South Korean actor and singer Cha Eun-woo celebrates his birthday on March 30. Born in 1997, he turns 28 this year. While he is currently serving his mandatory military service, fans around the world continue to enjoy his work through his existing filmography and new releases.
The artist, whose real name is Lee Dong-min, enlisted in July 2025. His discharge date is scheduled for January 27, 2027. Despite being away from the entertainment industry for his service, he prepared several projects for fans to enjoy during his absence, including a new album and upcoming series.
A Look Back at Cha Eun-woo’s Acting Journey
Before becoming a global star, Cha Eun-woo started his career with a small role in the film “My Brilliant Life” in 2014. He later debuted as a member of the boy group Astro in 2016. His acting breakthrough came in 2018 with the role of Do Kyung-seok in “My ID is Gangnam Beauty.” The series showed his ability to portray a cold but caring character, which earned him the Rookie Award at the 11th Korea Drama Awards.
His popularity grew with each project. In 2019, he took on the role of Prince Yi Rim in the historical drama “Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung.” For this performance, he received the Excellent Actor award at the MBC Drama Awards. The role showed his versatility by balancing a serious prince with a secret life as a romance novelist.
6 K-Dramas to Add to Your Watchlist
Whether you are new to his work or want to revisit old favorites, here are six dramas that showcase the range of Cha Eun-woo’s acting skills.
True Beauty (2020-2021)
Streaming on Netflix, this romantic comedy became a cultural hit. Cha Eun-woo plays Lee Su-ho, a high school student with a painful past who hides his emotions. The story follows a girl who uses makeup to change her appearance after being bullied for her looks. The series explores themes of self-esteem and inner beauty. The chemistry between the leads and the touching moments made this one of his most memorable roles.
Wonderful World (2024)
Available on Disney+, this drama shows a different side of Cha Eun-woo. He plays Kwon Sun-yool, a mysterious medical school dropout who lives a difficult life after losing his parents. The series is a psychological thriller where a psychology professor seeks revenge after her son’s death. This role allowed him to move away from romantic leads and explore darker, more serious emotions.
Island (2022-2023)
This action fantasy series streams on Amazon Prime Video. Cha Eun-woo takes on the role of Father John, a young priest who performs exorcisms. Set on Jeju Island, the story follows three people fighting evil forces trying to destroy the world. The role required action scenes and special effects, showing his ability to handle fantasy genres. The series was released in two parts and gained attention for its unique storyline.
My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018)
Streaming on Netflix and other platforms, this was the drama that started it all. Cha Eun-woo plays Do Kyung-seok, a popular university student who does not care about physical appearance. The story follows a woman who gets plastic surgery to escape bullying but faces new challenges. The series tackled important topics about beauty standards in society and remains a favorite among fans.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019)
This historical drama is available on Netflix. Cha Eun-woo stars as Prince Yi Rim, who lives a double life as a popular romance novelist. The story is set in the Joseon dynasty and follows the first female historians in the royal court. The series mixed historical politics with romance, and his character showed both royal dignity and personal loneliness. The strong female lead and smart writing made this drama stand out.
A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023-2024)
Streaming on Viki, this fantasy romance tells the story of a teacher who turns into a dog when she kisses someone. Cha Eun-woo plays Jin Seo-won, a math teacher who is afraid of dogs due to childhood trauma. The unique premise and the challenges his character faces create funny and touching moments. The drama was based on a popular webtoon and showed his comedic timing.
Recent News and Current Projects
Even with his military enlistment, Cha Eun-woo has kept busy. His new movie “First Ride” premiered on October 29, 2025. The comedy film, which he stars in alongside Kang Ha-neul, received praise for his performance. He also released his second mini-album titled “ELSE” on November 21, 2025. The album serves as a gift to fans who have been waiting for new music from him.
An upcoming series called “The Wonderfools” is also in the works. This Netflix original comedy drama is expected to release later in 2026, though an official date has not been confirmed. The show marks his continued partnership with Netflix and gives fans something to look forward to.
In March 2025, Cha Eun-woo celebrated his birthday with fans by posting photos on Instagram. The post included childhood pictures and a humorous photo of him dressed in a princess outfit. The playful choice delighted fans worldwide. Comments poured in with messages like “Truly someone we’re thankful was born” and “He even rocks the princess costume like a pro!” The post showed his close connection with his fanbase, known as AROHA.
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Where to Watch
For viewers in different regions, availability may vary. “True Beauty,” “My ID is Gangnam Beauty,” and “Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung” are widely available on Netflix. “Wonderful World” streams on Disney+ in many countries. “Island” can be found on Amazon Prime Video. “A Good Day to Be a Dog” is available on Viki. These platforms offer subtitles in multiple languages, making it easy for global audiences to enjoy.
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Stay updated with more Korean drama news and actor profiles right here. Whether you are catching up on old series or waiting for new releases, there is always something to watch.
