Junhwan Cha

[sunnystars]

Cha Jun-hwan (Hangul:차준환) (born October 21, 2001) is a South Korean figure skater.

He is the 2023 World silver medalist, the 2022 Four Continents champion, the 2025 and 2026 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2018-19 GPF bronze medalist. He also is a ten-time South Korean national champion (2017-2025), two-time (2015, 2016) South Korean national senior bronze medalist, and a two-time (2012, 2013) South Korean national junior champion. Jun-hwan won both his 2016 JGP events and qualified for the 2016-17 JGP Final.



He says his name here at the end of the interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxj9VM0uJeU


Biographical Information

ISU Results: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054719.htm

Icenetwork: https://web.archive.org/web/20180630073735/http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/profile/jun_hwan_cha (from archive)

Tracings: http://tracings.net/cha-joon.html

Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cha_Jun-hwan

Golden Skate media profile: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/media/categories/jun-hwan-cha-kor.105/

Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jun_july_august/

Fan Network:

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5dS3AobPKOlYr0Wd0TOcUQ/videos

Tumblr: http://c-junhwan.tumblr.com/

Personal Best Score

new ISU Scoring System


http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_pb_00054719.htm​

Personal Best Total Score	296.03	25.03.2023	ISU World Championships 2023
Personal Best Score Short Program	99.64	23.03.2023	ISU World Championships 2023
Personal Best Score Free Skating	196.39	25.03.2023	ISU World Championships 2023

Personal Best Score

Historic Records achieved before 2018/2019 season​

Type	Score	Competition
Personal Best Total Score	248.59	XXIII Olympic Winter Games 2018
Personal Best Score Short Program	83.43	XXIII Olympic Winter Games 2018
Personal Best Score Free Skating	165.16	XXIII Olympic Winter Games 2018

Competitive Programs
​

Season	SP	LP	EX
2025-2026	Rain, In Your Balck Eyes by Ezio Bosso	Moulin Rouge (soundtrack) by David Bearwald, Kevin Gilbert
2024-2025	Masquerade Waltz by Aram Khatchaturian	The Batman Theme
2022-2023	"Immortal Megamix" by Michael Jackson; "Can You Feel It" by Michael Jackson; "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson	"No Time To Die James Bond 007" (soundtrack); choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne
2021-2022	"Fate of the Clockmaker" by Eternal Eclipse, "Cloak and Dagger" by Bianca Ban; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne	"Popoli de Pekino" by Giacomo Puccini, "Violin Fantasy on Puccini's Turandot" by Vanessa-Mae, Turandot, Act 3: "Nessun Dorma" (Turandot, Act 3) by Giacomo Puccini, performed by Jose Carreras; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne
2020-2021	"Dark Pastoral" by Ralph Vaughan Williams; choreo by David Wilson	"The Fire Within" by Jennifer Thomas; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne
2019- 2020	"Michelangelo 70" by Astor Piazzolla; "La Muerte del Angel" by Astor Piazzolla; choreo by David Wilson	"The Fire Within" by Jennifer Thomas, Kimberly StarKey; choreo by Shae-Lynn Borne
2018 - 2019	"The Prince" (from Cinderella); Waltz-Koda-Attaca" (from "Cinderella") by Sergei Prokofiev; "Midnight" (from "Cinderella") by Sergei Prokofiev; choreo by D.Wilson	Romeo & Juliet soundtrack by Craig Armstrong: by Nellee Hooper, Craig Armstrong, Marius de Vries: "O Verona;" "Young Hearts Run Free" (Ballroom Version) by Dave Crawford feat. Kym Mazelle; "Kissing You" (instrumental) by Des'ree, Timothy Atack; "Mantua," "Escape from Mantua" ; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne	"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" by Shawn Mendes "What a Wonderful World" performed by OneRepublic; choreo. by David Wilson
2017 - 2018	"Gypsy Dance" by Ludwig Minkus; choreo by D. Wilson "What a Wonderful World, " performed by One Republic; choreo by David Wilson	"Morning" (Love Sonnet XXVII) from "Il Postino" (The Postman) soundtrack, Theme from "Il Postino" (The Postman) soundtrack, "Mi Mancherai" from "Il Postino" (The Postman) soundtrack (Lucini) The Planets by Gustav Holst; choreo by David Wilson	"Peanut Butter Jelly" by Galantis Il Postino soundtrack, gala version
2016 - 2017	"Overture to A Chorus Line" (from A Chorus Line soundtrack), "I Hope I Get It" (from A Chorus Line soundtrack), "I Can Do That" (from A Chorus Line soundtrack); choreo by D. Wilson	"Morning" (Love Sonnet XXVII) from "Il Postino" (The Postman) soundtrack, "Theme" from "Il Postino" (The Postman) soundtrack, "Mi Mancherai" from "Il Postino" (The Postman) soundtrack (Lucini); choreo by D. Wilson	"Peanut Butter Jelly" by Galantis
2015 - 2016	"Por Una Cabeza" by Gardel; choreo by Kenji Miyamoto Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens; choreo by Cindy Stuart	Swan Lake by Petr Tchaikovsky; choreo by Kenji Miyamoto	"One Day I'll Fly Away" (Nicole Kidman); choreo.by Cindy Stuart
2014 - 2015	Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens; choreo by Cindy Stuart	Piano Concerto No. 3 by Rachmaninoff; choreo by Cindy Stuart	"One Day I'll Fly Away" by Nicole Kidman; choreo by Cindy Stuart
2013 - 2014	Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven; choreo by Shin Yea-ji	Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach; choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto	N/A
2012 - 2013	Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin (ver. Robert Wells); choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff; choreo by Kenji Miyamoto	The Mummy soundtrack and The Mummy Returns soundtrack; choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto Strictly Ballroom by David Hirschfelder; choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto	"Gopher Mambo "by Yma Sumac; choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto
2011 - 2012	"Fantasie Impromptu" by Chopin (ver. Robert Wells); choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto	"St. Louis Blues:" "Mambo" by Pérez Prado; choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto​	N/A​
2010 - 2011	Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff; choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto	Strictly Ballroom by David Hirschfelder; choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto	La Cumparsita by Gerardo Matos Rodríguez; choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto
2009 - 2010	-	"Hero" from Kung Fu Panda Soundtrack	N/A

