# Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (Korean: 갯마을 차차차) is a 2021 South Korean romantic comedy drama television series starring Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho and Lee Sang-yi. It is a remake of 2004 South Korean film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong. It 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.
The series was a commercial hit and became one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable television history. It ranked first place during its entire run for eight weeks, and the last episode achieved 12.665% nationwide rating, with over 3.2 million views. It also became one of Netflix's most-watched non-English television shows, and one of its longest-running hits as it spent 16 weeks in global top ten rankings.

## 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 Gongjin's residents.

## 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, Gongjin's handyman who is known as Chief Hong around the village. He is unemployed officially, but is always busy giving a helping hand to everyone. He is good at everything and appears to assist whatever random tasks his neighbors need help with.
** Song Min-jae as child Hong Du-sik
** An Seong-won as 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 workaholic and has a bright personality.

### Supporting
#### People around Hye-jin

* 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.

#### People around Seong-hyun

* 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.

#### People in Gongjin

* 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 café 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.
* In Gyo-jin as Jang Young-guk, Hwa-jung's ex-husband. He is the youngest district head who used to be a seventh grade civil servant.
* Hong Ji-hee as Yoo Cho-Hui, a teacher at Cheongjin Elementary School who returns to the coastal town after fifteen years. At that time she had been a tenant in Hwa-jung's house and they had become friends until Cho-Hui needed to suddenly move away.
* Cha Chung-hwa as Jo Nam-sook, president of Prosperous Gongjin Department Store and owner of a Chinese restaurant near Hye-jin's dental clinic.
* Yoon Seok-hyun as Choi Geum-chul, Eun-chul's brother and Du-sik's friend who is the owner of a hardware store.
* Kim Ju-yeon as Ham Yun-kyung, Geum-chul's wife who owns a convenience store.
* Kang Hyung-seok as Choi Eun-chul, Geum-chul's brother and a police officer who is a sincere person and works hard on everything he does.
* Kim Sung-bum as Ban Yong-hun, Gongjin's community center manager.
* Kim Min-seo as Oh Ju-ri, Cheon-jae's daughter.
* Ki Eun-yoo as Jang Yi-jun, Young-guk and Hwa-jung's son.
* Go Do-yeon as Choi Bo-ra, Geum-chul and Yun-kyung's daughter.

### 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 [ko] as Myung-hak, a patient at Hye-jin's dental clinic.
* Kim Jin-yeop [ko] as Lee Kang-wook, Hye-jin's ex-boyfriend and Seong-hyeon's high school classmate (Episode 5th and 9th).
* Kim Dae-gon as 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 [ko] 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

