Figure skating national team member Cha Jun-hwan has recently announced the suspension of his participation in upcoming season competitions, prompting speculation regarding his potential retirement and transition into the entertainment industry. In response, his agency, Fantagio, released an official statement on October 13, sharing that they are “carefully deliberating” their next steps.
Agency Responds to Retirement and Acting Rumors
Speaking to OSEN, a representative from Fantagio clarified the situation regarding Cha’s future athletic plans. The agency stated, “This announcement specifically concerns Cha Jun-hwan’s decision to relinquish his national team status for this season and sit out international competitions. As for his long-term future as an athlete, nothing has been concretely decided yet.”
When asked whether this decision was made to focus on a full-time entertainment career, the agency remained cautious. “Cha is currently fulfilling his scheduled activities with sincerity while carefully pondering his future career direction,” Fantagio noted. “We will announce any concrete plans as soon as they are finalized.”
Social Media Announcement and Past Experience
The speculation began after Cha shared a lengthy message on his social media accounts. He explained that after much deliberation, he chose not to pursue national team activities or competition entries for the current season. He also revealed that he concluded his contract with the Seoul Metropolitan Government after thorough discussions.
Following his post, industry insiders and fans quickly questioned whether the star was preparing for a fresh start as an actor. Cha previously gained early acting experience as a child actor in dramas like ‘The Return of Iljimae’. Earlier this April, he signed an exclusive contract with Fantagio—home to actors such as Ong Seong-wu, Kim Seon-ho, and Cha Eun-woo—and starred as the protagonist Sung Jin-woo in the figure skating ice show ‘Solo Leveling on ICE’. Furthermore, he is currently reviewing an offer to star as the lead in the upcoming tvN sitcom ‘Palace Land’.
As Fantagio continues to emphasize that no definitive decisions regarding retirement or acting have been made, public interest in Cha Jun-hwan’s next career move remains exceptionally high.
