5 Things To Know About South Korean Figure Skater Cha Jun-Hwan

Long before they were respectively conquering the world’s ice rinks and stadium stages, Cha Jun-Hwan and ENHYPHEN’s Sunghoon trained together as competitive figure skaters during their childhood. This bond came spectacularly full circle at the 2022 SBS Gayo Daejeon.  The duo reunited for a cover of BTS’s “Black Swan,” blending skating-inspired fluidity with K-pop precision. Sunghoon later took to Weverse to praise his old friend, calling Jun-hwan “the very best out of all the top Korean male figure skaters.” We love a supportive king. 

Jun-hwan didn’t just stumble onto the ice; he glided there via a film set. Before he was a sporting icon, he was a child actor, appearing in K-dramas like The Return of Iljimae and Night After Night. He even flexed his vocal cords on variety show King of Masked Singer. Interestingly, skating was originally just another skill he picked up to become a more versatile actor. It turns out he was just too good at the “skating” part to keep it as a hobby.

It didn’t take long for the house of Dior to take a shine to him. With his sharp features and effortless poise, Jun-hwan has become a mainstay in the luxury circuit, navigating red carpets with the same grace he displays on the ice. A true “Dior Boy”, he was spotted at the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition looking dapper in a tailored grey blazer and a crisp beige shirt. He later proved his sartorial range at the Dior Tears pop-up, effortlessly pulling off a vibrant orange casual jacket. 

When he isn’t busy landing quads, you’ll likely find Jun-hwan at the ball park. A devoted fan of the LG Twins, he frequently treats his Instagram followers to snaps of himself looking impossibly chic in the team’s signature jersey and cap. His dedication to the team runs deep; he’s been invited to throw the ceremonial pitch not once, but twice. It turns out that whether he’s on the ice or the mound, Jun-hwan is the ultimate team player (and undoubtedly the most stylish mascot).

While he is often hailed as the “successor” to Yuna Kim, Jun-hwan has carved out a historic legacy that is entirely his own. He holds the distinction of being the first South Korean male skater to win an ISU Four Continents title and a gold medal at the 2025 Asian Winter Games. His trophy cabinet is a testament to his pioneering spirit, boasting medals from the World Championships, the Grand Prix Final, and the Junior Grand Prix Final. It is clear that he isn’t just following in the footsteps of giants—he is blazing a trail for an entire generation of Korean skaters to follow.