There’s a saying in the Korean entertainment industry: “Cha Eun Woo is so handsome that if he were also a great actor, it would be unfair to the world!” His nickname, “Face Genius” (천재 얼굴), has been both a blessing and a burden. His biggest challenge isn’t his appearance—it’s proving that he’s more than just a pretty face.
From the very start of his acting career, Cha Eun Woo has been at the center of debate. Some praise him, others criticize him, but one thing is clear—his journey has always been about striving to improve. So why does he remain such a polarizing figure?
Visual Appeal
Before being hailed as the ultimate “manhwa-like heartthrob,” Cha Eun Woo (real name Lee Dong-min, born 1997) debuted as a member of the boy group ASTRO in 2016. Few realize, however, that he had already made a brief appearance in the film My Brilliant Life (2014).
But it wasn’t music that put him in the spotlight—it was acting. His breakout came with My ID Is Gangnam Beauty (2018). While his looks were endlessly praised, his performance was another story. Viewers criticized his stiff line delivery and limited expressions, quickly labeling him a “visual actor.” From then on, every role became a test in the eyes of the public.
Acting Career
My ID Is Gangnam Beauty (2018)
Cha Eun Woo played Do Kyung-seok, opposite Kang Mi-rae, a college freshman who undergoes plastic surgery to escape bullying but still struggles with beauty standards and self-worth.
During its run, heated discussions erupted on Korean forums like TheQoo and Pann, as well as international communities such as Reddit’s r/KDRAMA. Many argued that his portrayal was “safe” and lacked emotional range.
The most common criticisms focused on his monotonous line delivery, minimal facial variety, and his tendency to stay locked into a “cold” persona—even in scenes of emotional confrontation or intimacy—making the character feel one-dimensional.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019)
Set in the Joseon dynasty, the series follows a pioneering female historian and Prince Lee Rim, who secretly writes romance novels. Starring alongside Shin Se-kyung, Cha Eun Woo even won the Excellence Award (Actor – Wed–Thu Drama) at the 2019 MBC Drama Awards.
Yet, the win sparked online controversy. On forums like TheQoo and Pann, many criticized his overuse of wide-eyed expressions and weak diction, questioning whether the award was truly deserved.
In his acceptance speech, Cha Eun Woo himself admitted he still had “a lot of shortcomings and regrets,” indirectly acknowledging the mixed reception to his performance.
True Beauty (2020–2021)
This tvN hit tells the story of a high school girl who uses makeup to overcome her insecurities, and Lee Su-ho, a reserved student with a painful past. The show steadily pulled in strong ratings, with the finale peaking at 5.6% in Seoul, underlining its commercial success.
Critics noted that Cha Eun Woo showed “clear improvement,” particularly in emotional scenes with Su-ho’s father, where his delivery felt more nuanced. However, detractors argued his expressions were still carefully “controlled,” lacking the full depth the character required—observations echoed in both Korean forums and international viewer reviews.
A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023)
This fantasy rom-com follows a woman cursed to turn into a dog after her first kiss, and the only man who can break the spell—her colleague, who ironically has a fear of dogs.
The series struggled due to its unusual one-episode-per-week schedule, compounded by frequent broadcast breaks. Ratings slipped under 3% from the start, bottoming out at 1.7% by episode 4, which further fueled debate online.
On TheQoo, some netizens criticized Cha Eun Woo’s acting as “unchanged and soulless,” pointing out weak chemistry with his co-star and lack of emotional highs. Others, however, argued that the disjointed airing schedule and safe rom-com storyline bore more responsibility for the lukewarm response than the actors themselves.
