Boring, mediocre, easily forgettable
I started watching this drama few months ago, and I dropped it after the first few minutes. Then I came back and I was ready to give it another go, and somehow I ended up on episode 11. Let me be clear, the plot is not strong enough for the amount of episodes,the unnecessary long and boring scenes that are easily skippable, pointless dramas and what not.The leads were alright,not the biggest fan. The acting was alright but some parts were cringey.
At least I liked the music. I guess that was the only thing that was not boring and pointless.
Other than that, this is a easily forgotten drama, especially through being uninteresting or mediocre.
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In this case this drama is rated so high because people love the setting/ambiance which is a relaxing seaside vibe. It is also kinda charming the way ML loves and befriends little old ladies. (Seriously, his relationship with his little old lady friends is a major part of the show.) Take away those things and this show is mediocre at best. The first episodes were promising with lots of potential but nothing ever really happened and the repetitive formula of nothingness quickly became incredibly boring as the show progressed.
I made it all the way to episode 11 before finally dropping it, and that's only because I watched as it was airing and kept hoping with all the reviews it would get better. The backbone of the show itself was dull, there was no actual plot propelling anything forward except these people living in this town interacting and talking with each other every day. The chemistry between the leads was sort of there in the background but incredibly subtle and slow. I kept hoping for more from the leads relationship but in the end I just couldn't take such a hollow plotline anymore. FL's character was also very "stuck up city girl" and unlikeable, my guess is they were trying to portray her as a city girl out-of-towner who didn't fit into the rural life, but they completely missed the mark and instead she comes across as annoying and pretentious.
If you just want to watch something that gives a unique vibe and you don't mind slowness in your dramas and I mean s l o w, you might be into this.
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Can't get enough!!!!
Been watching the show right away after it was aired and I don't know how to feel about it. I can't wait to finish all the episodes all at once but at the same time, I don't want it to end. There was never a dull moment and every single character are as important as the main leads.Besides the fact that I love the casting, the first episode had me looking forward to what is to come. I can't help but smile whenever both of the leads smile, their characters are simply adorable. And their dimples, I don't think I'll ever get tired looking at their dimples. Who will not love them?
With just the first episode, I'm already sure that this show is another gem. I know I'll love the show and all the casts. Not only the leads but also the supporting actors will make you look forward to what kind of role they will play in the story. I loved the pilot episode, I loved the second episode more, and I think I'll fall deeper in love in every episode that will come (as I'm watching it ongoing as of the moment). The story was very heartwarming and relatable. Heartwarming in a way that even when they were not a family by blood, all of them seem like a family. It was really soothing to watch. And the life lessons in the series!!! It's another thing to look forward to. In just two episodes, I was already reminded of the good things one can do while living this life. I also enjoyed looking at different perspectives of people as the characters have distinctive differences despite sharing some similarities.
One of the comparative perspectives that I like is the generation gap. As the place is set in the countryside, Yoon Hye Jin (Shin Min Ah) and the elders' characters definitely don't match given that the elders' are conservative. But what made me love the different perspective part is when Hong Doo Shik (Kim Seon Ho) is in the picture. It's rare to meet someone with a very open-minded mind and is up for understanding the people around him/her. He plays a vital role in uniting the people's town together. He's like the bridge connecting everyone. He is definitely my favorite character because of that. Also, watching him act like that will make you wonder what his story is. You know the saying that a person with more scars is the kindest, I think he's one of them. Yoon Hye Jin is also the same but she's not the showy type so it may take time before you realize her kindness which will make you actually look forward to what she has to offer more. Their kindness combo is something I will really love to see. Plus, it's coated with their strong chemistry, something that will make you feel good all throughout the runtime. The whole cast chemistry is actually another thing.
Watching the series will definitely make you realize different dreams, personalities, and kindness in people. The show surely offers different faces of love; may it be eros or agape. So far, I was never bored while watching. I actually feel light, relaxed, and happy as I watch the show. Of course, the OST played a crucial part in creating that vibe.
