Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Premise

Yoon Hye-jin, an accomplished dentist from Seoul, goes to the idyllic seaside village of Gongjin on her late mother's birthday after her life goes awry. She spontaneously decides to open up a dental clinic, and gets to know jack-of-all-trades Hong Du-sik, also known as Chief Hong. The romantic drama depicts the growing romance between the two, as well as the lives of other residents of Gongjin.

Cast

Main

Shin Min-a as Yoon Hye-jin

A perfectionist and pragmatic dentist who ends up moving from Seoul to Gongjin after her life goes awry.

Shim Hye-yeon as child Yoon Hye-jin

Oh Ye-ju as teenage Yoon Hye-jin

Kim Seon-ho as Hong Du-sik

A handyman who is known as Chief Hong around the village. He is officially unemployed, but is always busy giving a helping hand to everyone. He is good at everything and appears to assist with whatever random tasks his neighbors need help with.

Song Min-jae as child Hong Du-sik

An Seong-won as a young teenage Hong Du-sik

Moon Seong-hyun as teenage Hong Du-sik

Lee Sang-yi as Ji Seong-hyun

a star variety show production director who is a workaholic and has a bright personality.

Supporting

Gong Min-jeung as Pyo Mi-seon

Hye-jin's best friend who is a dental hygienist.

Seo Sang-won as Yoon Tae-hwa

Hye-jin's father

Woo Mi-hwa as Lee Myung-shin

Hye-jin's stepmother

Park Ye-young as Wang Ji-won

a veteran writer who has been working with Seong-hyun for seven years

Lee Suk-hyeong as Kim Do-ha

an assistant director who struggles to find a work-life balance in his busy filming schedule because of his workaholic senior, Seong-hyun

Seong Tae as June

main rapper of idol group DOS.

Baek Seung as In-woo

sub-vocalist of DOS

Kim Young-ok as Kim Gam-ri, leader of the grandmothers in Gongjin.

Lee Yong-yi as Lee Mat-yi, the second of the three grandmothers.

Shin Shin-ae as Park Sook-ja, the youngest of the three grandmothers.

Jo Han-chul as Oh Cheon-jae, the owner of Gongjin's live cafe and pub. He is a former singer with stage name Oh Yoon, who disappeared after releasing a hit song in the 1990s.

Lee Bong-ryun as Yeo Hwa-jung, Young-guk's ex-wife, who was born and raised in Gongjin. She is the building owner of Hye-jin's dental clinic and house.

Special appearances

Lee Jung-eun as Hye-jin's patient

Bae Hae-sun as the head doctor at Hye-jin's former dental clinic

Lee Jin-hee as Hye-jin's mother

Lee Ho-jae as Du-sik's grandfather

Lee Si-hoon as Myung-hak, a patient at Hye-jin's dental clinic.

Kim Jin-yeop as Lee Kang-wook, Hye-jin's ex-boyfriend and Seong-hyeon's high school classmate (Episode 5th and 9th).

Kim Dae-gon as a rottiserie chicken seller.

Kim Ji-hyun as Seon-ah, Seong-hyun's cousin and Jung-woo's wife.

Oh Eui-shik as Park Jung-woo, Du-sik's friend whom he met during college days.

Lee Do-yeop as Gam-ri's son

Shim Jin-hwa as a customer at Nam-sook's restaurant.

Jo Young-seo as main dancer of DOS.

Kim Do-kyun as lead dancer of DOS.

Episodes

Ref:

Production

Development and planning

Plans to adapt the 2004 film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong into a television series were first announced on December 21, 2020, under the working title Hong Banjang (홍반장; 'Chief Hong') with Shin Ha-eun attached as screenwriter. In her interview, it was reported that Shin initially hesitated when approached for the remake, viewing the original character of Hong Banjang as an iconic cultural touchstone whose name functions almost as "a proper noun." She worried a new version might diminish the legacy of the film and its lead actor, Kim Joo-hyuk, with whom she had previously collaborated on her first miniseries, Argon. She ultimately decided to proceed after re-watching the original film and visualizing how the character would translate to a contemporary setting. Recognizing that the source material lacked developed supporting roles, she seized the opportunity to build an ensemble of sixteen distinct villagers for the fictional setting of Gongjin, giving each a fully realized backstory. This expansion allowed the remake to establish its own identity while honoring the spirit of the original.

