Cha Tae-hyun

Cha Tae-hyun

Cha in May 2015

Born March 25, 1976 (age 48)

Seoul, South Korea

 Actor
Occupations
 singer

 television personality

 radio DJ

 director

Years active 1995–present

Agent Blossom
Choi Suk-eun
Spouse

(m. 2006)

Children 3
 Korean name

Hangul 차태현

Hanja 車太鉉

Revised Romanization Cha Tae-hyeon

McCune–Reischauer Ch’a T’aehyŏn

Cha Tae-hyun (Korean: 차태현; born March 25, 1976) is a South Korean actor, singer,
television personality, radio DJ and director. He is best known for his lead roles in the box-office
hit comedies My Sassy Girl (2001), Scandal Makers (2008), Hello Ghost (2010) and fantasy
drama action hit Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) as well as the television
series Jeon Woo-chi (2012), The Producers (2015) and Police University (2021). He made his
directorial debut with the variety-drama Hit the Top (2017), in which he also starred.
From 2012 to 2019, he was a cast member of the variety show 2 Days & 1 Night. He is a co-
founder of the talent management agency Blossom Entertainment.[1]
Career[edit]
1995–2000: Beginnings[edit]
Cha Tae-hyun started his career as a silver medalist in a 1995 KBS Talent Contest. Over the next
several years he would star in a large number of TV dramas such as Sunflower and Happy
Together,[2] while also appearing in numerous TV commercials.[3] He was the radio DJ for KBS
Cool FM's FM Popular Music with Cha Tae-hyun from 1999–2000,[4] and made a minor film
debut in the comedy Hallelujah.[5]
2001–2007: My Sassy Girl and musical debut[edit]
In 2001, he rose to fame through the hugely successful romantic comedy My Sassy Girl where he
acted alongside Jun Ji-hyun.[6] Cha's expressive acting established him as a recognized star in
Korea as well as the Asian region at large,[7] and he extended his fame by releasing his debut
album Accident. His next film Lovers' Concerto (2002), a tragic melodrama with actresses Son
Ye-jin and Lee Eun-ju, also proved to be a popular success.[8]
From 2003, however, Cha's casting choices proved to be less inspired. He appeared in three
comedies -- Crazy First Love,[9] Happy Ero Christmas[10] and Two Guys[11] —that were widely
criticized by audiences for their weak scripts and lack of creativity.[5] He released his second
album The Book later that year.
His 2005 films—the relationship film Sad Movie with an all-star ensemble cast,[12] and
melodrama My Girl and I opposite Song Hye-kyo, the remake of Japanese hit film Crying Out
Love in the Center of the World[13] —were box office disappointments. 2007's Highway Star, in
which he played a masked trot singer, was a moderate success.[14]
Cha hosted KBS Cool FM's Mr. Radio from 2007–2008, and was awarded Best Radio DJ at the
2007 KBS Entertainment Awards alongside Ahn Jae-wook.[15] He then portrayed the town's jester
who has the intelligence of a six-year-old in BABO (which means "fool" in Korean), a film
adaptation of Kang Full's popular online comic.[16][17]
2008–2012: Revived popularity and 2 Days & 1 Night[edit]
Cha regained his top star status when his comedy flick Scandal Makers became the number one
film of 2008, attracting 8.2 million moviegoers and ranking among Korea's biggest hits of all
time. The film centers on a radio talk show host, who was ex- idol, who must face unforeseen
consequences of a love affair when he was a teen, when he discovers that he already has a
daughter (Park Bo-young) and a grandson (Wang Seok-hyun) at the age of 30.[18][19] As a result of
the film's success, the advertising industry named Cha as the top male celebrity endorser of 2009.
[20]