Competitive History
Videos are linked under the SP and FS Scores, and Galas under Rank, when available
2023 onwards​

Competition	Rank
2026 Winter Olympics	4th
2026 Winter Olympics Team Event	7th TEAM
2026 Four Continents Championships	2nd
2025 Korean Nationals	1st
2025 NHK Trophy	5th
2025 Cup of China	8th
2025 Kinoshita Group Cup	1st
2025 World Championships	7th
2025 Four Continents	2nd
2025 Winter Universiade	3rd
2024 Korean Nationals	1st
2024 Shanghai Trophy	1st
2024 Nebelhorn Trophy	4th
2024 World Championships	10th
2024 Four Continents	3rd
2024 Korean National Championships	1st
2023 Skate Canada	9th
2023 Shanghai Trophy	2nd
2023 Nepela Memorial	6th

2022-2023​

Competition	SP	FS	Final	Rank
2023 World Championships	3 (99.64)	2 (196.39)	2 (296.03)	2nd
2023 Four Continents	5 (83.77)	4 (166.37)	4 (250.14)	4th
2023 Korean Nationals	1 (101.04)	1 (170.17)	1 (271.21)	1st
2022 NHK Trophy​	6 (80.35)	2 (174.41)	3 (254.76)	3rd
2022 Skate America​	2 (94.44)	3 (169.61)	3 (264.05)	3rd
2022 Finlandia Trophy​	1 (91.06)	1 (162.14)	1 (253.20)	1st
2022 Ondrej Nepela Trophy​	2 (80.81)	2 (145.51)	2 (226.32)	2nd

2021-2022​

Competition	SP	FS	Final	Rank
2022 Winter Olympics (Individual Event)	4 (99.51)	4 (182.87)	5 (282.38)	5th
2022 Four Continents	1 (98.96)	1 (174.26)	1 (273.22)	1st
2022 South Korean Championships Day2 Day3	1 (98.31)	1 (185.00)	1 (283.31)	1st
2021 NHK Trophy	3 (95.92)	5 (163.68)	3 (259.60)	3rd
2021 Gran Premio d Italia	3 (95.56)	6 (152.18)	5 (247.74)	5th
2021 Asian Trophy	5 (74.47)	5 (139.77)	6 (214.24)	6th

2020-2021​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2021 World Championships	8 (91.15)	13 (154.84)	10 (245.99)	10th
2021 South Korean Nationals Day1Day2Day3	1 (90.36)	1 (166.76)	1 (257.12)	1st