Yoo Je-won was officially confirmed as director on April 2, 2021. Coproduced by Studio Dragon and its subsidiary Gtist, the drama title was subsequently changed to Gaenmaeul chachacha (갯마을 차차차; 'Seaside Village Cha-Cha-Cha'), often abbreviated as Gaetcha (갯차). On June 23, 2021, Netflix officially announced the series as part of their 2021 lineup and revealed the English title as Hometown Cha‑Cha‑Cha. In the press conference, Yoo explained, "The original work focuses on Hong Banjang, as the title suggests, but since we deal with the story of the entire village, we decided on Gaenmaeul Cha-cha-cha. I like that it captures the atmosphere of the setting and incorporates the 'Cha-Cha-Cha' dance, which harmonizes with that vibe.

The art director in charge of the set was Art Director Ryu Seon-gwang, who worked with Yoo in Oh My Ghost (2015) and Tomorrow with You (2017). He explained the design foundation laid for Gongjin Village, stating, "When I first read the script, I envisioned pleasant and warm images. I began the work by listing memories of visiting my maternal grandparents' house in the countryside as a child. Warm light and things that evoke laughter without being artificial, I placed the utmost emphasis on maintaining a sense of naturalness."

Casting

Casting announcements began on December 21, 2020, when Kim Seon‑ho and Shin Min‑a were reported to have been offered roles Hong Du-suk and Yoon Hye-jin respectively. On April 2, 2021, Kim and Shin were officially confirmed as the leads. The drama marked director Yoo Je‑won's second collaboration with Shin, following Tomorrow with You (2017). On the same day, Lee Sang‑yi was also reported to have been offered a role as Ji PD. His casting was confirmed on June 3. tvN released script readings pictures on June 14.

Shin shared that she came across the script of Hometown Cha‑Cha‑Cha when she wanted to do a romantic comedy, noting that after a while she wanted to try "something soft and fun." She added, "The story was solid, and the stories about people's lives were so entertaining. Above all, the fact that I was deeply drawn to the character of Yoon Hye-jin was a major reason for my decision." Kim also cited the script as the reason for his participation. Describing it as "a warm and humane project," he stated, "At first, I wondered how to portray an all-around unemployed person who is good at everything, but it is so much fun. I am filming without any regrets."

Filming

The script reading took place in Seoul on April 21, 2021. Principal photography was scheduled to begin on May 8. According to a representative from the Pohang Northern Police Station, filming took place inside the Cheongha Police Substation and outside of the Pohang Northern Police Station on May 22. These locations were chosen for their retro aesthetic. In June, a media reported that the primary filming locations of the drama are Cheongha Market, Cheongjin 3-ri Village Hall, Guryongpo Beach, Heunghwan-ri Beach, and Wolpo Beach. Production staff members began to build sets at Cheongha Market on June 5. The selected private residences were leased for filming, including those used for characters Yoon Hye-jin and Hong Du-sik. Filming was scheduled to finish on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, or by the end of that week.

The production team explained that the "Lighthouse Song Festival" sequence in episode six was challenging to film due to the large number of participants, unpredictable rainy-season weather, and strict COVID-19 quarantine measures. The highlight of the festival was a performance of Hye-jin and Du-sik, who served as backup dancers for Oh Ju-ri, followed by a surprise appearance from the idol group DOS, performing their hit song "Just a Feeling." Actor Seong Tae and Baek Seung, as well members of group Dance of Soul, practiced the dance for a month prior to filming. The choreography was created by Jo Young-seo and Kim Do-gyun from a dance group called Dance of Soul. They were previously known as choreographers of the television show Mr. Trot. Jo explained that the decision to include him, Kim, and his dance group members in the series as idols was a spontaneous decision. He added that the idol group was originally named "Choice," but writer Shin Ha-eun changed it to DOS.

