Cha Chung-hwa

In this Korean name, the family name is Cha.

Cha Chung-hwa (Korean: 차청화; Hanja: 車清華; born on 28 April 1980)^[1] is a South Korean character actress who has worked extensively on stage, screen, and television. She has been nominated for Baeksang Arts Awards for her role as court lady Choi in tvN historical drama Mr. Queen.

Cha Chung-hwa
차청화
Cha in April 2021
Born	(1980-04-28) 28 April 1980 (age 44) Suwon, Gyeonggi-do South Korea
Other names	Cha Cheong-hwa
Alma mater	Sangmyung University – Department of Theatre
Occupations	Television Actress Musical Actress
Years active	2005–present
Agent	YNK by IOK Company
Spouse	Unknown ​ (m. 2023)​
Korean name
Hangul	차청화
Hanja	車清華
Revised Romanization	Cha Cheong-hwa
McCune–Reischauer	Ch'a Ch'ŏnghwa

After graduating from Department of Theatre of Sangmyung University, Cha made her debut onstage in 2005. Cha built up her acting skills by appearing in popular works in Daehak-ro such as "Lunatic", "Sheer Madness", and "Suspicious Heungsinso". She continued to work in various roles, including the plays "Late Night Restaurant", "Midnight Serenade", and "Heavy Metal Girls", showing her own charm to the audience as supporting role and multiple role.

She is known for her roles in Crash Landing on You (2019), Mr. Queen (2020–21), Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021), and Dr. Park's Clinic (2022). She has acted in films As One (2012), Train to Busan (2016) and Pawn among many.^[2]

Early years and education

Born and raised in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Cha Chung-hwa was a model student during her school days. She served as class president throughout elementary, middle, and high school, and she entered the best high school in Gwangmyeong, which was a non-standard area.^[3] Although Cha initially dreamed of becoming the president, her aspirations changed over time.^[4]

When she was in high school, Cha found joy in watching TV, movies, and listening to music. She became a fan of singer Park Jin-young and dreamed of becoming an "all-around entertainer."^[3][4] However, her parents wanted her to study accounting for a stable career in the future, so they initially opposed her aspirations. Despite their opposition, Cha decided to pursue her dream and applied to the Department of Theatre of Sangmyung University.^[5][6]

Career

Debut

At the age of 25 in 2006, Cha made her debut as a musical actress in Daehak-ro, playing multiple roles in the musical Backstreet Story. After completing her college education, she ventured into different professions, such as working as a shopping mall buyer and interning at an advertising and public relations company. However, she soon realized that these jobs were not a good fit for her. As she entered her 30s, her obsession with theater grew stronger.^[3][7]

Starting with a minor role in 2010 film Harmony, starring Kim Yun-jin, Cha gradually expanded her filmography by working in both films and musicals.^[8] In January 2011, she underwent a highly competitive audition and emerged as one of the new actors chosen to perform in the Korean encore performance of the play Shear Madness. Cha captivated the judges with her distinctive acting skills and boundless energy, showcased in her previous musicals like March of Youth and Runatic. Consequently, she was ultimately cast in the role of Kwon Young-hwa.^[9]

In 2012, Cha took on another minor role in the film As One (2012).^[10] She also played one of the Ochazuke sisters in the musical adaptation of Shin'ya Shokudō (深夜食堂, lit. "Midnight Diner"), which was directed by Kim Dong-yeon. The musical was adapted from a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yarō Abe, and it revolved around a late-night diner that was open from midnight to dawn, and its quirky patrons. The series had already been adapted into a Japanese drama called Midnight Diner in 2009.

In addition to reprising her role in the musical Shin'ya Shokudō in 2014, Cha also played multiple roles in the revival of the musical 'Oh! While You Were Sleeping' that same year. The musical was directed by Jang Yoo-jeong and composed by Kim Hye-seong, a recognized combination in the creative musical world.^[11]

In 2015, Cha took on the role of Park Jung-ja in the musical Midnight Serenade. She first became aware of the musical while filming the 2009 film Harmony, as she saw her senior actress practicing guitar for the audition. From that moment on, Cha had a strong desire to play the role. She eventually auditioned for the 2015 revival, with the recommendation of a fellow actress.^[7]

That same year, Cha landed her first supporting role on the small screen in the MBC drama Shopping King Louie. Her performance helped her to gradually establish a strong presence in the industry.