He reunited with BABO director Kim Young-tak in 2010's Hello Ghost, a film about a man who
after several suicide attempts, becomes possessed by four different ghosts.[21] It was another box
office success at 3 million tickets sold, and Cha's performance led him to be dubbed as
"Korea's Jim Carrey."[22]
Based on a true story, his 2011 film Champ depicts the relationship between a recently injured
racehorse named Woo-bak and the jockey who tries to tame her.[23] Cha spent time with the horse
before and during filming, luring his four-legged partner with a combination of carrots and sugar
cubes.[24]
In 2012, he became a regular cast member of the second season of popular variety program 2
Days & 1 Night, and remained as a member until 2019. The show, which focuses on introducing
various places in Korea to the viewers while the cast takes on different missions, has consistently
scored high viewership ratings.[25][26]
2013–2018: Continued success and directorial debut[edit]
Cha played his first historical role in The Grand Heist, as the leader of a Joseon era group of
thieves who band together to steal ice.[27][28] The action-comedy film was produced by his brother
Cha Ji-hyun. He took on another sageuk role as the titular character in TV series Jeon Woo-chi,
an impish Taoist wizard who becomes an unlikely hero.[29][30]
In 2014, he starred as an introverted man with dynamic visual acuity who works at
a CCTV control center in the comedy film Slow Video, his third collaboration with director Kim
Young-tak.[31][32] This was followed by The Producers in 2015, in which Cha played a hot-headed
but soft-hearted television producer.[33][34]
In 2016, Cha reprised his role in My New Sassy Girl, a sequel to the 2001 hit film.[35] However,
the film did not live up to its predecessor and was a failure at the box office.[36] The same year, he
reunited with My Sassy Girl co-star Jun Ji-hyun in a cameo appearance in SBS's fantasy
drama The Legend of the Blue Sea.[37]
In 2017, Cha starred in the romantic comedy Because I Love You, playing a gifted composer who
connects people in love; the film was again produced by his brother Cha Ji-hyun.[38][39][40] He next
starred in KBS2's variety-drama Hit the Top, which he also directs.[41] The same year, Cha starred
in the fantasy blockbuster Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds, based on the webtoon of the
same name by Joo Ho-min.[42][43]
In 2018, Cha starred in the romance drama Matrimonial Chaos, a remake of the Japanese
television series of the same title.[44]
2019–present[edit]
In March 2019, Cha was reported to have engaged in gambling, which was discovered
through Jung Joon-young's phone's text messages during the police's investigation of the latter
for illicit sex video crimes. Cha subsequently issued a formal statement of apology and withdrew
from all his shows.[45]
In 2020, Cha was cast in the crime detective drama Team Bulldog: Off-Duty Investigation.[46]
In 2021, Cha starred in KBS2 drama Police University, playing Yoo Dong-man, a detective-
turned-professor at the National Police University.[47]
Personal life[edit]
Cha's father, Cha Jae-wan, was an assistant director for special effects at KBS, and his mother
Choi Su-min, now retired, was a voice-over artist.[48] His brother is film producer Cha Ji-hyeon.
On June 1, 2006, Cha married his high school sweetheart, pop lyricist Choi Suk-eun.[49] They
dated for 13 years; she was his first and only girlfriend.[50] They have three children, a son (Cha
Soo-chan) and two daughters (Cha Tae-eun, Cha Su-jin).[51]
In 2011, Cha revealed on SBS talk show Healing Camp, Aren't You Happy that he has a panic
disorder.[52]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes

1997 Hallelujah Bad youngster in church Bit part

2001 My Sassy Girl Gyun-woo

2002 Lovers' Concerto Lee Ji-hwan

Crazy First Love Son Tae-il

2003
Happy Ero Christmas Sung Byung-ki

2004 Who's Got the Tape? Jap-beom Cameo

Windstruck Man at train station Cameo

Year Title Role Notes

Two Guys Kim Hoon

Sad Movie Jung Ha-suk

2005
My Girl and I Kim Su-ho

2007 Highway Star Bong Dal-ho / Bong Pil

Horton Hears a Who! Horton the Elephant (voice) Korean dub[53]

BABO Seung-ryong
2008
My Mighty Princess Pigeon man Cameo

Scandal Makers Nam Hyun-soo

Maybe (Rabbit and Lizard) Yeong-nam Cameo

2009
Triangle Cameo

2010 Hello Ghost Kang Sang-man

Sunny Poster model of insurance company Cameo[54]

