Cha Eun Woo, a member of the group ASTRO, is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service as a soldier in the Army Defense Agency Support Unit’s military band. A recent photo shared from the Ministry of National Defense shows the actor-singer continuing to engage with fans and the public through his official duties, maintaining his significant public presence despite his service period. His discharge date is scheduled for January 27, 2027.
The term ‘Face Genius’ is widely used to describe Cha Eun Woo. This nickname comes from his noted sharp features and well-defined facial structure. His remarkable aesthetics have made him a standout visual in the K-pop and K-drama industry.
A Prolific Career Before Enlistment
Cha Eun Woo, whose real name is Lee Dong-min, was born on March 30, 1997, in Gunpo, South Korea. He is a singer, actor, and a member of the boy band Astro, which debuted in February 2016. He studied performing arts in the theater department at Sungkyunkwan University.
His path to stardom began unconventionally. He was discovered by a talent scout not at a formal audition, but while he was heading to a bathroom during a festival at his middle school. At the time, his career dreams were focused on traditional professions like becoming a doctor, judge, or prosecutor. He started his training during his first year of high school.
His career expanded significantly into acting. He first appeared on screen in the 2014 film ‘My Brilliant Life’, starring alongside major actors like Gang Dong-won and Song Hye-kyo. He gained wider recognition and his first leading television role in the 2018 JTBC romantic comedy series ‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty’. This role was a major factor in his rise in popularity. He further cemented his status as a leading actor with main roles in popular dramas like ‘True Beauty’ (2020-2021), ‘Island’ (2022-2023), and ‘Wonderful World’ (2024).
In 2024, he also debuted as a solo artist with his first extended play, ‘Entity’, and embarked on his first solo fan concert tour, ‘Just One 10 Minutes Mystery Elevator’, which included shows across Asia and in Brazil and Mexico. Most recently, before his enlistment, he was cast in the upcoming Netflix comedy series ‘The Wonderfools’ alongside actress Park Eun-bin.
Academic Excellence and High Intelligence
Cha Eun Woo is frequently noted for his combination of visual appeal and intellectual ability. Reports widely cite that he has an IQ of 142. This high intelligence was matched by strong academic performance during his school years. He was an excellent student who served as class president.
He also demonstrated talent beyond the classroom. He was the captain of both his school’s basketball and football teams. He also won multiple awards in competitions for English, writing, and debate. These achievements show a well-rounded profile that goes far beyond his celebrity image.
Recent Military Activity and Ongoing Projects
Cha Eun Woo enlisted for his mandatory military service in July 2026. He is serving as a member of the military band within the Army Defense Agency Support Unit. His continued connection with the public was highlighted recently when singer Sohyang shared a photo with him. She posted on her social media on the 18th of a previous month, writing, “Went to a Ministry of National Defense performance. Yay! Cha Eun Woo”. The photo shows Cha Eun Woo in a military uniform holding an event cue sheet in what appears to be a waiting room.
Despite being in the military, his professional work continues to reach his audience. Just last month, he released his second solo album, ‘ELSE’, demonstrating an active career even during his service period. Furthermore, a film he starred in, ‘The First Ride’, was released to the public during this time. This film marks his debut in a lead role on the big screen.
Cha Eun Woo also recently helped organize a special tribute. In April 2025, he led the organization of a tribute song for his former Astro bandmate, Moonbin, released on the second anniversary of his passing. Cha Eun Woo personally contacted everyone involved in the project.
Sohyang shared on social media: “Went to a Ministry of National Defense performance. Yay! Cha Eun Woo”.
His planned activities show a busy schedule ahead. Before his enlistment, he announced a final solo fan meeting titled ‘THE ROYAL’, which was held at the Kyung Hee University Peace Hall in Seoul on July 12, 2025, followed by two shows in Japan. He also released a VR concert, ‘CHA EUN-WOO VR CONCERT: MEMORIES’, which premiered in June 2025 in 21 cities worldwide including Seoul, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Mexico City. A cinematic version of this concert, ‘CHA EUN-WOO: MEMORIES IN CINEMAS’, was also announced for release in CGV theaters.
A Lasting Cultural Presence
Cha Eun Woo’s influence extends into various cultural and economic spheres. In 2020, it was reported that he earned approximately 2.576 billion won, making him one of the highest-earning artists in his agency, Fantagio Entertainment. His group, Astro, was also responsible for a significant portion of the agency’s sales revenue.
He has received recognition for his global impact as an artist. In October 2023, he became the first artist to receive the Global Icon Award at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2023. This award was created to honor achievements in global artistic activities.
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