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha's episode titles were written in official wallpaper of each episode in the drama official website.
| No. | Title | Original release date | South Korea viewers (millions) |
| 1 | "The moment I met you everywhere" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Moseubeul, Eodiseona Mannan Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 모습을, 어디서나 만난 순간) | August 28, 2021 (2021-8-28) | 1.670 |
| Yoon Hye-jin, a successful dentist working at a clinic in Gangnam, enjoys her life as a single and accomplished woman. However, her innate sense of justice, even if it's just 2%, often steers her away from the path of guaranteed success. When she unexpectedly faces a career setback, she decides to visit the seaside village of Gongjin on her late mother's birthday, hoping to reconnect with her cherished childhood memories. It is during this visit that a peculiar man named Hong Du-sik enters her life after one of her expensive high heels drifts into the sea. ||||
| 2 | "The moment your sincerity took a step forward" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Jinsimi, Hanbaljjak Naagan Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 진심이, 한발짝 나아간 순간) | August 29, 2021 (2021-8-29) | 1.624 |
| Yoon Hye-jin makes the decision to establish her own dental clinic in Gongjin. Reluctantly, she attends a party to promote her new venture. However, her discomfort grows when Oh Cheon-jae shamelessly promotes his past as a 1990s singer. Feeling upset, she confides in her best friend Pyo Mi-seon over the phone, unaware that the microphone in the room is switched on, causing the entire village to overhear their conversation. Pyo Mi-seon comes to Hye-jin's aid by moving in and providing assistance at the clinic. Upon learning about the situation, Pyo Mi-seon advises Hye-jin to consider leaving Gongjin due to the negative impression she has made. Yoon Hye-jin's unfavorable reputation within the village leads to her clinic's failure in attracting any patients. Not a single person seeks treatment at her clinic. However, Hong Du-sik takes it upon himself to intervene. Hong Du-sik becomes a helpful presence, guiding Hye-jin to fit into the community. ||||
| 3 | "The moment your heart smiled at me" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Maeumi, Naege Misojieun Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 마음이, 내게 미소지은 순간) | September 4, 2021 (2021-9-4) | 2.126 |
| Yoon Hye-jin went on a shopping spree to prepare for her college classmate's wedding. Unexpectedly, Hong Du-sik appeared as a delivery man and annoyingly criticized her shopping habits. However, as she was about to leave for Seoul to attend the wedding, Du-sik showed up again with three grandmothers who needed a ride to Seoul for their own errands. Reluctantly, Yoon Hye-jin embarked on a long journey to Seoul with Du-sik and the three uninvited passengers, putting her patience to the test. On the return trip to Gongjin, only Hong Du-sik accompanied her. During the ride home, they engaged in an argument about which lifestyle is better between Gongjin and Seoul. ||||
| 4 | "The moment your temperature melted my heart" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Ondoga, Naui Maeumeul Nogin Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 온도가, 나의 마음을 녹인 순간) | September 5, 2021 (2021-9-5) | 2.232 |
| Hong Du-sik, a proponent of a carefree lifestyle, highly values his days off and rejects all job offers. While Du-sik is absent, Hye-jin, longing for his presence, attends a prosperity meeting for Gongjin shop owners in the hope of encountering him. However, the crowded gathering and overwhelming atmosphere make it difficult for her to feel included, prompting her to pretend to be drunk to avoid conversation. Days later, despite it being his day off, Du-sik rushes off to the dental clinic to handle a disturbance caused by a patient. Meanwhile, Chang Yeong-guk receives news that his first love has returned to town. ||||
| 5 | "The moment your feelings floated on the waves" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Gamjeongi, Padoe Tteooreun Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 감정이, 파도에 떠오른 순간) | September 11, 2021 (2021-9-11) | 2.490 |
| Hye-jin, whose memories are cut off, is tormented by the void of incomplete memories. Hye-jin is seen leaving Du-sik's home one morning. While she tries to recall what happened the night before, the town's gossip mill goes into overdrive. Ji Seong-hyeon (also called PD Ji), Hye-jin's senior in college, visits Gongjin to produce a TV program. ||||
