Cha Chung-hwa

2006–2016: Early career and theater roles

In 2006, at the age of 25, Cha debuted as a musical actress in Daehak-ro, performing multiple roles in the musical Backstreet Story. Following her university graduation, she held various positions in other industries, including a role as a shopping mall buyer and an internship at an advertising and public relations firm. She later returned to acting after determining these career paths were not suitable for her.^[3][7]

Cha began her film career in 2010 with a minor role in Harmony, starring Kim Yun-jin, and she gradually expanded her filmography by working in both films and musicals.^[8] In January 2011, she was selected for the role of Kwon Young-hwa in the Korean encore performance of the play Shear Madness following a competitive audition process. Her selection was influenced by her performances in previous musicals such as March of Youth and Runatic.^[9]

In 2012, Cha appeared in a minor role in the film As One (2012).^[10] She also played one of the "Ochazuke sisters" in the musical adaptation of the Japanese manga Shin'ya Shokudō (深夜食堂; lit. "Midnight Diner"), directed by Kim Dong-yeon. The series had already been adapted into a Japanese drama called Midnight Diner in 2009. In 2014, she reprised this role. Cha also performed multiple characters in a revival of the musical Oh! While You Were Sleeping, directed by Jang Yu-jeong.^[11]

In 2015, Cha was cast as Park Jung-ja in the musical Midnight Serenade. She first became interested in the production while filming the 2009 film Harmony, after observing a senior colleague preparing for an audition. Following a recommendation from a fellow performer, Cha successfully auditioned for the 2015 revival of the musical.^[7] In 2015, Cha made her television debut with a supporting role in the MBC drama Shopping King Louie. This role marked her transition into mainstream broadcasting and was followed by a series of increasingly prominent television appearances.

In 2016, Cha appeared in the play Heavy Metal Girls as Jung-min, a dedicated researcher facing a sudden layoff after sixteen years of employment. Her performance was noted for its sincerity and its realistic portrayal of the character's professional struggles.^[12]

Breakthrough

In 2019, Cha was cast in a supporting role in the tvN miniseries Crash Landing on You, starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. She portrayed Yang Ok-geum, a former North Korean announcer and hairdresser responsible for public announcements within a corporate housing complex. Her character was noted for her distinct aesthetic, characterized by elaborate makeup and costumes. Cha's performance, particularly her onscreen rapport with co-star Kim Sun-young (who played Na Wol-suk), was highlighted as a notable aspect of the series' ensemble.^[13]

In 2020, Cha was cast as Court Lady Choi in the tvN historical fantasy drama Mr. Queen, acting opposite Shin Hye-sun.^[14] Her performance garnered significant public attention, with the actress frequently appearing in real-time search trends during the series' broadcast.^[15] For her portrayal, Cha received critical acclaim and earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards.^[16] The visibility of this role led to increased appearances on various variety and talk programs.^[17]

Following the success of Mr. Queen, Cha appeared in several projects throughout 2021. She made a guest appearance in the JTBC thriller Beyond Evil as Lee Geum-hwa, a character involved in the central investigation.^[18] In the KBS2 series At a Distance, Spring Is Green, she portrayed Professor Song.^[19] Cha also starred in the office drama On the Verge of Insanity, acting alongside Jung Jae-young and Moon So-ri. She played Shin Jong-ah, a former finance team head who returns to the Changin Business Department as a contract manager.^[20][21] In July 2021, Cha joined the cast of the rebooted variety program Saturday Night Live Korea.^[22]

In August 2021, Cha was cast in a supporting role in the tvN drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, appearing alongside Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho. She portrayed Cho Nam-seok, a Chinese restaurant owner and a prominent source of village rumors.^[23][24] Her chemistry with Shin and Lee Bong-ryun received widespread praise.^[25] In September 2021, she secured the role of nurse Choi Mi-yeong in the TVING original series Dr. Park's Clinic, which subsequently premiered in January 2022.^[26]

On January 19, 2022, Cha signed an exclusive contract with YNK Entertainment.^[27] she was cast in the SBS legal drama Why Her as professor of family medicine.^[28] This was followed by a guest appearance in the June 2022 series Cleaning Up, where she portrayed the sister-in-law of Su-ja (played by Kim Jae-hwa).^[29]

In 2023, Cha joined the MBC drama Kokdu: Season of Deity as Gaksin, the god of rumor. She also held a role in the SBS series My Demon, portraying a divine entity appearing as a homeless woman. In April 2025, Cha signed an exclusive contract with the management agency Siseon.^[30]

Films

Television series

Web series

Television shows

Musical

Theater