Cha Seung-won

Acting

Cha Seung-won

Born

1970-06-07 (56)

Place of birth

Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea

Known for

Acting

Credits

76 titles

Cha Seung-won (born June 7, 1970) is a South Korean actor, who began his career as an in-demand fashion model in the 1990s. Cha achieved stardom through the hit comedy films Kick the Moon (2001), Jail Breakers (2002), My Teacher, Mr. Kim (2003), and Ghost House (2004). After proving his versatility in other genres, notably in the period thriller Blood Rain (2005) and the melodrama My Son (2007), Cha's popularity continued with the television series Bodyguard (2003), City Hall (2009), The Greatest Love (2011), A Korean Odyssey (2017), One Ordinary Day (2021) and Our Blues (2022).

Known for

Running Man poster
8.2

These days, as variety shows are gradually disappearing, this is one of Korea’s representative variety shows that has been responsible for Sunday evenings for over 10 years. This program features numerous stars and members going around various places, playing games, and completing missions. In particular, among the many fun elements of variety shows, this one focuses solely on laughter. Open your eyes! Big fun is coming in! Open your mouth! Big laughter is coming in! Open your heart! Useful lessons are coming in!

Running Man

2010

Infinite Challenge poster
7.7

Infinite Challenge has been reported as the first "Real-Variety" show in Korean television history. The program is largely unscripted, and follows a similar format of challenge-based Reality Television programs, familiar to the audiences in the West, but the challenges are often silly, absurd, or impossible to achieve, so the program takes on the aspect of a satirical comedy variety show, rather than a more standard reality or contest program. In order to achieve its comedic purposes its 6 hosts and staff continuously proclaim, the elements of this show are the 3-Ds, Dirty, Dangerous, and Difficult.

Infinite Challenge

2005

How Do You Play? poster
7.2

Yoo Jae-suk reunites the producing team of Infinite Challenge and presents you How Do You Play? The Indefinitely expanding YOONIVERSE, based on Yoo's blood, sweat, and tears, will entertain viewers at home. Let's follow Yoo and his friends' new projects every week.

How Do You Play?

2019

You Quiz on the Block poster
8.3

Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho who enter ordinary people's everyday lives, chat with them, and give them surprise quizzes! The talk and quiz show program will spotlight these people's lives and aims to gift them a refreshing, different kind of day. Recently they're also inviting celebrities & professionals to the show.

You Quiz on the Block

2018

The Game Caterers poster
8.7

A webseries where Na Young Seok, a variety show producer, caters people his iconic games from 'New Journey to the West'.

The Game Caterers

2021

Just an Excuse poster
9.7

Yoo Jae-suk Welfare Content Pinggyego (Just an Excuse) It is a content where Yoo Jae-suk freely chats with his favorite friends for various excuses and provides small stories and laughter.

Just an Excuse

2022

Film credits

2020s · 5 titles

2010s · 9 titles

Believer poster
7.2

After a traumatic event, a drug trafficker turns sides and conspires with a dangerously ambitious undercover police officer to bring down the mysterious kingpin of a major drug cartel.

Believer

2018

71: Into the Fire poster
7.6

In August 1950, waiting for UN troops to arrive, the South Korean army assembled to protect Nakdong River. Only 71 student-soldiers are left behind to guard the city of Pohang. Now they are on a mission to defend the country from North Korean troops.

71: Into the Fire

2010

Athena: Goddess of War poster
6.6

Sometime in the near future, the Korean peninsula attempts to reunify. The South Korean government, which needs enormous funds for the unification to succeed, develops a landmark new technology called the TWR. The TWR is a high speed nuclear reactor and other countries want the technology. To prevent terror in the aftermath of the TWR breakthrough, the government establishes a new organization named NTS (National Anti-Terror Service). Jung-Woo (Jung Woo-Sung) is transferred to the NTS group from the NIS. He's excited about the transfer and hopes to live the life of a real agent, but then discovers his main responsibility is to watch North Korean defectors.

Athena: Goddess of War

2011

Man on High Heels poster
6.9

Ji-wook is a virile detective with a reputation, but deep down in his heart, he always considered himself as a woman and finally decides to get a transsexual operation. However, his plan falls apart as vicious gang members start their revenge on him.

Man on High Heels

2014

Cheer Up, Mr. Lee poster
8.0

Chul-soo is a man with an intellectual disability. One day, Chul-soo finds out that a young girl, Saet-byul, who is in hospital is his daughter. And soon, Saet-byul sneaks out of the hospital and travels by herself to a faraway city for her friend's birthday. As Chul-soo accompanies Saet-byul's journey, friendship develops between the two.

