Cha Chung-hwa

Cha Chung-hwa (Korean: 차청화; born on 28 April 1980) is a South Korean character actress active in theater, film, and television. She was nominated for a Baeksang Arts Award for her role as court lady Choi in the tvN historical drama Mr. Queen (2020–21). She is also known for her roles in the television series Crash Landing on You (2019), Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021), and Dr. Park's Clinic (2022), as well as films such as As One (2012), Train to Busan (2016), and Pawn (2020).

After graduating from the Department of Theatre at Sangmyung University, Cha debuted onstage in 2005. She developed her acting skills through appearances in popular Daehak-ro productions like Lunatic, Sheer Madness, and Suspicious Heungsinso. She continued to work in various roles, including supporting and multiple roles, in plays such as Late Night Restaurant, Midnight Serenade, and Heavy Metal Girls.

Early years and education

Born and raised in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, was a model student throughout her primary and secondary education. She served as class president during her elementary, middle, and high school years, and attended a top-ranked high school in Gwangmyeong.

While she initially aspired to enter politics and become president, her interests shifted during high school toward television, film, and music. Inspired by singer Park Jin-young, Cha developed a future goal to become an "all-around entertainer." Although her parents encouraged her to study accounting to ensure a stable career, she remained committed to the performing arts. She subsequently applied to and enrolled in the Department of Theatre at Sangmyung University.

Career

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.

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. 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.

In 2012, Cha appeared in a minor role in the film As One (2012). 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.

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. 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.

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.

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

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. In the KBS2 series At a Distance, Spring Is Green, she portrayed Professor Song. 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. In July 2021, Cha joined the cast of the rebooted variety program Saturday Night Live Korea.

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. Her chemistry with Shin and Lee Bong-ryun received widespread praise. 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.

On January 19, 2022, Cha signed an exclusive contract with YNK Entertainment. she was cast in the SBS legal drama Why Her as professor of family medicine. 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).

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.

Personal life

On October 11, 2023, Cha’s agency announced her upcoming marriage to a businessman, which took place in Seoul on October 27, 2023. The private ceremony was attended by family and close associates. On January 24, 2024, Cha announced her first pregnancy; she subsequently gave birth to a daughter later that year.

Filmography

Films

Television series

Web series

Television shows

Stage

Musical

Theater

Awards and nominations

External links

• at HanCinema
• at IMDb
• at the Korean Movie Database (in Korean)
• (in Korean)
• (in Korean)
• (in Korean)
• (in Korean)