After a series of auditions and casting meetings, Cha was apparently selected among several rising stars who are active both in K-pop and on screen – although his involvement has not been confirmed yet. So what else do we know about him?

He was talent scouted outside the toilets at a music festival

Cha has said that he never expected to become an idol. But everything changed after a music festival at his middle school.

He’s the K-pop star with the highest paying ‘second job’ in the country

Debuting with his K-pop group Astro under Fantagio Entertainment in 2016, Cha quickly became popular as the outfit’s vocalist and “visual”. However, he technically debuted in the entertainment industry as an actor two years before with a minor role in the Song Hye-kyo led film, My Brilliant Life. After appearing in a few other dramas, he landed his first proper lead in romcom My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018), which boosted his popularity both at home and abroad. By 2020, his role in True Beauty had cemented his reputation as an actor once and for all.

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With such success in the space of just a few years, Cha has found himself not just more famous than before, but wealthier too. He is reported to have cashed in nearly US$5 million from acting, officially making him the K-pop celebrity with the highest-earning “second job” (in other words, as an actor) according to Mnet’s TMI News Show.

In Korea he’s known as a ‘Face Genius’

… and might be described as a literal genius, too

Clearly insanely talented, he also set an example for his classmates in sports and music. Cha was the captain of his junior school’s football and basketball teams and plays various instruments including piano, guitar, violin and flute, according to KProfile.

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Luckily, he’s also very humble

Someone as successful and talented as Cha might be forgiven for being a little arrogant – and yet he’s clearly not. When he was asked to comment on his flattering “Face Genius” nickname, he said, according to Soompi: “It does feel good, but I actually think that each person has their own unique individuality. When I was growing up, my mum would tell me, ‘You’re not that good-looking’ and ‘Don’t be vain.’ I think that everyone has their own taste when it comes to good looks.”

In another interview with Hype News, he acknowledged that his ability to perform in dramas, variety shows and on stage with Astro was all thanks to the team he has around him.