Cha Eunwoo is stealing the spotlight once again, this time for his role as Ahn Yeonmin in “The First Ride,” directed by Nam Dae-jung. The upcoming film is set to release on October 29th, 2025, and will tell the story of four lifelong friends who embark on their first overseas trip, only for things to spiral into chaos. Critics across South Korea have praised Chae Eunwoo’s performance, calling him the “lucky charm” and emotional anchor of the film.
Media outlets such as Baeksang Awards, Sisa Week, and Ize Magazine highlighted his mix of humor, warmth, and authenticity. Reviews describe his portrayal as “trustworthy acting, bomb comedy, deep narration, and charm.” Within News expressed that he “fills the screen” with his narration and presence, while Sports Kyunghyang said his emotional range adds depth to the movie’s heartwarming tone. Meanwhile, the film gave an impressive 83% rating and celebrated Cha Eunwoo’s ability to bring energy to every scene.
🍿[UPDATED] Reviews from media, journalists, and critics on CHA EUNWOO as AHN YEONMIN in the film ‘THE FIRST RIDE’ (퍼스트 라이드), directed by NAM DAEJUNG.
Note: 𝑊𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑.#ChaEunwoo #TheFirstRide… pic.twitter.com/mchPQpwjA1
— CHA EUNWOO 차은우 INTERNATIONAL (@ChaEunwooINTL) October 27, 2025
Director Nam Dae-jung himself praised the star, stating that only Chae Eunwoo could truly capture Yeonmin’s sincerity. “If he hadn’t chosen this film, we would have had to change the character and wait until his discharge to shoot it,” he said. With positive reviews, a strong ensemble cast including Kang Ha-neul, Kim Young-kwang, and Han Sun-hwa, and a story that blends nostalgia, friendship, and comedy, The First Ride is shaping up to be one of Korea’s most anticipated films of 2025.
