“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (갯마을 차차차)

By Jae-Ha Kim
Substack
November 5, 2021

☆☆☆☆
Yoon Hye-Jin (played by Shin Min-A)
Hong Du-Sik (played by Kim Seon-Ho)
Ji Seong-Hyun (played by Lee Sang-Yi)
↑Note: Korean names denote the surname followed by the given name.

“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” is one of those slow-moving K-dramas that makes viewers wish they had the same kind of relationship as the characters do — not just with love interests, but with their friends. It fits right in with other series like “Racket Boys,” “When the Weather is Fine” and “Crash Landing on You,” where the close-knit neighbors were each others’ families and best friends. They shared each other’s successes over meals together. And they consoled one another when there were hardships to overcome.

When Hye-Jin and Du-Sik meet, they are an unlikely couple. She’s a big-wig dentist from Seoul who recently lost her job (because she advocated for her patients). He is Gongjin’s jack of all trades, who happens to have a degree from Seoul National University (and some tragic memories that he refuses to share). At first, he treats her coldly. But, of course, the two will find their differences aren’t insurmountable and that their bickering (and inability to stay away from each other) is a sign of their attraction.

As I mentioned earlier, the storyline moves along at a slow pace, but it includes an interesting array of townspeople and their backstories. There’s also the inclusion of a gay character, who doesn’t reveal their sexuality early on. But their preference was hinted at throughout the series. The character was treated respectfully, rather than as a freak attraction as in some K-dramas (“Strong Woman Do Bong Soon“).

Loss was a recurring theme throughout the series. The loss of a child, income, partner, parents, dreams, money … In a way, these fractured elements of their lives are what held the townspeople together.

Airdates: Sixteen 75-minute episodes aired on tvN from August 28 to October 17, 2021.

Spoiler Alert: After college, Du-Sik was working in finance for a big Seoul firm. One of the security guards asked him for investment advice. Duk-Sik suggested he start out slowly and to not put all his money into anything. But the guard, who didn’t know much about stocks or bonds, did exactly the opposite and lost all his savings, as well as his family’s home. The guard attempted suicide, but survived and was hospitalized. Feeling responsible, Du-Sik was about to head to the hospital to visit the security guard, but his boss — who was an older brother figure, as well as his best friend — insisted on driving him. When they get into a car accident, Du-Sik survives, but his friend dies.

Before he returned to Gongjin, he sold everything he had and gave it to the security guard and his family.

The gay character is a woman, who re-enters the life of a divorced couple. While the man still harbors a crush for this woman, it turns out she has always been in love with his ex-wife.

The ending is satisfyingly simple. Hye-Jin and Du-Sik vow to get married and have two children eventually. And they will continue to live in Gongjin.

© 2021 JAE-HA KIM | All Rights Reserved