Cha Eun Woo turns 28: 5 romantic K-dramas of ASTRO star to binge on OTT

Top 5 K-dramas of Cha Eun Woo

True Beauty (2021)

The K-drama True Beauty became a massive hit, especially on Netflix, with Cha Eun Woo in the lead role alongside Moon Ga Young. The show’s progressive approach and the chemistry between the leads made global headlines. For some fans, Hwang In Yeop’s standout performance as the second lead sparked a serious case of “second lead syndrome.” Thanks to the trend, he landed his first leading role in his next project. True Beauty was praised by critics for spotlighting South Korea’s harsh beauty standards. Cha Eun Woo’s character, Lee Su Ho, was a walking “green flag”, someone who fell for Lim Joo Kyung’s real self rather than just her makeup-enhanced appearance. 

The story follows a high school girl who has battled low self-esteem since childhood due to relentless bullying over her looks. To protect herself, she becomes a makeup expert. Now, every day she spends hours creating a flawless face that helps her blend in with others. But her carefully built facade starts to crumble when she gets caught in a love triangle with two completely different yet equally impressive men.

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My ID is Gangnam Beauty (2018)

Like True Beauty, My ID is Gangnam Beauty also takes a hard look at South Korea’s harsh beauty standards, where plastic surgery has become almost routine. Starring Im Soo Hyang, Cha Eun Woo, Jo Woo Ri, and Kwak Dong Yeon, the drama is based on a popular webtoon. The story follows Kang Mi Rae, a young woman who, after years of being bullied for her looks, decides to undergo plastic surgery in hopes of a fresh start. But instead her peers mock her for looking “too artificial.” The webtoon title itself references Gangnammiin, a term used to describe those who are “attractive but appear overly altered by cosmetic procedures.” As Mi Rae struggles to find her self-esteem, she crosses paths with Do Kyung Seok, a former middle school classmate, played by Cha Eun Woo. My ID is Gangnam Beauty is currently streaming on Netflix.

Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung (2019)

If you’re a fan of historical dramas, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung should be on your watchlist. Starring Shin Se Kyung, Cha Eun Woo, and Park Ki Woong, the series features the ASTRO member in a leading role. The show marks his first foray into the historical genre. Set in the Joseon era, the story follows a young woman who dreams of becoming a historian, a bold ambition in a time when women’s roles were strictly limited. Along the way, she crosses paths with Prince Dowon, who secretly writes romance novels under a false identity. The drama explores the themes of love, gender equality, and history much like Dowon’s novel. Cha Eun Woo truly owned his role, effortlessly carrying the persona of a Joseon prince, from looking regal in a hanbok to delivering every line with emotion. The drama is a treat to watch. It’s streaming on Netflix for fans worldwide.

A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023)

IMDB describes A Good Day to Be a Dog as “an unpredictable fantasy romance between a woman cursed to turn into a dog when kissed and the only man who can break the curse—who happens to be terrified of dogs.” With a 7.2 IMDB rating, this Cha Eun Woo, Park Gyu Young, and Lee Hyun Woo starrer became one of the most-watched K-dramas of 2023. The story follows a woman who transforms into a dog every time she kisses someone. Her only shot at breaking the curse is Jin Seo Won, a math teacher who is scared of dogs after a traumatic childhood experience. At first, she hopes her crush, Lee Bo Gyeom (Lee Hyun Woo), might be the one to save her, however, one day, she accidentally ends up kissing Jin Seo Won (Cha Eun Woo). Now, she’s on a mission to win him over and land another kiss before she’s stuck as a pooch forever! The series is streaming on Viu and Viki.

Wonderful World (2024)

Wonderful World, directed by Lee Seung Young, stars Kim Nam Joo, Cha Eun Woo, Kim Kang Woo, and Im Se Mi in lead roles. Streaming on Disney+ in select regions, the series was widely praised as Cha Eun-woo’s best work yet. A tale of grief, guilt, and redemption, the story follows a renowned author who loses her young son. When the culprit escapes justice, she takes matters into her own hands. Cha Eun Woo plays Kwon Seon Yul, a once-privileged young man who walked away from medical school after a series of tragic losses. While he seems warm and easygoing, there’s more to him than meets the eye. His unexpected yet sudden connection with Soo Hyeon leads to a dramatic turn of events. The show proved that Eun Woo isn’t just a pretty face; he can take on darker, more intense roles.

Meanwhile, he’s gearing up for The WONDERfools, an upcoming Netflix series where he’ll share the screen with Park Eun Bin for the first time. Fans are eager to see this fresh pairing in action.