Cha Tae-hyun started his career as a silver medalist in a 1995 KBS Talent Contest. Over the next several years he would star in a large number of TV dramas such as Sunflower and Happy Together,[2] while also appearing in numerous TV commercials.[3] He was the radio DJ for KBS Cool FM's FM Popular Music with Cha Tae-hyun from 1999–2000,[4] and made a minor film debut in the comedy Hallelujah.[5]
2001–2007: My Sassy Girl and musical debut
In 2001, he rose to fame through the hugely successful romantic comedy My Sassy Girl where he acted alongside Jun Ji-hyun.[6] Cha's expressive acting established him as a recognized star in Korea as well as the Asian region at large,[7] and he extended his fame by releasing his debut album Accident. His next film Lovers' Concerto (2002), a tragic melodrama with actresses Son Ye-jin and Lee Eun-ju, also proved to be a popular success.[8]
From 2003, however, Cha's casting choices proved to be less inspired. He appeared in three comedies -- Crazy First Love,[9]Happy Ero Christmas[10] and Two Guys[11] —that were widely criticized by audiences for their weak scripts and lack of creativity.[5] He released his second album The Book later that year.
Cha hostedKBS Cool FM's Mr. Radio from 2007–2008, and was awarded Best Radio DJ at the 2007 KBS Entertainment Awards alongside Ahn Jae-wook.[15] He then portrayed the town's jester who has the intelligence of a six-year-old in BABO (which means "fool" in Korean), a film adaptation of Kang Full's popular online comic.[16][17]
2008–2012: Revived popularity and 2 Days & 1 Night
Cha regained his top star status when his comedy flick Scandal Makers became the number one film of 2008, attracting 8.2 million moviegoers and ranking among Korea's biggest hits of all time. The film centers on a radio talk show host, who was ex- idol, who must face unforeseen consequences of a love affair when he was a teen, when he discovers that he already has a daughter (Park Bo-young) and a grandson (Wang Seok-hyun) at the age of 30.[18][19] As a result of the film's success, the advertising industry named Cha as the top male celebrity endorser of 2009.[20]
He reunited with BABO director Kim Young-tak in 2010's Hello Ghost, a film about a man who after several suicide attempts, becomes possessed by four different ghosts.[21] It was another box office success at 3 million tickets sold, and Cha's performance led him to be dubbed as "Korea's Jim Carrey."[22]
Based on a true story, his 2011 film Champ depicts the relationship between a recently injured racehorse named Woo-bak and the jockey who tries to tame her.[23] Cha spent time with the horse before and during filming, luring his four-legged partner with a combination of carrots and sugar cubes.[24]
In 2012, he became a regular cast member of the second season of popular variety program 2 Days & 1 Night, and remained as a member until 2019. The show, which focuses on introducing various places in Korea to the viewers while the cast takes on different missions, has consistently scored high viewership ratings.[25][26]
2013–2018: Continued success and directorial debut
Cha played his first historical role in The Grand Heist, as the leader of a Joseon era group of thieves who band together to steal ice.[27][28] The action-comedy film was produced by his brother Cha Ji-hyun. He took on another sageuk role as the titular character in TV series Jeon Woo-chi, an impish Taoist wizard who becomes an unlikely hero.[29][30]
In 2017, Cha starred in the romantic comedy Because I Love You, playing a gifted composer who connects people in love; the film was again produced by his brother Cha Ji-hyun.[38][39][40] He next starred in KBS2's variety-drama Hit the Top, which he also directs.[41] The same year, Cha starred in the fantasy blockbuster Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds, based on the webtoon of the same name by Joo Ho-min.[42][43]
In 2018, Cha starred in the romance drama Matrimonial Chaos, a remake of the Japanese television series of the same title.[44]
2019–present
In March 2019, Cha was reported to have engaged in gambling, which was discovered through Jung Joon-young's phone's text messages during the police's investigation of the latter for illicit sex video crimes. Cha subsequently issued a formal statement of apology and withdrew from all his shows.[45]
In 2021, Cha starred in KBS2 drama Police University, playing Yoo Dong-man, a detective-turned-professor at the National Police University.[47]
Personal life
Cha's father, Cha Jae-wan, was an assistant director for special effects at KBS, and his mother Choi Su-min, now retired, was a voice-over artist.[48] His brother is film producer Cha Ji-hyeon.
On June 1, 2006, Cha married his high school sweetheart, pop lyricist Choi Suk-eun.[49] They dated for 13 years; she was his first and only girlfriend.[50] They have three children, a son (Cha Soo-chan) and two daughters (Cha Tae-eun, Cha Su-jin).[51]
^Ko Seung-ah (July 4, 2022). "더 킬러' 장혁 "차태현·손현주 특별출연…직접 섭외 전화" [N현장]" [The Killer' Jang Hyuk "Special appearances by Cha Tae-hyun and Son Hyeon-joo... Direct call for appointment" [N-Site]] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved July 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim Yang-soo (July 5, 2022). "[단독] 차태현x최수민, '미남당' 母子 동반 특별출연" [[Exclusive] Cha Tae-hyeon x Choi Soo-min, 'Beautiful Man' will make a special appearance with the children] (in Korean). Joy News 24. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
^Lee Mi-ji (July 25, 2022). "정용화X차태현X곽선영X예지원, '두뇌공조' 캐스팅..내년 상반기 방영(공식)" [Jung Yong-hwa X Cha Tae-hyun X Kwak Sun-young X Ye Ji-won, casting for 'Brain Cooperation' to be aired in the first half of next year (official)] (in Korean). Herald POP. Retrieved July 25, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kang Min-kyung (October 29, 2021). "디즈니+ '무빙', 류승룡X한효주X조인성..★들의 대잔치 '韓 액션 히어로" [Disney+ 'Moving', Ryoo Seung-ryong X Han Hyo-joo X Jo In-seong..★'s 'Korean Action Hero] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved October 29, 2021 – via Naver.
