‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ became without a doubt one of the most popular dramas this year. This production really captivated viewers with its candid plot, the unique storylines and the characters many viewers fell in love with.
For this week’s review we want to share our thoughts on this unique story, which also became one of our favourite ones.
New perspectives, new life
Written by Shin Ha-eun and directed by Yu Je-won, ‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ is a remake of the 2004 film ‘Mr.Handy, Mr. Hong’ by Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jung-goo.
This story starts when Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) becomes an outcast in the dental industry, after losing her job in a dental clinic due to her sticking to her principles and values and not letting the head of the dental clinic overcharge patients. The story goes around and her previous boss successfully damages her reputation among their peers in Seoul.
Hye-jin decides to take a little bit of a break and decides to make a one day visit to Gongjin, a place she visited with her family before her mom passed away. However, once she is in this small city for the day many things happen leading her to stay in this seaside town for one night.
During her one day adventure she meets Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho), a highly valued individual in this village, who knows everyone and is well-known for being an excellent handy man and being able to do all sorts of jobs.
The next day, Hye-jin is ready to go back to Seoul but a call from her previous boss makes her take a spontaneous decision, opening her own dental clinic in Gongjin.
The people of Gongjin
Hye-jin soon finds out that the citizens in this small town are very picturesque, interesting, funny and also very protective of their people and the town. She struggles fitting in with them and their routine and adjusting to their ways.
This creates many misunderstandings between the people living in Gongjin and Hye-jin, to the point that once again she becomes an outcast, but this time due to her own prejudices and behaviour.
Trying to be of help, Du-sik steps in and tries to help her out with getting along with the people in the city. His help is sometimes not well-received by this city girl living in the countryside. These two have their ups and downs but soon find that this mutual interest might be more than a friendship.
More than a romance
‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ does a wonderful job showing the characters’ life story. The people of Gonjing add a special tone to the story and make it more real and human. The stories of the characters are relatable and I am sure many can see people they know in some of the characters.
Out of all the people in Gongjin, the grannies were my favourites, portrayed by Kim Gam-Ri, Lee Mat-Yi and Park Sook-Ja, this trio made this production both funny and emotional at the same time, their characters were very likeable and truly wholesome.
The rest of the stories of the people in this town are as wholesome as the grannies ones, they have all struggled and suffered, however, they have battled and moved on. The writer and director really did a wonderful job creating these stories and portraying them in such a candid way.
The chemistry between all the characters is out of this world, I was really enchanted by their stories and I lived the emotions shown in the drama with them.
I am sure this slice-of-life drama left many with the K-Drama blues (including me), and if you haven’t watched it, go ahead because it is one masterpiece and it is available on Netflix. Check the trailer below.
