Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

갯마을 차차차 ‧ Drama ‧ 2021
Completed
Artistic Mind
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 18, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

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 !

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Criss
2 people found this review helpful
May 2, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 3.5

Hard watch after they became a couple

The whole story was based on this one secret and I was excited to know what it was but that was honestly the lamest secret I've ever heard.
I think I have a pretty high standard of what is a good show that draws my attention and I really love this series EXCEPT for one thing. The main character. Dr. Yoon. As series progressed I liked her less and less and eventually couldn’t finish watching the series.
Loved the inclusion and respect of the elderly, the loyalty within the community, and the fact all characters got a decent story arc. Nice scenery and a cosy community feel.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
virgievirgie
2 people found this review helpful
Jan 30, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Not bad but doesn't live up to the hype - a little too cringy for my taste

Completed - 1/29/22 - rating 8.25

"Hometown Cha Cha Cha" is such a highly rated drama in 2021 that I was hesitant to watch it during all the hype. I was afraid I will be disappointed. Now I can finally say that personally, I don't think it lives up to the hype. I enjoyed the drama for the most part but there are certain things that did bug me.

What I Enjoy:
1. Small town feel - It's a nice change to watch a K-drama sets in a rural area. I've always enjoyed the small town feel as there are way too many dramas that are featured in big cities, tall high rises and fancy decors. I get to enjoy the sceneries from the beach, to the mountain to the view of the ocean. I especially like the houses of our ML and Grandma Kim. I would love to have FL's office view of the ocean when I look out my office window.

2. Romance/Chemistry (first 10 episodes) - Before our leads got together, the romance was a lot more fun. I enjoyed the bickering between our leads and how they get to know each other through mishaps and arguments. Though I am not a big fan of slow-motion accidental falls, I do like side glances. The chemistry was great. During these episodes, we also see two mature adults in their 30s, navigating through life's challenges and communicating openly and somewhat sensibly.

3. Grandma Kim & Zone Chief Yeo - These two ladies are my favorite supporting characters in Gongjin. They are both tough as nails, strong and independent. They don't take nonsense from others and are caring in their own ways. They are the least annoying residents in the whole of Gongjin.

4. I really like the short but touching conversation between FL and 2ML in the coffee shop/bar. I always thought it was an unrequited love on Director Ji's side, but we found out it's actually mutual affection. If only one of them has confessed sooner and the timing is better, we might have a very different story. Anyway, I just like the feels I got when watching them and how kind and honest they are to each other.

What I don't quite enjoy:
1. Romance right after the leads got together. It seems like these 30-year-olds became hormonal and cringy teenagers. What happened to the mature adults we have in the first 10 episodes? Why all the baby talk and whining? Just because you haven't had a relationship in a while doesn't automatically turn you into such annoying people once you fall in love. The relationship could be done in a sweet and cute way without being cringy.
Sorry for the rant. I was really disappointed in the personality change, thus, I can't give this drama a higher rating.

2. Shaky camera work when shooting close-up. There are quite a few scenes that I get dizzy just looking at the actors faces. This only happens on close-up shots, esp. in the beginning and end of the drama. Since I have bad motion sickness, I was quite sensitive.

3. Annoying side characters - The most annoying support character award goes to the loud-mouth gossipmonger, Cho Nam Sook. She's so loud and annoying and I really couldn't stand her spreading rumors about every one. The drama tried to paint a more sympathetic picture on her by telling us of her history. However, I don't buy that. Just because you have a sad past does not give you a pass in spreading rumors and hurting other people. The other Gongjin residents are quite annoying as well. They are just so loud and overly dramatic.

Other observations:
1. First shot/scene of ML - why is he wearing so much lipstick?
2. They overplayed the song "Romantic Sunday" in the first half of the drama.
3. I like the cute and awkward romance between FL's bff and the police officer.
4. I like the adopted family feel of Gongjin, despite the annoying characters.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
pui
2 people found this review helpful
Aug 6, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

I regret watching this just now. ?

