6 best K-dramas starring Cha Eun-woo to watch while waiting for Netflix’s The WONDERfools

In 2014, ASTRO vocalist Cha Eun-woo debuted as an actor in the film, My Brilliant Life, co-starring Gang Dong-won and Song Hye-kyo. Although he had a minor role in the movie, the K-pop idol garnered appreciation for his acting prowess.

Cha Eun-woo has been a prominent figure in the Korean entertainment industry for over a decade. Among his many K-dramas, My ID is Gangnam Beauty highlights one of his standout performances. In 2018, his performance in the drama earned him the KDF Best Actor Award, the Hallyu Star Award, and multiple other awards.

Recently, Netflix announced its upcoming superhero comedy series WONDERfools, featuring Cha Eun-woo, Park Eun-bin, and Kim Hae-sook in the lead roles. The series will be directed by Yoo Insik, known for Extraordinary Attorney Woo.

Netflix reports that filming will begin shortly and is expected to last until mid-April 2025. The series is set in 1999, a time when Earth requires the help of superheroes. Cha Eun-woo and Park Eun-bin gain superpowers to protect their community.

True Beauty, My ID is Gangnam Beauty, and other dramas of Cha Eun-woo to watch by 2024

Cha Eun-woo has acted in different K-dramas and some of them are -

True Beauty
Island
Wonderful World
A Good Day to be a Dog
Top Management
My ID is Gangnam beauty

1) True Beauty

True Beauty K-drama (Image via Prime Video)

Release Year: 2020

Episodes: 16

Streaming on: Prime Video

Along with Cha Eun-woo, True Beauty features Moon Ga-young and Hwang In-yeop, depicting a love triangle. The drama revolves around Jug-yeong, played by Moon Ga-young, who is being bullied for her unattractive appearance.

However, she learns how to conceal her looks with makeup through YouTube tutorials and applies it. In her new school, she hides her true face and is known as 'the goddess.' Lee Su-ho, played by Eun-woo, discovers her real face and falls for her.

With an engaging plotline, the ending reveals who ends up with Jug-yeong.

2) Island

Release Year: 2022

Episodes: 12

Streaming on: Prime Video

The Island is adapted from a Naver Webtoon of the same name, revolving around three main characters. Cha Eun-woo portrays Father Johan, who searches for his lost brother and ultimately finds him. The character development of this priest is one of the captivating elements of the series.

Apart from him, Kim Nam-gil plays the role of Dan, who is half human and half demon, possessing superpowers. Won Mi-ho, played by Lee Da-hee, is the sole heiress of a chaebol, but due to a scandal, she works as a teacher.

These three reach the island and protect the world.

3) Wonderful World

Release Year: 2024

Episodes: 14

Streaming on: Disney + Hotstar

Wonderful World is based on vengeance while its plot development reveals some twists that shift the storyline into a captivating narrative. Misty actress Kim Nam-Joo plays one of the main characters in this drama, portraying a mother and a writer.

While her life is in disarray due to her personal and professional challenges, her son is killed by Kang Soo-ho, played by Kim Kang-woo. Cha Eun-woo essays the character of Seon-yul, the son of Soo-ho.

Soo-hyun (Kim Nam-Joo) kills Soo-ho to take revenge and meets Seon-yul without knowing his true identity. Seon-yul plans a cold-blooded murder of her, but due to a plot twist, he changes his mind.

4) A Good Day to be a Dog

Release Year: 2023

Episodes: 14

Streaming on: Viki

A Good Day to be a Dog is themed around an unrealistic plot, revolving around Han Hae-Na, played by Park Gyu-young. Hae-na's ancestors were cursed, and this curse continues through the generations.

When any family member kisses someone else, that person turns into a dog from midnight and remains in that appearance for 6 hours. The phenomenon continues until both kiss again.

Hae-na is a psychology teacher, and because of the curse, all her boyfriends leave her. One day, while drunk, she accidentally kisses Jin Seo-Won, played by Cha Eun-woo. She panics and searches for a way to lift the curse on him.

5) Top Management

Top Management (Image via YouTube/ 1theK)

Release Year: 2018

Episodes: 16

Streaming on: YouTube

Top Management revolves around the story of K-pop idols and their struggles. Yoo Eun-sung, played by Seo Eun-soo, survives the rigorous training of K-pop idols but ends up being the manager of an agency.

The drama includes a boy band S.O.U.L. under the same agency, which is facing backlash due to the plagiarism controversy. As a manager, Eun-sung puts effort into restoring the band's reputation. However, the twist occurs when the drama unfolds, allowing Eun-sung to foresee the future.

6) My ID is Gangnam Beauty

My ID is Gangnam Beauty (image via Netflix)

Release Year: 2018

Episodes: 16

Streaming on: Netflix, Viki

Cha Eun-woo received several awards and recognition for his role in My ID is Gangnam Beauty. The plot line depicts a university freshman, Kang Mi-rae, played by Im Soo-hyang, who joins the university after undergoing plastic surgery on her face.

She has been bullied due to her unattractive appearance in middle school, so she enters the university with a fresh look. However, this does not prevent her from being bullied, as people on the university campus call her Gangnam Beauty. This particular name is given to those who go through plastic surgery.

On the other hand, her classmate from middle school and a fellow freshman at the university, Do Kyung-seok ( Cha Eun-woo) belongs to an affluent family and is the heartthrob of the university campus.

Another person comes in a crucial role, Hyun Soo-ah, who is the pretty girl in the school, who is adored by everyone. However, with the plot development, some secrets of Soo-ah come out, revealing her true nature.

Cha Eun-soo debuted in ASTRO as a K-pop idol in 2016 and was the first Korean artist to receive the Global Icon Awards at MTV Video Music Awards. Apart from his singing career, he has cemented a prominent place in the entertainment world.

Edited by Bharath S