Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

A simple premise, cute romances, and seaside scenery blend with the chaotic yet warm community. This drama promises comfort that you'll find yourself watching it at least once a year.

ACT I 

Hook: Ep.1

In a big city and alone, Hye-jin is running along a bridge. As she arrives at her apartment, she has a conversation with a woman whose daughter lives in the same building, and looks uncomfortable.

Set-up: Ep.1

Hye-jin, who is a dentist, has a fight with her boss after her patient, who is the woman from earlier, has been removed from her care after she refused to give extra treatment to get more money. She then quits her job. Weeks pass by, but she hasn't gotten any jobs yet because of the rumor that has been spread by her ex-boss.

Doo-shik, who is known as Chief Hong, has no permanent job. He likes to help people by doing a lot of part-time jobs that are offered to him in his hometown, Gongjin.

On her mother's birthday, Hye-jin comes to Gongjin, where she meets Doo-shik and other villagers.

Inciting Event: Ep.1

On the drive back to Seoul, Hye-jin gets a call from her ex-boss who says no one wants to hire her and demands an apology. Being provoked, she goes back to Gongjin and decides to open up her own clinic there.

Build-up: Ep.2

As the preparation is ready, Hye-jin moves to Gongjin, but it's not as easy as she thought. Because of her judgement of the town and its people, no one visits her clinic. With the help of Doo-shik, she learns to adapt and fixes her relationship with the villagers.

First Plot Point: Ep.2

A patient, followed by another patient, visits Hye-jin's clinic, until it is packed with patients. And it's Doo-shik who is responsible for it.

ACT II

Reaction: Ep.3-4

As her business is growing, Hye-jin still has to adjust to the culture, socialize with new neighbors, and make friends. Some occasions give her and Doo-shik the opportunities to understand each other more and get them closer.

First Pinch Point: Ep.5

After her visit to Doo-shik's house, which turns them into a topic of gossip, Hye-jin starts questioning their relationship since she doesn't think that they're a good match. Meanwhile, Sung-hyun, who is Hye-jin's college senior and crush, comes to Gongjin to research a location for his new variety show. In a flashback, a doctor asked Doo-shik about his recurring nightmare.

Realization: Ep.6-8

Although he wants their relationship to remain just friends, Doo-shik's actions and words show that he is attracted to Hye-jin. Moreover, after finding out that Sung-hyun, who is filming a variety show in Gongjin, likes Hye-jin.

Midpoint: Ep.9

Because of the misunderstanding, Hye-jin and Doo-shik have to pretend to be a couple in front of Hye-jin's parents who are visiting her in Gongjin.

Action: Ep.9

After spending time with Doo-shik and her parents, Hye-jin’s hopes rose. She asks Doo-shik about his plans and the possibility for him to return to Seoul. Meanwhile, Sung-hyun, who is worried about being late again, goes back to Gongjin to meet Hye-jin. At the same time, Doo-shik also quickened his pace to meet Hye-jin after his conversation with Hye-jin's father crossed his mind.

Second Pinch Point: Ep.9

In a flashback, a doctor observed that Doo-shik's sleep was getting better, and addressed his trauma.

Renewed Push: Ep.10-13

Realizing that she likes Doo-shik, Hye-jin confesses her feelings to Doo-shik, to which he replies that he likes her too. After giving Sung-hyun an answer for his love confession, Hye-jin and Doo-shik officially start dating. In the meantime, the villagers show how much they care about Hye-jin.

ACT III 

Third Plot Point: Ep.13-14

Hye-jin finds a family photo in Doo-shik's book, but Doo-shik refuses to tell her who they are or open up about himself, which drives them apart. Later, Doo-shik is shocked to find out that one of Sung-hyun's crew members is the son of someone from his past.

Recovery: Ep.15

Triggered by his trauma and guilt, Doo-shik locks himself in his house, which worries Hye-jin and the villagers.

Climax Begins: Ep.15

Hye-jin comes to Doo-shik's house to bring him food, and Doo-shik is finally ready to tell her about his story.

Confrontation: Ep.15

Doo-shik and that ‘son’ talk about their issue and end it peacefully. The next day, Doo-shik meets a woman from the photo, which is tied to an earlier incident, and is asked to stop blaming himself. Meanwhile, Hye-jin is urged to make a decision about the job offer in Seoul.

Climactic Moment: Ep.16

Hye-jin decides to reject the job offer and chooses to stay in Gongjin. She then proposes to Doo-shik, which is what he had planned as well.

Resolution: Ep.16

As they are engaged now, Hye-jin and Doo-shik announce to the villagers that they are getting married. The next day, Hye-jin, Doo-shik, Sung-hyun, and the villagers watch the variety show together, which gets high ratings and increases tourism in Gongjin.

Final Thoughts:

I know there isn't much going on with the main plot. Rather, the drama has many cliché tropes that are frequently used in K-drama's world. But, it seems the complicated story isn't what the writer wanted to capture from this drama. The charm of Gongjin and its community has attracted us more to cheer every character up, as well as how they have helped the protagonist transform to become a better version of herself.