Cheer Up, Mr. Lee

2019

Blades of Blood poster
6.4

Lee Mong-hak and a skilled blind swordsman Hwang Jeong-hak, both long to wipe away corruption and heal the world. Lee Mong-hak creates a rebel army to achieve his goal and get rid of the King.

Blades of Blood

2010

Mr. XXX-Kisser poster
6.5

Oh Dong-sik is the completely rigid character who has always led a text-book life. Dong-sik is threatened by loan sharks when his mother signs up for a private loan in order to advance Dong-sik’s father’s promotion into the principal position. Dong-sik decides to become the best insurance seller in his newly transferred insurance sales team, but sales is a major challenge for the completely tactless and obstinate Dong-sik. Then one day, Dong-sik has a chance encounter with Hyugosoo, the legendary ‘master of tongue’ of insurance sales industry. Hyugosoo bends his rules and accepts Dong-sik as his pupil, and Dong-sik begins to learn Hyugosoo’s secrets of flattery after a great struggle. Will his teachings indeed reinvent Dong-sik into ‘Mr. Ass-Kisser’?

Mr. XXX-Kisser

2012

The Map Against the World poster
6.6

Kim Jeong-ho's father died due to an erroneous map. Because of this, Kim Jeong-ho has a strong desire to make his own map. He begins a complete block map of Joseon.

The Map Against the World

2016

T-ARA - Cry Cry & Lovey-Dovey poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

T-ARA - Cry Cry & Lovey-Dovey

2012

2000s · 16 titles

Lovely Rivals poster
5.7

A teacher and her student compete for the affection of a handsome man.

Lovely Rivals

2004

Eye For An Eye poster
6.4

The devious brain behind a heist draws a top police detective, on the eve of his retirement, into an elaborate plot of robbery and revenge.

Eye For An Eye

2008

Blood Rain poster
7.0

When a small island village is plagued with horrible murders, the government sends a special investigator who discovers dark secrets that trace back to a myriad of murders from the past.

Blood Rain

2005

Murder, Take One poster
6.5

A woman is killed in a hotel room. The ensuing police investigation is conducted in front of TV cameras for the entire country to watch as it unfolds.

Murder, Take One

2005

Over the Border poster
6.0

After learning that his grandfather is alive and living in Seoul, a North Korean musician must leave his fiancee behind and accompany his family to South Korea.

Over the Border

2006

Secret poster
6.4

A detective suspects that his wife murdered a gangster's brother. As he tries to misdirect the police and the bloodthirsty gangster while independently investigating his wife, terrible secrets slowly begin to surface.

Secret

2009

Ghost House poster
6.3

The day that Pil-gi waited for so many years has finally come: hes getting his own house, the last wish of his deceased father. And what a perfect house it is! Big, beautiful, isolated, next to the ocean and at that price, Pil-gi couldn't have found a better place.

Ghost House

2004

Break Out poster
6.2

Bent on reclaiming a lighter which is his only possession, a broke man pursues the thief, who turns out to be a mob boss planning to hijack a train.

Break Out

2002

My Son poster
6.6

Lee Gang-sik sits in jail with a life sentence because of murder. His good behavior the last 15 years earns him the opportunity to be released for one day & visit his family. But how will his son, whom he let down for 15 years, react?

My Son

2007

Small Town Rivals poster
6.7

Cho Chun-sam and Noh Dae-gyu, now both in their thirties, are old friends who went to the same elementary school. In their school days, Chun-sam was always the ambitious class president, while Dae-gyu had to settle for a role as vice president. Twenty years later their roles are reversed: Chun-sam is now a humble farmer who has assumed the post of village chief in his hometown, while Dae-gyu is the newly elected county magistrate. At first, Chun-sam asks his old friend for favours regarding the development of his village, but these requests are turned down. Later, when Dae-gyu proposes building a nuclear waste disposal facility in the county, Chun-sam leads demonstrations against the plan, turning old friends into bitter rivals.

Small Town Rivals

2007

Kick the Moon poster
6.0

Choi Ki-dong, who becomes a teacher, and Park Young-jun, who becomes a gang member, meet again after 10 years. To compete for Min Ju-ran, they start a fierce battle remembering their high school days, when the situation was completely different.

Kick the Moon

2001

Libera Me poster
5.4

An arsonist is terrorizing Seoul and the fire investigators are hot on his trail.

