Cho Seung-woo becomes the father of Gomja, a 50-day-old abandoned dog

While the nicknames attached to actor Cho Seung-woo change with every project, one of the titles fans have called him with the most laughter for a long time is "Gomja's Dad." Gomja is an abandoned dog who lived in an animal shelter in Goseong-gun, Gyeongnam, and was once known as number 50 instead of by a name, placed on the euthanasia list. Cho Seung-woo had been keeping an eye on Gomja, and after hearing news of the crisis, he visited the shelter and eventually brought the dog home as a family member.

From Euthanasia List Number 50 to Cho Seung-woo's Family

In a video released in March 2024 on the YouTube channel "Fairy Jaehyung," Cho Seung-woo personally shared the story of how he first met Gomja. He said he had been watching Gomja at the Goseong shelter and had sent a message saying, "If this child is ever decided for euthanasia, please make sure to contact me." Later, after seeing Gomja listed as euthanasia number 50, he contacted them immediately and traveled down to Goseong to meet Gomja.

The reason this adoption story remains so memorable is not simply because a famous actor adopted a dog. Cho Seung-woo joked that he "conceived Gomja with his heart and is raising him with his wallet," but those words carry the weight of responsibility that comes with welcoming a rescued dog into the family. The fact that a choice started from compassion for an abandoned animal did not stop at a one-time good deed but continued into daily care is what garnered public affection.

Gomja's Love, Even Creating the Nickname "Helicopter Parent"

The story of Gomja and Cho Seung-woo became even more endearing after the adoption. As news spread that Gomja attends a dog kindergarten and won first place in a bag-decorating contest, Cho Seung-woo was playfully nicknamed a "helicopter parent." He explained that at the time, his schedule for the musical "Man of La Mancha" had shifted, giving him time to stay home, and upon hearing about the contest at the kindergarten, he decorated the bag with the mindset of "let's boost my kid's confidence."

This part is humorous because Cho Seung-woo does not try to force a certain image of himself. While he remains a serious actor on stage and screen, in front of Gomja, he is a guardian who adds one more decoration to a bag. His attitude of not seeing a pet merely as something to "raise" but placing them in the position of family is naturally revealed.

Another Side of Cho Seung-woo Shown Outside His Works

Cho Seung-woo has been evaluated as an actor with intense focus, moving between films, dramas, and musicals. Therefore, while the story of Gomja is not news that explains his filmography, it shows the face of the person living behind the profession of an actor. The recent updates of his dog Gomja and his cats Kobong and Gomsoon, released through his agency's channel, are in the same context. Off-screen, Cho Seung-woo is seen as a person who rests, cares for, and plays with animals.

Stories about celebrities' pets can easily be consumed as mere lighthearted heartwarming tales. However, in Gomja's case, the starting point is clear. An abandoned dog on the euthanasia list became a member of an actor's family, and subsequently, the story was revisited through kindergarten bag contests and daily photos. The next point to look forward to is not something grand. When Cho Seung-woo returns with a new work, fans will naturally wonder about the well-being of "Gomja's Dad" alongside the actor on stage.