Cha Joo-young Shares Behind-the-Scenes Stories from 'The Glory' and 'Wonkyung'

On March 16, during the broadcast of TV Chosun's 'Chef Heo Young-man's Baekban Journey' (식객 허영만의 백반기행), actress Cha Joo-young, known for her roles in 'The Glory' (더 글로리) and 'Wonkyung' (원경), took a trip to Hampyeong, the hometown of butterflies.

Cha Joo-young and the show's host sought out the best red bean porridge, visiting a renowned establishment famous for its 'Saeal Patjuk' (새알팥죽). The host expressed surprise at meeting an actress from a show he had watched, asking if her life had changed since 'The Glory.' Cha Joo-young acknowledged, "Thanks to 'The Glory,' my subsequent projects have changed a bit, and I have more options to choose from."

While enjoying the porridge, the host mentioned that red bean porridge is good for hair loss, to which Cha Joo-young humorously replied, "That's exactly what I need right now." She revealed, "I've lost a lot of hair while filming historical dramas. The weight of the wigs is significant, and using wax to secure them all day has caused hair loss and even a herniated disc." The host then inquired if she received a higher salary for the challenging work, to which she joked, "I plan to ask for more next time."

Cha Joo-young also shared insights from her time filming 'The Glory,' admitting, "I love carbohydrates, and my nickname is 'Tteok-soon.' I gained a lot of weight during 'The Glory' and haven't fully returned to my previous state yet." When asked about the duration since her weight gain, she clarified, "It’s been about four years. I gained around 5 to 6 kg in a short period and maintained it throughout the filming."

Despite her weight gain, she expressed satisfaction with 'The Glory,' prompting the host to quip that such satisfaction should come with a substantial income. Cha Joo-young responded with a laugh, saying, "Then I guess I need to work a bit harder."

The duo later visited a Chinese restaurant with an annual revenue of 600 million KRW, where they ordered ketchup sweet and sour pork. During their meal, Cha Joo-young's passion for motorcycles came up. She shared, "I've been riding for a few years. I always wanted a big bike, but my company advised against it, so I settled for my current one." When asked if she had ever used her bike to pick up food, she recounted a time when she rode to get tteokbokki before the shop closed, humorously noting that she blended in with the delivery people.

Cha Joo-young also spoke about her co-star Song Hye-kyo from 'The Glory.' The host, who binge-watched the series, remarked that they resembled each other, to which Cha Joo-young responded, "Really? No, not at all," feeling a bit flustered. The host jokingly asked if she was offended, causing laughter on set. Cha Joo-young emphasized, "I don’t know how to respond to that. She is truly beautiful."

Additionally, they visited a restaurant where the chicken is prepared immediately after being caught. The host mentioned Cha Joo-young's popularity on social media, particularly her interactions with fans, known as 'Kkuku,' who have been known to send taxis for her. Cha Joo-young expressed her gratitude, stating, "The reason I appeared on 'Baekban Journey' is that my fans wanted me to do a variety show. I initially had no intention of participating, but they had previously given me a checklist of shows to consider. When I received the offer for 'Baekban Journey,' I felt I could keep my promise to them, so I decided to join."