Libera Me

2000

My Teacher, Mr. Kim poster
7.4

A teacher attempts to lure his handful of students in a small, rural school to Seoul so that he can move on to a better school. His efforts backfire however, and his school becomes one of the highest ranked in the nation.

My Teacher, Mr. Kim

2003

Jail Breakers poster
6.2

Two inmates break out of a prison only to discover afterwards that they are up for parole. Desperate to get their lives back on track, they realize their best move is to break back into the prison without being noticed.

Jail Breakers

2002

Project X poster
3.0

In Prague Of Czechoslovakia, there is a triad organization. Arlumit which is in fierce discrepancy between the Conservative party and the Reform party regarding on the new heir of the organization. Karon, Leia and Behr, the merciless killers, are hired by the Conservative party and the Reform party to root each other out. Karon and Leia of the Reform party are ordered to kill the computer expert and Behr of the Conservative part. At the moment, Leia realized that Behr is her first love when they were young. She doesn't have the heart to shoot Behr. Karon is so disappointed and try to get rid of Behr on his own and get into the point of no return...

Project X

2003

Black Honeymoon poster
5.3

Newlyweds Jun-ho and Eun-jin join six other couples as they all embark on a honeymoon excursion to Cheju Island. But the trip takes a tragic turn when Jun-ho's eyeless corpse is discovered the next morning and detective Pyun-shik must find the killer.

Black Honeymoon

2000

1990s · 5 titles

Series credits

Running Man poster
8.2

These days, as variety shows are gradually disappearing, this is one of Korea’s representative variety shows that has been responsible for Sunday evenings for over 10 years. This program features numerous stars and members going around various places, playing games, and completing missions. In particular, among the many fun elements of variety shows, this one focuses solely on laughter. Open your eyes! Big fun is coming in! Open your mouth! Big laughter is coming in! Open your heart! Useful lessons are coming in!

Running Man

2010

Infinite Challenge poster
7.7

Infinite Challenge has been reported as the first "Real-Variety" show in Korean television history. The program is largely unscripted, and follows a similar format of challenge-based Reality Television programs, familiar to the audiences in the West, but the challenges are often silly, absurd, or impossible to achieve, so the program takes on the aspect of a satirical comedy variety show, rather than a more standard reality or contest program. In order to achieve its comedic purposes its 6 hosts and staff continuously proclaim, the elements of this show are the 3-Ds, Dirty, Dangerous, and Difficult.

Infinite Challenge

2005

How Do You Play? poster
7.2

Yoo Jae-suk reunites the producing team of Infinite Challenge and presents you How Do You Play? The Indefinitely expanding YOONIVERSE, based on Yoo's blood, sweat, and tears, will entertain viewers at home. Let's follow Yoo and his friends' new projects every week.

How Do You Play?

2019

You Quiz on the Block poster
8.3

Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho who enter ordinary people's everyday lives, chat with them, and give them surprise quizzes! The talk and quiz show program will spotlight these people's lives and aims to gift them a refreshing, different kind of day. Recently they're also inviting celebrities & professionals to the show.

You Quiz on the Block

2018

The Game Caterers poster
8.7

A webseries where Na Young Seok, a variety show producer, caters people his iconic games from 'New Journey to the West'.

The Game Caterers

2021

Just an Excuse poster
9.7

Yoo Jae-suk Welfare Content Pinggyego (Just an Excuse) It is a content where Yoo Jae-suk freely chats with his favorite friends for various excuses and provides small stories and laughter.

Just an Excuse

2022

Movie Room poster
9.4

Movie meets humanities! This talk show/variety show for movie enthusiasts features interesting discussions by a writer and two movie directors where film and humanities intertwine.

Movie Room

2018

Family Outing poster
7.6

Family Outing Season 1 was a South Korean variety show; a part of SBS's Good Sunday lineup, along with Gold Miss is Coming. It was first aired on June 15, 2008, and was one of the top rated programs on Sunday Korean television. In each episode, the "Family" travels to different parts of South Korea and takes care of the house of an elderly family while that family goes on a vacation. The "Family" then accomplishes the tasks left for them by the house's owners. The first season ended on February 14, 2010, and a second season featuring a brand new cast, production team, and concept, aired until July 11, 2010.

Family Outing

2008

Nattering with Nah poster
10.0

No synopsis available yet.

Nattering with Nah

2023

Nattering with Nah poster
10.0

No synopsis available yet.

