According to reports on June 7, Cha Jun Hwan has been confirmed to star in tvN’s upcoming sitcom Palace Land, marking his first major acting role in 17 years.
In the series, Cha will play Sung Dae Han, a charming yet hilariously flawed character who appears perfect on the outside but struggles with everyday survival behind the scenes. Blessed with good looks, Sung Dae Han is overly confident and often relies on his appearance to get by, despite being somewhat clumsy and awkward. Known for his smooth-talking personality and natural popularity, the character may seem immature and carefree at first glance, but hides a surprisingly thoughtful side beneath the surface.
Palace Land tells the story of people whose lives appear glamorous on the outside but are far from perfect behind closed doors. Set in an amusement park, the sitcom follows the daily lives of ordinary part-time workers living together in dormitories, blending humor with heartfelt moments.
Before dedicating himself fully to figure skating, Cha briefly worked as a child actor, believing acting experience could help him with performance skills on the ice. He appeared in the 2006 MBC special drama Miracle and played the younger version of actor Park Ki Woong’s character in the 2008 drama Night After Night. He especially gained attention in 2009 for portraying the younger version of Jung Il Woo’s character in The Return of Iljimae.
Last year, while appearing on JTBC’s Knowing Bros, Cha was asked whether he would consider returning to acting after retirement. At the time, he shared, “I switched paths after working as a child actor, so I feel like there’s still something unfinished. If I get the opportunity someday after retiring, I’d like to challenge myself as an actor again.”
Palace Land will also mark tvN’s return to sitcoms after 12 years, following the conclusion of Blue Tower Returns in 2014. The project will be directed by PD Yoo Hak Chan, known for works such as The Romantic, Candy in My Ear, Plus Nine Boys, and Top Star Yoo Baek.
Sources: Nate
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