ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo is South Korea’s “face genius” – here are his top beauty tips

The singer-turned-actor Cha Eunwoo who debuted with the K-pop boy band ASTRO has been gaining popularity steadily over the years, earning him partnerships with luxury houses like Dior and Burberry and adoration from worldwide fans.

How he got the “face genius” nickname

For his symmetrical features and AI-like visuals, Cha Eun Woo was dubbed a “Face Genius” of South Korea, a term used on idols and celebrities who are widely deemed as some of the best-looking stars in the industry.

As with most of the South Korean Idols we love and adore, however, we admire them not just because of their looks but their incredible talents as well. Besides singing and modeling, Cha has also displayed his acting abilities over the years. He made his first acting debut at just 16, landing a minor role in the 2014 Korean film My Brilliant Life.

Since then, he’s also starred in popular shows like Gangnam Beauty (2018), True Beauty (2020-2021), and Island (2022).

The idol hasn’t seemed to let all the success get to his head, though. When interviewed by News1, a South Korean news publication, he was asked to rate his own looks. He answered a mere “50 points” out of 100, saying “I’m not trying to be humble on purpose but even if someone compliments me, I just end things with a thank you. There are a lot of cool people out there. I think also it became a habit because of how my mom’s strict upbringing since I was young. It’s been ingrained in me.”

We love a talented AND humble king, though netizens (and we) beg to differ, with some stating that a “50/50” or “50/5” rating would be more apt.

So, what’s the onscreen heartthrob’s secret to maintaining his good looks and healthy physique? We’ve scoured the internet for the scoop on Cha’s lifestyle and beauty habits so that you don’t have to. Read on to find out what they are.

Cha Eunwoo’s beauty tips: diet

He cooks clean and simple meals

In a video for his YouTube channel, the idol also documented himself cooking “tteokguk”, a hearty Korean dish that features simple ingredients like beef brisket, eggs, rice cakes, and a clear broth. The dish can be eaten throughout the year, but it is always consumed on Seollal (Korea’s New Year’s Day). Full of simple ingredients, the dish is meant to symbolise a clean and fresh start to the new year.

Alongside his main dish, Cha Eunwoo also made hand-folded dumplings that were then steamed. As you know, steamed dishes tend to contain fewer calories and less fat than their fried alternatives, making them the healthier option between the two. (Your skin will probably thank you for choosing it too!)

The 25-year-old revealed in an interview with Esquire Korea that he enjoyed a bowl of “Chadol Doenjang Jjigae” for brunch, which translates to “soybean paste stew with beef brisket.”

Simple dishes like these with mainly wholesome ingredients could be one of the likely factors contributing to the singer-actor’s crystal clear skin. Soy contains antioxidant compounds known as isoflavones, and these play a crucial role in reducing skin dullness and wrinkles. So if you’re looking to achieve a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance, why not try out a diet rich in soy-based ingredients?

He favours tomatoes

In another interview, the Decibel actor also shared that he lost 18 pounds in just four months to prepare for upcoming acting roles. He shared, “The magic food is tomatoes. I could eat it almost every day and not get bored of it.” Being relatively low in calories and supplying us with important nutrients like vitamin C and potassium, we stand by Cha’s recommendation.

He makes sure to hydrate first thing in the morning

Cha told Esquire in an interview that he makes sure to hydrate first thing in the morning with a glass of water after he checks what time it is. It’s a good habit, given that just 500 mL of water has proven to increase blood flow and make your skin glow while increasing the production of new blood cells, according to a study from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

As our skin comprises of approximately 30% water, drinking it in the morning was also thought to minimise acne and give it a moisturised look.

Experts from Healthline weighed in on this, stating that keeping hydrated throughout the day and not just in the morning, is the key to achieving radiant skin. Though, we think there’s no harm in starting your day off on the right foot with a cup of water like Cha does, right?

He indulges every now and then

As many of us know from experience, the key to sustaining an overall healthy diet in the long term is balance. This means not being overly strict with oneself, and indulging in a “cheat” meal or dessert every now and then — a practice that Cha advocates for as well.

It’s a well-known fact amongst stans of Cha Eunwoo that he LOVES ice cream. But given his lean physique that has only gotten more toned since debut, you might be surprised to learn just how many ice cream cones he can down in one go.

In the 2021 interview with Esquire Korea, the idol shared that he’s able to consume “seven or eight cones” in one sitting, and enjoys switching between flavours, along with ice creams that have chunkier textures.

He went on to share that he has since cut down on it to have a healthier diet, which has likely helped his complexion, given how cutting down on sugar can minimise the aggravation of skin conditions like acne. But this doesn’t stop him from indulging in the drool-worthy dessert on occasion and documenting photos of a similar nature for his Instagram followers.

It’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?

He doesn’t skip his vitamins

When asked about how he keeps himself healthy, Cha shared that he enjoys taking vitamins and Gongjin-dan, a traditional Korean multi-herbal medicine that helps to treat chronic fatigue.