| 6 | "The moment your gaze goes beyond friendship" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Siseoni, Ujeongeul Neomeoseon Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 시선이, 우정을 넘어선 순간) | September 12, 2021 (2021-9-12) | 2.593 |
| After recalling her kiss with Du-sik, Hye-jin resolves to stop getting involved with him. Meanwhile, the residents of Gongjin participate in a singing competition to win prize money. With Hye-jin and Du-sik's assistance, Oh Ju-ri performs a song by her favorite group, DOS, and secures second place. Upon learning that Ju-ri needs money to fix her snaggletooth, Hye-jin informs her that it can be treated without having to pay the full amount. ||||
| 7 | "The moment your loneliness leaned on me" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Oeroumi, Naege Gidaeon Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 외로움이, 나에게 기대온 순간) | September 18, 2021 (2021-9-18) | 2.321 |
| Seong-hyeon identifies Gam-ri's house as an ideal location for shooting and persuades her to allow him to use it. He also requests Du-sik to collaborate with him. Yeong-guk harbors feelings for Cho-hui. Seong-hyeon inquires with Du-sik about Hye-jin's relationship status, to which Du-sik responds negatively, indicating she is not dating anyone. ||||
| 8 | "The moment your existence erases the darkness" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Jonjaega, Eodumeul Jiuneun Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 존재가, 어둠을 지우는 순간) | September 19, 2021 (2021-9-19) | 2.106 |
| Cho-hui becomes the target of a kidnapper, but his plans are thwarted when Hwa-jung intervenes and disrupts the situation. In a surprising twist, Hye-jin uncovers a concerning situation where some of her patients are declining to proceed with the final step of their dental restoration. It turns out that Nam-sook had been recommending them to an illegal dental technician who offers lower prices. This revelation leads to a clash between Hye-jin and Nam-sook. Hye-jin, Seong-hyeon, and Du-sik join forces to carry out a mission aimed at recovering Nam-sook's stolen money in a daring robbery. Through their combined efforts, they manage to apprehend the culprit successfully. However, amidst the triumph, Hye-jin becomes aware of Du-sik's health condition, raising her concerns about his well-being. ||||
| 9 | "Your seat, the moment you draw your daily life" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Jariga, Ilsangeul Geurineun Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 자리가, 일상을 그리는 순간) | September 25, 2021 (2021-9-25) | 2.397 |
| During Hye-jin's parents' visit to Gongjin, circumstances arise that require Du-sik to pretend to be her boyfriend. However, a mix-up occurs, and Ji Seong-hyeon unintentionally makes more favorable impression on Hye-jin's father instead. Meanwhile, Pyo Mi-seon musters the courage to confess her feelings to Choi Eun-cheol, only to face rejection. Similarly, Cho-hui turns down Yeong-guk's advances. ||||
| 10 | "The moment your love reaches 'us'" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Sarangi, 'Uri'e Dodalhan Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 사랑이, '우리'에 도달한 순간) | September 26, 2021 (2021-9-26) | 2.978 |
| After bravely rescuing Hye-jin from a home invasion and apprehending a pervert, Du-sik sustains injuries. Hye-jin, spends the night at Du-sik's house, where he opens up about his late grandfather, sharing personal stories and memories. A few days later, they come together to celebrate death anniversary of Du-sik's grandfather, honoring his memory together. Meanwhile, Seong-hyeon musters the courage to confess his feelings to Hye-jin. In a separate turn of events, Hye-jin and Mi-seon embark on a weekend shopping spree trip to Seoul. However, despite being surrounded by the bustling city, Hye-jin finds her thoughts continuously drifting back to Du-sik. Overwhelmed by her feelings, she rushes back to Gongjin and bares her heart to Du-sik, culminating in a passionate kiss between them. ||||
| 11 | "The moment when your excitement becomes my happiness" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Seollemi, Naui Haengbogi Doeneun Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 설렘이, 나의 행복이 되는 순간) | October 2, 2021 (2021-10-2) | 2.438 |