2019 - 2020​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2020 Four Continents	6 (90.37)	4 (175.06)	5 (265.43)	5th
2020 South Korean Championships Day 2 Day 3	1 (93.45)	1 (185.09)	1 (278.54)	1st
2019 Cup of China	11 (69.40)	6 (152.86)	6 (222.26)	6th
2019 Skate America	7 (78.98)	9 (140.69)	8 (219.67)	8th
2019 Autumn Classic International	4 (84.23)	4 (146.21)	4 (230.44)	4th

2018 - 2019

​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2019 World Championships	18 (79.17)	18 (150.09)	19 (229.26)	19th
2019 Four Continents Championships	2 (97.33)	8 (158.50)	6 (255.83)	6th
2019 South Korean Championships Day2Day3	1 (89.12)	1 (156.40)	1 (245.52)	1st
2018–19 Grand Prix Final	4 (89.07)	3 (174.42)	3 (263.49)	3rd
2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki	4 (82.82)	3 (160.37)	3 (243.19)	3rd
2018 Skate Canada International	3 (88.86)	3 (165.91)	3 (254.77)	3rd
2018 CS Finlandia Trophy	2 (84.67)	2 (154.52)	2 (239.19)	2nd
2018 CS Autumn Classic International	2 (90.56)	1 (169.22)	2 (259.78)	2nd

2017 - 2018​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2018 Winter Olympics (men's singles)	15 (83.43)	14 (165.16)	15 (248.59)	15th
2018 Winter Olympics (team event)	6 (77.70)	–	9 Team	-
2018 South Korean Championships	1 (84.05)	1 (168.60)	1 (252.65)	1st
2017 Skate Canada	11 (68.46)	8 (141.86)	9 (210.32)	9th

2016 - 2017​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2017 Junior Worlds	2 (82.34)	6 (160.11)	5 (242.45)	5th
2017 South Korean Nationals (Senior)	1 (81.83)	1 (157.24)	1 (238.07)	1st
2016–17 JGP Final	4 (71.84)	3 (153.70)	3 (225.55)	3rd
2016 JGP Dresden	1 (79.34)	1 (160.13)	1 (239.47)	1st
2016 JGP Yokohama	2 (79.34)	1 (160.13)	1 (220.54)	1st

2015 - 2016​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2016 Junior Worlds	7 (74.38)	6 (132.73)	7 (207.11)	7th
2016 Youth Olympic Games	4 (68.76)	5 (130.14)	5 (198.90)	5th
2016 Youth Olympics - team event	-	3 (139.97)	6 Team	-
2016 South Korean Nationals (Senior)	4 (58.60)	3 (131.38)	3 (189.98)	3rd
2015 Skate Canada Autumn Classics Int'l (Junior)	1 (65.48)	1 (132.96)	1 (198.44)	1st

2014 - 2015​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2015 South Korean Nationals (Senior)	4 (58.28)	3 (122.85)	3 (181.13)	feeD
2014 Merano Cup (Adv. Nov.)	1 (46.16)	1 (88.68)	1 (134.84)	1st

2013 - 2014​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2014 South Korean Nationals (Senior)	5 (60.44)	3 (123.94)	5 (184.38)	5th

2012 - 2013​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2013 South Korean Championships (Junior)	1 (50.67)	1 (100.07)	1 (150.74)	1st
2012 Asian Trophy (Adv. Nov.)	2 (36.15)	1 (79.01)	1 (115.16)	1st

2011 - 2012​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2012 South Korean Championships (Junior)	1 (46.26)	1 (86.95)	1 (133.21)	1st

2010 - 2011​

Competition	SP	LP	Final	Rank
2011 South Korean Championships (Junior)	3 (37.1	4 (70.65)	4 (107.81)	4th

Baby Pictures​

A whole playlist of Junhwan as a very young skater!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPVvFTcQ8IY&list=PLX_HMFvb9u038VNcMxn7okWyBZUajh2Zy

Exhibitions and Galas​

2019 Ice Fantasie Act. 1 - Romeo & Juliet soundtrack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5WcjgHAlOs

2019 SOI - "What a Wonderful World"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mioxrh0Z70U

2018 JGPF Gala - "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" by Shawn Mendes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO9XV3iWCoI

2017 World Junior Championships Gala - "Peanut Butter Jelly" by Galantis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doKVgUZl7T0

2016 JGPF Gala - "One Day I'll Fly Away"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lW9UOfiLnQ

Golden Skate Articles and Threads

​

September 2016- "Jun-Hwan Cha off to strong start" by Wei Xiong
http://www.goldenskate.com/2016/09/jun-hwan-cha/

