The fascinating series on Netflix is a great example of how K-drama can get romance just right, even as it attempts to provide more nuance and depth to its lead characters’ struggles.
in K-drama hometown cha-cha-cha, the picturesque seaside town of Gongjin is as integral a character as anyone else on screen.
There are bright, blue skies, stunning sunsets, an endless supply of fresh seafood, and a quaint red lighthouse in the background. The female lead of the K-drama Yun Hee-jin is teased by her friend about how she constantly talks about Gongjin, like all the roads lead to her and you can’t help but sympathize with her. The seaside town and its healthy inhabitants (especially a resourceful hottie) guarantee exactly that kind of attachment.
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The series begins on a relatively simple note; City slicker Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) sets up her own dental clinic in Gongjin and sparks fly when she meets resident favorite handyman Hong Do-sik (Kim Seon-ho).
It is initially designed as a classic story of opponents clashing. Ye-jin doesn’t understand how Du-sik does a variety of odd jobs and insists on earning only the minimum wage. Du-Sic thinks she can sometimes let her hair down and stop smelling the roses. Other residents of Gongjin are also added to this mixture; They’re crying, yet welcoming to Hye-jin, and the show devotes its opening episodes to how warmly they treat each other.
hometown cha-cha-cha
- Episode: 16
- Director: Yu Jae-won
- Cast: Shin Min-e, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yo
- Story: Sparks fly as a town’s crafty dentist relocates to a quaint seaside town and the resident meets Mr. Fix-It
There’s a former singer who wastes no time telling you about his former glory days, a brawling couple expecting a second child, a curious restaurant owner who’s the biggest gossip in town, a shy cop for which Hye-jin’s friend falls in love, and (my personal favorite) three octogenarian grandmothers who are always up for a chat.
Without saying much, it’s impressive how hometown… Attempts to go beyond a run-of-the-mill romantic comedy as it explores grief, guilt, loss and healing. Though it is dealt with in a mature way, it would have benefited the show more if the final two episodes hadn’t packed deeper themes.
But the drama still gets all of its big rom-com moments right: Be it the scene where Hye-jin walks through the rain after discovering what his heart desires, Du-sik gives him his lost shoe. Hands out, or the sweet bucket list of working-couple hi-jin.
Despite the K-drama tropes (can we foresee the childhood connections and myriad coincidence meetings?), where hometown.. Leaves a lasting impression through her solid lead pairing as well. Hye-jin and Du-sik exude warmth, respect each other, and care about what they need to work on. For a large part of the show, Du-Sic’s past remains shrouded in mystery and even when a major reveal is made, the couple deals with it, except for the dramatization and great folly that such shows have. expects. Min-e and Seon-ho are extremely believable in their roles and have great on-screen chemistry, which establishes Hye-jin and Doo-sik as a couple.
The 16-episode show finale aired last weekend and since then, lead star Seon-ho has been embroiled in a raging controversy after allegations of personal relationships surfaced.
Three cheers to writer Shin Ha-eun for giving us a much likable and big-hearted second lead in Ji Seong-hyun (Lee Sang-yee). It’s lovely how the show doesn’t unnecessarily draw a love triangle and instead, gives us the two main male characters to form a bond.
Kim Young-ok as Gum-ri, an aging grandmother who is closest to Doo-sik, proves once again why she is the best K-drama grandma. The show, however, could have done without focusing openly on some of the sub-plots, most notably one involving a divorced couple, which are dealt with in a very messy manner at the end.
At the end, hometown cha-cha-cha It’s a good example of how K-drama can get romance just right, even as it attempts to provide more subtlety and depth to its main characters’ conflicts. for everyone who has had their mind blown squid game, this outing is a worthy representation of what else K-dramas excel at: slice-of-life goodness and the best of wholesome romance.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is currently streaming on Netflix
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