Cha-cha-cha la Malul Mării (2021)

one of a kind

i've never seen a drama that made me feel so warm and happy inside as much as homcha has. i keep on waiting impatiently for the weekend to come just to get my weekly dose of serotonin from shikhye and the people from gongjin . i'm not one to commit and watch on-going dramas but this was definitely an exception.

it's so beautifully written. im so emotionally attached to this show .. don't think i'll ever move on from this as it definitely moved up to my #1 fav drama.. despite not having much angst (which i love) but still .. so good . it's definitely worth the watch

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Light drama with a surprisingly heavy backstory

I'm out of words. It started as a refreshing, fluffy, and light drama but the unexpected twist at the latter ep would leave you jaw-dropped. *kidding*. Let's say "shocked". Since the beginning, I'm not expecting anything heavy from this drama at all. I thought it'd be slice-of-lifey, kind of like Reply, but mannn I was wrong. Let's jump to the full review based on my point of view.

STORY
This drama defines "every charming-flawless-like guy has their own dark secret" perfectly. Starting smoothly with no major problems, from introducing every cast in the first episode, and then circulating in Chief Hong-Hyejin life. I love that this drama gave every cast a perfect amount of screentime and their own story, so there's a complexity and also a variety of struggles everyone's facing from any background. I'm surprised they also included an LGBT topic here, and it's even an L, how rare. And they even brought up mental health issues... but it doesn't feel as heavy as I think it'd be, just making me cry a lil bit too much and got a headache. In the end, it's not a light drama.

ACTING
I have nothing bad to say, I'm not going to critique any of them, they're ALL great actors. Not only 1 2 or 3 of them but ALL OF THEM are great actors. From the oldest to the youngest did their job really well, they all sure can act. Actually, I was surprised by Bora and I-jun's acting skills, like how could they act so well at such young age?! For Kim Seon Ho, he is incredible, I'm glad his talent is now recognized by the world :( As for Shin Min Ah...as long as I could remember, she could act very well BUT I THINK in this drama there are still lacks here and there. I don't know if that's how she's supposed to act like but somehow for some scenes, I feel it looked too much and a bit unnatural(?) yet still manageable. Honorable mention for Hwa Jeong, Gam Ri, Nam Sook, and Yun Kyung, they're amazing! I won't forget Hwa Jeong's umbrella scene, Gam Ri's telephone scene with her son, Nam Sook's loss, and Yun Kyung's shoelaces scene.

OST
I'm a fan of this drama's ost! Especially the one sung by Sandeul and Seungmin. Dammmnnn those are good song, bruh. Just my style.

OVERALL
This drama is worth the wait. It meets my high expectation. An excellent story delivered by great actors, what's more to ask? Maybe more episodes? That'd be interesting. Am I going to rewatch it? OF COURSE! I will back for Hong Banjangggg~~ 9.5/10 is not overrated I think.

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Healing Drama

My first time to sign up in this site bcoz HomCha is worthy to give a perfect score. The drama is imperfectly perfect that most of us can relate. The leading man who is beautifully created by a female writer, the leading female who is not a damsel in distress. Supporting casts that did their assignment perfectly. Overall, everyone did well!

These are some of my fave lines in the drama.

"Look around yourself closely, and you'll realize that you're surrounded by many precious things."

"Keep smiling. Don't think twice whether or not you should be smile or be happy. Don't think too much. Just smile."

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Not bad but doesn't live up to the hype - a little too cringy for my taste

Completed - 1/29/22 - rating 8.25

"Hometown Cha Cha Cha" is such a highly rated drama in 2021 that I was hesitant to watch it during all the hype. I was afraid I will be disappointed. Now I can finally say that personally, I don't think it lives up to the hype. I enjoyed the drama for the most part but there are certain things that did bug me.

What I Enjoy:
1. Small town feel - It's a nice change to watch a K-drama sets in a rural area. I've always enjoyed the small town feel as there are way too many dramas that are featured in big cities, tall high rises and fancy decors. I get to enjoy the sceneries from the beach, to the mountain to the view of the ocean. I especially like the houses of our ML and Grandma Kim. I would love to have FL's office view of the ocean when I look out my office window.

2. Romance/Chemistry (first 10 episodes) - Before our leads got together, the romance was a lot more fun. I enjoyed the bickering between our leads and how they get to know each other through mishaps and arguments. Though I am not a big fan of slow-motion accidental falls, I do like side glances. The chemistry was great. During these episodes, we also see two mature adults in their 30s, navigating through life's challenges and communicating openly and somewhat sensibly.

