Spoiler Alert!
“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (2021) is a romantic-comedy Korean drama, starring Kim Seonho and Shin Mina, broadcast through the TVN channel and Netflix.
Since its premiere on August 28, 2021, it is gaining numbers and continues to soar. According to Nielsen Korea, it gained the highest viewership ratings in its first four episodes: 6.8% (Episode 1), 6.7% (Episode 2), and 8.7% (Episodes 3-4).
It is also currently on the Top 10 TV shows on Netflix in several countries such as the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and a lot more. As of writing, 98% Google users liked this show with a rate of 9/10 through the IMDB.
“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” centers around two opposite lives, a perfectionist dentist from the city of Seoul and a free-spirited jack-of-all-trades from the seaside village of Gongjin. Tagged as “SikHye” couple, Hong Dusik and Yoon Hyejin, the story progresses as they cross paths and get to know each other through inconveniences and adorable bickering.
Do two opposite lives attract? As we wait for the romance to unfold, here’s a checklist of their different traits, backgrounds, and perspectives in life.
Occupation l Achievements
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: A professional dentist from the city of Seoul.
Chief Hong Dusik: An unemployed town hero and freelancer in the province of Gongjin who is certified in several odd jobs such as plumbing, real estate, and many others.
He won the “Brave Citizen Award” twice for catching a purse snatcher on the street and saving a drunk old man sleeping on the train tracks.
Hobbies l Skills l Talents
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: Jogging, fashion, shopping (shoe obsession), supporting charity organizations
Chief Hong Dusik: Surfing, reading a book, biking, fishing, photography, candle-making, soap-making, coffee-making, French language, Chinese language, sign language, bidding, singing, guitar-playing, collecting books and records, etc.
Family Background
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: Her father is a retiree. Her mother died when she was little due to an illness.
Chief Hong Dusik: He grew up in Gongjin. His parents died when he was 6. His grandfather died when he was in middle school. A Gongjin halmeoni (granny) took care of him.
Mystery l Unknown facts
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: Specific illness that caused her mother’s death; how she dealt with mother’s death in her growing up years.
Chief Hong Dusik: Reason why he placed his boat on top of the hill; reason of coming to Seoul often; cause of parents’ and grandfather’s death; how he met the grannie who took care of him; reason of leaving Gongjin; reason why he wants to throw away his suit.
Traits
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: She is outspoken, honest, perfectionist, conscientious, picky, has high standards, compassionate, intelligent, but clumsy and careless.
“On the outside, she’s as cold as ice. But she has a soft heart,” says halmeoni.
“The hedgehog is just like you. You are both spiky,” Hong Dusik tells her.
Chief Hong Dusik: He is reliable, resourceful, practical, helpful, trustworthy, warmhearted, workaholic, generous, loving to grannies, smart, but loud and secretive.
“He is kind, but too nosy,” says halmeoni.
“He’s the hero of Gongjin. He’s like Superman and Iron man wrapped into one,” comments Mr. Ban.
“Chief Hong is everyone’s fixer,” states Mr. Chang.
“Chief Hong has one rule in life. He works when he wants and has fun when he feels like it. The man may bend backwards for everyone, but he never works on his day-off,” says the village Chief.
Social Relationships
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: She has one bestfriend; has difficulty relating and dealing with people.
Chief Hong Dusik: Everybody’s friend; popular in Gongjin.
Likes
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: I have high standards. An overall vibe that incorporates an antique, simple, and European style. Wainscot paneling on the walls and porcelain tiles on the floor. Spanish tiles in the foyer and light fixtures from Denmark would do.
Chief Hong Dusik: How about some new wallpaper instead? Off-white like teeth would be nice.
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: I’d love to have some wine by the Han River.
Chief Hong Dusik: Drinking makgeolli by the ocean is just magnificent.
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: That restaurant has great pasta.
Chief Hong Dusik: Eating snow crab ramyeon on a boat is the best.
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin: I can’t believe I have to return to the boondocks.
Chief Hong Dusik: There are skycrapers everywhere. It’s so suffocating. I can’t wait to go back to Gongjin.
Dislikes
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin:
- Workplace maltreatment
- Fishy smells
- Doing something without consent
- Reckless driving
- Loud noise while driving
- Meddling in other people’s affairs
- Nosy people
- People who talk too much
- Sexual harassment
- Injustice
- “I hate it when people cross the line.”
- “I hate it when other people touch my stuff.”
Chief Hong Dusik:
- Taking care of pets
- Working on rest days
- Theft / Criminals
- Sexual offenders
Perspective in life
Dr. Yoon Hye-jin:
“I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity.”
“The health and well-being of my patient will be my first consideration.”
“Don’t be nosy and focus on self.”
“I have my own convictions as a doctor.”
“Meddling can be dangerous, you know.”
“A dental clinic is not a convenience store where you can ask for whatever you want.”
“As a doctor, I need to take responsibility for what I do.”
“Do you know what it means to be a good parent? It’s staying healthy for a long time. They shouldn’t endure pain to save money for their children. They should take care of themselves.”
“I’m objecting to injustice. I won’t leave until that prick is arrested, too.”
“Friends are supposed to have each other’s backs.”
“You should be generous only when you’re financially stable.”
“It’s sad how your birthday gets erased after you die and only the day you died remains.”
Chief Hong Dusik:
“No one’s a pro from the start. They need time to adjust.”
“It’s healthy to walk barefoot.”
“Whatever the task, I go by minimum wage.”
“Let bygones be bygones.”
“You freely judge other people’s lives but are offended when you’re being assessed?”
“Life isnt 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.”
“Don’t we all need some time to adjust?”
“All people make mistakes. We all badmouth others at least once in our lives.”
“If you can’t pick up spilt milk, you should at least apologize to them for spilling the milk, rather than avoid them.”
“People don’t change so easily, do they?”
“We live in a society. You can’t hate being around people.”
“I get paid whenever I move.”
“I have a right to have the day-off.”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover. That’s being prejudiced.”
Do two opposite lives attract?
During a wine bonding on Episode 4, tipsy Hyejin tells Hong Dusik, “I’m fascinated by you. We’re from two different worlds. If a penguin fom Antartica met a polar bear from the North, would it feel this way?”
Hong Dusik replied, “They’re both from freezing climates, though.”
Drunk Hyejin confidently but mindlessly says, “Well, I guess opposites attract.” Like the hedgehog, she is slowly laying down her spines in front of Hong Dusik.
KORB 