We all know how important beauty sleep is to maintaining a good image, so idols like Cha rely on supplements to tide them through busier periods.

When asked about how many hours he typically sleeps a night, Cha answered, “It depends, but my idea sleep time is six or seven hours. If I sleep for six hours, I think I’ll be able to fall asleep quickly after I lie down, but it also doesn’t leave me incredibly tired.”

Cha Eunwoo’s Beauty Tips: Hair and Style

He prefers lighter makeup and dewy lips

The actor shared some fun personal details in his interview with Vogue Korea last year, such as what captures his attention most when getting his makeup done. He stated, “On stage, I like to try various eye makeup looks that tie into the concept of the performance, but personally, I prefer a more natural look. And also, the finish of lips should always be dewy.”

When asked about his opinion when he looks at his own reflection, his humble nature came through again as he answered, “Mmm…[Does my face] look a bit swollen today?’ This is the hardest question to answer as I don’t use a mirror often.”

He started using hair treatments

Idols tend to face a fair bit of pressure in changing up their looks with every comeback, and this has led to the frequent practice of hair bleaching and dyeing.

Being no stranger to this himself, Cha once stated in an interview that he “had to bleach his hair three times <to get this colour>”. What’s the secret to maintaining his healthy-looking hair, then?

When asked what “It” product he has purchased recently, the idol shared that he bought hair treatments to help with the damage, and purchased all the variants from the brand available.

We respect the dedication.

Cha Eunwoo’s Beauty Tips: Skincare

The charming Dior ambassador is used to receiving high praise for his visuals, exhibiting both masculine and conventional “pretty boy” features. That being said, he’s also had his fair share of issues with his skin, suffering from acne during a period of time.

In fact, Cha once cried on stage, apologising for his breakouts at that time, citing stress from some internal struggles his agency was under as the reason. Thankfully, fans rushed to console him, exclaiming words of support like “It’s okay!” and “Don’t cry!”

These days, the True Beauty actor has managed to restore his skin condition, and here’s a look into his everyday skincare regimen.

Cha Eunwoo’s Skincare Routine

During his interview with Esquire Korea, Cha said that he started following a skincare routine in 2021.

As with the beauty routines of many other Kpop idols, the ASTRO singer’s routine begins with washing his face and showering. This helps get rid of any initial dirt our skin is exposed to after a day of being out in the elements.

Unlike what many of us may be used to doing, he wipes his face with toner instead of a conventional towel as the next step.

A good face toner helps to remove residue and impurities from your skin is one of its main advantages; as a result, the wiping motion aids in removing any dirt, bacteria, makeup, and impurities that may still be present on your face after using a cleanser.

In the mornings, he likes to spray a water-based hydration mist after applying the toner before applying the ever-essential sunscreen. After this, Cha will apply lotion and let it absorb for a while. This helps the skin to achieve a healthy, soft and supple texture. The lotion also helps to lock in moisture, keeping the skin’s hydration levels high.

His nighttime skincare routine resembles his morning one, but he ends it off by applying a night cream in place of sunscreen.

Cha Eunwoo’s beauty tips: Exercise and lifestyle

He works out and enjoys biking to destress

While it’s not surprising that the All Night vocalist works out to keep in shape, it’s a helpful reminder to the rest of us who are looking to tone up for the summer.

To relieve stress, Cha Eun Woo enjoys riding his bike around, soaking in the cool breeze, and taking in the scent of fresh air. He once stated that his ideal day on a day off from scheduled activities is “having a delicious meal after working out, comfortably watching TV in the living room, or reading through a script.”

Cha can also be seen enjoying other physical activities that keep him in shape, such as swimming.

He also unwinds by talking to others

As research has shown, stress is a hidden contributor to poor skin and health, and idols kept under busy schedules and packed performances and promotional events are no strangers to this occurrence.

When asked by Esquire Korea how he prefers to destress, Cha stated that he enjoys talking to people whom he likes and can trust. “You feel stressed when something is not working out or resolving so I try my best to relieve some of that <stress>. It’s not easy talking about how you feel. However, if you approach and talk to those you feel comfortable with, you may be able to relieve some of the stress you’re feeling.”

Wise words, Cha.

So if you’re ever feeling stressed or burnt out from work and are noticing the physical symptoms of it, make sure to spend some quality time with loved ones.

Cha Eunwoo’s favourite products

Lip balm and sunscreen

Showing his everyday essentials in a What’s in my room” video conducted by W Korea, Cha pulled out two of his everyday essentials, a lip balm (RM180) and sunscreen from Dior, which he started using after a makeup artist pointed out that he had been getting sunburnt.

The Korean star shared about the One Essential sunscreen in the video, which is unfortunately unavailable in Malaysia. You can check out other Dior sunscreens instead.

Honey candies

To keep his vocal cords in tip-top condition and to soothe sore throats, Cha also shared in the interview with W Korea that he likes to have Manuka honey candy on hand, saying “You’ll feel better after taking one when you cough or your neck feels swollen”.

Featured image credit: chaeunwo.o_cc/Instagram