Cha Eun-woo Takes on an Atypical Role in ‘Wonderful World’

Cha Eun-woo (ASTRO) will have an enigmatic man enmeshed in a web of convoluted scenarios in the upcoming mystery thriller revenge drama series Wonderful World. Premiering on MBC TV, it’ll be available for streaming on Disney+ in specific regions.

Typically portrayed as a romantic hero, Cha effortlessly crafts swoon-worthy moments with the heroine. It comes easily to the idol actor to blend into such roles and take on the profound feelings required of them. The appeal is deeper still since he often paints a Byronic hero who is attractive while frequently disgruntled but ultimately hopelessly in love.

Cha has exhibited a similar pattern, albeit that he has taken on varied characters in productions including the action thriller Decibel (2022) and fantasy action web series Island (2022–2023). His depictions, meanwhile, have one thing in common: the character’s emotions are always nuanced.

While his part in Wonderful World will fit that description, who he plays in the narrative is significantly different from the ones we have seen him in previously. Here, his character is shrouded in mystery, so unless facts progressively come to light during the narrative, I’m guessing we should expect a subdued act from him.

Wonderful World follows famed psychology professor Eun Soo-hyeon (Kim Nam-joo). When she tragically loses her son, her entire world falls apart. She resolves to inflict her punishment on the culprit once the perpetrator is legally pardoned and justice is denied. As she works to solve the case, she interacts with others who have experienced similar injuries.

Cha will play Kwon Seon-yul, a guy who was raised in an affluent household but decided to forgo attending medical school and lead a tough life when his parents passed away due to a string of tragedies. Even though Seon-yul appears friendly, there is a sense of hidden agendas. His encounter with Soo-hyeon and the incident that ensues with her radically change the course of his affairs. The dark and evil truth that lurks within Seon-yul’s pleasant and friendly façade is hardly known to Soo-hyeon.

Perhaps Cha Eun-woo’s presence radiates a sense of remoteness that makes him a natural match for Kwon Seon-yul and the reclusive man he turns into. I believe Cha will aptly evoke Seon-yul’s remorse, resentment, complexities, turbulent past, melancholy, and life tinged with pessimism.

Written by Kim Ji-eun and directed by Lee Seung-young and Jung Sang-hee, Wonderful World also stars Kim Kang-woo and Lim Se-mi. It is set to make its debut in March 2024.