3. Grandma Kim & Zone Chief Yeo - These two ladies are my favorite supporting characters in Gongjin. They are both tough as nails, strong and independent. They don't take nonsense from others and are caring in their own ways. They are the least annoying residents in the whole of Gongjin.

4. I really like the short but touching conversation between FL and 2ML in the coffee shop/bar. I always thought it was an unrequited love on Director Ji's side, but we found out it's actually mutual affection. If only one of them has confessed sooner and the timing is better, we might have a very different story. Anyway, I just like the feels I got when watching them and how kind and honest they are to each other.

What I don't quite enjoy:
1. Romance right after the leads got together. It seems like these 30-year-olds became hormonal and cringy teenagers. What happened to the mature adults we have in the first 10 episodes? Why all the baby talk and whining? Just because you haven't had a relationship in a while doesn't automatically turn you into such annoying people once you fall in love. The relationship could be done in a sweet and cute way without being cringy.
Sorry for the rant. I was really disappointed in the personality change, thus, I can't give this drama a higher rating.

2. Shaky camera work when shooting close-up. There are quite a few scenes that I get dizzy just looking at the actors faces. This only happens on close-up shots, esp. in the beginning and end of the drama. Since I have bad motion sickness, I was quite sensitive.

3. Annoying side characters - The most annoying support character award goes to the loud-mouth gossipmonger, Cho Nam Sook. She's so loud and annoying and I really couldn't stand her spreading rumors about every one. The drama tried to paint a more sympathetic picture on her by telling us of her history. However, I don't buy that. Just because you have a sad past does not give you a pass in spreading rumors and hurting other people. The other Gongjin residents are quite annoying as well. They are just so loud and overly dramatic.

Other observations:
1. First shot/scene of ML - why is he wearing so much lipstick?
2. They overplayed the song "Romantic Sunday" in the first half of the drama.
3. I like the cute and awkward romance between FL's bff and the police officer.
4. I like the adopted family feel of Gongjin, despite the annoying characters.

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Strong start and a descent ending

Nov 6, 2021

Hometown Cha Cha Cha is one of those comfort dramas to watch on a cold day covered in a thick blanket. The plot was fantastic from the beginning but I did feel like the last two episodes could have been a bit better. I feel like the pacing got really finicky during episodes 15 and 16. Maybe the director should have made it into like 18 episodes just so that the ending would not feel as rushed and that it would have concluded well.

I really like all the characters in the drama but the police officer and the dental hygienist love story really appealed to me more than our main lead. Also, I am living for the representations of LGBTQ+ people in this drama. I did not expect a Kdrama that takes place in a small coastal town to have a lesbian underplot. Though I lowkey wished that I should have brought more tissues since I just kept bawling my eyes out. I know people say that this was like a 'healing' type drama but man I cried so much. And I think that you might too!

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a very, very Romantic Sunday in dramaland!

Hometown Cha cha cha is very much like the ost of its - Romantic, so so romantic in all the ways that it could be, and so so refreshing and exciting as a Sunday; makes you enjoy yourself while preparing you for the journey thats about to come.
HCCC talked about love like love deserves to be talked about, the love for ones self, love for smallest things and life, and most importantly love for other people.
The characters were like water; fluid and developing. HyeJin, you may not like her at first and Hong Banjang may be the first to catch your eye, but HyeJin definitely was the one i fell in love with the most. Her strong will had her standing head held high even in the deepest waters, she taught us emotional vulnerability, transparency and honesty is a strength not to be ashamed of. Hong Banjang taught us to hang onto love, even in the darkest times. If not for yourself, then love for other people.
Behind the scenes characters were just as strong and not overshadowed by the main leads, each getting their own stories and character depths. All the people of Gongjin, no matter how broken, come together in this witty little town that lifts up all our spirits.
The acting was impeccable. HyeJin is probably my favourite character Shin MinAh has ever played, just how realistically she captured her development throughout the episodes is truly, truly, amazing. Kim SeonHo, guys, dont get me started on him. I love that man to bits, and here he outdid himself. Layers and layers of expressions and micro-expressions, they made Hong Banjang into the character that we have all come to love. He was amazing.
and so was the rest of the crew, the chemistry was off the charts. esp love the bromance between KSH and Lee SangYi.
The drama had the best love triangle in kdrama history, the best breakup, and the best friendships. Genuinely good portryal of what it truly means to be a good human.
the production, music, setting was all so fresh. i couldnt recognize most of the artists in the OSTs. It included Seungmin's solo debut, which was IMMACULATE might i add. all the songs felt new and refreshing. Romantic Sunday, Here Always and Wind are my favourite osts.
The story is warm, like the sand on the beach, and the slow melting of ice in a jar. It melts you along with it and soon you find yourself a part of it, all warm and cozy inside. I dont think ive ever cried at a confession scene, but i did here. the emotions were all too real and all too there, it was difficult not to be teary eyed.
overall, a beautiful, beautiful slice of life masterpiece that will definitely go down in books. amazing. ill be so sad to let it go and not wait for it every week. will definitely rewatch for all the good vibes <3

