All The Reasons To Become A Cha Eun-Woo Fan, If You Aren't Already

He debuted as an actor in 2014.

With almost 13 million followers on Instagram alone, Cha Eun-woo is definitely someone K-pop and K-drama fans must follow now! For those who aren't that familiar with him yet, here are a few quick facts about the Korean superstar in the making: he's one of the younger Korean artists to amass such a massive following at just 23 years old, and that's likely thanks to his handsome looks and his being multi-talented. He made his showbiz debut in 2014 as an actor (via the movie "My Brilliant Life" starring Song Hye-kyo and Gang Dong-won). And just two years later, he was making a whole new set of fans swoon as a rising K-pop star with boy band Astro.

He studied at the prestigious Sungkyunkwan University.

It doesn't surprise us that he's a natural onstage and in front of the camera. Since he was little, he'd shown an affinity for performing in front of an audience and made it his goal to become a K-Idol. He was talented enough to begin his career as a teenager (he was 17 when he was discovered), and more so, hardworking enough to complement real acting experience with formal training as a student of the performing arts. While he was building his acting resume, he enrolled at the Hanlim Multi Art School, and a few years later, became a student at the historic (and super prestigious) Sungkyunkwan University. He is, of course, majoring in performing arts yet again to feed his passion for his craft.

He's a part of the six-member K-pop group Astro.

Let's focus on one half of his career for a bit - his rise to K-pop stardom! Like many young Koreans hoping to make it in the country's ultra-competitive entertainment industry, an adolescent Cha Eun-woo joined a K-Idol training camp with five other bandmates. Their group, initially called iTeen Boys, trained at the Fantagio iTeen camp, was formally introduced to Korean audiences in 2016. The group was renamed Astro, and although they were relatively unknown when they made their debut, lo and behold, their very first album "Spring Up" made it to the Top 4 spot of South Korea's Gaon Music Chart (a weekly music chart that highlights new, popular music) and the Top 6 spot of the US' Billboard World Albums Chart. Within the same year, their second album "Summer Vibes" reached chart-topping success yet again, and their meteoric rise to fame was enough to land them a live performance at the LA Staples Center as well as in Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand. All of these successes came within months of their 2016 debut.

He's one of today's most promising and sought-after young Korean actors.

It took less than a year for the world to embrace Astro's potential, and with that, Cha Eun-woo was recognized as one of the group's most popular and bankable members. Although he'd started acting in 2014 before he became a K-pop star, it was his post-singing debut success in 2016 that truly catapulted him to small screen fame. He's starred in three dramas ("Gangnam Beauty," "Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung," and the ongoing "True Beauty"), appeared in one film, and had a stint on five webseries since, and we project that those numbers will only increase with time.

He established himself as a rising lead actor with "Gangnam Beauty."

Now onto the second half of Cha Eun-woo's career: his filmography. If you want to get the best of the best of Cha Eun-woo's acting prowess, you'll have to binge-watch "Gangnam Beauty," a 2018 teen-targeted webtoon adaptation that saw him play his first leading role. There, he played a friend to a high schooler desperate to become her campus' Queen Bee with the help of plastic surgery. Her plan fails, backfires, and Cha Eun-woo's character is there to help her back on her feet. Although the show was produced with a young audience in mind, it's considered Cha Eun-woo's big acting break, so much so that his performance landed him a spot in GQ Magazine's "Men of the Year" list in 2018.

He currently stars in the webtoon-based series "True Beauty."

Cha Eun-woo was cast in bigger and better roles after "Gangnam Beauty." Period piece "Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung" allowed him to showcase his more serious and refined side as an actor, while his most recent work, ongoing webtoon adaptation "True Beauty" was one of last year's most awaited shows to be released among young audiences. He plays a sensitive and understanding lad in "True Beauty," one who sees his romantic interest for who and what the female lead character is beyond her looks and material aspirations. However, his character also holds a secret from the past, and only time will tell if its revelation will make, or break, his friendships and relationships. If you'd like to check out his other onscreen projects, his only movie, so far, is titled "My Brilliant Life," his first K-drama was "Hit The Top," and his most recent web series include "Top Management," "Sweet Revenge," and "Soul Plate."

He plays several musical instruments.

It doesn't stop there. Cha Eun-woo is also a musician and plays not one, not two, but four instruments proficiently! He's trained in playing the piano, violin, flute, and guitar. When he's enjoying a bit of downtime, you'll find him in midnight screenings, enjoying arthouse films on his own, or going out for a midnight snack, also alone. He doesn't mind spending time by himself as it allows him private time to recharge and reflect. When he does hang out with friends, however, he's likely to spend time with his equally famous pals: fellow K-pop stars Jungkook of BTS, SEVENTEEN's The8, NCT's Jaehyun, and Bambam and Yugyeom from GOT7!

Like his character in "True Beauty," he was also a top student.

He's pretty dedicated to his career as a performer, but if he weren't doing what he was doing, he'd toy with the idea of being a doctor or a teacher. (After all, he's been described as the cleverest member of Astro!). Right now though, it doesn't look like Cha Eun-woo is switching careers any time soon. He's on his way to the top and something tells us the trip will be shorter than what he expects, and you know what? With his commitment to doing his best and making his fans happy, he deserves every drop of fame that's come and has yet to come his way!

He's also talented in hosting.

Apart from being a K-pop idol and K-drama heartthrob, Cha Eun-woo is also good in hosting. He was a part of the 2020 basketball reality show program "Handsome Tigers" and started his hosting stint with the long-running reality/variety show "Master in the House" last year. He also recently hosted the SBS Entertainment Awards, wherein he was also recognized with the Rookie Award for "Master in the House."

Keep scrolling for more photos of the handsome and charming Cha Eun-woo.