Renowned South Korean star Cha Eun Woo, who's known both in the music and acting industry, finally made his long-awaited solo debut in February 2024, eight years after debuting in well-loved group ASTRO under Fantagio.

"There's no such thing as a beautiful goodbye." Filled with his deep, honest self, Cha Eun Woo’s first solo mini-album, 'ENTITY'—which topped iTunes charts in over 20 countries and accumulated more than 200,000 album sales within the first week—shares profound emotions that he wants the listeners to feel within their hearts.

‘ENTITY’ creates such immense value and connection with the artist with Cha Eun Woo pouring his heart into penning the tracks "U&I," "F*cking great time," "STAY," "WHERE AM I," and "You're the best.”

“When you miss someone once in a while / Just think of me / Your yesterday will be my today / So I want you to stay here,” he sings in the last chorus of “STAY,” the lead track of his album.

In the album, the multifaceted artist conveys his raw emotions as Lee Dong Min—his real name—and Cha Eun Woo as they are. "As it's my first solo album, I wanted to be as honest and sincere as possible," he said in an exclusive interview with allkpop.

2024 has so far been a busy year for Cha Eun Woo as he started to embark on his ongoing 'Just One 10 Minute: Mystery Elevator’ fan con tour after dropping his anticipated solo record. His tour title reflects his shared journey and connection with fans: to be with them wherever they go.

Cha Eun Woo is busy in both worlds. While performing on stage with his newly released tracks, Eun Woo is also exhibiting his charismatic presence and performance in MBC's recent ongoing revenge, thriller drama 'Wonderful World,' which began airing this month. He takes on the complex character of Kwon Seon Yul, a mysterious privileged young man who chooses to live a gritty life, showing off a new aspect of his acting prowess. "I think Kwon Seon Yul had the most influence on my 'entity'," said Cha Eun Woo.

Following the release of 'ENTITY,' allkpop had the opportunity to catch up with Cha Eun Woo despite his busy schedule to talk about baring his honest self in the album. Continue reading to learn more about the artist!

allkpop: Hi, Cha Eun Woo! First of all, congratulations on your long-awaited solo debut! Tell us about why ‘ENTITY’ and 2024 is the best album and year for you to make your solo debut? What’s something in the album that makes you think it’s the ideal one for you to introduce “soloist Cha Eun Woo” to the world?

Cha Eun Woo: As it's my first solo album, I wanted to be as honest and sincere as possible, and I think 'ENTITY' is a good album to introduce myself by showing Cha Eun Woo and Lee Dong Min as they are, likening it to a comfortable space, "home." I also wanted to show another side of "actor Cha Eun Woo" through the character of Kwon Seon Yul in the recently released drama 'Wonderful World.' I decided to release it in 2024 because I wanted to show a new side of "singer Cha Eun Woo."

allkpop: This is the first time you prepared for an official album release as a solo artist. And I think you’re already used to being on stage alone because you had solo tours and shows already. What was the most memorable or challenging part of preparing for your solo album? And do you have any memorable behind-the-scenes stories that you could share with us?

Cha Eun Woo: I participated in writing lyrics for all songs. I have a habit of jotting down phrases or sentences that come to mind on a notepad, and I think it's memorable because I had fun working on it while concretizing the intersecting parts of ‘ENTITY.’ Also, there was a time when we filmed a music video at Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, USA, but we couldn't communicate well because our cell phones didn't work. At the time, that part was difficult, but now that I think about it, it seems like a fun memory!

allkpop: You wear so many hats—singer, actor, model, and so much more. Do you think you’ve just naturally found these within yourself along the way? And do you think you still have a lot left to discover in yourself, and how do you plan on doing it?

Cha Eun Woo: First of all, I will be visiting fans abroad through my current drama ‘Wonderful World’ and my fan con tour. And I believe I will be able to continue to show new aspects of myself through various works, characters, and stages, so please look forward to it!

allkpop: People know Cha Eun Woo as someone handsome, talented, and a genius. Does this put some burden and pressure on you? What do you think is the biggest factor that pushes you to do and be dedicated to so many things?

Cha Eun Woo: I don't feel like it's a burden or pressure. But rather, I feel like I'm very grateful for the attention and love that my fans give me. That's what makes me strive to do better in my work and on stage.

allkpop: You were able to experience a lot of areas and achieve so many things at your age. Can you say that you’re now proud of yourself? Looking back, what’s one thing you’re always going to thank yourself for doing so, for the rest of your life? 

Cha Eun Woo: Rather than setting just one goal, I try my best not to regret every time I try to do something. Right now, I'm looking forward to spending time with my fans with my drama ‘Wonderful World,’ which has started airing, and my fan concert tour.

allkpop: You said that talking to people you trust relieves your stress. Do you think you’ve already found these genuine people? But I read somewhere, that you said you’re bad at relationships?

Cha Eun Woo: I think it feels more like I'm shy than because I'm not good at interpersonal relationships. It takes me a while to get to know people, but once I do, I tend to get along well!

allkpop: You’re so immersed and dedicated to playing such roles. Recently, you had to learn how to speak Italian and Latin for ‘Island.’ Do you have a special technique for analyzing your lines and stage directions? What do you believe your approach to your craft and characters sets you apart from other actors?

Cha Eun Woo: I don't think there's anything special about me compared to other people. I think I act by reading a lot of scripts and having many conversations with the directors to deeply understand the emotions and situations of the characters given to me.

allkpop: Looking back on the characters and stories you played and were a part of, which of them do you believe has influenced you the most, both physically and mentally? Which character do you think is the closest to your real-life “entity”?

Cha Eun Woo: I think it's Kwon Seon Yul from 'Wonderful World.’ I tried to think more broadly about the range and direction of the character and his expression. I think it had the most influence on my "entity" because I tried to go deep inside Seon Yul when I read the script and looked into the character.

allkpop: Your fans love you because of mainly three things: your acting skills, your vocals, and your genuine personality. So I wanted to ask you personally: what do you love most about yourself, and why?

Cha Eun Woo: If I had to choose between the three, I think it would be an honest personality. I believe being honest with yourself and others makes both singing and acting more authentic.

allkpop: Recently, you've shown a lot of Cha Eun Woo’s sides through various works. What did you discover about yourself as a singer through this album?

Cha Eun Woo: With this album, I think I challenged myself with a genre I've never tried before. I think I discovered something new in myself that "I can sing like this and I can make it work and look good!”

allkpop: You’re currently on your ‘Just One 10 Minute: Mystery Elevator’ solo tour! Why did you decide to name it ‘Mystery Elevator’ this time, and which song are you most excited to perform for the first time in front of your fans?

Cha Eun Woo: ‘Mystery Elevator’ is a name created with the fans in mind. I decided to use this elevator thinking that it would serve as someone that would allow fans to go wherever they wanted to go, and where the fans and I wanted to go. Also, for the first time, we are revealing the stage of the songs included in ‘ENTITY’ in front of fans. You can look forward to all the stages, but I hope you will especially look forward to the title song “STAY” stage!