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WORTH THE HYPE, WORTH THE WAIT

This is one of the purest drama I've ever seen. Hometown cha-cha-cha is a well penned, casted and directed drama with beautiful visuals and cinematography.
From the first trailer itself I was looking forward to this. I usually don't watch ongoing dramas. I have always thought future viewers are lucky since they don't have to wait inbetween episodes. But this one was an exception.This is the first time I am happy that I decided to watch a drama while it was still airing. Every weekend was a worth wait. Every episode got better and better. And my weekends are never the same after homecha ended.

PLOT
The story is simple and pure. A city girl Yoon Hye Jin ,a dentist had to move to a village Gongjin and there she encounters a village boy, Hong Doo Shik( chief hong). Their multiple encounter eventually makes them fall in love. This looks like a typical cliche storyline, right?? But this is not just that. But yes, there are usual cliches. But the way they dealt with it is what makes it special. This is light, warm, refreshing and healing drama with a group of loving Gongjin villagers. This is not just the story of the leads. The side characters are not some filler characters. They also have their own story and a life to deal with.This show is about love and how it makes us stronger.


With all these cliches what makes Hometown Cha Cha Cha the best?
No messy love triangles,no toxic relationships, no unwanted misunderstandings and break ups, no hate, just love and forgiveness.

SPOILERS AHEAD

WHY THE TITLE HOMETOWN CHA CHA CHA??

I read this somewhere where that the title, CHA means car and Gongjin is the HOMETOWN here. And the three cha's refers to the cars of Dusik, Hyjein and Sung Hyun. All three came to Gongjin is somewhat connected to car. One of the reasons Dusik came to Gongjin is because he lost his hyung in a car accident, Hyjein couldn't go back to Seoul because her car needed a repair and had to stay back in Gongjin and Sung Hyun lost his way and ended up in Gongjin. So their cars(three CHA's) led them to Gongjin (HOMETOWN). And that's the title HOMETOWN CHA CHA CHA.

MAIN LEADS- Dusik , Hyjein and Sung Hyun (Ji PD)

SikHye(Dusik and Hyjein) have one of the most healthiest, mature and wholesome relationships amongst all K-Drama couples. They acted like a married couple even before they started to date. They fight,annoy, bicker and care for each other. They're the definition of opposite attracts so it's a given for them to constantly argue. But I love how their misunderstandings were quickly solved. They are the definition of healthy relationship. They talk everything out and endlessly support eachother.
There is a love triangle. But this is not your typical love triangle with leads fighting for the same girl. I am not a fan of love triangle. But here it was quickly solved and all you can see was their bromance.They proved love triangles can be healthier too. HCCC have one of the best resolution of love triangle. And this love triangle was never an issue because the main leads were mature and understanding.
Their wholesome relationship is the actual reflection of how a healthy relationship works. They had their own struggles and hardships but they never broke up. And they never said the cliche line "I'm breaking up with you coz I don't want to hurt you". I believe nothing hurts more than your loved one leaving you during your hardest time just by saying they don't want to hurt you!! LOL.
When we were expecting love triangles they gave us bromance . When we were all prepared for the rejection by Dusik, he accepted her feelings. When most of them(not me) were expecting for a break up between ep 12 and 14 saying that's the usual kdrama troupe, they showed how a healthy relationship should be.To add-on to the cliche thing there was also childhood trope. But they fell in love not because of that. It was just a pigment to the whole story.