This drama is so heartwarming ;) I got a lot of lessons from Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

I love how the drama depicts almost everyone's background, problems, and how they cope or accepts their life and fate. And how their surroundings tried their best to help, every scene felt so warm :3

The OSTs were just *chef's kiss*! If the song Wish didn't went viral as a meme I'd surely cry whenever I heard it lol.

And I loveeeee how this drama explains most women's suffering including how women with same-sex attraction suffers only because they liked someone.

I was kinda bored with how the story went at first because I thought it'd be another cliché drama + it has doctors

p.s I dont like dramas that use doctors/medical backgrounds, I just dont like them personally

so I was kinda bored with it, but when it came to episode 3, I finished the rest within 2 days.

Plus another point why i love this drama so much is how the way how Chief Hong was saved by mrs Gamri, everything felt too way too close to home.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Figgo
2 people found this review helpful
Jun 10, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 1.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 1.5
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Some of The Worst Writing and PPL I’ve Ever Seen

My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.

Am I in the Twilight Zone? This drama was one of the worst I’ve ever seen, but how are so many people are saying it's their favorite? I’m flabbergasted…I was trying to avoid using that word because it sounds weird, but it’s the only way I can describe my feelings right now.

Acting/Cast: I like Kim Seon Ho (김선호), who plays the male lead. I know him from Catch Yoo Ryung, which is a drama I really enjoyed. His character is probably the only okay thing about this drama and he’s not even a well-written character. All the acting is bad from nearly everyone. Even the child actors weren’t great, aside from maybe Kim Min Seo (김민서). However, I think this is probably due to bad writing and directing; even the actors had no idea how to deliver these terrible lines. 1.5/10

Writing: The first half of the drama is decent. Although, the male lead literally is a Gary Stu, which is a clear indicator of bad writing. He’s good at everything, he went to a good college, he has a perfect personality, everyone loves him, blah blah blah. The female lead is a little better because she starts off very flawed. This was a nice surprise as drama writers tend to be afraid of writing flawed female leads. However, her character growth isn’t written well and when episode 11 hits (more on this later), any hopes for more character growth goes out the window. This drama has no message and it could have had one if the male lead wasn’t a Gary Stu. Then the female lead could learn to value people for their hearts and not for their schooling and designer clothes. One of the flaws that the female lead has is that she’s materialistic. Apparently this isn’t a bad thing because they use her materialism for all kinds of product placement and she never stops being materialistic. Ugh...the PPL in this drama is so bad that calling it PPL doesn’t even feel right. It should be called shameless advertising or infomercials or something. If the PPL interrupts the flow of a drama, then it’s a problem, and this happens multiple times. I think what happened was, they didn’t fulfill enough of the PPL requirement in the first half of the drama, so the second half was jam-packed with it to make up for it. Poor planning on their part. They even have a long Domino’s pizza commercial in the last episode where the actors have to pretend like they’ve never tasted pizza before. It’s so cringey. And the PPL isn’t the only thing that’s cringey about this drama...as I’ve mentioned earlier, the dialogue – particularly the dialogue between the two leads – it’s so bad. It’s so bad that I can swear the actors were cringing just as much as I was. There are multiple instances where the female lead simply tells the male lead how her personality is. That’s not how that works...we’re supposed to be shown a character’s personality, not told. Now let’s talk about episode 11. This is when the drama really imploded. The leads are now dating, but of course they got to put in the ‘secret relationship’ trope for the sole reason of trying to pack as many tropes as possible into this drama. In an attempt to keep their relationship secret (which is already super disrespectful and why I hate this trope), she physically abuses the male lead. It’s even to the point where she makes him bleed. It was not cute, it was not funny, it had nothing to do with the story, it was alarming. This chick is supposed to have feelings for him and she can still do all that to him! Imagine if the roles were reversed and it was the male lead who was slapping, kicking, and head-butting the female lead out of “reflex”. But no, it’s okay because it’s a man being abused by a woman. This is when I wanted to drop the drama. I was disturbed by the female lead’s behavior (and by the drama writers thinking that this is perfectly fine and funny). It was no longer cute or romantic by any means. However, I decided to keep going mostly because I wanted to type up this review. Unfortunately, since that point in the drama, it was a painful watch through to the end. The physical abuse stops, but the female lead’s crazy does not. Her personality in the first half of the drama and her personality in the second half of the drama are two completely different characters. She is so vastly different that I was expecting the male lead to fall out of love with her since she’s not who he fell in love with anymore. She is so cringey, constantly talking with a baby voice trying to act “cute”. If you thought Welcome to Samdal-ri and Doctor Slump was bad, hold my beer. The leads had decent chemistry in the first half of the drama, but since the female lead has now become some sort of baby-talking sleep paralysis demon, the chemistry has left the building. By this point in the drama, I’m well aware of how terrible the writing is, so when the male lead’s mystery gets uncovered, I’m already 100 steps ahead. I won’t “spoil” it, but think of the most cliché thing that it could be and you’ll be correct. I really hate this trope, too; it’s so lazy and makes no sense. Around this time, the female lead starts to blatantly emotionally manipulate the male lead into revealing his past to her (something that he has kept private from everyone). Excuse me bitch, how long have you known him?? And you think you have the right to know all his secrets?? And what makes matters worse is that there are no interesting side stories to keep me from wanting to drop this drama either. All the side relationships are also kind of annoying and/or weird. To be completely honest, I thought almost all of the characters themselves were annoying. 1/10

