Cha Eun-woo in a still from ‘The First Ride.’ Photo: courtesy of Han Cinema.
Cha Eun-woo is currently serving in the military, but fans won’t have to wait long for his next on-screen performance, with his upcoming film The First Ride slated to release on Oct. 29.
Ranked as one of the top Hallyu actors, Cha Eun-woo’s versatility has made him a fan favorite worldwide, from his Astro days to his notable acting credits in hit K-dramas including My ID Is Gangnam Beauty (2018), Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019), True Beauty (2020–2021), Island (2022–2023), and Wonderful World (2024). And with The First Ride, he’s taking on his most significant starring role in a film yet.
Directed by Nam Dae-joong, the movie follows a group of friends whose dream holiday unravels into a chaotic whirlwind of action, humor, and unexpected misadventures. Featuring an all-star cast, Cha Eun-woo co-stars with the likes of Kang Ha-neul, Kim Young-kwang, Kang Young-seok, and Han Sun-hwa.
After more than two decades of friendship, Tae-jung (Kang Ha-neul), Do-jin (Kim Young-kwang), Yeon-min (Cha Eun-woo), and Geum-bok (Kang Young-seok) are finally taking a trip abroad together. But things take an unexpected turn when Ok-shim (Han Sun-hwa) tags along, and the craziness begins, turning their bromance into a recipe for disaster.
Cha Eun-woo’s Yeon-min is the group’s resident heartthrob, but beneath the charm, he’s always struggled to keep up. He’s surrounded by laughter and good times, but somehow, it’s never quite clear what’s so funny — or if he’s the punchline. Despite his insecurities, Yeon-min’s got big dreams — a passion for DJing and a shot at performing at global music festivals. As he and his friends approach 30, they decide to let loose on an international trip. What follows is an unpredictable ride that forces them to confront their true selves and the kind of friends they’ve become over the years.
Speaking about The First Ride, Cha Eun‑woo shared his enthusiasm in a video message before leaving for his military service, saying he thoroughly enjoyed filming the movie. He teased that it would bring back memories and the nostalgia of student life, inviting viewers to experience it on the big screen with friends. “Watch it in theaters and relive those shared moments of youth together,” he said.
The First Ride is followed by another exciting project for Cha Eun-woo – The Wonder Fools, a Netflix adventure fantasy drama, where he’ll star alongside Park Eun-bin. The web series combines action, comedy, and superpowered characters in a bygone era, with Cha Eun-woo playing Lee Woon-jeong, a civil servant who gets drawn into a mystery case of missing people.
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