It was a job well done so far.
Kudos!
[Review will be edited every episode]
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Waiting for the next episode is really killing meeeeee !!!!!!!!!
Lately, all the K- dramas are based on dark comedy, thrillers...I was looking for rom-com, something refreshing and then I found this....I thought I will binge-watch this after its release...But after watching the first episode I couldn't resist myself...the story is simple but the director made it so interesting... I can co-relate with all the characters...all the characters are beautifully written...I think I don't have to talk about their chemistry...it's 10/10 for me...they literally give me butterflies in their every interaction... the cinematography is superb...It's soooo good...you should watch it if you haven't watched it yet...
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Breath of fresh air...
Been watching varied genres of kdramas since the pandemic. From historicals, legal dramas to rom-coms. Hometown Cha Cha has been on my list since it aired. I held off watching this because, honestly, the title didn't give me any idea on what the story was about.I am glad I finally got to start this. It is such a refreshing series!! I love the countryside vibe, slow paced living (after watching Penthouse and LOve Marriage ft Divorce), the OST, quirky characters, the cute kids.... and the list goes on and on...
There are dramas that you watch without knowing what the story is about when you start. So this one which you can't really define except that it is a story about daily lives. People go about their business without any hidden agendas; literally just living their life...
The ensemble is well casted. Each actor and actress gets their fair share on screen; showing that they have a camaraderie with the people they interact with. I was at first in doubt as to the chemistry between the leads, but as it turned out, they did such a good job showing the evolution of their relationship.
This series also highlights so much of Korea's food and culture. I have been watching it and simultaneously googling the images for the delicacies they show.
If you just want to lay back and relax, then this is the series for you. Definitely deserving of the hype it is getting. Crossing my fingers that the ending would not fall flat....
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Lovely, pleasant and very exciting. So adorable and cute too.
Such a refreshing take on the "opposites attract" plot. And the actors are really talented. The leads chemistry as the couple is one the most adorable and natural ones I have seen in years.The writing, DOP is breathtaking. Korea sure is beautiful. This series shows not just Seoul but more of Korea and its small town community's beauty and warmth. Loved this.
The love and friendship is small towns is incomparable and precious.
(I think)
If you enjoyed the Reply series, especially Reply 1988, the warmth and the ups and downs of relationships you would really really love Hometown Cha cha cha.
Shin Min-ah is obviously very beautiful, pretty and an amazing actress. What a versatile actress she is! Wow!
Kim Seon ho is totally love love love. Great actor, amazing and talented. He plays the role of Hong Banjang so naturally, it makes me feel Chief Hong is my next door neighbour and not just a character. Bravo!
All the actors are great here. They are all such a great team. Their amazing work shows in the series itself. So very talented all of them.
Looking forward to the last three weeks of Gongjin.
Thank you!
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Best Drama !
This has got to be the best Drama i have watched so far ! This all Emotional roller coaster of a ride was so fun to watch ! The story and the plot was amazing The chemistry between the leads and all the other actors were just amazing !This drama Probably did the best casting ever ! All the actors were brilliant and i could feel as if im also with them ! Loved the vibes scenery and the osts so much ! If you want to know whats the buzz watch this drama and i promise you will be hooked ! Honestly i dont want this free therapy to end but it has sadly but it will always be able to rewatch !
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You’ll like it if you like slice of life.
Beautiful rural beachside scenery. A town of quirky people. Eye candy main leads. Not eye candy supporting leads so the main leads stand out even more. A simple straightforward, predictable romance. A calming atmosphere.It’s a decent slice of life. Just not my cup of tea.
TLDR expanded review;
While "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" boasts beautiful rural beachside scenery, it fails to utilize its stunning backdrop to its full potential. The visuals may be pleasing to the eye, but the overall execution leaves much to be desired.
The town's supposedly quirky inhabitants come across as caricatures rather than fully developed characters, resulting in a lack of depth and genuine connection with the audience. The attempts at humor often fall flat, leaving viewers craving for more meaningful interactions and substantial storytelling.
