Updated: April 12, 2022
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) is a romantic-comedy Korean series and an outstanding remake of the 2004 film, “Mr. Hong”, starring Kim Seonho and Shin Mina. It is a 16-part series that introduces a warm community of multiple characters whose stories represent our daily lives.
The impact of this drama is undeniable for it celebrates the beauty of life, love, community, and healing—a timeless narrative that has touched the hearts of many viewers worldwide and will surely continue to inspire many generations to come.
Here are 8 reasons to celebrate Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021):
1. It’s a high-rated drama in South Korea.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) was aired through tvN, a pay cable channel in South Korea which has a smaller audience compared to commercial free-to-air television such as the KBS, SBS, and others.
Yet, the drama consistently ranked first place in the nationwide viewership ratings in its time slot across all channels, from the premiere in August 2021 to the finale episode in October 2021.
It became one of the highest-rated drama series in Korea’s cable television history, attaining the highest record of 12.7%, which is more than 3 million views nationwide.
2. It stayed on Netflix’s Global Top 10 for 16 weeks.
While new great Korean shows are making their way onto Netflix’s Top 10 list, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) alongside Squid Game (2021) remain the unbeatable longest Hallyu content on the global charts.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) attained 16 consecutive weeks on Netflix’s Global Top 10 next to Squid Game‘s 19 weeks record.
The drama has been watched for 300.5 million hours based on the 16-week data from Netflix in 2021. While it exited the Global Top 10 list in 2022, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) continues to build viewing points according to Flix Patrol, taking 18th place among the most watched Korean titles on Netflix in March 2022.
While Squid Game (2021) and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) have departed Netflix’s Top 10 list, so far they still own the best streak and the crown of remaining on the global charts longer than any of the Korean shows.
3. It topped the most buzzworthy drama and actors for weeks.
During its run, the high engagement of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) across social media was unstoppable—dominating the weekly rankings of the most buzzworthy drama and actors as well as trending hashtags and topics on Twitter.
With a collection of data from social media platforms, online communities, media portals, and blog posts, the drama topped the most buzz for several weeks, according to Good Data Corporation.
Kim Seonho also dominated the weekly rankings of the most buzzworthy drama actors as well as topped the various polls and surveys. He also ranked #1 in the Drama Actor Brand Reputation with a brand reputation index of 5,551,730 in September 2021 and 7,201,577 in October 2021.
Moreover, the drama created various adorable reactions from Youtubers and Tiktokers on the heart-fluttering moments between Kim Seonho and Shin Mina.
4. It achieved the best-selling merchandise items.
Due to the high engagement of the series, official Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) merchandise or goods such as the photobook, OST album, and scriptbook were also high in demand.
On November 3, 2021, the scriptbook of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) went viral and was placed as the #1 best-selling item on 11 Street online Korean store. Overseas fans also purchased the scriptbook set.
5. It influenced the increase of tourism in Pohang City.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) has created impact on the increase of tourism in the picturesque city of Pohang, where the show was mostly filmed. It has become a popular destination for seafood, seaside scenery, comfort, and healing.
The influx of tourists in the city also made it to the news in South Korea. According to various K-media reports, several tourists flocked the province in 2021, with long queues in the famous filming sites such as Oh Yoon’s Live Cafe & Pub, Yoon’s Dental Clinic, Hardware Store, Bora’s Supermarket, Gongjin Market, the boat on Hilltop, and Red Lighthouse.
Yoon Hye-jin’s dental clinic has also been converted into a restaurant that serves warm meals.
Many overseas fans are also looking forward to visit the place once it is safer to travel. Check out more details about visiting Pohang City from Imagine Your Korea’s travel guide here.
6. It is widely recognized.
On November 4, 2021, the song Wish by Choi Yuree has been nominated for “Best OST” at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA). The show’s OST by various artists in general captivated the hearts of many that several YouTubers and musicians around the world did covers of the songs.
On November 5, 2021, the drama couple, Kim Seonho and Shin Mina, was selected as the #1 “Best Drama Couple of 2021”, according to a survey conducted by Joy News 24. They received 103 votes out of 200 participants of entertainment industry employees, broadcasters, reporters, and content producers.