2011
Champ Seung-ho

2012 Never Ending Story Song-kyung's friend Cameo

Year Title Role Notes

The Grand Heist Lee Deok-mu

2013 Steal My Heart Ho-tae's neighbor Cameo[55]

Tazza: The Hidden Card Radio DJ Cameo

2014 The Con Artists New Technician Cameo

Slow Video Yeo Jang-boo

2016 My New Sassy Girl Gyun-woo

Because I Love You Lee Hyeong

2017
Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds Kim Ja-hong

The Killer: A Girl Who Deserves to

2022 gangster Cameo[56]
Die

2023 My Heart Puppy Jin-guk [57]

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes

1995 Our Sunny Days of Youth —

1996 Papa Jang Jung-moon

Year Title Role Notes

Looking Into Each Other's Eyes and Loving Each

Other

Daughter-in-law's Three Kingdoms

First Love Chan-woo's friend

1997
Ready Go! Park Chan-ki

Shy Lovers Hwang In-soo

1998
Sunflower Dr. Heo Jae-bong

Happy Together Ha Shin-yeop

1999 I'm Still Loving You Park Young-jae [58]

Into the Sunlight Kang In-ha

2000 Juliet's Man Jang Gi-poong [59]

2004 First Love of a Royal Prince Choi Gun-hee

2007 Flowers for My Life Yoon Ho-sang [60]

2008 General Hospital 2 Choi Jin-sang [61]

2011 Lights and Shadows Drunkard Cameo, episode 2[62]

Year Title Role Notes

Cameo, episode
My Husband Got a Family Tae-bong
26[63]
2012

Jeon Woo-chi Jeon Woo-chi

2014 Drama Festival – "4teen" Adult Young-hoon Cameo[64]

2015 The Producers Ra Joon-mo

2016 Love in the Moonlight Farm servant Cameo, episode 1[65]

Han River con-

The Legend of the Blue Sea Cameo, episode 4
man

2017 Hit the Top Lee Gwang-jae Also director

2018 Matrimonial Chaos Cho Suk-moo

Team Bulldog: Off-Duty Investigation Jin Gang-ho

2020
Birthcare Center Nurse Ahn's son Cameo, episode 8

2021 Police University Yoo Dong-man [47]

Cameo, episode
2022 Café Minamdang Priest
10[66]

[67]
2023 Brain Works Geum Myung-se
Year Title Role Notes

Bakery shop
Family: The Unbreakable Bond Cameo, episode 1[68]
owner

Web series[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.

Movin
2023 Jeon Gye-do [69]

Variety show[edit]

Year Title Notes

Family Camp MC
1998
Happy Saturday MC

2000 MC; co-host Kim Hyun-joo[70]

Mnet KM Music Festival
2001 MC; co-host Song Hye-kyo[71]

2002 MC; co-host: Yoon Do-hyun

Campus Song Festival
MC; co-host: Lee Hyori[72]
2003
Mnet KM Music Festival MC; co-host: Sung Yu-ri

2007 Campus Song Festival MC; co-host: Lee Hyori[73]

2012– 2 Days & 1 Night Cast member (Season 2 & 3)

 Year Title Notes

2019

Foot volleyball member, guest swimmer, cycling

2015 Cool Kiz on The Block
candidate

2016 Gura Chacha Time Slip - New Boy [74]

2017 Dragon Club – Childish Bromance Cast member[75]

2018–
Radio Star Host[76]
2019
2018 Where on Earth?? Cast member[77]
2020 Hometown Flex MC [78]
2021–
Unexpected Business MC with Zo In-sung (Season 1–3)[79][80][81]
2023
National Bang Bang Cook Cook Cast Member [82]
2021 Wild Idol Panelist [83]
Many Chat MC with Yoo Hee-yeol[84]
Famous Singers Daily MC[85]
2022 Suspicious Bookstore East West South
Host[86]
Book
Golf Battle: Birdie Buddies Cast Member; season 5[87]
2023
Express Delivery Mongolia Edition Cast Member[88]

Radio program[edit]

Year Title Station Notes

FM Popular Music with Cha Tae-

1999-2000
hyun
KBS Cool
DJ
FM
2007-2008 Mr. Radio[89]

Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]

Album information Track listing

Accident
show
 1st Album Track listing
 Released: February 12, 2001
 Label: SidusHQ, Yejeon Media
THE [BU:K] 더북 (The Book / The Drum)

show
 2nd Album Track listing
 Released: May 2, 2003
 Label: SidusHQ, Yejeon Media

OST[edit]

Year Title Drama/Movie

어디로 갈까? (Where Shall We Go?)

2000 기품 #301 (Dignity #301) Juliet's Man [ko]

배추벌레 (Cabbage Worm)

모르나요 (I Don't Know)

2002 Lovers' Concerto

사진 (Photograph)

첫사랑 보고서 (Seeing My First Love)

2003 Crazy First Love [ko]

내겐 너무 이쁜 그녀 (The Girl Who's So
Pretty to Me)

2005 잊어요 (Forget Me) Sad Movie

 내 손을 놓지 마요 (Don't Let Go of My
Hand)

2006 눈을 감고 (Closing My Eyes) My Girl And I

이차선 다리 (Two-Lane Bridge)

2007 바람바람바람 (Wind Wind Wind) Highway Star

매일 매일 기다려 (Waiting Everyday)

