Cha Chung-hwa

Cha Chung-hwa (born on 28 April 1980) 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.

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.

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. Although Cha initially dreamed of becoming the president, her aspirations changed over time.

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." 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.

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.

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. 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.

In 2012, Cha took on another minor role in the film As One (2012). She also played one of the Ochazuke sisters in the musical adaptation of Shin'ya Shokudō (深夜食堂), 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. In the KBS drama At a Distance, Spring Is Green, she portrayed the charismatic Professor Song. 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. In July 2021, Cha joined the cast of the rebooted show Saturday Night Live Korea, alongside Red Velvet's Wendy.

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

On January 19, 2022, Cha signed an exclusive contract with YNK Entertainment. In April, she joined the SBS legal drama Why Her as professor of family medicine. In June, Cha made special appearance in drama Cleaning Up as 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. 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. The wedding ceremony was held in Seoul on October 27, 2023, with only her family and close acquaintances invited. On January 24, 2024, Cha announced that she was pregnant with the couple's first child.