| After Hye-jin makes the journey back to Gongjin to confess her feelings to Du-sik, their feelings are reciprocated, and they share a heartfelt kiss. However, Hye-jin decides to postpone officially labeling their relationship. In a kind manner, she turns down Seong-hyeon's romantic advances. Subsequently, Hye-jin and Du-sik start dating, but Hye-jin requests that they keep their relationship hidden. Unfortunately, this decision leads to complications as their secret romance begins to unravel. Meanwhile, Seong-hyeon, nursing a broken heart, falls ill and finds solace in the care of Wang Ji-won. On the other hand, Hye-jin and Du-sik's attempt to keep their relationship clandestine proves to be short-lived, as the truth comes to light after just three days. ||||
| 12 | "The moment your wish dreams of 'together'" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Barami, 'Hamkke'reul Kkumkkuneun Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 바람이, '함께'를 꿈꾸는 순간) | October 3, 2021 (2021-10-3) | 2.776 |
| Hye-jin and Du-sik make the decision to publicly embrace their relationship, leaving behind the need for secrecy. Their blossoming romance fills Hye-jin with excitement, prompting her to compile a detailed bucket list of activities she dreams of experiencing with Du-sik, including a memorable date in Seoul. In the meantime, Mi-seon and Eun-cheol find common ground and come to a mutual understanding, taking the leap to officially start their relationship. As for Yeong-guk, he eventually uncovers the underlying reasons that led to his divorce, gaining a deeper understanding of the situation. ||||
| 13 | "Your Today is the Moment You Wish for Tomorrow" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Oneuri, Naeireul Baraneun Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 오늘이, 내일을 바라는 순간) | October 9, 2021 (2021-10-9) | 2.459 |
| The residents of Gongjin come together to celebrate Du-sik's birthday, creating a joyful atmosphere. Seong-hyeon is left bewildered by Ji-won's sudden resignation, causing confusion and uncertainty. Meanwhile, a typhoon wreaks havoc, blocking all roads and forcing Ham Yun-gyeong to give birth at Hye-jin's home, adding unexpected excitement to the situation. In the end Hye-jin becomes increasingly frustrated by Du-sik's unwillingness to open up about his past. ||||
| 14 | "The moment your promise bring up courage" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Yaksogi, Yonggireul Kkeureonaen Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 약속이, 용기를 끌어낸 순간) | October 10, 2021 (2021-10-10) | 3.013 |
| Hye-jin becomes aware of the emotional distance between her and Du-sik, leading her to experience a sense of despair. Du-sik finds it challenging to reveal his innermost secrets to her. Meanwhile, Hye-jin learns from Hwa-jeong about Du-sik's return to Gong-jin in the past. As a result, Hye-jin and Du-sik decide to take some time apart to reflect on their situation. In the meantime, Yu Cho-hui encourages Yeong-guk to gather the courage to express his true feelings. Consequently, Yeong-guk and Hwa-jung reignite their love for one another. As Seong-hyeon and his team conclude their filming project, a farewell party is organized by Seong-hyeon's crew. It is during this event that Du-sik's past is unexpectedly revealed to everyone in attendance. ||||
| 15 | "The moment your sadness greets spring" Transliteration: "Dangsin-ui Seulpeumi, Bomeul Majihan Sungan" (Korean: 당신의 슬픔이, 봄을 맞이한 순간) | October 16, 2021 (2021-10-16) | 2.652 |
| Finally, Du-sik's past is unveiled, leaving everyone shocked and perplexed. He had worked at a management company in Seoul, where bad financial advice to a security guard led to the man losing all his assets. Hye-jin finds herself in a state of confusion, while Seong-hyeon, upon hearing Do-ha's account, is equally taken aback by the intricate web of relationships. Du-sik, once again, finds himself trapped in the shadows of his haunting past. With his secrets exposed for all to see, Du-sik is faced with the daunting task of forging a path forward, away from the tragedies that have plagued him. Hye-jin becomes a pillar of support, aiding him in overcoming his guilt and remorse. Despite a tempting job offer in Seoul, Hye-jin decides to decline it, choosing instead to remain in Gongjin and continue her journey alongside Du-sik. ||||
| 16 | "The moment our lives dance with everyone" Transliteration: "Uriui Insaengi, Moduwa Chumchuneun Sungan" (Korean: 우리의 인생이, 모두와 춤추는 순간) | October 17, 2021 (2021-10-17) | 3.237 |
| The residents of Gongjin come together to bid farewell to a loved one. Hye-Jin manages to be the rock that support Du-sik in dealing with his grief. In an unexpected twist, Hye-jin makes a proposal to Du-sik, unaware that he has the same intention. They joyfully plan to get married and embark on a new chapter together. Meanwhile, Ji Seong-hyeon finds himself at a crossroads, facing important decisions that will shape his future. ||||

