Hometown Cha Cha Cha (2021)

September 10, 2023

Our Take: A heartwarming story of romance and community set in a small seaside village.

Hometown Cha Cha Cha is a slice-of-life story set in the idyllic coastal village of Gongjin. Yoon Hye Jin (Shin Min Ah) is an accomplished and righteous dentist in Seoul. She lives in a high-rise apartment and enjoys a comfortable material life. When her boss demands her to offer unnecessary implants to her patients to make more money, Hye Jin refuses and quits her job out of anger. Feeling nostalgic, she drives to Gongjin, where her parents used to take her on vacation when she was a little girl.

As she walks along the beach, she loses her shoes and runs into Hong Doo Shik (Kim Seon Ho), also known as "Chief Hong," who gives her slippers to use in the meantime. He's a talented jack of all trades who helps the village's residents with all sorts of odd jobs for minimum wage. When Hye Jin returns to Seoul after her trip, she learns that her boss has badmouthed her across the city, and no one is willing to hire her anymore.

With her unemployment status causing a financial strain on her lifestyle, Hye Jin spontaneously sets up a permanent dental clinic in Gongjin. Her best friend, Pyo Mi Seon (Gong Min Jung), later joins her as her dental assistant and roommate. However, as a city transplant, Hye Jin's guarded demeanor rubs the locals the wrong way, and she initially struggles to get business. Luckily, Mr. Hong takes pity on her and teaches Hye Jin how to gain the villagers' favor. As she spends more time with them, they eventually welcome her into the community, and she develops close relations with them, including a budding growing romance with Doo Shik.  

What makes this drama stand out is the execution and natural progression of the storyline. Through Hye Jin, Doo Shik, and the rest of the residents, we're reminded that life is full of ups and downs. It's not our pain and regrets that define us, but how we overcome them and the experiences and learnings we gain along the way. No matter how hard we fall, we can choose to keep moving forward and overcome our traumas. And we don't have to struggle alone. It's perfectly okay to accept help from others, especially at our lowest points. Life is not always straightforward, but we can decide our own fates and what we put our energies toward. 

As Hye Jin and Doo Shik heal from their past experiences, it becomes apparent that success and money are not everything. Being rich and influential may not bring the happiness and joy we need to thrive and feel fulfilled. However, our relationships and who we give our time to can make a huge difference in our lives. 

The cinematography and light hues add to the themes of nature and healing while highlighting the dynamic relationships between the residents of Gongjin. Amidst the beauty of the background, the story progresses while touching on other important topics, including mental health, gender and class divide, self-love, and finding your support system. 

Finding love and healing is a common trope in Korean dramas, but Hometown Cha Cha Cha manages to create a unique spin on it. The chemistry between Hong Doo Shik and Oh Hye Jin is undeniable. Initially at odds with each other, their frequent bickering slowly and naturally leads to mutual care and affection. Their romance is subtle but steadily develops as they learn to lean on each other and find happiness together.

Doo Shik and Hye Jin are perfect examples of opposites attract. Doo Shik is highly talented and charming but chooses to go with the flow and take on numerous small jobs. While officially unemployed, he has an extensive roster of job certificates that allows him to fix any situation the villagers encounter. Though Doo Shik is loved by all and has a big heart, he doesn't let people into his heart easily. He hides his past from the rest of the village and puts on a front as a carefree everyday man. 

Meanwhile, Hye Jin is a modern material girl. Having built her wealth from the ground up, she is a perfectionist and very calculative about her life decisions, making her difficult to be around at times. She's unwilling to give in to people easily and cares a lot about appearances. But she has a heart of gold and a strong sense of justice underneath her cold exterior. 

As she spends more time with Doo Shik and the rest of the villagers of Gongjin, we see a paradigm shift in her behaviors and personality. The same goes for Doo Shik and all the other characters. They all get moments to reflect on their lives and talk about their past, allowing them to heal and seek the emotional support they desperately need. 

While love triangles often get used as plot devices, Ji Sung Hyun (Lee Sang Yi) is a multifaceted character who never comes off as a caricature or villain. As a variety show PD and Hye Jin's university senior, Sung Hyun respects and admires Hye Jin and never crosses the line with her. He even forms a bromance with Doo Shik despite their love rivalry. 

Our Verdict

Hometown Cha Cha Cha invites the audience to find solace and comfort in a tale of love and healing by the sea. It is a warm and light coming-of-age story that allows you to escape from reality and get whisked away to the cool breezes of Gongjin.