Hye-jin is a character who is full of flaws—a city-type girl with an elite job and lavish life who is judgmental and lacks social skills. For some people, she seems annoying, but remember the protagonist doesn't always have to be likable. He/she just has to be relatable. Although she has these bad traits, she is actually not a bad girl. I liked how the set-up straightly captured her strength and compassion that later moved the plot. Hye-jin's internal conflict is very clear from the beginning. It is even mentioned in the dialogue between her and Mi-seon.

And how much I liked the hook! Writing the hook isn't easy, trust me. Some writers get stuck in this part. But, this drama has a simple yet effective hook. An elevator scene, where Hye-jin looks uncomfortable having a conversation with the mother of her neighbor, gives us a clear hint of what she has to deal with throughout the story. I also liked how the hook mirrored the resolution. This drama opens and closes with Hye-jin running, but while she starts out alone in the city, she ends up running in the seaside village and is no longer alone. Her transformation is also seen when her friends visit her in Gongjin. How their attitudes are exactly the same as Hye-jin when she arrived in Gongjin creates a contrast between the old Hye-jin and the person she has become, and it helps us understand why she used to act that way. What bothered me was how could Hye-jin become judgmental, if she knew exactly how it felt to be judged by her ex-boyfriend? I think the writer needs to address it.

Now, it's our favorite man's turn, Hong Doo-shik A.K.A. Hong Banjang!

Firstly, he isn't a green flag. He is the whole green forest whom every woman needs in her life—reliable, very understanding, good at everything, and sweeeeet! But, I'm sorry to break it to you, he is also an example of what a poorly-written character looks like. Opposite to Hye-jin, whose internal conflict is challenged over and over, Doo-shik lacks character development. From the hook to the third plot point, we barely know about him, except from the scenes where he gets medical treatments, the nightmares, a family photo, and Seum-seum's case. The scenes where he saves Hye-jin twice would be impactful, if we knew what his internal conflict was. Because without the trauma, a man would still protect his woman no matter what. Moreover, it's Doo-shik who we are talking about. He will do the same thing to all villagers. I think the drama lacks scenes where Doo-shik has to choose between opening up about himself or losing what he wants, so the climax won't feel unearned and be more believable. This is where we need an AHA moment! One more thing that I was confused about was why did he act cold when he met Hye-jin for the first time? It felt like he was out of his character, unless he had already fallen in love with her at first sight?

However, we can thank Kim Seon-ho for saving the character from becoming more boring. I mean, look at that face! And his acting is brilliant. The chemistry between him and Shin Min-a is top tier. They look good together on the screen, which makes every scene cuter, even when they banter. And those DIMPLEEES! Despite the opposites attract, I liked how mature Hye-jin and Doo-shik communicated. It keeps every conflict from being dragged on for too long.

As I've mentioned earlier, the strength of this drama lies in the community. The side characters play big roles to support the story as well. Each one has their own conflict, either to challenge the protagonist or serve as a catalyst. Even for the minor ones, such as Hye-jin's father. Although Hye-jin isn't marrying a man from a big family like her father wished, she still gets the whole village as her family. So, it still counts as a win for him too.

Despite the love triangle, I liked Doo-shik and Sung-hyun's bromance a lot. For Sung-hyun, food is love, and it is described well in Hye-jin's dialogue, which was one of my favorite scenes. I was just not buying at all of him and Ji-won being together. There is no chemistry.

Talking about Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha isn't complete without mentioning Gongjin. I like when the setting plays an important role as well as the character does. I liked the concept of how Gongjin reunited the characters and fixed their problems, just like a person.

Throughout the show, I laughed, cried, and giggled along with the characters. Shout out to episode 15 that made me bawl my eyes out! And how quotable this drama is, as its lines make us reflect on them, and I hope some of these favorites of mine could fill what your heart craves for right now,

“I feel bad for those whose hopes were left behind in the past. One’s unfulfilled dreams tend to hold a place in the heart.”

“Life isn't so fair for all of us. Some spend their whole lives on unpaved roads, while some run at full speed only to reach the edge of a cliff.”

“Someone told me that the best thing a parent can do for their child is to stay healthy.”

“Those what-ifs are pointless. There are too many variables in this world and they’re beyond our control.”

“Life may seem long, but it really isn't.”

“What may be easy for one person can be something difficult for another. Ever since he was a kid, he has been so mature. He only learned how to hold himself back, so he doesn't know how to open up to people.”

“Relationships aren't a poker game where you bluff and make bets. Just be honest. Show her what kind of person you are. Let her decide how she feels about it.”

Lastly, I just needed to put it here, because this is one of the best confession lines that has ever been written, and it summarizes Hye-jin and Doo-shik's relationship dynamic perfectly,

“I like you. I have feelings for you. I’m one of those people who plan every second of their lives according to a lifespan of 99 years. I don't like people crossing the line or crossing it myself. And I'm fond of expensive shoes. I guess I’m your complete opposite. It's the same with our blood types and personalities. I bet we’re not compatible in any aspect. We’re probably as different as penguins that eat krill and polar bears that feed on sea lions. But to hell with all of that because I like you.”