Although the main leads may be considered eye candy, their attractiveness becomes a distraction, overshadowing any substantive development in their performances. Furthermore, the supporting leads, lacking in physical appeal, are left with shallow and forgettable roles, further emphasizing the imbalanced focus on superficial aesthetics rather than acting prowess.
The romance in "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" follows a predictable and formulaic path, leaving little room for surprises or genuine emotional investment. The simplicity and straightforwardness of the plot make it feel uninspired, lacking the depth and complexity that can make a romance truly compelling.
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charming premise that didn't deliver the romance i wanted
This show had a promising start with the quirky small town setting & loveable characters. I liked the casting a lot for the main leads as well as the rest of the town, and the characters in general were very charming and funny! unfortunately, it took only a few episodes for the early conflicts to run their course as "entertaining" and switch over to "grating"... I wanted to really like the FL but so much of the story early on is her screwing herself over by being insensitive and then refusing to back down from her position until the ML smooths things over for her. She does have her moments, but i got tired of this plot very fast. The romance was also lacking in a lot of genuine feeling imo. We get to see moments the two of them have together, but it was hard for me to envision the way their feelings for each other grew into what we see on screen. They flip over abruptly from getting along decently to ridiculously-corny-in-love once they get together, & it made them even less compelling as a relationship to me.The best part of this show for me was the relationships between some of the side characters; i really liked the thoughtfulness with which each character's personal life was explored, even if briefly. The director was my favorite character, and every scene he was in with the main leads made me like them so much more.. he was so charming and he somehow had better relationships with each of them than they had with each other!! I did really like the ML for the first 3/4s of the show, but the twist in the final few eps didnt really do it for me. I disliked that the FL had a lot to work through wrt to her own biases about others and her outlook on life, but there wasnt so much for the ML to work through aside from.. recovering from the trauma of a situation that he wasn't at fault for at all. I wanted there to be more for them to learn for from each other, instead of just the FL. ultimately that was the core of my problem with this show, that the main relationship just didnt have much to offer to the audience.
overall, i kinda wish i didnt watch this show because i didnt really get much out of it, but i did like the small town cast & setting quite a bit, so it wasnt all bad!
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Refreshing and Fun Romcom with enjoyable characters
After having finished the drama, it is safe to say that the drama is a very refreshing and fun romcom with its own quirks. The main male leads are extremely charming, with Chief Hong having a very likeable 'Boy next door' vibe and Ji PD having an equally charming 'Campus Crush' image. Our female lead is every romcom lead from 2018 - starting to pull away from the tropes and yet no so much - her character is still enjoyable and she definitely has her redeeming qualities. Do I love her? Not really. Do I really like her? Yes.The highlight of this drama lies in its portrayal of its side characters. All of them have their own stories to tell and you really see them as people. My favorite character has to be, hands down, Hwajeong. Her story, the way she treats the people around her are all so admirable.
PS. The casual queer representation is definitely a win.
The pacing of the show is surprisingly pretty good and even.
The city where the drama is set is just so so beautiful and the sea is absolutely stunning too.
The humor isn't forced and you find yourself smiling throughout the episodes especially when the characters are bickering.
The OSTs definitely match the vibe of the show and are very soothing.
My main issue with the drama is the way immediately after they start dating, the female lead dumbs down, losing all her personality traits except for being in love with the male lead. When oh when are we going to stop doing that?
Definitely a fun watch that goes easy on the eyes.
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How To Seek For Happiness.
I might be the 0.1% of the audience who do not feel as attached to the drama as I should've been. It's not because the drama is bad, no, no. It's one of the most heartwarming productions I've seen. I would suggest Hometown Cha-Cha to anyone looking for an escape from real life, yet deciding to learn something about reality while doing it.☆ If I could summarise it, it would be:
A young dentist Hye-Jin, has a wake up call on the harsh reality of life after moving to the seaside village of Gongjin.