## Production
### Development

The series, written by Shin Ha-eun, was her comeback after co-writing the 2019 drama The Crowned Clown. It was first announced on December 21, 2020, under the working title of Hong Ban-jang (홍반장). The series is a drama remake of the 2004 movie Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong starring Kim Joo-hyeok and Uhm Jung-hwa and written by Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jung-goo.

### Casting

Casting was first announced on December 21, 2020, with Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-a being offered the lead roles. On April 2, 2021, it was officially announced that Yoo Je-won will be directing the drama literally translated as Seaside Village Cha-Cha-Cha (갯마을 차차차). In the same time, Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-a were confirmed as main leads, also Lee Sang-yi was being offered the role. The drama marked Director Yoo Je-won second collaboration with Shin Min-a after both worked on Tomorrow with You (2017).

### Filming

The first script reading for the cast members took place on April 21, 2021. Filming was initially scheduled to commence on May 8 and primarily took place in Pohang. The drama was planned to wrapped up filming on October 6, 2021.

### Music and choreography

The series features numerous onscreen song covers performed by the characters. Lim Ha-young, the music director, was responsible for selecting all of the songs used. However writer Shin Ha-eun, director Yoo Je-won, actors and the crews also actively contributed ideas. Similar to the character Hong Du-sik from the original film, Kim Seon-ho had to sing and play guitar in the drama. In drama version, Du-sik covered "Old Love" from Lee Moon-sae, different song from the original film.
Other characters in the drama also performed at Gongjin Village's "Lighthouse Song Festival." The opening stage of the festival featured Gongjin's pride, Oh Yeon, performing his only hit song, "Exercising in the Moonlight." To create a realistic festival atmosphere, Jo Han-chul sang and played the guitar live. Interestingly, "Exercising in the Moonlight" is an old song composed by Lim back in the nineties. It was selected to achieve an authentic nineties sound and was apt as popular hit ranking second in the 1993 K-pop Top 10 Gayo, making it the most significant achievement of the nineties singer, Oh Yeon. According to the production team, the festival scene in the sixth episode was the most important but also the most challenging to film. It required a significant amount of time due to the involvement of a large number of people and the unpredictable weather during the rainy season. Additionally, the filming had to adhere to strict quarantine rules due to the COVID-19 situation.
Songs performed in the series by Gongjin characters (with credit to original performers) :
| Episode | Title | Title | Version covered | Performed by | Album | Note | Ref. |
| Episode | English | Korean | Version covered | Performed by | Album | Note | Ref. |
| 4 | Old Love | 옛사랑 | Lee Moon-sae | Hong Du-sik | — | Cafe performance | |
| 6 | Exercise at the Moonlit Night | 달밤에 체조 | Oh Yoon | Oh Yoon (Oh Chun-jae) | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha OST Album | Performance at Lighthouse Song Festivals | |
| 6 | Don't Give Up | 포기하지마 | Sung Jin-woo [ko] | Choi Geum-chul | — | Performance at Lighthouse Song Festivals | |
| 6 | Tears | 눈물 | Soo Chan-hwee | Jo Nam-sook | — | Performance at Lighthouse Song Festivals | |
| 6 | Let's live with a smile | 웃으며 살자 | Shin Shin-ae | Lee Mat-yi and Park Sook-ja | — | Performance at Lighthouse Song Festivals | |
| 6 | My Starry Love | 별빛 같은 나의 사랑아 | Lim Young-woong | Kim Gam-ri | — | Performance at Lighthouse Song Festivals | |
| 6 | I will hug you tight | 꼭 안아줄래요 | Jang Yu-na and Lee Eu-nu | Choi Bo-ra | — | Performance at Lighthouse Song Festivals | |
| 6 | Just a Feeling | Just a Feeling | DOS | Oh Ju-ri | — | Performance at Lighthouse Song Festivals | |
| 6 | Just a Feeling | Just a Feeling | DOS | DOS | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha OST Album | Performance at Lighthouse Song Festivals | |
| 14 | Love is forgotten by love | 사랑이 다른 사랑으로 잊혀지네 | Hareem [ko] | Ji Seong-hyun | — | Gongjin party to celebrate Ji Seong-hyun PD Variety Show. | |
This drama featured a fictional idol group called DOS, known for their hit song "Just a Feeling." The choreography for the song was created by Jo Young-seo and Kim Do-gyun, who are choreographers and dancers from a group called Dance of Soul (DOS). Jo and Kim gained recognition as choreographers for the popular television show, Mr. Trot. Jo mentioned that the original name for the idol group in the drama was "Choice," but writer Shin Ha-eun changed the name into DOS. Jo and Kim also revealed that their appearance in the drama was a spontaneous decision. When they created the choreography, they were invited to act as idols in the drama. Seong Tae, Baek Seung, Jo Young-seo, Kim Do-gyun and one more member from the dance team underwent a month of dance practice in order to portray the image of DOS perfectly. The dance was first performed at the "Lighthouse Song Festival," where Hye-jin and Du-sik acted as backup dancers for Oh Ju-ri, and later the idol group DOS surprised the audience with their performance at the festival.

## Media
### 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. It is expected to be a delightful surprise for fans who miss the songs.
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.

### Part 8
#### Chart performance

| Title | Year | Peak | Remarks |
| Title | Year | KOR | Remarks |
| "Romantic Sunday" (Car, the Garden) | 2021 | 97 | Part 1 |
| "One Sunny Day" (Kassy) | 2021 | 107 | Part 2 |
| "My Romance" (Cheeze) | 2021 | 154 | Part 3 |
| "Wish" Choi Yu-ree | 2021 | 97 | Part 4 |
| "Be the Light" (Kim Jae-hwan) | 2021 | 91 | Part 5 |
| "The Image of You (Remains in My Memory)" (Sandeul) | 2021 | 45 | Part 6 |
| "Here Always" (Seungmin (Stray Kids)) | 2021 | 125 | Part 7 |
| "I Hope You're Happy" (Lee Sang-yi) | 2021 | 112 | Part 8 |