FAV EPISODES
Ep 10
The realisation, confession, acceptance with a kiss everything happened here. The realisation of Hyjein was the best part here. The way she walked in the rain realising her feelings for Dusik and that gradual changes in her expression was perfect. Special claps for Shin Min Ah for that particular scene. That's my most fav scene.

Ep 16- THE FINALE
I love how they wraped the whole drama so perfectly. They also had the funniest and cutest proposal ever. The way Hyjein told to consider the proposal as a relay and handed the baton to dusik when he was upset for her getting ahead and proposing first will never not be funny.Their confession and proposal was sincere and full of love.

FAV LINES
"Who cares if the wind blows a little when we're in the same boat?"- Hyjein
"Life isn't a mathematical equation. It doesn't have a clear answer either." - Dusik
And many many more.......

FAV SCENES
Ep 12 -- In that nightmare when he was afraid in the dark it's hyjein he calls out to. Because she is his light.
Ep 9 -- Hyjein was relieved when she saw dusik at that night. Ji pd gave all the tools to protect her from harm. But she just want Dusik's arms. And the ending hug was just wow. That felt so real.

They bicker all the time but that they are eachother's safest place.

I love the way the writer dealt with hyejin dusik relationship without breaking them up. Also Hyjein's character breaks all the stereotypes. When she was aware of her feelings she proposed to him. She was the first one to kiss, first one to confess and first one to propose. She just don't care about all these stereotypes. When she realised her feelings she run towards him instead of running away. She knows what she she wants and is sure about it .Hyjein is so far my favorite FL. I saw many comments hating her. But for me she is one the realistic FL ever. Hyejin is not your typical girl who asks for a break up when things aren't going well. Coz usually in kdramas these issues are more than enough for the couple to break up. But she handled it differently. She gave it a good thought and decided to wait for him. How many female leads will do this?? Most of them will break up without even thinking twice. That's why I say HYJEIN IS A STANDARD.

The fact that most of us were expecting a rejection from dusik but instead he accepted her feelings was a different twist. Even though he was healing inside he didn't push her away like how the usual ML's do. He's not your typical arrogant angry guy, he's just an ordinary guy.Out of all the doubts, fears, anxieties inside his head, there is one thing that he’s sure of, he loves hyejin.

All the characters were realistic and well portrayed by all of them. This is my first Kim seonho drama and he's already my favorite. His micro expressions are everything.I’ve never been this impressed by someone’s skill and personality in such a short amount of time.

The top-tier writing with an amazing cast made this drama heart warming. This deserves to bag lots of awards. Also the OST'S are soothing. la la la la la keeps playing in my head ever since I started this drama. Whatever I do, all my head does is go......Lalalalalala!!! For me homecha is a gem. My love for them is as deep as lake baikal :)

You should give it a try if you want some light hearted healing drama. It's better you don't go for it if you are here expecting some twists and turns. As I said this is just a simple story with relatable characters. Do watch this if you’re into healing dramas or romcoms! You won’t be disappointed.

PS it's been a month since homecha ended. But I'm still not over them. I miss them like crazy: (

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Wholesome and Romantic

I don’t usually write reviews but I just had to give my thoughts on this drama! It honestly made me so happy, it was so wholesome and it’s so easy to fall in love with Chief Hong. I was nervous that there would be too much of a love triangle but it wasn’t focused on too much which I was glad of. Also the lesbian representation was done well and made me so so so happy!! The only downside was that when the main couple got together it did start to get a bit boring? I’m not sure if it’s just the loss of the thrill of their initial falling in love, but it did kind of feel like they changed completely as people when they became a couple. Also they were a bit cringe lol. But overall this drama was such a good watch!

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Cityless Behaviour

Initially, the drama was captivating with its picturesque setting, charming characters, vibrant village life, and delightful slice-of-life moments. The dynamic between the village people created a lively and heartwarming atmosphere. Each character brought something unique to the table with lots potentials and the slow burn romance between the leads was a highlight, initially. However, as the focus shifted to the romance between the leads around episode 11, the vibrancy of the village dynamics began to fade and the the drama lost some of its spark. At that point, the drama turned into a very long compilation of cheesy uneventful dates sequences while neglecting the small-town dynamics and community interactions that initially drew me in. Their interactions became more unbearable as the drama went on and the male leads supposed problems were an additional let down. Anyway, it wasn't perfect to begin with, Yeong Guk & Hwa Jeong triangle and story was the weakest link in the village and borderline ruined many scenes. The drama could've definitely used more people in the village and more stories, even if it were to add more sidekicks. Moreover, many of the stories from the village started and ended within a few scenes/episodes. I really wanted to see more investment in the Pub owner rather than Yeong Guk triangle. Eventually, the resolution turned out to be just acceptable. While the drama remained enjoyable overall, the overall decline in quality after the leads got together was a really big disappointment.

