Q: I filmed until dawn today. You must have been exhausted, but you never stopped smiling and expressing gratitude throughout the shoot. That gave me strength as well.
A: Thank you. It’s been a while since I worked with ELLE, and thanks to your constant support, I was able to enjoy the shoot. Filming until dawn can be tiring at times, but with the staff always helping and so many people cheering me on, I find the strength to keep going.
Q: Your pet dog, Dongdong, was also on set today! She kept looking around, searching for ‘oppa.’
A: Dongdong is my source of healing, energy, laughter, and love… She gives me so much. She’s so cute and precious that just watching her makes me feel healed.
Q: Today’s shoot was themed around ‘poetry.’ Is there a moment when Cha Eun-woo feels the most poetic? A: I think it’s during what everyone calls the ‘dawn sensibility’ hour. Especially around 3 AM, when the world is completely silent—I feel a bit more sensitive yet relaxed, and a unique, subtle emotion washes over me.
Q: Right now, you must be fully immersed in your role as Lee Woonjung in the Netflix series The Wonderfools. How does it feel to live each day as Woonjung, who is introduced as a special recruitment civil servant?
A: I’m filming diligently every day as Woonjung. I think I’ll be able to show a different side of myself compared to the roles I’ve played so far, and that makes me excited.
Q: From Kyungseok in My ID is Gangnam Beauty, to Suho in True Beauty, Seowon in A Good Day to Be a Dog, and Seonyul in Wonderful World, have these characters, who are of a similar age, left any lasting impact on the real Cha Eunwoo?
A: I can say they were my ‘friends’ throughout my twenties. They’ve become the foundation that has made me who I am today. When I act, I end up living as that character for more than half a year, so their influence on me is significant. At the same time, I think those characters are also influenced by who Cha Eunwoo is as a person.
Q: In particular, I was surprised at how well Seonyul’s deep voice and sorrowful expression in Wonderful World suited you, reflecting the tough life he leads. You once mentioned that “Seonyul’s situation and background felt somewhat similar” to your own.
A: When I received the offer to star in Wonderful World, it was a difficult time for me both personally and professionally. I had a lot on my mind. Initially, I declined the role, but at some point, I found myself thinking of Seonyul when reflecting on my own situation. I re-read the script multiple times and gradually started wondering if I could truly understand Seonyul and portray his emotions well. Eventually, the desire to play Seonyul grew stronger than the need for a break, so I decided to take on the role.
Q: Now that you’ve finally portrayed Seonyul, how did it feel?
A: The emotions that Seonyul experiences in the drama are similar to what many people go through during difficult times, not just me. As I expressed his healing journey, I also felt that I became stronger and grew a little as a person.
Q: Actress Kim Namjoo, who worked with you, once praised you by saying, “Not only is he great at acting, but he also has such a good personality that it’s almost unfair. You can’t be that perfect!” As someone who is often seen as perfect, what are the joys and challenges of living up to that image?
A: Haha. I was really grateful for those kind words from my senior. The public’s positive perception and support give me the motivation to work hard, but at the same time, I sometimes feel pressure to do even better and present an improved version of myself. However, words like hers encourage me to keep pushing forward and give me the strength to pursue my goals, so I’m always thankful.
Q: You fully immerse yourself in your roles during filming, yet you seamlessly transition into being cover star Cha Eunwoo or the MC of events like the Golden Disc Awards. Isn’t it challenging to switch gears so quickly?
A: I think singing, acting, and variety show activities are all similar in that they involve conveying emotions and stories to the audience. Rather than finding it difficult, I actually gain synergy from it. For instance, when I perform as a singer, the emotions I experience while acting help expand my expressive range. Similarly, the energy I release on stage helps me focus better when I’m acting or filming variety shows.
Q: You’ve built quite a few memories with Saint Laurent. What’s the most vivid one that comes to mind? A: The most memorable moment was participating in Paris Fashion Week for the first time as an ambassador in the fall of 2024. After becoming an ambassador, I looked into the brand’s history and past designer shows to better understand it, but seeing it in person made me feel the brand’s unique essence even more. I also enjoyed working on this photoshoot with ELLE, as it allowed me to interpret and express Saint Laurent’s signature style in a different way than before.
Q: We can’t forget to talk about the fun ‘city boys’ vibe you shared with Lee Jehoon, Lee Donghwi, and Kwak Dongyeon on Finland’s Staycation.