Release

On June 23, 2021, It was announced that the drama will be distributed by Netflix. On July 21, Netflix confirmed August 28, 2021 as the worldwide release date for the series. On July 28, the first teaser was released. The series aired on tvN from August 28 to October 17, 2021, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST). It is also available for streaming on Netflix.

Music

Featured songs

The series features several on-screen song covers performed by the characters. Music director Lim Ha-young selected all the songs, with additional input from writer Shin Ha-eun, director Yoo Je-won, and the cast and crew. Similar to the character Hong Du-sik in the original film, Kim Seon-ho sang and played guitar in the drama. In the series, Du-sik covered "Old Love" from Lee Moon-sae, different song from the original film. Other characters also performed at the "Lighthouse Song Festival" in Gongjin Village. The festival's opening stage featured Gongjin's resident celebrity, Oh Yeon, performing his only hit song, "Exercising in the Moonlight." To create a realistic atmosphere, Jo Han-chul performed the song live while playing the guitar. Composed by Lim in the 1990s, the song was specifically chosen to achieve an authentic nineties sound and was a fitting choice for Oh Yeon's character, as it was ranked second in the 1993 K-pop Top 10 Gayo.

Original soundtrack

The Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha soundtrack album, written by music director Lim Ha-young, comprises 11 songs (including singles) and 32 score pieces from the series. The album features vocal performances from artists such as Car, the Garden, Kassy, Cheeze, Choi Yu-ree, Kim Jae-hwan, Sandeul, Seungmin (Stray Kids), and Lee Sang-yi. In total, the compilation includes 43 tracks. In addition to the 8 previously released OST songs, the album includes "Just a Feeling" by the fictional idol group 'DOS' in the drama, which was highly requested by viewers. It also features two songs by "Oh Yoon," performed by actor Jo Han-chul as the superstar of 'Gongjin' in the drama, titled "Exercise at the Moonlit Night" and "End and Beginning." The album aims to fully capture the emotions of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and evoke the lingering feelings from the drama.

On July 18, 2022, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha soundtrack album also released in LP version. It was ranked 9 in the Circle Chart Retail Album Chart on July 19, 2022, with 891 copies sold.

Merchandise

The series' original script was published in two volumes, each covering eight episodes, released officially on November 8, 2021. The scheduled publication of the Hometown Cha‑Cha‑Cha photo essay was canceled on November 30, 2021. On October 17, 2022, officials confirmed the photo essay would proceed, and it was eventually released in February 2023 as a two‑book package, each volume covering eight episodes.

Viewership

Streaming

Following its release on Netflix, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha became one of the platform's most-watched non-English television shows. According to FlixPatrol, a website providing global rankings for shows on Netflix, the series placed number 8 on its global chart. It remained on Netflix's most-watched non-English popular television show list for 16 weeks in global top ten rankings, and reached the top 10 charts in more than 20 countries. It also remained on Netflix's Top 10 Chart for television shows for more than two months from its last episode.

Reception

Industry metrics

During its run, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha had good record in several industry metrics. In the Content Power Index (CPI), powered by RACOI, the drama entered the Top 10, ranking 6th in the 4th week of August (August 23–29). It continued to perform strongly, reaching 3rd place in the drama category and 4th overall in the first and second weeks of September. By the third week of September, it climbed to 2nd in drama and 3rd overall. For four consecutive weeks, from the 4th week of September to the 2nd week of October 2021, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha secured the 1st ranking the drama category. In the overall category, it placed 2nd in the 4th and 5th weeks of September, dipped slightly to 4th in the 1st week of October, and then returned to 2nd in the 2nd week of October.

The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, in September 2021, reported that Kim topped the drama actor brand reputation ranking, while Shin secured the third position. Their analysis considered factors such as brand participation, media volume, traffic volume, and communication volume, measuring and indexing them with a brand reputation algorithm. Compared to the drama actor brand data in August 2021, their brand reputation collectively increased by 21 percent. In a year-end poll conducted by Gallup in South Korea, Kim was named Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year, with Shin ranked second.