### Tie-in publishing

The original script of the series was published in two books, with each book covering eight episodes. The official release date was initially scheduled for early November 2021.
| Year | Title | Title | Author | Publisher | Published date | ISBN |
| Year | English | Korean | Author | Publisher | Published date | ISBN |
| 2021 | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Vol 1: Shin Ha-Eun Scriptbook | 갯마을 차차차 1: 신하은 대본집 신하은 | Shin Ha-eun | Booklog Company Co., Ltd | November 8, 2021 | 979-1-1680-3004-6 |
| 2021 | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Vol 2: Shin Ha-Eun Scriptbook | 갯마을 차차차 2: 신하은 대본집 신하은 | Shin Ha-eun | Booklog Company Co., Ltd | November 8, 2021 | 979-1-1680-3005-3 |
On November 30, 2021, the scheduled publication of the Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Photo Essay was unfortunately canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. However, on October 17, 2022, it was finally confirmed that the photo essay would be published. The photo essay was released as a package of two books, with each book covering eight episodes. The publication of the photo essay took place in February 2023.
| Year | Title | Title | Author | Publisher | Published Date | ISBN |
| Year | English | Korean | Author | Publisher | Published Date | ISBN |
| 2023 | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Photo Essay | 갯마을 차차차 포토에세이 | Studio Dragon | Booklog Company Co., Ltd | February 14, 2023 | 979-1-1680-3043-5 |

## Reception
### Big Data Reception

During its airing, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha achieved notable rankings and generated buzz according to various sources. In the Content Power Index (CPI) Content Power Index (CPI) powered by RACOI, the drama entered the Top 10 in the drama category, ranking 6th in the 4th week of August (from 23rd to 29th). It continued to perform well, reaching 3rd place in the drama category and 4th place in the overall category in the first and second weeks of September. In the third week of September, it claimed the 2nd spot in the drama category and 3rd place 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 rank in the drama category. In the overall category, it attained the 2nd place in the 4th and 5th weeks of September, experienced a slight drop to 4th place in the 1st week of October, and then returned to the 2nd rank in the 2nd week of October.
According to the Good Data Corporation, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha consistently charted in the Top 10 in the TV Topicality Ranking in the drama division category from the 3rd week of August 2021 to the 2nd week of October 2021. It ranked 8th in the 3rd week of August, 3rd in the 4th week of August, 1st week, and 2nd week of September, and climbed to 2nd place in the 3rd week of September. The drama eventually secured the top spot in drama popularity in the 4th week of September and 1st week of October. The main leads, Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-a, consistently ranked high during this period, with Kim Seon-ho taking the 1st place and Shin Min-a ranking 2nd in consecutive weeks from the 3rd week of August to the 4th week of September. In the 5th week of September, Kim Seon-ho ranked 2nd, and Shin Min-a ranked 3rd. In the 1st and 2nd weeks of October 2021, Kim Seon-ho regained the top spot, while Shin Min-a ranked 5th in the 1st week and returned to 3rd place in the 2nd week of October.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha made its mark entering Top 20 'FUNdex,' ranking 17th with a score of 83.13 out of 355 Korean dramas aired from 2018 to 2021. 'FUNdex' provides predictions on the fun factor and box office potential of content by integrating six data points: the number of household viewers, the number of viewers in the 2049 age group, topicality, performer topicality, clip views, and media attention. Good Data Corporation data and public data provided by RACOI were also used in this ranking.
On April 18, 2022, the result of The 2021 Big Data Utilization Hallyu Market Research was announced. The report was published by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and The Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE). Topic of this report is about the public interest in the Korean Wave. It analyzed the current status of Korean Wave by collecting and analyzing voluntary global reactions that occur online in real-time. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, along with its leads, Kim Seonho and Shin Min-a were among the most searched keywords (prominent keywords) related to K-drama on the report.
The drama's popularity also had a direct impact on the brand reputation of its main leads. According to big data analysis by The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, in September 2021, Kim Seon-ho topped the drama actor brand reputation ranking, while Shin Min-a secured the third position. The 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 increased by 21.00%.
In a year-end poll conducted by Gallup in South Korea, Kim Seon-ho was named Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year, and Shin Min-a ranked second, further affirming their popularity.