Nattering with Nah

2023

Whenever Possible poster
8.3

We're looking for someone who has free time to hang out with us. Whenever Possible.

Whenever Possible

2024

Our Blues poster
8.5

Romance is sweet and bitter — and life riddled with ups and downs — in multiple stories about people who live and work on bustling Jeju island.

Our Blues

2022

Hwajung poster
4.5

Fair Princess Jungmyung lives a life of the highest privilege, until her half-brother Prince Gwanghae executes the rightful crown prince and usurps the throne. Exiled from court, Jungmyung goes under disguise as a man and learns to adapt to life as a commoner — never forgetting Gwanghae's wrongdoing. But amidst rampant corruption throughout the kingdom, can Jyungmyung exact her vengeance, restore order and take back her rightful place in the palace?

Hwajung

2015

Mercy for None poster
7.8

After severing ties with his gang, a former gangster returns to uncover the truth behind his brother's death — embarking on a relentless path of revenge.

Mercy for None

2025

A Korean Odyssey poster
8.1

A self-serving mythical creature's bid for invincibility backfires when he finds himself at the mercy of a woman who can see otherworldly beings.

A Korean Odyssey

2017

Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village poster
8.1

Celebrities live in a rural fishing village. They must catch food for and prepare three meals a day.

Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village

2015

The Tyrant poster
7.2

A secret project in Korea is exposed to the US so the project gets scrapped and the sample is to be handed over when a delivery accident occurs. Director Choe tries to hide the sample as Paul searches, but they end up at the same place as Jagyeong and Lim Sang. Who will seize the sample in the end?

The Tyrant

2024

You're All Surrounded poster
7.9

P4: are the new recruits in the violent crimes unit at Gangnam Police Station. The journey of four young cops as they fumble, learn, fall in love and find their way to becoming people the citizens can trust.

You're All Surrounded

2014

Athena: Goddess of War poster
5.7

Athena: Goddess of War is a South Korean espionage television drama series broadcast by SBS in 2010 and a spin-off of 2009's Iris. Budgeted at ₩20 billion like its predecessor, the two series are among the most expensive Korean dramas ever produced. Starring Jung Woo-sung, Cha Seung-won, Soo Ae, and Lee Ji-ah, the series premiered in December 2010 after filming in a number of overseas locations, including Italy, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States. The series is set in the same universe as its predecessor, allowing for select characters from Iris to reprise their roles throughout the story.

Athena: Goddess of War

2010

The Trunk poster
7.0

A secret marriage service is uncovered when a trunk washes up on the shore, revealing the strange marriage between a couple in the thick of it all.

The Trunk

2024

One Ordinary Day poster
7.9

A college student gives a young woman he just met a ride to the beach in his father's cab and they end up spending the night together. When he wakes up to find her dead, he gets caught up in her murder case.

One Ordinary Day

2021

Roses and Bean Sprouts poster
10.0

"Roses and Bean Sprouts" revolves around the Choi family and their four sons.

Roses and Bean Sprouts

1999

GBRB Spinoff: Cafeteria Operation poster
8.2

A spin-off of the hit variety show "GBRB: Reap What You Sow," "Cafeteria Operation" follows Doh Kyung-Soo and Lee Kwang-Soo's comedic journey as they take on the challenge of running a cafeteria

GBRB Spinoff: Cafeteria Operation

2025

The Greatest Love poster
7.5

Can you confidently love a person who you like but others don't? Muster up the courage and a love that seems like the worst to others can become the best for you. The most-liked guy in the country, who is loved by everyone, and the most-disliked woman in the country, who is criticized by everyone, squeeze out that courage as their feelings for each other grow.

The Greatest Love

2011

Love Story poster
6.0

The drama describes 8 different love stories. Story 1 (Ep. 1-2) : Sunflower - love story about a stalker. Story 2 (Ep. 3-4): Message - love story by a mobile phone and other communication facilities. Story 3 (Ep. 5-6): Lost Bagage - Sad memory makes her lose her future love. Story 4 (Ep. 7-8): Open Ended - A woman who is dying from an illness meets a young guy. Story 5 (Ep. 9-10): Rose - love story between a detective and a criminal. Story 6 (Ep. 11-12): Miss Hip-hop and Mr. Rock - A man and a woman who are mentally different fall in love. Story 7 (Ep. 13-14): Insomnia, Manual and Orange Juice - A woman who acts manually falls in love with a comic book creator. Story 8 (Ep. 15-16): Host of Memory - A woman who receives donated a heart instantly flashes a man's face.