The series consistently charted in the Good Data Corporation's Top 10 TV Drama Buzz-worthiness List from the 3rd week of August to the 2nd week of October 2021. It debuted at 8th in the third week of August, rose to 3rd in the fourth week of August and the first two weeks of September, and climbed to 2nd place in the third week of September before securing the top spot in the fourth week of September and the first week of October. The main leads consistently ranked high during this period; Kim Seon-ho took 1st place and Shin Min-a ranked 2nd for consecutive weeks from the 3rd week of August to the 4th week of September. In the 5th week of September, Kim ranked 2nd and Shin 3rd. In the 1st and 2nd weeks of October 2021, Kim regained the top spot, while Shin ranked 5th in the 1st week and returned to 3rd place in the 2nd week.

In 2022, Good Data Corporation released Top 20 FUNdex. The series ranked 17th with a score of 83.13 out of 355 Korean dramas aired from 2018 to 2021. FUNdex utilized data from Good Data Corporation and public data from RACOI. It assessed content's fun factor and box office potential by integrating six data points: household viewers, 20-49 age group viewers, buzz-worthiness, performer's buzz-worthiness, clip views, and media attention.

Critical reception

Pierce Conran of the South China Morning Post gave the series a generally positive review, noting that the show "kept things simple." He added that while it occasionally indulged in "hokey dramatics," it never risked alienating its dedicated audience. Jan Lee of The Straits Times praised its "idyllic setting, charming leads, and colorful supporting characters." S. Poorvaja of The Hindu noted it as a worthy representation of "slice-of-life goodness and wholesome romance of the best kind." Lim Yian Lu from Yahoo Singapore highlighted its "therapeutic picture, as well as its "cute and amusing moments."

Other critics offered mixed assessments. Joel Keller of Decider highlighted the "seashore scenery and the chemistry between the show's leads," but criticized the slow pacing. Similarly, Bang Yeon-joo of PD Journal critiqued the reliance on traditional gender stereotypes, specifically citing the recurring "damsel in distress" trope where Du-sik would repeatedly rescue Hye-jin. However, she also acknowledged the show's commercial success, which she attributed to its ability to create a calming and enjoyable atmosphere by developing not just the central romance, but also the heartfelt stories of the town's charming residents.

Writing for Entermedia, Pop culture critic Jung Deok-hyeon described the show's reliance on clichés as a weakness, identifying a scene with a house trespasser as contrived and an outdated plot device to bring the leads closer. Despite these criticisms, writing in PD Journal, Jung described the series as a "Soft Healing Drama," attributing its positive reception to the compelling fantasy of Gongjin Village, which provided a stark contrast to intense dramas like Squid Game. This sentiment was echoed by Professor Mo Jong-rin of Yonsei University, who called the series "refreshing." Mo suggested that the community in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha serves as a positive alternative to the harsh realities depicted in Squid Game, he added, "I apologize to fans of Squid Game, but I honestly hope that foreigners remember Korea not as a sharp-edged country that provocatively criticizes reality, but as a warm country that presents a community-based alternative to societal issues."

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is included in various critics' top drama lists. Variety ranked the series sixth on its list of "The Best International TV Shows of 2021," noting its lighthearted nature and simplicity offered a "refreshing escape amidst the pandemic's gloom." NME placed the series eighth on its list of "The Best Kdrama of 2021," praising its straightforward approach to dilemmas and its comforting, "warm embrace" feel. The series was also included in a list of "Best K-drama TV shows on Netflix" by The Scotsman. Chad de Guzman from Time included the drama in his list of "The 8 best Korean dramas on Netflix," remarking, "'Best' doesn't always have to mean 'intense and thought-provoking'. Sometimes it can simply mean easy, enjoyable viewing."

Impact

Commercial

South Korean's media outlets dubbed the enthusiastic responses to the drama as Gaetcha yeolpung (갯차 열풍; 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Craze'). One of its impact was a surge in demand for products featured on-screen. After Hye-jin gave Du-sik a bottle of wine in the fifth episode, inquiries about the brand reportedly soared. The importer said the wine temporarily sold out in September. Interest in Hye-jin's fashion, including her clothing, jewelry, and shoes, also experienced a notable rise. Her style was praised for its charming combination of sophistication and unique charm. By November, reports said around 3,000 units of Couronne's Mila Lady Bag, which Hye-jin carried in the drama, had sold out.