In 2016, Cha played the role of Jung-min in the play Heavy Metal Girls. Jung-min is a researcher who dedicated her youth to work and could not get married. She created hit products such as tomato ramen and honey chicken breast, dedicating 16 years of her life to her work before being laid off. Cha was praised for her sincerity in her acting, bringing the character to life on stage.^[12]

Breakthrough

In 2019, Cha won audition for supporting role in tvN miniseries Crash Landing on You, starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. She played the role of Yang Ok-geum, a former announcer and hairdresser from North Korea. In the series, her character was responsible for making announcements in the corporate housing complex, and she was known for her fancy makeup and costumes, which made her stand out. She often spent time with Na Wol-suk, her character's friend, and their interactions added an enjoyable element to the show, with their sisterhood chemistry.^[13]

In 2020, Cha was cast as court lady Choi, serving Queen Cheorin (played by Shin Hye-sun), in tvN historical fantasy drama Mr. Queen.^[14] Her performance received a highly positive response from viewers, dominating real-time search terms after each episode's broadcast.^[15] Cha gained critical recognition for her role, earning a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards.^[16] Her memorable roles in those dramas also led to her being invited to make appearances on many popular television shows.^[17]

Following her success in Mr. Queen, Cha remained busy in 2021. She made a special appearance in the thriller drama Beyond Evil as Lee Geum-hwa, a character vital to the plot.^[18] In the KBS drama At a Distance, Spring Is Green, she portrayed the charismatic Professor Song.^[19] Cha also starred in the office drama On the Verge of Insanity alongside Jung Jae-young and Moon So-ri; playing the former head of the finance team at the head office, Shin Jong-ah, who rejoins the Changin Business Department's finance team as a contract manager.^[20][21] In July 2021, Cha joined the cast of the rebooted show Saturday Night Live Korea, alongside Red Velvet's Wendy.^[22]

In August 2021, Cha took on a starring role in the healing drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, alongside Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho. Her character, Cho Nam-seok, owned a Chinese restaurant and was known as a village gossiper.^[23][24] Her chemistry with Shin Min-a and Lee Bong-ryun received widespread praise.^[25] In September of the same year, she was chosen to play the character Choi Mi-yeong in the web series Dr. Park's Clinic, which premiered on TVING in January 2022.^[26]

On January 19, 2022, Cha signed an exclusive contract with YNK Entertainment.^[27] In April, she joined the SBS legal drama Why Her as professor of family medicine.^[28] In June, Cha made special appearance in drama Cleaning Up as 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. Also, she has made an appearance in My Demon as a homeless woman.

Personal life

On October 11, 2023, Cha's agency confirmed that she would marry a younger businessman later that month.^[30] The wedding ceremony was held in Seoul on October 27, 2023, with only her family and close acquaintances invited.^[31] On January 24, 2024, Cha announced that she was pregnant with the couple's first child.^[32]

Filmography

Films

List of Film

Year	Title		Role	Ref.
	English	Korean
2010	Harmony	하모니	Harmony Choir, chase woman	[33]
	Try to Remember		Ork girl / Single Bodhisattva	[34]
2012	As One	코리아	Korea cheering team	[34]
	Almost Che	강철대오: 구국의 철가방	Dong-sook	[34]
	Confession of Murder	내가 살인범이다	Jang Jin-gak	[34]
2013	How to Use Guys with Secret Tips	남자사용설명서	Bo-na's friend 2	[34]
	Steal My Heart	캐치미	Human rights organization representative	[34]
2014	Revivre	화장	Dr. Choi, urology nurse	[34]
2016	Don't Forget Me	나를 잊지 말아요	Wedding Staff	[34]
	The Map Against the World	고산자, 대동여지도	Jeong Ho-jib madang anag	[35]
	Train to Busan	부산행	Middle aged woman (zombie)	[34]
2020	Pawn	담보	Byeong-dal's wife	[23]
2022	Birth	탄생	Kim A-gi	[36][37]
2023	Brave Citizen	용감한 시민		[38]

Television series

List of Television series

Year	Title		Role	Note	Ref.
	English	Korean
2016	Shopping King Louie	쇼핑왕 루이	Kwon Mi-young		[34]
2017	Black	블랙	Clara		[34]
2017	Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me	흑기사	Team Leader
2018	The Ghost Detective	오늘의 탐정	Han Sang-seop's wife		[34]
2019	Hotel del Luna	호텔 델루나	Water demon/Detective Lee	Cameo	[23]
	The Fiery Priest	열혈사제	Ahn Dul-ja		[34]
2019–20	Crash Landing on You	사랑의 불시착	Yang Ok-geum		[23]
2020	Itaewon Class	이태원 클라쓰	Bureau Chief's wife	Cameo (Ep.3)	[39]
	Eccentric! Chef Moon	유별나! 문셰프	Pi Gon-sook		[40]
2020–21	Mr. Queen	철인왕후	Choi Sanggung	Queen Cheorin's devoted lady-in-waiting	[41]
2021	Beyond Evil	괴물	Lee Geum-hwa		[42]
	At a Distance, Spring Is Green	멀리서 보면 푸른 봄	Professor Song		[43]
	Hospital Playlist Season 2	슬기로운 의사생활	Yeon-woo's mom	Cameo (Ep.1)	[44]
	On the Verge of Insanity	미치지 않고서야	Kim Jung-ah		[45]
	Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha	갯마을 차차차	Jo Nam-sook		[46]
2022	Dr. Park's Clinic	내과 박원장	Choi Mi-yeong		[26]
	Why Her	왜 오수재인가	Chae Joon-hee		[47][48]
	Cleaning Up	클리닝 업	Dongseo	Cameo (Ep. 3)	[29]
2023	Kokdu: Season of Deity	꼭두의 계절	Gaksin		[49]
	See You in My 19th Life	이번 생도 잘 부탁해	Kim Ae-kyung		[50]
	My Demon	마이 데몬	a homeless gambler / god	Cameo	[51]
2025	The Haunted Palace	귀궁	Yeong-geum		[52]