2008 Because I Love You Scandal Makers

2010 너와 함께 (With You) Hello Ghost

2011 행복 (Happiness) Champ

2016 지난날 (Bygone Days) Because I Love You

2018 이별근처 (Near Parting) Matrimonial Chaos

Team Bulldog: Off-Duty Investigation

2020 Takedown
Duet with Hong Kyung-min
Express Delivery: Mongolia Edition

2023 And, Go On with Kim Jong-kook, Hong Kyung-min, Hong Kyung-in,

Jang Hyuk, Kang Hoon

Singles[edit]

Year Title Notes

 힘내쏭 (Cheer Up Song) Duet with Hong Kyung-min, as part of "Hong-Cha Project"

2016

매일 매일 기다려 (Waiting Everyday) Duet with Hong Kyung-min for their appearance on Immortal Songs

With Hong Kyung-min and Samuel, as part of "Brave Hong-Cha"

2019 사람들 (Archive People)
Song written and composed by Brave Brothers

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of
the nomination

Nominated
Year Award Category Result Ref.
work

KBS Super Talent

1995 Silver Medal — Won
Contest

35th Baeksang Arts

Best New Actor (TV) Sunflower Won [90]

Awards

1999 SBS Drama Awards Happy Together Won [91]

Best New Actor

I'm Still Loving
MBC Drama Awards Won [92]

You

Excellence Award, Actor Nominated

Big Star Award Won

2000 SBS Drama Awards Juliet's Man
Popularity Award Won [93]

SBSi Award Won

 Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of
the nomination

Nominated
Year Award Category Result Ref.
work

22nd Blue Dragon

2001 Best New Actor Won [94]

Film Awards

38th Baeksang Arts

Best New Actor (Film) Nominated
Awards

My Sassy Girl
Best Actor Nominated
39th Grand Bell
Awards
Popularity Award Won [95]

2002

25th Golden Cinema

Best New Actor Won [96]

Film Festival [ko]

23rd Blue Dragon

Lovers' Concerto Won [97]

Film Awards
Popular Star Award
24th Blue Dragon
2003 Crazy First Love Won [98]

Film Awards

First Love of a
2004 MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Nominated
Royal Prince

2005 Savings Day Presidential Citation — Won [99]

[100]
2007 KBS Entertainment Best Radio DJ Mr. Radio Won
Awards
 Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of
the nomination

Nominated
Year Award Category Result Ref.
work

Flowers for My
KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Nominated
Life

45th Grand Bell

Overseas Popularity Award BABO Won [101]

Awards
2008
General Hospital
MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor Nominated
2

6th Max Movie

2009 Best Actor Scandal Makers Won [102]

Awards

47th Baeksang Arts

Best Actor (Film) Nominated
Awards
2011 Hello Ghost
48th Grand Bell
Best Actor Nominated
Awards

KBS Entertainment
Top Entertainer Award 2 Days & 1 Night Won [103]

Awards
2012
Excellence Award, Actor in a
KBS Drama Awards Jeon Woo-chi Nominated
Mid-length Drama

2013 KBS Entertainment Top Excellence Award 2 Days & 1 Night Won [104]

Awards

2014 Daesang (Grand Prize) Nominated

 Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of
the nomination

Nominated
Year Award Category Result Ref.
work

Nominated

Excellence Award, Actor in a

2015 Won
Mid-length Drama
KBS Drama Awards The Producers [105]

Best Couple Award with Kim Won

Soo-hyun and Gong Hyo-jin

18th Korea World

Popular Actor Award — Won [106]

Youth Film Festival

18th MBC Excellence Award,

Radio Star Won [107][108]

Entertainment Awards Music/Talk Category (Male)

2018 Top Excellence Award, Actor Won

Excellence Award, Actor in a Matrimonial

KBS Drama Awards Nominated
Miniseries Chaos
[109][110]

Best Couple Award with Bae Won

Doona

2021 KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Police University Won [111]

[112]
Excellence Award, Actress in Nominated
a Miniseries
 Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of
the nomination

Nominated
Year Award Category Result Ref.
work

Best Couple
Won [113]

Award with Jinyoung

43rd Golden Cinema Popularity Award selected by

2023 My Heart Puppy Won [114]

Film Festival [ko] the cinematographer

State honors[edit]

Name of the organization, year presented, and the award given

Organization Year Award Ref.

50th Taxpayers' Day 2016 Beautiful Taxpayers [115]

Listicles[edit]

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.

Forbes 2010 Korea Power Celebrity 40 37th [116]

1984–2008 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in

2009 27th [117]

Korean Movies

The Screen [118]

2009–2019 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in

2019 20th
Korean Movies