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The Perfect Fairy-tale with a Realistic touch

It may seem like 10/10 is saying a lot but honestly i'm not one to give a perfect rating just like that. I have watched my fair share of kdramas and when i say this one really touched my heart, i mean it. This is my first time writing a review because i feel this drama genuinely deserves it.

Not only did this kdrama captivate me from the very start, it kept making me want more. The home-ly, heartwarming and wholesome vibe it has is honestly unbeatable. The characters are so interesting and the writer managed to give depth to all of them, be it a main lead or supporting cast. each person had a story, background and life that you want to know about and not just skip cause it feels forced. the second lead couple was adorable, so were the rest of the gongjin residents.

its really hard to keep a person's attention if the show goes slow but this one went at the perfect pace. it defied the usual kdrama cliches of evil step-moms and broken families, inevitable break up between the leads due to some misunderstanding, troubled past for both the leads, etc. Sure the main male lead does have trauma but it doesn't feel like the cliche plot. This kdrama gives you all the butterflies, happiness and princess-y feelings you want but with a much needed realistic touch. It is lighthearted but does not lack depth. A fairytale romance but not one that consumes its leads instead it betters them. Plus a great ending. It basically gives you alot of hope in life tbh. that's what it did for me.

Overall, to me this is the perfect show and i honestly have no flaw to point out. Definitely one of my go-to kdramas for when i want a serotonin boost.

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A Heartfelt Journey and Comedy

"Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" is a true gem in the world of Korean dramas, perfectly aligning with my expectations. This drama, which tells the story of life in a small seaside village in Korea, was exactly what I was looking for.

The plot is wonderfully simple yet profoundly deep, showcasing the daily lives and struggles of each character. What particularly moved me was how the drama portrays people who smile every day but hide their sorrows and worries inside. This theme adds authenticity and emotional depth to the story, which is rare to find in such productions.

The final episodes were an emotional rollercoaster for me—I shed a sea of tears, but the ending was just as I had hoped. All the storylines were perfectly wrapped up, leaving me thoroughly satisfied with the entire narrative. Despite usually not being a fan of love triangles in dramas, this one was so well-executed that it didn't bother me at all.

I can't find any flaws in this drama. It is a production that will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will definitely revisit it in the future. "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" is an excellent drama that proves that simple stories about everyday life can be just as moving and inspiring as more complex ones.

Personally, I am thrilled with it and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for something warm, genuine, and full of emotions.

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A warm and refreshing dose of escapism

I loved this show. From the moment it began, I was enamoured with it. The acting of the lead pair was brilliant in exhibiting the right energy and aura of their characters. An urban raised middle-class girl with smug dismissal of the poor rural countryside folk and the man with little ambition in life other than to see the sun rise the next morning. This show was great. I enjoyed how it introduced and warmed us to the ethos and social norms of the town folk by essentially taming Hye-Jin's assumptions and forcing her to see the beauty of a simpler, less noisy life. Yes there's fewer opportunities to stardom, but there is peace and relative sanctity from malicious gossiping and the choking competition and judgement she faced back in Seoul. I loved how she was portrayed, and found her character to be refreshingly engaging, easy to sympathise with. Her flaws weren't ever annoying traits but understandable ones that made you empathise with her.

Chief Hong was a vibrant male lead and he had to the right amount of exuberance and compassion to make you love him. Plus, he is a really beautiful man when he smiles. I'm a heterosexual guy and I'm telling you right now - I got butterflies whenever he was laughing.

The show was carried by the chemistry of these two whenever they shared a scene that helped bridge the differences and create a grudging respect for who they were. Watching them fall in love didn't feel stale because of its inevitability, because they still wrote the scenes with realism. The show was also helped by not focusing too much on an overarching plot ahead of its character directions. Though this sometimes created problems when it came to laying the seeds for conflicts concerning Chief Hong, it meant you could get more invested in the characters.

I loved the town folk - the support cast were terrific. I was less interested in the film crew and didn't have time for those scenes but that's really my only quibble with it.

Overall, this was such a good show.

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