Island actor Cha Eun-woo becomes real-life Jinu with Arden Cho in Free tribute

India Today

28-07-2025

K-pop stars Arden Cho and Cha Eun-woo joined forces for a special duet of 'Free', a track from 'KPop Demon Hunters'. The performance was released on YouTube and swiftly captured fans' attention for its vocals and striking visuals.Styled as Jinu and Rumi from the film, both artistes portrayed the characters with remarkable precision, earning praise from viewers.In the video's caption, Cho referenced Eun-woo's upcoming military service. She wrote, 'Before my dongsaeng (younger brother) heads off to serve, we wanted to share a little gift with you all. Enjoy, Free! A special cover, from the heart. Can't wait for your safe and strong return. See you soon!'
(Credit: Instagram/netflix)
advertisementAhead of the official release, Arden Cho also shared a behind-the-scenes clip showing the pair casually chatting. Fans got a glimpse of their natural chemistry and close friendship.
Eun-woo, who affectionately called her 'sister', has known Cho for five years. Both wore costumes inspired by their film counterparts, helping fans easily draw parallels between the characters and the singers.Viewers were quick to point out the striking resemblance between Eun-woo and Jinu, with many commenting that his appearance and presence perfectly captured the essence of the character.Fans were especially moved by Eun-woo's vocals and rap in the ballad-style rendition of Free. Many praised his emotive voice and how harmoniously it blended with Arden Cho's.Their vocal synergy was widely described as beautiful, with several calling them a 'powerful duo'. The emotional timing of the release, just before his enlistment, made the cover all the more poignant.Cha Eun-woo, a member of K-pop group ASTRO, is set to officially enlist in South Korea's military on July 28, 2025. His agency, Fantagio, confirmed he will serve for 18 months, with a discharge expected in January 2027.In the lead-up to his enlistment, Eun-woo used the fan app Fromm to reach out to his supporters. 'I've been doing well, meeting people I'm thankful for. I miss Aroha (ASTRO's fan club). You'll probably miss me a lot too, right? It hasn't fully hit me yet,' he wrote. 'But with the album, movie, and drama all coming out, don't forget me.'On July 21, Cha Eun-woo posted a photo series on Instagram titled 'These Days'. The post featured snapshots from his farewell party, where he wore a black T-shirt and a paper crown while posing with a cake and balloons that read 'We Will Miss You.'Other photos showed him getting a buzz cut, with his team wearing matching shirts printed with a childhood picture of him in a toy soldier cap.- EndsMust Watch