Hometown Cha Cha Cha is a heartwarming drama set in the fictional seaside village of Gongjin. It tells the story of Yoon Hye-jin, portrayed by Shin Min-a, a dentist who opens her own clinic in the village to get away from her life in Seoul. There she meets the town’s eclectic residents including Grandma Kim Gamri (Korea’s Grandmother, Kim Young-ok), Oh Cheon-jae (Jo Han-chul of Vincenzo) the amiable owner of the local pub, divorced couple Yeo Hwa-jung (Destined with You’s Lee Bong-ryun) and Jang Young-guk (In Gyu-jin), and nosy Chinese restaurant owner, Jo Nam-dook (Cha Chung-hwa from See You in My 19th Life, Mr. Queen). But the most enigmatic resident is the town handy-man, the person Hye-jin becomes inexplicably drawn to, Hong Du-sik (Kim Sean-ho of Start-Up).
- Series Title: Hometown Cha Cha Cha (Korean: 갯마을 차차차)
- Starring: Shin Min-a, Kim Sean-ho, Lee Sang-yi
- Written by: Shin Ha-eun
- Directed by: Yoo Je-won
- Network: tvN
- Where to watch in the US: Netflix
- Year Released: 2021
- # of episodes: 16
- KafeNook Rating: 4.6 sips
Hometown Cha Cha Cha— !! Spoilers Ahead!!
There is something satisfying about stories with a slow reveal. One of my favorite shows, 12 Monkeys, contains a shocking reveal in the second season that grew from seeds planted in the first episode. While it is one of many reveals in this awesome, time-travel show, it is definitely the best.
Doctor Who is another show that mastered the slow reveal. All Doctor Who fans know of the River Song (Alex Kingston) storyline. It starts with David Tennet’s 10th doctor, continues through 13th doctor, Matt Smith’s run, and concludes with Peter Capaldi’s 14th doctor. In the first episode featuring River, she shocks Tennet’s doctor by telling him they are married – though he is not her doctor. She goes on to say that she lives all their encounters in reverse order to him. This is the last encounter River has with the doctor in her backward life, but the first the doctor (and the audience) experience with her. From there, she appears many times during the Matt Smith years as each subsequent episode reveals who she really is and her relation to the doctor. Her story concludes with the 14th doctor – her doctor – the one she marries. It’s an arc years in the making and worth all the time spent to get there.
Though Hometown Cha Cha Cha contains only 16-episode season, that doesn’t keep it from having one of the best slow reveals in any series. It is a reward for those who are patient. More on that shortly.
A Healing Drama
The first few episodes of Hometown Cha Cha Cha start off slowly. It takes time to care about the residents of Gongjin who can be nosy and brash. Dentist Yoo Hye-jin also begins the drama in a place where she is closed off emotionally. That changes when she is seen through the eyes for Hong Du-sik the man the residents call Chief Hong. What enfolds is a beautiful drama focused on healing. Both Hye-jin and Chief Hong have built barriers around themselves to hide their emotional scars. They learn that it doesn’t take big actions to help someone heal. It’s the small day-to-day kindnesses that, overtime, make the biggest impact.
Watch the Post Credit Scenes
It’s important to know that each episode of Hometown Cha Cha Cha contains a post credit scene, usually told through the point of view of Chief Hong. These scenes are not to be missed. (I didn’t realize they existed until episode 3 and had to go back and watch the first couple.) They reveal tidbits about Chief Hong and begin to build a picture of this interesting character. In one of the first post credit scenes, Chief Hong watches Hye-jin talking to two of the town’s children. Her caring interaction with them contrasts with the brash exchange he shared with her earlier in the episode. From the look on his face, he is intrigued by this dichotomy and interested in understanding her heart.
The Residents of Gongjin
I almost stopped watching Hometown Cha Cha Cha after the first episode because of the prying, opinionated residents of Gongjin. Thankfully, I didn’t and instead came to love those very same residents. I wouldn’t mind sitting with Grandma Kim Gam-ri and her two best friends, exchanging gossip while learning to make kimchi. Or, passing the time in Oh Cheon-jae’s pub listening to the former singer strum away on his guitar. Lunch at Jo Nam-sook’s Chinese restaurant sounds delicious, and I could catch up on the latest news of all the residents.
