Cha Chung-hwa (; 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 , 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 +List of Film Year Title Role English Korean 2010 Harmony 하모니 Harmony Choir, chase woman Try to Remember Ork girl / Single Bodhisattva 2012 As One 코리아 Korea cheering team Almost Che 강철대오: 구국의 철가방 Dong-sook Confession of Murder 내가 살인범이다 Jang Jin-gak 2013 How to Use Guys with Secret Tips 남자사용설명서 Bo-na's friend 2 Steal My Heart 캐치미 Human rights organization representative 2014 Revivre 화장 Dr. Choi, urology nurse 2016 Don't Forget Me 나를 잊지 말아요 Wedding Staff The Map Against the World 고산자, 대동여지도 Jeong Ho-jib madang anag Train to Busan 부산행 Middle aged woman (zombie) 2020 Pawn 담보 Byeong-dal's wife 2022 Birth 탄생 Kim A-gi 2023Brave Citizen용감한 시민Lee Jae-kyeong
Television series +List of Television series Year Title Role Note English Korean 2016 Shopping King Louie 쇼핑왕 루이 Kwon Mi-young 2017 Black 블랙 Clara 2017 Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me 흑기사 Team Leader 2018 The Ghost Detective 오늘의 탐정 Han Sang-seop's wife 2019 Hotel del Luna 호텔 델루나 Water demon/Detective Lee Cameo The Fiery Priest 열혈사제 Ahn Dul-ja 2019–20 Crash Landing on You 사랑의 불시착 Yang Ok-geum 2020 Itaewon Class 이태원 클라쓰 Bureau Chief's wife Cameo (Ep.3) Eccentric! Chef Moon 유별나! 문셰프 Pi Gon-sook 2020–21 Mr. Queen 철인왕후 Choi Sanggung Queen Cheorin's devoted lady-in-waiting 2021 Beyond Evil 괴물 Lee Geum-hwa At a Distance, Spring Is Green 멀리서 보면 푸른 봄 Professor Song Hospital Playlist Season 2 슬기로운 의사생활 Yeon-woo's mom Cameo (Ep.1) On the Verge of Insanity 미치지 않고서야 Kim Jung-ah Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 갯마을 차차차 Jo Nam-sook 2022 Dr. Park's Clinic 내과 박원장 Choi Mi-yeong Why Her 왜 오수재인가 Chae Joon-hee Cleaning Up 클리닝 업 Dongseo Cameo (Ep. 3) 2023 Kokdu: Season of Deity 꼭두의 계절 Gaksin See You in My 19th Life 이번 생도 잘 부탁해 Kim Ae-kyung My Demon마이 데몬a homeless gambler / godCameo 2025The Haunted Palace귀궁Yeong-geumSpring of Youth사계의 봄Kim Ja-young
Web series Year Title Role 2023 Song of the Bandits Kim Seon-bok
Television shows Year Title Role 2020 Happy Together "My Acting Class" Special 2021 Saturday Night Live Korea Cast member On & Off 2007 Actors' Association ()
Stage Musical +List of Musical Play(s) Year Title Role Theater Date English Korean 2005–2006 Backstreet Story 뒷골목 스토리 Egg Nucleus Small Theater Dec 23 – Jan 22 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 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 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 2014–2015 Midnight Diner 심야식당 Ochazuke Sisters — Salted Mentaiko Daehangno Musical Center Middle Theater Nov 16 – Jan 18 2015 Midnight Serenade 한밤의 세레나데 Park Jung-ja Art One Theater Hall 2 Mar 20 – May 21 Bachelor Vegetable Shop 총각네 야채가게 Multi-roles Woman KEPCO Art Center Nov 13 – Dec 31 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 Bachelor Vegetable Shop 총각네 야채가게 Multi-roles Woman Suwon SK Atrium Grand Performance Hall Jul 23 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
Theater +List of Theater Play(s) Year Title Role Theater Date English Korean 2010–2011 Sheer Madness 쉬어매드니스 Kwon Young-hwa Sangmyung Art Hall 1 Feb 2 – Jan 9 2012 Suspicious Heusingno 수상한 흥신소 Multi roles including Oh Deok-hee Samyung Art Hall 1 Jan 10 – Aug 19 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 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 Baeksang Arts Awards 2021 Best Supporting Actress – Television Mr. Queen MBC Drama Awards 2021 Best Supporting Actress On the Verge of Insanity 2023 Kokdu: Season of Deity SBS Drama Awards 2025 Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Humanity/Fantasy Drama The Haunted Palace
References
External links
Cha Chung-hwa on Daum Encyclopedia Cha Chung-hwa on Daum Movie Cha Chung-hwa on Naver Cha Chung-hwa on PlayDB