Web series

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2023	Song of the Bandits	Kim Seon-bok	[53]

Television shows

Year	Title	Role	Ref.
2020	Happy Together	"My Acting Class" Special	[54]
2021	Saturday Night Live Korea	Cast member	[55][56]
	On & Off		[57]
2007	Actors' Association (배우반상회)		[58][59]

Stage

Musical

List of Musical Play(s)

Year	Title		Role	Theater	Date	Ref.
	English	Korean
2005–2006	Backstreet Story	뒷골목 스토리		Egg Nucleus Small Theater	Dec 23 – Jan 22	[60]
2008	Medical Lunatic	메디컬 루나틱	Ko Dok-hae	Sejong Center for the Performing Arts M Theater	July 8 – Aug 29
	March of Youth	젊음의 행진	Wolsuk	KEPCO Art Center	Nov 7 – Dec 31	[61]
2011–2012	Medical Lunatic	메디컬 루나틱	Ko Dok-hae	Sungkyunkwan University 600th Anniversary Hall New Millennium Hall	Apr 15 – Feb 22
2012–2013	Midnight Diner	심야식당	Ochazuke Sisters — Salted Mentaiko	Dongsung Art Center Dongsung Hall	Dec 11 – Feb 17	[62][63][64]
2013	2013 Seoul Musical Festival Closing Gala Show	2013 서울뮤지컬페스티벌 폐막갈라쇼	Herself	Chungmu Art Center Grand Theater	Aug 12
2013–2014	Oh! While You Were Sleeping	오! 당신이 잠든 사이	Multiroles	Daehangno Arts Center	Sep 6 – Mar 16	[65]
2014–2015	Midnight Diner	심야식당	Ochazuke Sisters — Salted Mentaiko	Daehangno Musical Center Middle Theater	Nov 16 – Jan 18	[66][67]
2015	Midnight Serenade	한밤의 세레나데	Park Jung-ja	Art One Theater Hall 2	Mar 20 – May 21	[68]
	Bachelor Vegetable Shop	총각네 야채가게	Multi-roles Woman	KEPCO Art Center	Nov 13 – Dec 31	[69]
2016	2016 Global Musical Live Showcase	2016 글로컬 뮤지컬 라이브 쇼케이스	Herself	Lee Ha-rang Arts Theater	Jan 30 – Feb 03
	Heavy Metal Girls	헤비메탈 걸스	Min-jeong	Plus Theater (Culturspace NU)	Mar 15 – Jun 15	[70]
	Bachelor Vegetable Shop	총각네 야채가게	Multi-roles Woman	Suwon SK Atrium Grand Performance Hall	Jul 23	[71]
				Art One Theater Hall 2	Nov 19 – Dec 31
2019	Lee Seon-dong Clean Center	이선동 클린센터	The grandmother	Daehakro SH Art Hall	Oct 4 – Nov 10	[72]

Theater

List of Theater Play(s)

Year	Title		Role	Theater	Date	Ref.
	English	Korean
2010–2011	Sheer Madness	쉬어매드니스	Kwon Young-hwa	Sangmyung Art Hall 1	Feb 2 – Jan 9	[73]
2012	Suspicious Heusingno	수상한 흥신소	Multi roles including Oh Deok-hee	Samyung Art Hall 1	Jan 10 – Aug 19	[74]
	Youth Band	청춘밴드 블루스프링	Lee In-hee	Suwon Youth Culture Center Onnuri Art Hall	Jul 12 – Jul 15
				Small Theater Wilderness (Former Daehangno Arts Theater 3)	Jul 20 – Aug 12
				Gangdong Art Center Small Theater Dream	Aug 15 – Sep 02
2013	Knife Handle	칼잡이	multi	Sejong Center for the Performing Arts M Theater	Apr 12–28
				Guro Art Valley Arts Theater	Jun 20–22
	Suspicious Heusingno	수상한 흥신소	Multi roles including Oh Deok-hee	H Theater	May 31 – Nov 03
2013–2015	Secret Diary	시크릿 다이어리	Park Dong-soon	H Theater	Nov 21 – Feb 01
2016	Come See Me	배우 날 보러와요	Mrs. Nam	Yes24 Stage2	Sep 21 – Dec 11	[75]
2017				Icheon Art Hall Small Performance Hall	Feb 17–18

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Baeksang Arts Awards	2021	Best Supporting Actress – Television	Mr. Queen	Nominated	[16][76]
MBC Drama Awards	2021	Best Supporting Actress	On the Verge of Insanity	Nominated	[77]
	2023	Best Supporting Actress	Kokdu: Season of Deity	Won	[78]