Direction/SFX/Music: The best thing about this drama is the filming location. The production value looks decent. The OST is decent. The directing...I don’t know who to blame. With such a bad script, can you really do anything to make it better? It's also as if the last half of the drama is a completely different drama. 4/10

Entertainment Value: The first half was decently entertaining. I liked the frenemies vibe that the leads had. I liked watching her befriend the townspeople (although it could have been done much better). However, the second half is so bad (from episode 11 and on) that I was actually angry. I would have dropped this at episode 11, but I was so freaked out by all the positive reviews that I wanted to finish this drama so that I could write one. 1/10

Overall, I gave this drama a 1/10. I have to give it a 1 because I would have dropped it at episode 11. There's only one drama I've seen so far that has worse writing than this one and that's The Third Charm (and that's even debatable). If you didn’t like Welcome to Samdal-ri, you won’t like this. There are no good characters, no chemistry, no message, and every cliché in the book is thrown into this drama. It ends up turning into a series of PPL commercials.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped 8/16
KingC
6 people found this review helpful
Oct 17, 2021
8 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 7.0

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.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Dropped 11/16
Sophia
6 people found this review helpful
Dec 15, 2021
11 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 5.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
We need to come up with a name for dramas aren't actually good - don't actually provide anything great in the way of plot or anything else - but get way overrated just because they offer something unique that people love.

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.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 12/16
Boluch
6 people found this review helpful
Oct 10, 2021
12 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 1
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
Kim Seon Ho has to be the best thing in this drama. His acting is always so on point. Loved him, the cafe owner (also from Vincenzo) and the three old ladies. To me I didn't relate to the female lead and didn't enjoy her pairing with KSH. Thought she came across as too masculine and cringe worthy. KSH has such a fresh face and I thought that SMA looked a lot older. Would loved to have seen someone like Park So dam place the female lead in this. Probably wouldn't rewatch this drama but loved seeing another of KSH's dramas as have a lot of respect for this actor.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 10/16
pao3719
4 people found this review helpful
Oct 12, 2021
10 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

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....

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Ongoing 8/16
Oishy
5 people found this review helpful
Sep 13, 2021
8 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

A Heartwarming and Delightful Journey

"Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" has truly captured my heart. Initially drawn to the drama because of my favorite unnie, I quickly realized that it offers so much more. The plot is refreshing and unique, taking viewers on a heartwarming journey filled with delightful surprises. The picturesque locations showcased in the drama are a treat for the eyes, adding to the overall charm of the story.

One of the standout aspects of "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" is the significant role played by the side characters. They bring a great sense of comedy, injecting laughter and light-hearted moments throughout the series. The story feels grounded and realistic, making it relatable and allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the narrative.

My admiration for the unnie grows as the drama progresses. Her character portrays an independent and confident woman who stands on her own, serving as an inspiration to viewers. I find myself drawn to her strength and resilience, which adds depth to the overall storytelling.

