BTS member Jungkook turned heads at the Seoul premiere of the new comedy film “First Ride” — not for his outfit, but for who he brought along.
On Oct. 27, Jungkook attended the VIP screening at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul’s Songpa District, carrying a life-sized doll dressed exactly like his close friend, Cha Eun-woo of ASTRO, who is currently serving in the military.
BTS’ Jungkook / Xportsnews
The BTS star playfully lifted the doll’s hand to make it appear as if Cha was greeting the cameras, even hugging it in front of the photo wall. Fans and reporters alike laughed at the unexpected yet heartwarming gesture — a display of friendship that instantly went viral on social media.
During the event, Jungkook told reporters, “When Eun-woo and I were in our early twenties, we used to hang out a lot. He said he filmed this movie thinking about those days. I’ll try to enjoy it with that same feeling.” He added a heartfelt message for his friend, saying, “I hope he stays healthy and completes his service safely.”
Cha Eun-woo enlisted for active duty on July 28 and is currently serving in the Army band. Despite his military hiatus, his presence remains strong through projects like “First Ride” and Netflix’s upcoming “The Wonderfuls,” both already filmed and scheduled to be released during his enlistment period. His discharge date is set for Jan. 27, 2027.
A scene from “First Ride” / Courtesy of Showbox
“First Ride” follows a group of long-time friends — Tae-jung (Kang Ha-neul), Do-jin (Kim Young-kwang), Yeon-min (Cha Eun-woo), Geum-bok (Kang Young-seok), and Ok-shim (Han Sun-hwa) — who embark on their first overseas trip together. The film, directed by Nam Dae-joong, opens in Korean theaters on Oct. 29.
Jungkook finished his own service on June 11, returning to fans after completing his duties as an active-duty soldier. The two are both part of the so-called “’97 line,” which also includes SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu and GOT7’s Yugyeom, because they were all born in 1997.
Cha Eun-woo / Captured from Cha’s social media
Their bond has long been celebrated by fans. Before joining the military, Jungkook sent a coffee truck to the set of Cha’s MBC drama “A Good Day to Be a Dog,” while Cha joined Jungkook’s viral “Seven” challenge, drawing millions of views for their “visual chemistry.”
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.