A: It was my first time visiting Finland, and to be honest, I was a bit surprised at first because the filming location had no electricity, running water, or even cell phone service (laughs). There was a big difference between just hearing about it and actually experiencing it firsthand. Living there—cooking my own meals and fetching water myself—made me appreciate things I had always taken for granted. More than anything, I think I made some great memories with the hyungs and Dongyeon.
Q: Many people were surprised by how low your sensitivity level is, saying it’s almost at ‘0.’ Do you consider yourself a true ‘city guy’? At the same time, you kept looking for kimchi.
A: Hmm... I guess you could call me a ‘city guy who loves Korean food and kimchi’ (laughs). When I travel abroad for performances or schedules, I usually enjoy the local cuisine, but I always end up craving Korean food after a meal or two. That’s why whenever I have long overseas schedules or visit countries where it’s hard to find Korean restaurants, I make sure to bring kimchi or instant noodles with me.
Q: Do you still cook jeyuk bokkeum (stir-fried pork) that you learned from your mother?**
A: Honestly, now that I’m back home, I mostly end up ordering delivery food (laughs). But when I have some free time, I’d love to start cooking again. I even have a strong desire to learn how to cook more professionally.
Q: Your mother always says, “You’re not that handsome” (laughs). It may sound like a joke, but I believe this kind of comment has shaped who Cha Eunwoo is today, and contributed to your grounded nature.
A: I think it's because of my family that I was born and grew up to have stories to share in interviews like this. Thanks to my parents' hard work and how they’ve built their lives, I’ve learned to live diligently and gained the strength to keep going.
Q: When you were young, you used to ride around the neighborhood with your younger sibling on the back of your bike, and even received love and attention from the security guards in the neighboring area, right?
A: I think I had a lot of love for my younger sibling. Playing with them was the most fun, and I wanted to show off my sibling wherever I went. If anyone ever bullied my sibling, I’d go and scold them (laughs).
Q: Last year, the process of creating your first solo album, Entity, must have left a strong impression. Did it give you a chance to reflect more deeply on yourself?
A: Even though it was my first solo album, rather than focusing on my own style or the music I wanted to make, I tried to capture the feelings I had for my friend. Although I’ve never said this before, I wanted to speak honestly about that. The time I spent writing all the lyrics for Entity was tough, but it felt meaningful. I hoped listeners would receive the sincere emotions and messages in the songs. I believed that a 4-minute song could convey authenticity better than a hundred words.
Q: Is there one song from the album that you cherish the most?
A: I cherish them all, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be ‘Stay.’ It’s a song I made to comfort those who are sad after parting with a loved one, and it really encapsulates the message I wanted to convey through Entity, so I hold it dear.
Q: You seem to have a lot of affection for ‘Merry-Go-Round,’ which you gifted to your fans for Christmas in 2018. Recently, you re-recorded and released it.
A: It's the first song that all the Astro members participated in writing, so it holds a special meaning for both the members and the fans. The idea for the 2024 version came up when we were discussing what kind of gift we could give to our fans for Christmas. When I listened to the original while re-recording, I realized the members’ voices sounded so “baby-like” compared to now (laughs). It really made me think how much we’ve all grown over the past six years.
Q: What kind of lyrics and melodies are drawing your attention these days?
A: Lately, I’ve been listening to songs with lyrics and melodies that hit me deeply, especially those with a sad ending.
Q: What are the things that warm up your winter, Cha Eunwoo?
A: It may sound obvious, but the support from my fans and the members is the biggest source of strength. Outdoor filming during the winter is incredibly cold, but with the encouragement of those I cherish and love, I can get through it easily. Also, I really like scarves, so I wear them often, and they definitely keep me warm!
Q: What is something you really want to do well these days?
A: I tend to cherish each day, so even during short breaks between my schedule, I try to rest properly. Of course, right now, the most important thing is finishing the filming for The Wonderfools safely.
Q: You always seem to take everything on with a smile, as if nothing can go wrong. What thoughts do you have when you fall asleep at night?
A: I’m grateful that I can finish the day well and hope to do the same tomorrow. When my schedule is packed, I think about the tasks and scenes I have to film the next day. If I think it’s going to be tough or overwhelming, it feels like it becomes that way, so I try to trust myself and move forward with flexibility.
Q: Just like you said, Cha Eunwoo has grown and become more flexible over the past 9 years, believing in himself. Is the 27-year-old Lee Dongmin becoming more of an adult as well?
A: It’s surprising. I’ve just been trying my best to do what’s given to me, and I’ve been running forward, but it’s crazy to think that time has passed so quickly. I’m not sure if I’m becoming a good adult, but I definitely feel like valuable experiences are accumulating inside me.
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