striking looks. He is more than just an idol; he is a singer, actor, model, and philanthropist whose impact goes far beyond the stage. Cha’s journey is still a testament to resilience and reinvention as of October 2025, when he is serving in the military and has new projects on the way.
Early Life and the Road to Fame
Cha Eun-woo’s story starts in the busy suburbs of Gunpo, where he grew up with his parents and younger brother, Lee Dong-hwi (born 1999). He showed an interest in art from a young age. In fourth grade, he studied English in Tagaytay, Philippines, which helped him develop a global view early on. His family also has a pet Bichon Frise named Dongdongie that they all love. This adds a little warmth to his public image.
Cha went to Nungnae Elementary School, Suri Middle School, and Suri High School before graduating from the prestigious Hanlim Multi Art School in 2016. There, he majored in broadcasting and entertainment in the acting arts department. Later, he studied theater at Sungkyunkwan University, where he focused on the performing arts. During his high school years, fate stepped in: in 2012, when he was only 15, he auditioned for Fantagio Entertainment and got a spot as a trainee. This was the start of a tough six-year training period that would make him famous.
Musical Journey: From ASTRO to Solo Stardom
In 2016, Cha Eun-woo’s music career took off when he joined the boy band ASTRO under Fantagio Music. The five-member group (which became four after Moonbin died in 2023) released their EP Spring Up on February 23. The music was a mix of bright pop and fantasy themes, and they gained a loyal fanbase called Aroha. Cha quickly became a star in the group as the lead vocalist and visual, singing on hits like “Crazy Sexy Cool” and “All Night.”
But music was always a part of his bigger artistic goals. Cha took a big step into solo work in 2024 when he released his first extended play (EP), Entity, on February 15. The song “Stay,” which features American actress India Eisley in its music video, showed off his emotional singing and thoughtful lyrics. It reached No. 1 on South Korea’s Circle Digital Chart. They worked together on a number of projects, such as the emotional song “Because You’re My Woman” on Lee Seung-gi’s 20th anniversary album in December 2024 and an acoustic cover of “Free” with Arden Cho in August 2025 for the animated movie KPop: Demon Hunters.
In April 2025, Cha led a tribute song for his late ASTRO bandmate Moonbin, which was released on the second anniversary of his death. This was a very moving moment. Cha’s personal contact with collaborators showed his loyalty and emotional depth, which fans really connected with.
Cha’s musical momentum stays strong even when he’s in the military. On October 24, 2025, he announced his second EP, Else, which would come out on November 21. This surprise drop has Aroha buzzing with excitement.
Acting Breakthroughs: From the Internet to the Big Screen
Cha’s acting career has taken off alongside his music career, turning him from a supporting actor into a leading man. He made his first appearance on screen in 2014 in the movie My Brilliant Life, where he played a small part next to big names like Gang Dong-won. Following that, he starred in early web dramas like To Be Continued (2015) and My Romantic Some Recipe (2016), which helped him become more well-known on screen.
My ID is Gangnam Beauty, a JTBC romantic comedy from 2018, was the turning point. Cha played the charming but distant Do Kyung-seok, which gave him the nickname “Nation’s First Love” and made him very popular. This led to more important roles, such as the scholarly Prince Yirim in Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019), the moody Lee Su-ho in True Beauty (2020–2021), and the mysterious exorcist priest John in Island (2022–2023). His dramatic range was further solidified by his chemistry in A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023–2024) and the intense Wonderful World (2024).
His movies have done very well in 2025. He made a special appearance in IU’s music video “A Beautiful Person” in May, which showed off his magnetic charm. He will make his big-screen debut as the lead in director Nam Dae-jung’s comedy The First Ride, which comes out on October 29. Cha plays Ahn Yeon-min in the movie, which is a “stress-relieving, hilarious” ensemble with Kang Ha-neul and Kim Young-kwang. Recent VIP screenings, which stars like Jungkook from BTS went to, have gone viral, with people praising its “explosive fun.” The Netflix show The Wonderfools, a superpower comedy with Park Eun-bin, is also in post-production. Cha plays a socially awkward civil servant in the show.
Critics say he has grown, going from having a “charming presence” to showing more emotional depth. However, some want him to take on more difficult roles after he joins the military.
Modeling, giving back, and having an impact outside of the spotlight
Cha Eun-woo is a big deal in both fashion and business. He has more than 47 million Instagram followers and is the face of high-end brands like Burberry (since 2021), Dior (2022), Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, and Chaumet. He has 93 endorsements in total, including Shinhan Bank, Marithé et François Girbaud, and ABIB in 2025 alone. His title as the “most influential man in global fashion” and top TV ad star in Korea in 2024 show how powerful he is in business.
Giving to charity is just as important. Cha has been a champion for many causes since 2016, from raising awareness about breast cancer with W Korea in October 2024 to giving personal items to poor kids. In March 2025, he gave ₩100 million ($72,000) to the Korean Red Cross to help Ulsan and Gyeongbuk recover from wildfires by paying for shelters and aid kits. He was named Honorary Ambassador for Visit Korea (2023–2024) and made it into Madame Tussauds’ 2025 Hot 100. His impact is clear.
A Noble Break for Military Service
Cha signed up for the Republic of Korea Army Band on July 28, 2025, after passing an interview in May. This is something that many South Korean men do. He was chosen to be a company commander trainee during basic training. He graduated as the trainee representative on September 2 and is now with the Ministry of National Defense Military Band until January 2027. Before he left, he said goodbye to fans at “THE ROYAL” in Seoul (July 12) and Tokyo (July 15), where he performed an unreleased single and the viral “Soda Pop” dance. However, safety concerns arose because of the large crowds.
In a new twist, his June 18 VR concert CHA EUN-WOO VR CONCERT: MEMORIES premiered in 21 cities around the world, from Seoul to Jakarta. A movie version came out in CGV theaters on September 24 in formats like 4DX. He also appeared on the reality show Rented in Finland from December 2024 to February 2025, giving fans a look at his charming side when he wasn’t working.
Legacy and What’s Next
Cha Eun-woo has won many awards that show how great he is: the 2019 MBC Drama Awards’ Excellence Award, the 2020 SBS Entertainment Awards’ Rookie of the Year award, and the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards Japan’s Global Icon Award. He won Best Actor at the Blue Dragon Ranking Awards for Wonderful World and Hot Icon at the Fn New Trend Awards in 2025. He also got a commendation from the Minister of Culture in 2024. Forbes’ 2025 30 Under 30 Asia list cements his status as a generational talent. He has a net worth of $50 million, thanks in part to a ₩4.9 billion penthouse in Cheongdam-dong.
As Else approaches and The First Ride revs up theaters, Cha’s post-service schedule—hosting the 40th Golden Disc Awards in January 2026—promises more milestones. Cha Eun-woo reminds us that true stardom is about being real, whether he’s singing ballads or playing flawed heroes. His graceful growth will keep him a beacon for years to come, even in a world where trends come and go.