April 2016 Thread - " Jun Hwan Cha - Your Opinion"
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?59330-Jun-Hwan-CHA-your-opinion-!#post1424626

Other articles and media

​

Jan. 2019 Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJAJHO03vFg

2018 GP Helsinki Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1ka6ZZh0V0

October 2016 JGP Dresden winner's interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxj9VM0uJeU

September 2016 JGP Yokohama winner's interview, with coach Brian Orser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-zUgu8QulA

2016-17 Korean JGP Qualification interviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5aWh5ER4ag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehOkrY89KFw

 

[paperhearts]

Ahh, CJH! Definitely one of my favorie Korean skaters currently. Wish him the best for the future; still think it was incredibly stupid on KSU's part to not give him a JGP assignment but I hope he continues to develop regardless. He's very promising, I can see him in Pyeongchang if he continues to improve.

 

[matmuh]

yay, at last he has his own thread, thanks!!!! i think its safe to say he is one of the most anticipated Korean junior skater but unfortunately didnt happen this JGP :dumb: hopefully we will see him at Junior Worlds
i have suggestion for him to skate to this song and dedicate it to KSU eace:

 

[s_parks]

Yay! About the JGPs- I think it worked out for the better not going. It seemed like he was still injured for some time after that- he was wearing a wrap for a while. Anyways, I saw a post on a Korean skating fan cafe on Jun Hwan's choreography. It looks like Cindy Stuart and Kenji Miyamoto have done most of his programs(only 1 or 2 were done by a Korean choreographer). I always wondered how a novice skater always had such quality programs. Anyways, on that note, he's just so well packaged. His costumes as well as the programs are so well done(love his lp this season)- I particularly like the shirt he wore for Moonlight Sonata.
Also- a few Koreans(emphasis on few) are a bit... jittered? that he's being coached by Orser, but I find this really and shortsighted of them. Yuna would never be that petty and what happened is between her and Orser- has nothing to do with his other pupils. As messy as that split was(sorry, will go slightly off tangent- feel free to delete mods), it's undeniable that he makes champions out of big talents like Yuna and Yuzuru, and it's quite hilarious that some netizens(but we should take netizens with a grain of salt anyway) can't even bring themselves to acknowledge his abilities as a coach. But quite honestly, I doubt the general public in Korea will care much about that as long as Junhwan wins major international competitions.
Sorry for the rant. I clearly have too many feelings.

 

[MIM]

I am glad he has his own fan fest.
Thank you for making it happen, @sunny-stars!!:clapper:

I like him since I saw him in Asian Trophy in 2012. He was amazingly talented in such a young age. I am so happy the talent has been carefully nurtured and starts to be realized. His programs two years in a row are all very tasteful. I guess he has a great team taking care of him.

He is one of my favorite junior skaters. Wish my best for his future and injury-free training. :2thumbs:

 

[matmuh]

Also- a few Koreans(emphasis on few) are a bit... jittered? that he's being coached by Orser

really? wow thats very ignorant of them, they are not the ones putting up with all those hours of training, injuries, tiredness and hardships, just sit on their bottom and criticize him, he is the one putting all the effort to reach his goal so he will work with anyone he wants. btw i LOVE Yuna and i approve CJH working with Orser eace:
ohh and how dare he worked with Japanese choreographer

to lighten the mood here is video from 2011, poor baby stood there 2 mins before they could finally play his music

 

[s_parks]

really? wow thats very ignorant of them, they are not the ones putting up with all those hours of training, injuries, tiredness and hardships, just sit on their bottom and criticize him, he is the one putting all the effort to reach his goal so he will work with anyone he wants. btw i LOVE Yuna and i approve CJH working with Orser eace:
ohh and how dare he worked with Japanese choreographer

to lighten the mood here is video from 2011, poor baby stood there 2 mins before they could finally play his music

He is also a Takahashi fan
But yeah, he really loves skating, and it was just refreshing to see a young Korean skater say his favorite skater was someone other than Yuna, haha.

