Figure skater Cha Jun Hwan is trading the ice rink for a sitcom set. The Olympic athlete has been confirmed as the lead in TVING‘s first-ever original sitcom, Palace Land, alongside a vibrant ensemble cast that includes Woo Davi, Lee Jae Won, Park So Jin, and more. The announcement arrives just days after Cha revealed he is stepping away from competitive skating, making this one of the most closely watched career pivots in Korean entertainment right now.
TVING made the casting announcement on October 14, 2026, confirming that Palace Land is scheduled to premiere in 2027. The show is a coming-of-age sitcom set behind the scenes of a glamorous amusement park, focusing on the part-time workers who keep the fantasy alive while dealing with the messy realities of their own lives.
What Is Palace Land About
Palace Land tells the story of part-time employees at an amusement park that looks like a grand palace on the outside but is falling apart behind the scenes. The Korean tagline for the show describes it as “outside a palace, inside a shambles,” capturing the contrast between the park’s polished image and the chaotic reality its workers face every day.
The sitcom will use comedy to explore the exhausting labor that continues after the parades end, the conflicts that arise between employees, and the struggles of young people trying to get by. The production team shared a statement about what viewers can expect:
“Behind the splendid parade lies the part-timers’ struggle, and within the fantasy kingdom awaits a bittersweet reality. We invite viewers to a world of chaos and shabby circumstances.”
The series is described as a story about MZ-generation youth who keep laughing even when reality keeps knocking them down.
Cha Jun Hwan Leads The Cast As Sung Dae Han
Cha Jun Hwan plays Sung Dae Han, a new cast member at Palace Land who is full of energy but has no idea what he is doing. He will portray an enthusiastic rookie navigating the challenges of an unfamiliar workplace.
This role marks Cha’s return to acting after 18 years. He first debuted as a child actor in 2006 with the MBC series Miracle and appeared in dramas like The Return of Iljimae. His last acting role was in the 2009 KBS drama The Accidental Couple before he shifted his focus entirely to figure skating.
Cha signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio in April 2026 to pursue entertainment activities beyond sports. The agency is home to actors like Cha Eun Woo, Kim Seon Ho, and Ong Seong Wu. On October 12, 2026, Cha announced on social media that he would not continue competing as a national team figure skater, saying he had made the decision after long consideration and discussions with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Woo Davi Plays The Senior Employee
Woo Davi takes on the role of Song Ye Jin, a senior cast member at Palace Land. Her character will work alongside Cha Jun Hwan’s Sung Dae Han, creating a senior-junior dynamic that the production hopes will bring strong chemistry to the screen.
Woo Davi won the Best New Actress award at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards for her performance in Dynamite Kiss. Her role in that drama as Yoo Ha Young earned her widespread recognition and established her as a rising talent in the industry.
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Lee Jae Won, Park So Jin And The Full Ensemble
Lee Jae Won joins the cast as Kang Cheol Su. He has built a reputation for his natural comedic acting across numerous dramas and films, and his character is expected to add lively energy to the workplace dynamics at Palace Land.
Park So Jin plays Yoon Young Hee. The former Girl’s Day member has steadily built her acting career with roles in dramas like Cinderella at 2 AM and The King: Eternal Monarch. Her experience and grounded performances will anchor the ensemble’s more chaotic moments.
The rest of the cast brings together a mix of comedians, singers, and rising actors:
- Kim Kyu Won plays Yang Seong Wook. He won the Blue Dragon Series Awards Best New Artist award and gained fame through SNL Korea and Comedy Big League.
- Kim Seung Ho plays Kwak Do Hyun. The young actor is managed by Gold Medalist and is currently studying acting at Chung-Ang University.
- Minseo plays Han A Reum. The singer-actress was a Top 8 finalist on Superstar K 7 and made her acting debut in the 2019 drama Big Issue.
- Nancy plays Ji Seul Gi. The former MOMOLAND member is making her return to acting after nine years, having last appeared in the 2017 series Some Light. She signed with a new agency in 2023 to focus on acting.
- Lee Nam Soo plays Kwon Soo Nam. He is a popular video creator known for his relatable content about everyday life and part-time work experiences.
- Ahn Ju Mi plays Seo Go Un, the youngest employee at Palace Land. She joined SNL Korea Season 8 as a new crew member in 2026 and became known for her Gen Z employee character.
The Team Behind The Sitcom
Yoo Hak Chan directs the series. He has worked on variety shows like The Great Escape, Three Idiots, and My Ear’s Candy, as well as dramas including Plus Nine Boys and Top Star U-Back. His experience in both comedy and character-driven storytelling is expected to shape the show’s tone.
Lee Sol writes the script. Studio Dragon handles planning and production, with TVING providing the platform.
When And Where To Watch Palace Land
Palace Land is set to premiere in 2027 exclusively on TVING. The exact release date has not been announced yet. TVING is a Korean streaming platform, and availability for international audiences will depend on distribution deals that have not been confirmed at this time. Fans outside Korea should watch for updates from TVING’s official channels and Studio Dragon regarding global streaming options.
The announcement of Palace Land comes at a busy time for Cha Jun Hwan. He is scheduled to appear as a presenter at the 2026 Korea Grand Music Awards on November 7 and 8 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, giving fans a chance to see him in a different spotlight before his sitcom debut.
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