Jungkook Brings a Life Sized Cha Eun Woo Doll to First Ride Gala

Jungkook brings a life-sized Cha Eun Woo doll to the First Ride gala.
His playful act goes viral, melting hearts online.
A pure reminder of friendship beyond distance.

BTS once again made headlines in Korea, this time through Jungkook’s adorable gesture. On October 27, 2025, he attended the VIP premiere of the comedy film First Ride at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul’s Songpa District, carrying a life sized doll dressed exactly like his close friend Cha Eun Woo. Since Eun Woo could not attend due to his ongoing military service in the army’s music unit, Jungkook brought the doll to the red carpet, lifting its hand as if Eun Woo were greeting the cameras and even hugging it in front of the photo wall. Fans and reporters burst into laughter at the heartwarming display of friendship.

After posing, Jungkook told reporters that he came because he was curious about Eun Woo’s acting and wanted to watch the movie while reminiscing about their younger days. “When we were in our early twenties, we used to hang out a lot. Eun Woo said he filmed this movie thinking about those days. I’ll watch it with that same feeling,” Jungkook said. He also left a message for his friend, wishing him good health and a safe completion of his service. Jungkook himself completed his own military duty on June 11 and is part of the famous “97 line,” alongside Cha Eun Woo, SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu, and GOT7’s Yugyeom.

The Film, Its Production, and the Bond of Friendship

First Ride is a comedy adventure film directed by Nam Dae Joong. According to AsianWiki, it stars Kang Ha Neul, Kim Young Kwang, Cha Eun Woo, Kang Young Seok, and Han Sun Hwa, with cinematography by Nam Dong Geun and distribution by Showbox. The movie follows five childhood friends: Tae Jung the perfectionist, Do Jin the cheerful one, Yeon Min the handsome one, Geum Bok the religious one, and Ok Sim the energetic one, who have dreamed of traveling abroad together but never found the time. Eventually, they embark on that long awaited journey, leading to a series of unpredictable and heartwarming adventures.

Chosun describes each character with their unique quirks: Tae Jung always finishes what he starts, Do Jin lifts everyone’s spirits, Yeon Min guards his good looks, Geum Bok can fall asleep with his eyes open, and Ok Sim is charmingly feisty. Actor Kang Ha Neul shared in an interview with The Times of India that the film is “more than just a comedy,” describing it as emotionally warm and nostalgic. “People will leave the theater smiling,” he said, “because behind every laugh lies a gentle sense of joy.”

Over 70 percent of the film was shot in Thailand, where the cast lived for more than a month, creating the feeling of a real trip. Despite the hot weather and a few crew members suffering from dehydration, Kang described it as a beautiful memory shared with people who truly love their craft. He added that he and the director worked closely to balance humor and heartfelt emotion, refining every scene together.

The friendship among the cast extended beyond the screen. Cha Eun Woo, who plays DJ Yeon Min, began his military service on July 28, 2025, and is scheduled for discharge on January 27, 2027. The rest of the cast promoted the film in his absence, sending their support publicly. At a press conference held at CGV Yongsan, Kang Ha Neul invited Eun Woo to watch the film during his leave; Kim Young Kwang said he missed him; Kang Young Seok asked him to visit during his 100 day leave; and Han Sun Hwa praised Eun Woo’s performance, saying she hoped he wouldn’t miss the movie. Director Nam Dae Joong also expressed his wish for Eun Woo to see it while on break.

Jungkook and Cha Eun Woo’s friendship is already legendary. As part of the “97 line” of idols born in 1997, the two have supported each other through the years. Jungkook once sent a coffee truck to Eun Woo’s drama set for A Good Day to Be a Dog, while Eun Woo joined the viral “Seven” dance challenge in return. The doll at the First Ride premiere wasn’t just a gimmick; it symbolized their lasting bond, proof that genuine friendship remains strong even amid military duties and busy schedules.

The film had its early premiere in Seoul on October 20 and will be released nationwide in Korea on October 29, 2025. According to Letterboxd, it is also scheduled to open in Indonesia on November 7 and in Hong Kong on November 13. Blending comedy, warmth, and heartfelt friendship, First Ride is expected to deliver comfort and laughter to audiences across Asia. Jungkook’s unexpected gesture on the red carpet not only boosted anticipation for the film but also reminded fans that true friendship transcends distance, time, and obligation.

The moment quickly went viral on X (Twitter), with fans around the world calling Jungkook’s act both hilarious and touching. Many praised how his humor still carried genuine affection for his friend.

“I love such handsome friendships, where you get surprised with another hottie in place of the actual hottie.”

“He’s so funny 😂😂”

“Jungkook showing up with Eunwoo’s doll is the most wholesome thing ever 😭❤️ even when miles apart, the friendship speaks louder than words.”

“How did he keep a straight face?? Jeon Jungkook 😭😭”

“Eunwoo cannot defend himself 😭😂😜”

“Here we have permed Jungkook again! Got me raising my curly hair flag proudly!”

“I want to be Cha Eun Woo’s doll :(”

“I wanna know whose idea this was 😭😭😂”

“My friend thought that was a sexy toy lmaoooo 😅”

Jungkook’s playful gesture not only made fans laugh but also reminded many of the warmth and sincerity that still exist in the entertainment world. Even as both idols are walking different paths, their friendship continues to inspire, proving that sometimes the smallest gestures can leave the biggest smiles.

Source: The Korea Times, AsianWiki, The Times of India, Letterboxd.