Figure skater Cha Jun-hwan (25) is stepping in front of cameras as an actor. MyDaily reported on October 13 that he has been confirmed as the lead of tvN’s new sitcom “Gungjeon Land,” wrapped the script reading last month, and filming began last week.
According to MyDaily reporter Kim Jin-seok’s exclusive, Cha will play Seong Dae-han, a handsome but clumsy charmer - a vain pretty boy who weaponizes his looks, yet hides a surprisingly deep inner life.
“Gungjeon Land” is a sitcom about people who look like a palace on the outside but live on the edge on the inside, following ordinary amusement park part-timers sharing a dorm and getting through life together. Alongside Cha, the cast includes Woo Da-vi, Kim Kyu-won, Nancy, Kim Seung-ho, and Ahn Ju-mi.
On October 12, Cha wrote on social media that “after long deliberation, I decided not to continue national team activities and competition appearances this season.” He said the decision came after thorough discussion with the City of Seoul, and he wants to carefully consider his future direction.
Cha placed fourth in men’s singles at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics with 273.92 points, the best Olympic result in Korean men’s figure skating history. He missed March’s World Championships with a right ankle injury and signed with Fantagio in April.
Acting is not entirely new territory for him: he appeared in the 2006 MBC special “Miracle” and played the young Jung Il-woo in 2009’s “The Return of Iljimae.”