 

[matmuh]

He is also a Takahashi fan
But yeah, he really loves skating, and it was just refreshing to see a young Korean skater say his favorite skater was someone other than Yuna, haha.

i agree!! reminded me of the time Yuzu saying Yuna's name (as well as Mao) when he was asked about his favourite skaters, there is nothing wrong with it, its the opposite, this kind of behaviour only gains more respect from me :2thumbs:

 

[s_parks]

i agree!! reminded me of the time Yuzu saying Yuna's name (as well as Mao) when he was asked about his favourite skaters, there is nothing wrong with it, its the opposite, this kind of behaviour only gains more respect from me :2thumbs:

True! Doesn't matter what country they're from, great skating is great skating.

 

[NIss]

I saw a post on a Korean skating fan cafe on Jun Hwan's choreography. It looks like Cindy Stuart and Kenji Miyamoto have done most of his programs(only 1 or 2 were done by a Korean choreographer). I always wondered how a novice skater always had such quality programs.

Thank you for the info! Do you happened to know who choreographed his last season's Rachmaninoff FS? That program was what made me totally fall in love with him :luv17:

Oh and hi! This is my first post here. I've been lurking around for a while but couldn't stop saying something when I found this thread. Thank you sunnystars for starting it!

 

[s_parks]

Thank you for the info! Do you happened to know who choreographed his last season's Rachmaninoff FS? That program was what made me totally fall in love with him :luv17:

Oh and hi! This is my first post here. I've been lurking around for a while but couldn't stop saying something when I found this thread. Thank you sunnystars for starting it!

All his programs last season were done by cindy stuart. It's a great lp isn't it? Not easy for a 12-13 year old(his age last season) to perform Rach. Other than last season, he's used Kenji Miyamoto for all his programs since he was about 8-9(except his moonlight sonata short- that's by shin yeji). Surprising yet impressive choice of choreographer for a very young Korean skater. Personally, I'd like to know who designs his costumes. Loved every single one since the 13-14 season. It would seem to me that his family certainly has the resources to finance him and are smart about it too.

 

[giulia95]

I was really so impressed by Jun interpretation of Danse Macabre last year! Amazing choreography and amazing musicality at such a young age.

 

[matmuh]

i have a question, does TES scores at Autumn Classic counts as minimum for JW?

 

[NIss]

All his programs last season were done by cindy stuart. It's a great lp isn't it? Not easy for a 12-13 year old(his age last season) to perform Rach. Other than last season, he's used Kenji Miyamoto for all his programs since he was about 8-9(except his moonlight sonata short- that's by shin yeji). Surprising yet impressive choice of choreographer for a very young Korean skater.

Late but thanks for detailing about his choreographers! I'm curious to know whether he chose Miyamoto by himself because he's a Daisuke fan

i have a question, does TES scores at Autumn Classic counts as minimum for JW?

Yes, the announcement of the event says, "6. The 2015 Autumn Classic will observe ISU Rule 121, 1 a, Rule 420, 3 b, Rule 420, 5 b and Rule 420 , 6 so that the event will possibly count for ISU World Standings and will be recognized as an event for the minimum Technical Element Score required for ISU Championships."

 

[matmuh]

Yes, the announcement of the event says, "6. The 2015 Autumn Classic will observe ISU Rule 121, 1 a, Rule 420, 3 b, Rule 420, 5 b and Rule 420 , 6 so that the event will possibly count for ISU World Standings and will be recognized as an event for the minimum Technical Element Score required for ISU Championships."

ohh good, i wouldnt mind seeing him at another competition though

 

[alia jackson]

Holy cow he is so dainty

 

[invisiblespiral]

Holy cow he is so dainty

He's so adorable.

 

[MIM]

Jun-Hwan's LP run-through : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BFGwKx61bs

Just found from Skate Korea thread. He landed a 3F at the end:thumbsup:. I love this program and hope he goes clean in Korea where he could not get a JGP spot this season.
He emotes while doing some of the elements, which blends smoothly in the entire performance. I so much enjoy this quality in him.

 

[s_parks]

Jun-Hwan's LP run-through : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BFGwKx61bs

Just found from Skate Korea thread. He landed a 3F at the end:thumbsup:. I love this program and hope he goes clean in Korea where he could not get a JGP spot this season.
He emotes while doing some of the elements, which blends smoothly in the entire performance. I so much enjoy this quality in him.

If I'm not mistaken, it looks like some new parts/choreo was added (somewhere in the middle), like the brief catch-foot spiral and the lovely ina bauer. Good luck, Jun hwan!

 

[yyyskate]

JunHwan did walley+counter+3turn+3F-lo-3S all transition into jump combo are on one left leg only, crazy!
love the little catch-foot spiral and ina bauer I definitely see Team BO trademark polish in JunHwan's skating here.