The male lead, though initially mysterious, emits a positive vibe that instantly captures the heart. His cute and handsome appearance only adds to his charm. The bickering relationship between the leads is undeniably cute, showcasing their chemistry and making their interactions all the more endearing.

In conclusion, "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" is a heartwarming and delightful drama that takes viewers on a memorable journey. With its unique plot, stunning locations, hilarious side characters, and realistic storytelling, it offers an enjoyable viewing experience. The portrayal of an independent and confident unnie, coupled with the charming and mysterious male lead, adds an extra layer of fascination. If you're seeking a drama that warms the heart, "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" is a must-watch.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Ami
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 30, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Sweet

Hometown chacha... I must be dumb cause I still cannot connect the relevenace of the title to the drama.Yes it was hometown but is there other interpretation to chacha aside from the dance that is typically danced back and forth? Repeatitive hometown lifestyle....?

Anyway, I was so interested in the drama because of the main characters. Oh my Venus is still one of my favorites, and I want redemption for Kim seon ho from Start Up. I am hoping there is another drama lined up for Kim heon so as this drama still kept me wanting.

The drama was sweet, and lots of scenes that made me sigh.There were times though when I thought more depth should have been added. Did others feel that too?

Hometown Chacha has good actors, nice setting, and it is essentially a feel good drama. 👏👏👏👏👏

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
spicyeggroll
1 people found this review helpful
Nov 18, 2021
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

Heartwarming cliches, surprising depth, superb chemistry

I'm going to miss this dimple couple!!
Many viewers describe this as a "feel-good" or "healing" drama, and this is exactly the case. Homcha's cozy seaside village setting already lays the foundation of its biggest themes: found family, love in unexpected places, diamond in the rough, overcoming prejudice, forgiveness/acceptance, wholesome bromance, and more. If you can ignore the product placement, the fictional town of Gongjin is a heartwarming place to visit when watching Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

PROS
❀ Production value was A+ | The thing about romcom tropes is that depending on the way the drama shows them, they can be ridiculously annoying or pleasantly refreshing. Homcha's tropes were the latter for me, and I think it was due to the accumulation of production, acting, and directing. The music was added in expertly (seriously, I associate the best vibes when it comes to the singer going "La-la-la-la-lalalala. romantic Sundayyy" for one of the OSTs), and the cinematography was an added bonus. I really think Homcha's production elevated this romcom for me, despite the well-worn tropes and dialogue.
❀ Literal flirting since day 1 | I saw this Instagram reel with Du-Sik eye-ing Hye-Jin the day they first met, and one of the comments was like "flirting since day 1." This is accurate. Although the characters aren't officially together until around ep 10, their chemistry is off the charts at first meet! I enjoyed their romantic progression from Du-Sik helping Hye-Jin settle into Gongjin as friends/neighbors into a romantic line between similar but different people learning from each other. Du-Sik opens Hye-Jin's eyes to the charm of a small-town life (be patient with her, as her socioeconomic prejudice is pretty conditioned and it takes her a few incidents to get out of that mentality), while Hye-Jin gets to spoil Du-Sik as this king deserves.
As for the characters themselves, they're both lovable. Hye-Jin is the more flawed one (more comments about this in CONS section), but this makes for excellent character development. She starts off as a snobbish dentist with a sense of justice who's trying to adapt to the sleepy seaside village of Gongjin but ends up really comfortable with this village and its people, despite a rocky beginning. She's a character with strong morals, definitely a sense of what's right or wrong, but is also empathetic (especially to children). I love that she's strong both mentally (thinks over her decisions and makes them resolutely) and physically (doesn't take sexual harrassers off lightly).
Du-Sik is the village chief and handyman. He's hilarious, light-hearted, and doesn't take anything too seriously. One of my favorite introductory scenes is when he pulls out all the licenses/certificates he has as a handyman - LMAO! To be honest I thought this guy was way too perfect - in his house, he pretty much made everything. He woodcrafts, fixes up boats, saves people from harm, delegates jobs, makes his own wine and tea, and everything in between. This man is literally self-sufficient. Underneath that playful exterior is a man plagued by nightmares and a deep-set trauma, which this drama later goes into.
As a couple, we have the uptight and snobby dentist x relaxed and easygoing handyman. You KNOW that's a set-up for cute happenstances, lessons learned, and a slight opposites-attract love story. Love this Sikhye couple! ("Sik-hye" combines their names and is also a sweet wine.)
❀ Superb side characters who are holistically explored | Homcha really dives into the side characters' backgrounds, and each one of them faces something that makes you want to cheer for them. (Also, love the 3 mysterious of Gongjin that the script includes haha.) Some of these conflicts include the difficulties of being pregnant/having children, losing a child, raising a child as a single dad, loss of loved ones, misunderstandings in marriage/divorce, failed careers, and more. Some scenes are heartbreaking, others are heartwarming. The common denominator is that the characters grow and come out stronger, emboldened by their new experiences and lessons learned. I'm in love with the imperfectly perfect villagers of Gongjin!
❀ Happy ending for everyone!! | Seriously, I was smiling the whole time while watching ep 16. Every character you root for in Gongjin gets their happy ending. Their stories felt completed and their endings were so satisfying to watch.