In the same survey, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) ranked second place as the Best Drama of 2021 with 27/200 votes next to Hospital Playlist 2 (2021) that received 35/200 votes.
On December 21, 2021, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) was selected as the “Good Drama of 2021” by Kim Soo Hyun Drama Art Hall in South Korea.
US Variety also selected Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) as one of the crop of best international TV shows. They described it as one of the feel-good K-dramas of 2021 stating, “The story’s simplicity and lightheartedness has a refreshing vibe amid the doom and gloom of the pandemic.“
Forbes and The Korea Times also recognized Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’s gain in worldwide popularity. It is worth watching for Cosmo while Decider recommended to stream it.
“It’s the perfect small town weekend treat and an undeniably fun watch from start to finish,” according to The Review Geek.
Lion Hear TV simply described it as a lovely drama which was beautifully shot and compellingly written. It’s the best feel-good series of 2021 according to Wikipedia.
For The Straits Times, it is binge-worthy. It offers refreshing rustic romance according to ABS-CBN News while Rappler loved the calm and honest company of the show.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) also dominated the multiple fan-based polls, showing that the drama is indeed a crowd-favorite.
It won multiple awards at the 2021 Metro Best K-Drama Awards on December 15, 2021, including:
- Jury’s Choice Awards | Breakthrough Star of the Year: Kim Seonho
- Jury’s Choice Awards | Best OST: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
- Jury’s Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress: Kim Young-ok
- People’s Choice Awards | Best Drama: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
- People’s Choice Awards | Best Couple: Kim Seonho and Shin Mina
- People’s Choice Awards | Best Actor: Kim Seonho
- People’s Choice Awards | Best Actress: Shin Mina
- People’s Choice Awards | Best Kiss: Kim Seonho and Shin Mina
- People’s Choice Awards | Best Song: Romantic Sunday by Car, The Garden
On December 31, 2021, The Swoon Netflix revealed its winners for the 2021 Swoonies’ Choice Awards and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) won in the following categories:
- Best Drama Anthem: Romantic Sunday by Car, The Garden
- Thirstiest Trap: Kim Seonho
- Most Swoonworthy Confession: Kim Seonho and Shin Mina
Moreover, it won the “Best Popcorn Worthy Show” with 66% votes at the Hallyu Talk Awards on January 14, 2022.
7. Kim Seonho made Hong Dusik iconic.
It’s undeniable that Kim Seonho vivaciously gave life to the character of Hong Dusik and made it iconic. He delivered various emotions from being loud, playful, cheerful, free-spirited to being emotionally detached, anxious, and depressed. He breathed the life of a vibrant town hero as well as amazingly showed what post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is with his micro-expressions.
On December 14, 2021, Kim Seonho was named as Gallup Korea’s “TV Actor of the Year“, followed by Shin Mina on 2nd place. The actor also attained two popularity awards at the 2021 Asian Artist Awards (AAA) on December 2, 2021.
According to the New York Times best-selling and award-winning American author, Christie Golden, Kim Seonho is one of the most convincing and natural actors she has seen, who was perfect in portraying the many emotions throughout Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
She added, “He delivered a jaw-droppingly good performance.”
She also shared that Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) is utterly charming and without flaws.
8. It’s a rewatchable material.
More than providing entertainment, the show has truly captured the hearts of millions as it has touched various aspects of people’s lives with its warm message of comfort and healing especially in these tough times.
As Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) feels like a therapy or a little escape, it is truly a perfect rewatch material especially when life needs a dose of dopamine.
It’s all thanks to the Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’s director, writer, producers, production team, and the entire cast who created this timeless and heartwarming masterpiece.
Genre: Romantic comedy, Slice of life
Synopsis: At a crossroads, a dentist moves to a seaside village where she meets a handyman intent on helping his neighbours.
Based on: 2014 Mr. Hong film by Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jung-goo
No of episodes: 16
Starring: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho and Lee Sang-yi
Written by: Shin Ha-eun
Directed by: Yu Je-won
Date: August 28 – October 17, 2021
Network: tvN, Netflix
KORB 