After getting into an arguement with her boss that puts her on the blacklist of every dental clinic in Seoul, Yoon Hye Jin decides to start over by opening her own private practice in the quiet, seaside town of Gongjin.  Chief Hong is a handsome handiman who seems to hold down every part-time job in town.  His laid back personality is the exact opposite of her, but she is drawn to his views on small town living and simplicity.  Can a city girl with a  love of material success and name brands learn to live in a small community where love and friendship are the most valuable commodities?

Kim Seon Ho as Hong Doo Shik

“Chief” Hong has lived in Gongjin his whole life, with the exception of the mysterious missing 5 years.  With a wallet full of certificates in every career and skill you can imagine, he is the jack-of-all-trades who helps anyone in need;  from serving coffee to repairing electronics.  Doo Shik does it all.  When a beautiful dentist shows up and sets up shop in town, he takes it upon himself to try to help her settle into small town living.  The more time he spends with her, the more attracted he is to her.  But a secret from his past holds him back and threatens to destroy any chance they might have at a relationship.  Will he be able to find the strength to open up his heart and share the pain he has gone through?

Hong Doo Shik lives a carefree life running errands and doing part time jobs.  He is known for his cheerful personality, but he has a secret guilt that haunts him in his dreams.  Responsible for destroying the lives of two people who were close to him, and their families, he doesn’t believe he is worthy to be happy.  Kim Seon Ho, both as an actor and as the character of Doo Shik, is the backbone of this drama.  His charming personality drew me into the story and made me love him and the community of people who surround him.

Gong Min Jung as Pyo Mi Seon

Pyo Mi Seon is Hye Jin’s best friend.  When Hye Jin decides to open  her own clinic in Gongjin, Mi Seon joins her as her dental assistant.  She instantly falls in love with the handsome Officer Choi Eun Chul and finds small town living to be very much to her liking.

♥ Realistic, Relateable Characters

The extended cast for this drama portrayed some wonderful characters.  I loved the diverse roles and how well each character was developed.  You were drawn into each of their stories and invested in the outcome.  Maybe that is, in part, because this drama is based on a novel where character development would be more important.  Whatever the reason, I appreciated getting to know all of the residents of Gongjin.

♥ Doo Shik and Gam Ri

Doo Shik has a special relationship with many of the people in town, but his interactions with Gam Ri are special.  The pure affection that is shown between the two of them is touching and I looked forward to their screen time together.  I also loved how she saved Doo Shik’s life without even knowing it.  Their strong connection defied reason and that just made it all the more heartwarming.

Pacing

It’s not unheard of for kdramas to start lighhearted and get more serious as they go, but in this case the pacing felt too obviously out of sync.  Everything was cute and sweet, and the last few episodes just kept the punches coming.  I feel like they could have spread some of those heavier stories out a little more evenly.  It also seemed to make the last episodes feel a bit slow.

Too Many Coincidences

With any romantic comedy, we need to suspend our disbelief to a certain degree, and I’m okay with that, but this one pushed the limits a bit.  Does Gongjin just have a magnet that mysteriously pulls people there?  The idea that Hye Jin met Doo Shik when they were children works okay.  She did visit there with her family and it’s a small town, so I can give them that one.  But it’s the layers of coincidences surrounding Sung Hyun that really got to me.  First, he gets lost and just wanders into town to find his first love. And then the fact that he is Jung Woo’s brother-in-law is a little too convenient.  And then, he employs Producer Kim which is yet another layer.  It was all just a bit much.  

“Hometown Cha Cha Cha” ends with a bittersweet ending cushioned by a load of happily ever afters.  First off, we have to say goodbye to the wonderful Gam Ri, who represents the older generation of Gongjin.  Everyone in town is saddened by her passing, but they give her a celebration of life that involves the residents spending time together, laughing and sharing memories, just the way she would have wanted.  Aside from that solemn affair, we have lots of neatly tied strings for everyone in town.  Sung Hyun has finally realized that he likes Ji Won and the two are now dating.  The success of their tv show “The Seaside Grasshopper” has helped not just them.  It has revitalized the town of Gongjin and brought in loads of tourists. It also got Chun Jae an offer to sing on a tv show. Mi Sun and Eun Chul are officially dating and plan to get married and buy a house together some time next year.  Hwa Jung and Young Guk are back together and making a fresh start on their marriage. Hye Jin and Doo Shik have a mutual proposal and plan to live happily ever after.  The series ends with the couple taking their own wedding photos, with the help of everyone in town. Just the way Gam Ri would have wanted.