Love Story

1999

Three Meals a Day: Light poster
7.7

"Three Meals a Day Light" is ready to enjoy its 10th anniversary more fully.

Three Meals a Day: Light

2024

Tantara poster
NR

A period drama depicting the birth of the Korean entertainment industry, and its growth from the Korean War to the 1980s.

Tantara

2026

The Devil Wears Jung Nam poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

The Devil Wears Jung Nam

2020

Laborhood on Hire poster
9.0

“Laborhood on Hire” is a show about people who meet professionally in workplaces that have a lack of employees and work hard together to put the money earned to good use.

Laborhood on Hire

2019

Bodyguard poster
7.0

Bodyguard is a 2003 South Korean television series starring Cha Seung-won, Im Eun-kyung and Han Go-eun. It aired on KBS2 from July 5 to September 14, 2003 on Saturdays and Sundays at 19:50 for 22 episodes.

Bodyguard

2003

City Hall poster
7.5

The City Hall is a 2009 South Korean television series starring Kim Sun-ah and Cha Seung-won. It aired on SBS from April 29 to July 2, 2009 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 20 episodes. Written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Shin Woo-chul, the story revolves around a low-ranking government clerk who becomes the youngest mayor of the fictional Inju City, and her romance with an ambitious and cynical deputy mayor. The drama series also marked movie star Cha Seung-won's return to the small screen after a six-year absence.

City Hall

2009

Three Meals a Day: Gochang Village poster
8.8

South Korean celebrities gather to live in rural Gochang Village. With the theme "self-sustaining organic life," they must find their own food and prepare three meals a day.

Three Meals a Day: Gochang Village

2016

Whatcha Up To? poster
NR

A new type of talk show where the MCs visit a neighborhood and spontaneously call their acquaintances who live in the area! More people are eating and drinking alone after work these days. Making dinner plans with your friends often requires you to muster the courage because of your busy lives. This spontaneous talk show is perfect for people like you. Kim Hee-sun and the MCs visit a neighborhood and make spontaneous calls to their friends living in the area to chat over delicious food—and also treat the neighborhood locals to a meal! In this spontaneous talk show, the MCs invite their neighborhood friends to grab a meal together.

Whatcha Up To?

2024

Korean Hostel In Spain poster
8.3

Cha Seung-won and Yoo Hae-jin reunite to run a travel lodge in Europe! The two show their chemistry as they serve warm meals and memories to passing Korean travelers.

Korean Hostel In Spain

2019

Cha's Family poster
NR

A real spicy sitcom about a gangster family aiming for a big break by developing a new spicy sauce. Recently, so-called K-food, K-spiciness has been in trend around the world. To develop a K-spicy sauce, a gang led by Cha Seung Won, the boss, together with his fellows, including Choo Sung Hoon, Tommy, DinDin, and Danny Koo, embark on a journey across Asia in search of new and diverse spicy flavors.

Cha's Family

2026

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

뉴욕 스토리

1997

Let's Be Strange poster
3.0

Telecom CF fusion historical drama set during the Joseon Dynasty that includes modern-day elements.

Let's Be Strange

2015

Brotherhood Expedition: Maya poster
8.7

Actor Cha Seung-won, passionate for ancient civilizations, sets off on an extraordinary expedition to Mexico alongside actor Kim Sung-kyun and Juyeon from 'THE BOYZ'. Together, they delve into the captivating remnants of the enigmatic Mayan Empire. Throughout their journey, they unravel the mysteries surrounding the Maya civilization by visiting historical sites and immersing themselves in the authentic local lifestyle. In addition to exploring the civilization firsthand, they also showcase their culinary skills by creating fusion dishes that combine Korean and Mexican flavors using traditional ingredients.

Brotherhood Expedition: Maya

2023

Bonjour Bakery poster
8.5

When top movie stars meet senior citizens, a truly heartwarming chemistry is about to unfold! "Bonjour Bakery" sets its scene in a tranquil rural village, creating Korea's first cafe exclusively for the elderly. Here, more than just desserts are sold; stories are shared. A super-warm "service team" composed of Kim Hee-ae and Kim Seon-ho heals each senior with gentle conversations and kind smiles; in the kitchen, "all-around chef" Cha Seung-won and Lee Ki-taek transform local ingredients into exquisite works of art. Watch as these celebrities accompany seniors as they reminisce about their lives, spreading warmth through the aroma of bread.

Bonjour Bakery

2026

Angel's Kiss poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Angel's Kiss

1998