Two books featured in the series experienced a surge in sales. After Hong Du-sik recited Kim Haeng-sook's poem "The Gate Keeper," the 2014 poetry collection Portrait of Echo became a bestseller seven years after its release. By the second week of October 2021, the book reached second and third place on the poetry charts of Kyobo Bookstore and Yes24, respectively. The Korean translation of Henry David Thoreau's Walden, shown being read by Du-sik in episode 2 and quoted in a promotional clip, rose to 11th on the Yes24 essay bestseller list. Yes24 reported sales increases of 3,257 percent for Portrait of Echo and 369 percent for Walden following their inclusion in the series.

The limited first editions of the unedited script books which included autographs and messages from writer Shin Ha-eun and actors Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho, topped bestseller list soon after its release. According to Yes24, over 9,000 copies were pre-ordered on the publication day alone, with buyers primarily being women in their 20s and 30s. The scriptbooks also reached number one on Aladin's bestseller list on October 16, 2021, with an official from the company noting that it is rare for a drama script to achieve such a high ranking.

The series also contributed to strong financial results for its production companies. It was reported that in third quarter of 2021, Studio Dragon had a 27.7% increase in sales to ₩64.9 billion. Sales proportion also rose to 55.9%, a 8.1% increase from the previous year. GTist achieved a full profit in 2021 with a net profit of ₩2.1 billion. CJ ENM, the parent company of GTist, Studio Dragon, and tvN, recorded consolidated sales of ₩857.5 billion and an operating profit of ₩87.8 billion in third quarter of 2021. It also saw a 7.4% rise in sales and a 23.6% increase in operating profit in the same period, with the growth attributed to successful dramas including Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

Tourism

The drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha triggered set-jetting tourism in Pohang. Filming locations became a frequent addition to travel itineraries, reportedly revitalizing the local commercial district and economy. One notable example is Sabang Memorial Park in Heunghae-eup, Buk District, Pohang, which features Hong Du-sik's boat on the mountain Mugeunbong. According to Choi Young-moo of the Pohang City Tourism Marketing Team, daily visitors to the park increased from 500 on holidays to between 3,000 and 4,000 after the series aired.

Cheongha Market underwent a similar transition. Originally a quiet hub of 25 shops operating on a five-day cycle, it was rebranded as "Cheongha Gongjin Market" after the fictional village's name in the series. The market now features several permanent sets, including the Squid Statue, Bora Supermarket, and the "Coffee by Day, Beer by Night" café. The Seokbyeong-ri lighthouse and its coastal embankment, where Hye-jin confessed her feelings to Du-sik, have become popular photo spots for couples. Nearby, the Cheongjin-ri Village features the former Yoon Dental Clinic set, operates as a restaurant called Yoon's Clinic that preserves the drama's original decor.

These local developments were further integrated into national tourism campaigns by the Korea Tourism Organization. Following the broadcast of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, they partnered with Studio Dragon and LG U+ to create virtual reality content showcasing the drama's locations, made available on the LG U+ XR platform, U+DIVe, in November 24, 2021. In the same month, they also showcased the drama's filming locations on their Visit Korea website, as part of a K-Drama tour destination. In February 2023, Cheongha Gongjin Market was included in a 2023 "Hallyu Pilgrimage" promotion, highlighting 53 locations across South Korea.

The government of Pohang invested ₩1.3 billion between 2023 and 2025 to upgrade infrastructure at these landmarks. Improvements included new parking facilities, an international visitor lounge featuring the drama-themed mural, and a renovation of the Squid Statue, which was formally inaugurated on February 27, 2025, by the mayor of Pohang. Under the slogan "Pohang, a City Like a Drama," the city aims to reach 10 million annual visitors by leveraging its kdrama former filming sites.

The series also contributed to tourism in Yangju, where the Chang Ucchin Museum of Art was featured in episode 12 as one of the dating spots of Du-sik and Hye-jin. Following this episode, officials noted a rise in inquiries about the museum, attracting viewers drawn to its unique architecture and natural surroundings.

Accolades