^Moon Ji-yeon (May 6, 2020). "[단독] 차태현X유호진 PD 新예능..극비 프로젝트 '서울 촌놈' 런칭" [[Exclusive] Cha Tae-hyun X Yoo Ho-jin PD New entertainment.. Top secret project 'Seoul Villager' launched]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved May 7, 2020.
^Sun Jin-ah (February 1, 2021). "어쩌다 사장' 차태현·조인성의 시골슈퍼 영업일지…상반기 첫 공개(공식)" ['Somehow, the president' Cha Tae-hyeon and Jo In-seong's rural supermarket business diary... First public release in the first half (official)]. mksports (in Korean). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
^Kim Na-young (December 6, 2021). "차태현X조인성 다시 한 번 '어쩌다 사장' 된다…"시즌2 내년 상반기 방송"" [Cha Tae-Hyun X Jo In-Sung Becomes the 'Chief' Once Again... “Season 2 broadcast in the first half of next year”]. mksports (in Korean). Retrieved December 6, 2021.
^Kang Min-kyung (September 27, 2023). "[공식] 美 한인마트서 영업하는 차태현·조인성…'어쩌다 사장3' 10월 26일 첫 방송" [[Official] Cha Tae-hyun and Jo In-seong operate at a Korean supermarket in the U.S.… 'Somehow I'm the President 3' first airs on October 26th] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved September 27, 2023 – via Naver.
^Sun Jin-ah (March 10, 2021). "차태현·장혁·이상엽·현주엽·안정환·김태균, '전국방방쿡쿡' 출연 확정(공식)" [Cha Tae-hyeon, Jang Hyuk, Lee Sang-yeop, Hyun Joo-yeop, Ahn Jung-hwan, and Kim Tae-gyun confirmed to appear in 'Bangbang Cook Cook' (official)]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved March 10, 2020.
^Lee Min-ji (August 3, 2021). "야생돌' 김종국 차태현 이현이 이선빈 김성규 유정 출연(공식)" [Wild Idol’ Kim Jong-guk, Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Hyun-yi, Lee Seon-bin, Kim Seong-gyu, Yoo-jeong (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
^Moon Ji-yeon (October 5, 2021). "[공식] 유희열·차태현 JTBC '다수의 수다' MC 호흡..11월 첫방송" [[Official] Yoo Hee-yeol and Cha Tae-hyun, JTBC 'Many Chatter' MC breathing.. First broadcast in November]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved October 5, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim Hyun-sook (April 22, 2022). "차태현 일일 MC·김현정 티아라 출격…'유명가수전2" [Cha Tae-hyun's daily MC, Kim Hyun-jung T-ara sortie... 'Famous Singers 2] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved April 23, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park So-young (September 13, 2022). "차태현X조세호X이석훈, ENA 북토크 예능으로 뭉쳤다 [공식]" [Cha Tae-hyeon X Jo Se-ho X Lee Seok-hoon united through ENA Book Talk entertainment [Official]] (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Jeong, Hee-yeon (March 2, 2023). "강호동, 이경규와 제대로 맞붙는다…'편먹고 공치리5' 합류 [공식]" [Kang Ho-dong and Lee Kyung-gyu properly face each other... Joined 'Eat and Go Gongchiri 5' [Official]] (in Korean). Sports DongA. Retrieved March 2, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Mi-ji (May 31, 2023). "김종국X장혁X차태현 등 용띠 절친들, '택배는 몽골몽골' 출연확정(공식)" [Kim Jong-guk X Jang Hyuk X Cha Tae-hyun and other best friends in the year of the dragon confirmed to appear in "Courier is Mongol Mongolia" (official)] (in Korean). Herald POP. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Naver.
^Woo, Bin (January 1, 2019). [2018 KBS 연기대상] 유동근 대상 "장미희 덕분인데 내가 왜..대하드라마 부활 기원" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Donggeun Lee Grand Prize "Why am I ... thanks to Jang Mi-hee.]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019 – via Naver.
^Jo, Yoon-kyung (January 1, 2019). "[2018 KBS 연기대상] 최다니엘·장동건·백진희 미니시리즈 우수상 수상" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Daniel Choi, Donggun Jang, Jinhee Baek, Miniseries Excellence Award] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Naver.
^Koh, Young-jun (January 1, 2022). "차태현, 최우수상 "팬클럽 회원 올랐으면" (KBS연기대상) [DA포토]" [Cha Tae-hyun, Grand Prize, “I wish I became a fan club member” (KBS Acting Awards) [DA photo]]. Sports Donga.
^Lee Chang-gyu (January 1, 2022). "1980년 5월을 빛내주신 분들께"…김민재·정용화·권나라·고민시, 미니시리즈 우수상 [KBS 연기대상]" ["To the people who made May 1980 shine"... Min-jae Kim, Yong-hwa Jung, Nara Kwon, Min-si Ko, Miniseries Excellence Award [KBS Acting Awards]] (in Korean). EXportsnews. Retrieved December 31, 2021 – via Naver.
^Yang So-young (January 1, 2022). "[KBS 연기대상] 지현우 대상 "'신사와 아가씨' 대표로 받아"[종합]" [[KBS Acting Awards] Ji Hyun-woo Grand Prize "Received as the representative of 'Gentleman and Lady'" [General]] (in Korean). Maeil Business Star Today. Retrieved December 31, 2021 – via Naver.
^"제43회 황금촬영상시상식 성료" [43rd Golden Filming Award Ceremony Completion]. 잡포스트(JOBPOST) (in Korean). October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.