2006–2016: Early career and theater roles In 2006, at the age of 25, Cha debuted as a musical actress in
Daehak-ro, performing
multiple roles in the musical
Backstreet Story. Following her university graduation, she held various positions in other industries, including a role as a shopping mall buyer and an internship at an advertising and public relations firm. She later returned to acting after determining these career paths were not suitable for her. Cha began her film career in 2010 with a minor role in
Harmony, starring
Kim Yun-jin, and she gradually expanded her filmography by working in both films and musicals. In January 2011, she was selected for the role of Kwon Young-hwa in the Korean encore performance of the play
Shear Madness following a competitive audition process. Her selection was influenced by her performances in previous musicals such as
March of Youth and
Runatic. In 2012, Cha appeared in a minor role in the film
As One (2012). She also played one of the "Ochazuke sisters" in the musical adaptation of the Japanese manga , directed by
Kim Dong-yeon. The series had already been adapted into a Japanese drama called
Midnight Diner in 2009. In 2014, she reprised this role. Cha also performed multiple characters in a revival of the musical
Oh! While You Were Sleeping, directed by
Jang Yu-jeong. In 2015, Cha was cast as Park Jung-ja in the musical
Midnight Serenade. She first became interested in the production while filming the 2009 film
Harmony, after observing a senior colleague preparing for an audition. Following a recommendation from a fellow performer, Cha successfully auditioned for the 2015 revival of the musical.
Breakthrough In 2019, Cha was cast in a supporting role in the tvN miniseries
Crash Landing on You, starring
Hyun Bin and
Son Ye-jin. She portrayed Yang Ok-geum, a former North Korean announcer and hairdresser responsible for public announcements within a corporate housing complex. Her character was noted for her distinct aesthetic, characterized by elaborate makeup and costumes. Cha's performance, particularly her onscreen rapport with co-star
Kim Sun-young (who played Na Wol-suk), was highlighted as a notable aspect of the series' ensemble. In 2020, Cha was cast as Court Lady Choi in the
tvN historical fantasy drama
Mr. Queen, acting opposite
Shin Hye-sun. Her performance garnered significant public attention, with the actress frequently appearing in real-time search trends during the series' broadcast. For her portrayal, Cha received critical acclaim and earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the
Baeksang Arts Awards. Following the success of
Mr. Queen, Cha appeared in several projects throughout 2021. She made a guest appearance in the JTBC thriller
Beyond Evil as Lee Geum-hwa, a character involved in the central investigation. In the KBS2 series
At a Distance, Spring Is Green, she portrayed Professor Song. Cha also starred in the office drama
On the Verge of Insanity, acting alongside
Jung Jae-young and
Moon So-ri. She played Shin Jong-ah, a former finance team head who returns to the Changin Business Department as a contract manager. In July 2021, Cha joined the cast of the rebooted variety program
Saturday Night Live Korea. In August 2021, Cha was cast in a supporting role in the tvN drama
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, appearing alongside Shin Min-a and
Kim Seon-ho. She portrayed Cho Nam-seok, a Chinese restaurant owner and a prominent source of village rumors. Her chemistry with Shin and
Lee Bong-ryun received widespread praise. In September 2021, she secured the role of nurse Choi Mi-yeong in the
TVING original series ''
Dr. Park's Clinic, which subsequently premiered in January 2022. she was cast in the SBS legal drama Why Her as professor of family medicine. This was followed by a guest appearance in the June 2022 series Cleaning Up,'' where she portrayed the sister-in-law of Su-ja (played by
Kim Jae-hwa). == Personal life ==