Maybe I’ll take a stroll with building owner, Yeo Hwa-jung to see how things are going with her civil servant husband and adorable son. Or I could make the short hike up to construction site of police officer Choi Eun-chul’s and his bride’s home. Of course, a visit to Gongjin would not be complete without stopping by the local hardware store to see Choi Geum-chul and Ham Yun-kyung’s new baby.
I would have to plan my visit at a time when Ji Seong-hyun (Bloodhound’s Lee Sang-yi) is there with his crew filming season 2 of their show on Gongjin. Will he treat me to song? And- if I’m lucky, the Kpop group DOS will make another surprise visit and Cheon-Jae’s daughter, Oh Ju Ri, can introduce me to the members. I would hate to interrupt any business of the newlyweds (eyelids raised), but maybe Chief Hong could spare some time to show me some surfing moves?
Du-sik’s Secret Revealed
Back to the big reveal. After the death of Grandma Kim Gam-ri, Du-sik breaks down in front of Hye-jin. Gam-ri is more than family to Du-sik. She is the person who saved him.
Before returning to his hometown of Gongjin, Du-sik worked in Seoul as at a securities firm. One of the security guards asked Du-sik to help him invest some money. Though hesitant at first, Du-sik gives in. Unfortunately, a crash of the stock occurs and the security guard loses everything. The man tries to take his own life and ends up being unable to walk. Learning what happened, Du-sik gets in a car to go to the hospital, but seeing Du-sik in shock, his boss/best friend offers to drive him. On the way, their car is hit by a truck and the boss dies. Du-sik blames himself for these tragedies and thinks about killing himself. Before he can take that step, Gam-ri calls to say that she is in Seoul to see him and has brought him some food. (In a post credit scene, it’s revealed that Hye-jin is the person who sees Du-sik sitting dejectedly on the bridge and calls for help.)
Du-sik gives all the money he has to the guard’s family and moves back to Gongjin where he spends his days holed up in his house. Grandma Kim Gam-ri is the first person who asks him to help her with a task. Then another task and another. Then residents join in and begin to ask him for his help. After a while, he becomes the main handyman for the people of Gongjin. Grandma Kim and the residents of Gongjin saved Du-sik by giving his life meaning and purpose.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha Ending
The show has a lovely ending with Du-sik and Hye-jin planning their wedding. And two children – who, of course, will have adorable dimples like their parents.
Random Things I Liked
When Chief Hong agrees to go golfing with Hye-jin and her friends and shows up dressed like a professional golfer. My jaw joined Hye-jin’s on the floor.
Good guy Lee Sang-yi as TV producer Ji Seong-hyun singing to the production staff and residents. He plays a lot of second leads and the occasional bad guy (boo). Isn’t it time for his own lead role?
Best post-credit scene: On this particular day, Chief Hong, who normally jumps at the chance to help out residents refuses to help each time he is asked. He plans a day to himself where he can surf. While relaxing on the beach after surfing, his phone rings and learns of the confrontation going down at Hye-jin’s clinic. He immediately jumps up and begins running through town. Residents who asked for his help earlier in the day are astounded at the site of Chief Hong, clad in his wet suit, barefoot running past them. He wouldn’t help them, but the moment Hye-jin is in danger, he runs to her without a thought. One more delightful pixel in Chief Hong’s picture. (Not to mention the fact that Kim Sean-ho looks amazing in a wet-suit.)
Hometown Cha Cha Cha Soundtrack
The iconic song Romantic Sunday, sung by Car, the Garden will always make me think of Hometown Cha Cha Cha. The original soundtrack also features Kassy singing the cheery One Sunny Day and the dreamy vocals of Stray Kids Seungmin singing Here Always. Finally, there is I Hope You’re Happy sung in the series by Lee Sang-yi.