I had a love hate relationship with her character during the first eight episodes that I saw. It's ironic because I'm as closed off as her in real life with very few friends. I related to her woes of moving from a huge city to a little known town where you suddenly discover that many of the items you used to buy are nowhere to be found, people are more nosy and everyone are an overly friendly bunch who inadvertently put you in an uncomfortable position. I loved how she tried to mask her difficulties and attemped to change herself. Her character growth was gradual and a delight to watch.
☆ But, Hye-Jin needed a lot of growth during the first half of the drama. And thankfully, Chief Hong existed to throw a pail of ice cold water on her biased views about people and life. I absolutely hated how she referred to herself as someone on the 'upper elite' despite being clearly in a difficult situation and there were several instances that her own best friend (who grew up in similar conditions as hers) seemed much more perceptive about the people around her. This stark contrast between those two stood out to me and I still do not know if that was purposefully meant to be that way.
☆ I have to mention the one character whom I deeply respect: Chief Hong, the male lead and the love interest to Hye-Jin. While clearly portrayed as empathetic and a jack-of-all trades, two qualities that earn him the nickname "Chief", we see him call out Hye-Jin several times for her prejudices towards the 'common folk' and her stubbornness and refusal to understand the minds and workings of a local close knit community. While I 100% agree with her actions, I admire Chief Hong for his confidence in himself and flr striving to change her views. I wasn't deeply invested in their romance, which is definitely leaning towards the slow burn arc, but I loved how strong their connection was. I loved his openness and the efforts he made to make the people of the small town happy.
☆ The little town has a handful of characters whom we closely follow throughout all the episodes. They are the basement of the drama. We get to know their grievances and secrets, and see them slowly warming up to Hye-Jin in turn. I loved her interactions with them. I admit, I'm eight episodes in, but I'm still unable to recall anyone of their names perfectly. (In my mind some of them: Mr. Americano + Singer and his daughter Ju-Ri; Restaurant Chief who is divorced with a son, the Restaurant Chief's divorced husband who is the head of the small town, The Shop Gang, The Three Grandmas, Pyo Mi-Seong, Police Dude…
Another aspect that I loved about the show was how they stuck true to the genre. It's not just the leads whom we learn in depth about, but the supporting characters as well. I have to say, I enjoyed the bittersweet parts of the drama a lot more than the lighter scenes. I've heard that it gets quite tearful during the last half.
☆ Although I'm sometimes annoyed with Hye-Jin, none of the characters got on my nerves. There were no pressure inducing misunderstandings and most of the arguments would be smoothened out in a calm manner. There was something magical about how the most simple things in life can bring us immense joy and pain. At one point, it made think of quitting everything and living a life like Chief Hong's. Yeah… haha.
☆ The OST was fitting and had a cottage core ambience that perfectly fit Gongjin's theme. The locations were really scenic and watching the blue ocean itself left me really satisfied.
☆ As to why I dropped this. Slice-of-life dramas are not ones that I usually binge. (It took me three months to complete Reply 1988.) But, I also realized that I'm more attached to slice-of-life dramas that I could somehow personally relate to. While this drama has all the right emotions that are meant to tug at our heartstrings, I don't feel the urge or curiosity to know what happens next and did not have a strong attachment to anyone. (This might be because of how disconnected I felt to the daily life of the people. I found their struggles relatable though.) And the hour long episodes of focus on the daily life of the villagers and Hye-Jin pushed my patience. (I was exhausted watching two episodes a day and tend to fast forward a lot.)
Somethings that are meant to happen, would eventually happen. Just like how the drama portrays life as: Unpredictable and sometimes bitter. I can see why so many people love the slice-of-life genre a lot and this one definitely deserves to be among one of the best in that genre.
I bid a hearty farewell to you, Hometown Cha-Cha. Maybe, somewhere in the future, I might pick you up once again to bring me back the calmness and contentment that I felt while I initially watched you.
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