CONS
✕ Don't watch if you dislike romcom tropes | Personally, I loved the cliches that the writers of Homcha used, but I know some people may find it boring (including friends of mine). Others, like me, love the way the drama utilizes these cliches to make you fawn over the couple. Some of these cliches include: coincidential childhood/teen meetings between main couple, (slight) love triangle (although the 2ML takes it very well and finds his own romance later on), ML with mysterious/tragic past, getting saved from a stalker/harrasser, surprise angst towards the end, etc. Honestly though, it wasn't too bad and didn't have tropes I dislike like amnesia or forced separation. All the tropes used had feel-good romcom energy.
✕ Inconsistent character development | As much as I loved Du-Sik and think him a perfect ML, he was TOO perfect sometimes... even the 'flaws' about his mysterious past towards the end (ep 14-15 were the angstier ones) didn't really add depth to his character. He was just perfect from start to finish. Which is fine, I guess? But in contrast, Hye-Jin was imperfect and her character showed it well, which led to satisfying character development later on. In this way, the main couple's character writing felt inconsistent and lacking.
✕ Lack of logic when it came to the "incident" revealed in ep 14-15 | Don't know why the drama decided to use this heavily hinted incident as a point of conflict, but the actual reveal was anticlimactic and made me go "wat." The people who were mad/angry/upset were pretty emotional/illogical when it came to those feelings, and the guilt Du-Sik had was unwarranted. Sure, it added dimension to his character (the trauma leading to issues such as PTSD and survivor's guilt), but the set-up was weak. Very weak. I don't know, there was just this big build-up and foreshadowing and for what? It felt like the writers just crammed those characters/their emotions in for the sake of emotional angst to lead to the finale.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 | I don't remember any that jump out (feel free to point out any). One thing I liked about this drama is that the main couple is pretty open with their communication (ex: Du-Sik calling out Hye-Jin for her superficial attributes, them saying sorry to each other when warranted, etc). The other villagers had more misunderstandings, exacerbated by the hilarious gossip group, but it was all in good fun.

OVERALL
If you love love, family, and reconciliation, then Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is the heartwarming romcom you're looking for! However, if the first couple of episodes don't capture your attention, I feel like the rest of the show won't (and this is what I tell my friends who were bored of it). Otherwise, I was in love with it from ep 1 and understand why people call it a "healing" drama. Only good vibes and energy from Homcha!

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha poster

Details

Statistics

  • Score: 8.7 (scored by 115,765 users)
  • Ranked: #288
  • Popularity: #26
  • Watchers: 189,825

Top Contributors

177 edits
124 edits
95 edits
38 edits

Popular Lists

Related lists from users
All Time Favorite Dramas
910 titles 2188 loves 40
Noona Romance
538 titles 382 loves 22
No stupid BREAK UP *SPOILER*
185 titles 624 loves 565

Recently Watched By