Is Cha In-Pyo kissing his screen career goodbye? Star wins new writer award for 'Mermaid Hunting'

Time of India

2 days ago

Top Korean actors Cha In-pyo and Shin Ae-ra
Cha In-Pyo
is trading in drama scripts for crafting novels! This veteran star, lighting up TVs since the '90s, has just clinched the New Writer Award at the 2025
Hwang Soon-Won Literary Prize
for his captivating novel '
Mermaid Hunting
'.
Now at 58, Cha is living proof that creativity knows no expiration date. He made his twriting debut book at 42, and scored a major literary honour. His award-winning work dives into profound themes that resonate deeply, leaving readers pondering long after the last page.
A Family Affair Full of Feels and Funny Moments
Cha's biggest cheerleader - his wife, actress
Shin Ae-Ra
- was bursting with pride. She took to social media with a post that's equal parts funny and touching. She said, "He'd grab his bag and vanish every day to write, only to return at 5 PM grumbling about being starving, and now he's scooped up this incredible award!". She playfully noted how he snagged a rookie acting award right before turning 30, and now a rookie writer one before 60. "Dreams aren't meant to be abandoned; you never know when they'll flourish."
Her post didn't go unnoticed - it sparked a wave of congratulations from fellow celebs like Hong Hyun-Hee and Jang Young-Ran, turning a personal milestone into a shared celebration. Moments like these highlight how a strong support system can turn everyday struggles into triumphant tales, adding that extra layer of warmth and motivation to keep pushing forward. It's the kind of relatable family dynamic that makes you appreciate the unsung heroes behind every success story.
Cha's Epic Journey
Cha In-Pyo's career is a rollercoaster of highlights that could fill a bestseller itself. Kicking off in 1993 with the family sitcom One Roof, Three Families, he skyrocketed to fame in 1997's romantic hit Star in My Heart, which played a key role in sparking worldwide interest in Korean dramas. His trophy shelf boasts gems like the
Best Actor
nod at the 2000 Baeksang Arts Awards for The Boss, followed by the Grand Prize in 2001 for Her House. He's also shone in movies such as Crossing, South Korea's official Oscar submission back in 2008, and even stepped behind the camera as a director. But his pivot to writing? That's the fresh, exciting sequel everyone's talking about.
With titles like Goodbye Hill (revised into
Once We Look at the Same Star
, tackling poignant historical issues), Today's Forecast, the award-winner Mermaid Hunting, and Their Day, Cha has firmly established himself as a novelist with substance. His writing prowess even landed him a guest lecture gig at
Oxford University
, proving his words carry weight beyond borders. Reflecting on the win, Cha humbly described it as "a quiet permission to continue writing, pushing me to create more humble and profound stories".