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Cha Seung-won

Cha Seung-won

Actor · Born June 7, 1970 (56) · Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea

Cha Seung-won (born June 7, 1970) is a South Korean actor, who began his career as an in-demand fashion model in the 1990s. Cha achieved stardom through the hit comedy films Kick the Moon (2001), Jail Breakers (2002), My Teacher, Mr. Kim (2003), and Ghost House (2004). After proving his versatility in other genres, notably in the period thriller Blood Rain (2005) and the melodrama My Son (2007), Cha's popularity continued with the television series Bodyguard (2003), City Hall (2009), The Greatest Love (2011), A Korean Odyssey (2017), One Ordinary Day (2021) and Our Blues (2022).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 7, 1970 (56)
From
Anyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Works as
Actor
Titles
19 on Motif · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28

What are Cha Seung-won's films like?

Across their 16 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action7 titlesTypical Motif score: 72nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Motif score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
33%
Bonds
23%
Survival
19%
Self
12%
Power
9%
Ideas
2%
Society
1%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeWar2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 2 · Serious 2 · Dark 8

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 1

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 3 · Intense 9

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 0 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 2

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 1 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 8

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

14 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 6 of 14 analyzed roles.

Shadow
6 of 14
Hero
4 of 14
Mentor
3 of 14
Ally
1 of 14
Show the 14 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Melancholic
9
Dread
5
Bittersweet
4
Thrilling
4
Other
9

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Cha Seung-won's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 16 of their 19 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Cha Seung-won's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 19 with a Motif page; 18 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Retired Agent Management Team (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2027)

    Show 1 episode · as Kim Cheol-su

  • Tantara (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 22 episodes · as Gil-yeo

  • 산골총각, 영웅 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • No Other Choice(2025)

    as Ko Si-jo

    Motif score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Mercy for None(2025)

    Show 7 episodes · as Cha Young-do

    Motif score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Trunk(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as In-ji's fourth contract husband

    Motif score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Uprising(2024)

    as King Seonjo

    Motif score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Tyrant(2024)

    Show 4 episodes · as Lim Sang

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Whatcha Up To? (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Guest

  • Whenever Possible(2024)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Believer 2(2023)

    as Brian

    Motif score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Our Blues(2022)

    Show 20 episodes · as Choi Han-su

    Motif score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • One Ordinary Day (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · as Shin Joong-han

  • 리얼 마케팅 쇼 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sinkhole(2021)

    as Man-soo

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Night in Paradise(2020)

    as Ma Sang-gil

    Motif score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Cheer Up, Mr. Lee(2019)

    as Cheol-su

    Motif score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Believer(2018)

    as Brian

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all films

  • A Korean Odyssey(2017)

    Show 20 episodes · as Devil King Woo / Woo Hwi

    Motif score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Map Against the World (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    as Kim Jeong-ho

  • Let's Be Strange (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

  • Hwajung (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 50 episodes · as Prince Gwanghae

  • Man on High Heels(2014)

    as Detective Ji-wook

    Motif score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • You're All Surrounded (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 20 episodes · as Seo Pan-seok

  • Mr. XXX-Kisser (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • T-ARA - Cry Cry & Lovey-Dovey (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • The Greatest Love (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 16 episodes · as Dokko Jin

  • Athena: Goddess of War (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    as Son-hyeok

  • Athena: Goddess of War (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 20 episodes · as Son Hyuk

  • Running Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 71: Into the Fire(2010)

    as Park Moo-rang

    Motif score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Blades of Blood(2010)

    as Lee Mong-hak

    Motif score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Secret (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Kim Seong-ryeol

  • City Hall (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 20 episodes · as Jo Gook

  • Eye For An Eye (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2008)

    as Ahn Hyon-min

  • My Son(2007)

    as Lee Gang-sik

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Small Town Rivals (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    as Cho Chun-sam

  • Over the Border (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Kim Sun-ho

  • Murder, Take One (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Choi Yeon-gi

  • Blood Rain (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Lee Won-kyu

  • Lovely Rivals(2004)

    Actor

    Motif score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Ghost House (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    as Pil-gi

  • Bodyguard (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 22 episodes · as Hong Kyung-tak

  • My Teacher, Mr. Kim (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    as Kim Bong-doo

  • Project X (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Jail Breakers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    as Choi Moo-seok

  • Break Out (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    as Yang Cheol-gon

  • Kick the Moon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2001)

    as Choi Ki-dong

  • Libera Me (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Hui-soo

  • Black Honeymoon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Kim Jun-ho

  • End of the Century (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Sang-woo

  • Love Story (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as In-gi

  • Attack the Gas Station(1999)

    as Runaway Youth

    Motif score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Ghost in Love (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    as Nah Han Su

  • Roses and Bean Sprouts (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 51 episodes · as Choi Gyoo-dae

  • If the Sun Rises in the West (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    as Byun Ji-min

  • Angel's Kiss (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 18 episodes · as 장태주

  • 뉴욕 스토리 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 19 episodes · Actor

  • Holiday in Seoul (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Pickpocket

  • Family Force (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Pigpen (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as The Owner

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 62 titles, 58 of them dated from 1997 to 2026; peak year 2020.

Biggest box office

Blades of Blood (2010)

$82M worldwide

Highest rated

Our Blues (2022)

Motif 98th

Film career

19972026

Peak 2020 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 10 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1999Screen debut· Attack the Gas Station!
  • 2005First top-billed film· Blood Rain
  • 2017Career best· A Korean Odyssey
  • 2021Career best· Sinkhole

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting62 of 62: 62 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Motif score77th

By decade

1990s9 · acting2000s18 · acting2010s16 · acting2020s15 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 47% of 15 roles
9914

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Cha Seung-won's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 72nd percentile, the median of all 13; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 76th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

82ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Motif score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th3

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 19 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

My Son (2007)

63rd percentile spread · 13% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Our Blues (2022)

Motif 98th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Cha Seung-won's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 Motif titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 94 · severeMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 28 · mildMedian of all films: 31
Profanity3 titlesmedian 82 · severeMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 62 · intenseMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 88 · severeMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Cha Seung-won work with?

People who share at least 2 of Cha Seung-won's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ahn Kil-kang shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers