Cha Eun-woo’s younger brother impresses viewers with elite Chinese university background
Cha Eun-woo, left, and his brother Lee Dong-hwi / Xportsnews
ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun-woo is widely known for his visuals, but his younger brother is now drawing attention for an unexpected reason: an elite academic pedigree to match the family’s looks.
On the Dec. 18 episode of MBC variety show “Where is My Home,” a segment set in Shanghai sparked online buzz after a student casually revealed that Cha’s younger brother had studied at Fudan University, one of China’s most prestigious institutions.
During the broadcast, comedian Kim Sook, chef Jung Ji-sun and YouTuber Captain Brother met local students while touring Shanghai. One student, who identified himself as a current Fudan University enrollee, said he was a fan of Captain Brother.
Captain Brother, a graduate of Tsinghua University, where Chinese President Xi Jinping attended, then asked the student about famous alumni from his school. The student surprised everyone by saying, “Cha Eun-woo’s younger brother was a Fudan University student.”
Kim responded with playful exaggeration, saying, “That sounds even more impressive,” fueling the lighthearted rivalry between China’s top schools.
Fudan University, located in Shanghai, is widely regarded as one of China’s top-tier universities alongside Tsinghua and Peking University, making the revelation especially striking to viewers.
Cha’s younger brother, Lee Dong-hwi, is known to have graduated from Fudan University before working at Cheil Worldwide, one of South Korea’s largest advertising agencies. He currently serves as a researcher at Unbound Lab, where he is involved in project research and consulting for various companies.
Lee Dong-hwi speaks during an interview for a Sebasi Talk lecture. Captured from YouTube
Unlike his famous brother, Lee has no plans to enter the entertainment industry. For years, he had been the subject of online curiosity, with rumors describing him as having visuals “on par with Cha Eun-woo,” yet his face had never been publicly revealed.
That changed last month, when Lee appeared publicly for the first time on YouTube. He featured alongside Unbound Lab CEO Cho Yong-min on the Sebasi lecture channel, instantly drawing attention across social media and online communities.
In the video, Lee said, “I majored in media studies in China. I worked in advertising, and through conversations with the CEO about my personal concerns, I became involved in planning and development.” He added, “Because I’ve lived a life somewhat close to celebrities, I’ve focused on the concerns and interests they face.”
Lee also addressed the issue of malicious online comments, saying, “I’ve seen many celebrities suffer deeply because of hateful comments. Constructive feedback should be accepted and used for growth, but with so many media platforms, excessive malicious comments have become a serious problem.” He said he hopes to help build systems that better protect public figures.
Earlier in June, Lee was briefly spotted walking with colleagues on tvN variety show “You Quiz on the Block,” further fueling public curiosity about the once-anonymous sibling.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.