Cha Eun-woo shares story of being recruited as teenager, school photos
Actor Cha Eun-woo talks during the tvN show "You Quiz on the Block." Captured from tvN
Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo charmed and amused viewers during his appearance on the tvN show "You Quiz on the Block," where his childhood photos were also revealed.
During the popular talk show broadcast on May 8, where he met hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho, Cha expressed feeling nervous about being back on a variety show after a long time although it has been nine years since his debut.
During the show, Yoo asked Cha what his family calls him at home, to which he replied, "My dad calls me 'our son,' and my mom calls me 'Cha-star' when she talks to me on the phone."
Yoo continued to ask which parent he resembles more. Cha humorously shared that his dad claims he looks 90 percent like him, while his mom used to disagree, but now she doesn’t comment on it.
Jo added a personal anecdote, mentioning he once saw Cha's parents by chance at a barbecue restaurant and noted that both were exceptionally attractive.
A childhoold photo of Cha Eun-woo / Captured from tvN
Reflecting on his childhood, Cha mentioned his mother was very strict but now seems much more youthful.
Interestingly, he revealed that in an attempt to keep him humble, his mother would tell him he wasn't handsome, contrasting Jo’s mother who proudly declares him the most handsome.
This prompted Yoo to contribute to the light-hearted atmosphere by saying his mother never complimented his looks, nor had he ever called her beautiful, drawing laughter from everyone.
Yoo mentioned to Cha on a recent episode of "You Quiz on the Block" that his younger brother has been a hot topic online after photos of him were shared. Cha explained that his brother is a student abroad, majoring in journalism and broadcasting at a university in China.
Yoo suggested that he might become a producer in the future, to which Cha replied that his brother is still exploring his options. Cha also said that his brother occasionally expresses a desire to outshine him.
A photo of Cha Eun-woo in his younger years. Captured from tvN
Accidental entry into entertainment
Cha reminisced about his ambitions during his childhood, revealing he had aspirations to become a professor or a doctor. He was academically successful, ranked third in his entire school and was also a student council president. He was also athletically inclined, serving as captain of both the basketball and soccer teams.
Interestingly, despite his impressive school record and athletic participation, he had not received any offers to enter the entertainment industry. He shared that he was darker skinned and chubby in his youth due to playing soccer without sunscreen and enjoying food. However, photos from his school days showed he hasn’t changed much.
Cha's entry into the entertainment industry was quite accidental. He was scouted by an agent while attending a private physics academy and was initially skeptical, thinking it was a scam. However, he decided to attend the audition after his physics teacher encouraged him to seize the opportunity.
He confessed that his early days as a trainee were challenging due to constant criticism and self-doubt, but his persistence over three and a half years taught him patience.
Jo humorously noted that even if Cha had become a teacher, he would have been known as "the handsome teacher," while Yoo added that Cha would have likely appeared on "You Quiz" even if he had pursued a career as a doctor or a teacher.
Cha, who recently received acclaim for his performance in the MBC drama "Wonderful World," discussed his experiences acting in dramas based on webtoons. He expressed gratitude for the praise he receives for his looks and shared that he has resolved to continue working hard and with determination, believing that his efforts will eventually be recognized.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.