### Commercial performance

The commercial success of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha had a significant impact on the commercial performance of its production house. Studio Dragon reported sales of ₩64.9 billion in the third quarter of 2021, marking a 27.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The proportion of sales also rose to 55.9%, an 8.1% increase from the previous year. GTist, the production company involved in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, was believed to have 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 the third quarter of 2021. This represented a 7.4% increase in sales and a 23.6% increase in operating profit compared to the same period in 2020. The growth in sales was attributed to the success of major dramas, including Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. TV advertisements and content sales also saw significant increases of 22.9% and 33.3%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2020.
The popularity of the drama led to the emergence of the term "Gaetcha Craze." The properties showcased in the series experienced a surge in sales. The wine that Yoon Hye-jin gifted to Hong Du-sik in episode 5 received a sudden influx of orders and temporarily sold out. The bag worn by Yoon Hye-jin also sold out. In addition, there has been a significant increase in inquiries about other clothing, jewelry, and shoes worn by Shin Min-a. Yoon Hye-jin's fashion gained popularity due to a delightful combination of sophisticated style and her unique, lovely charm.
Kim Haeng-sook's poetry book, "Portrait of Echo," garnered renewed attention after one of its poems, "The Gatekeeper," was featured in the drama. Since its release in 2014, the book had never made it onto the bestseller list. However, thanks to its inclusion in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, the public rediscovered it after seven years. The book quickly climbed to the second spot on Kyobo Bookstore's bestseller list in the poetry section during the first week of October. It also entered the third spot on Yes24's bestseller list in the Korean poetry category by the second week of October. Additionally, the Korean translation of Henry David Thoreau's Walden, which Hong Ban-jang read in episode 2 of the drama, reached the 11th spot on Yes24's bestseller list in the essay category by the second week of October. In analyzing the book sales growth rate for one week before and after the exposure of "Walden" and "Portrait of Echo" in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Yes24 reported significant sales growth rates of 369% and 3,257%, respectively.
Yes24 reported that the limited first editions (the writer's edition) of the unedited scriptbooks for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 1 and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 2, which include autographs and messages from writer Shin Ha-eun, actors Shin Min-a and Kim Seon-ho, quickly rose to the top of the overall bestseller list within just one day of pre-sale. On the day of publication alone, over 9,000 copies were booked, showcasing their immense popularity. In terms of the age group purchasing the script book, individuals in their 20s (36.8%) and 30s (32.4%) held the largest share, followed by those in their 40s (18.7%) and teenagers (7.4%). The male-to-female ratio was approximately 1:9. According to an official from Aladin, the scriptbooks soared to the number one spot on Aladin's bestsellers list on October 16, 2021. The official stated, "While we have been selling scripts of popular dramas, it is rare for a drama script to top the bestseller list." This was reported by The Korea Herald.

### Critical reception

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha received critical acclaim, primarily for its simplicity, acting, cinematography, setting, and vibe. The show was acknowledged by Variety as one of "The Best International TV Shows of 2021," ranking sixth on the list. The story's simplicity and lighthearted nature has provided a refreshing escape amid the doom and gloom of the pandemic. On 21 December 2021 NME unveiled "The Best Kdrama of 2021", in which the series was ranked eighth. According to them, the show won viewers over with its upfront and straightforward approach in dealing with different dilemmas, without being overly preachy and tacky. Every episode is like a warm embrace from those once-strangers-turned-family, offering comfort and respite whether you're experiencing the highs or lows of every day. Graham Falk of The Scotsman also included the series on the list of "Best K-drama TV shows on Netflix: The 10 most highly rated Korean dramas on Netflix.
Jan Lee of The Straits Times gave the drama a rating of 4/5 stars, pointing out three reasons to tune in to Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha were idyllic setting, charming leads and colourful supporting characters. Pierce Conran from South China Morning Post gave the drama a rating of 3.5/5 stars and said that the hit romcom kept things simple and though it occasionally indulged in some hokey dramatics to strengthen its wafer-thin narrative, it was never in danger of alienating its committed audience, which was hooked to the last.
S. Poorvaja from The Hindu said, "Ultimately, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a good example of how K-dramas can get romance right, even as it attempts to provide more nuance and depth into the struggles of its lead characters. For everyone who has had their minds blown by Squid Game, this outing is a worthy representation of what else K-dramas excel at: slice-of-life goodness and wholesome romance of the best kind." Chad de Guzman from Time included the drama in the list of the 8 best Korean dramas on Netflix and stated, "'Best' doesn't always have to mean 'intense and thought-provoking'. Sometimes it can simply mean easy, enjoyable viewing."
Professor Mo Jong-rin, a professor at Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies, praised the series as refreshing. Professor Mo suggest that, "Netflix, the provider, may not have intended it, but the Squid Game and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha are logically connected. The community of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha serves as an alternative solution to the harsh reality portrayed in Squid Game. I apologize to Squid Game fans, but I genuinely hope that foreigners to remember Korea as a warm country that presents a community-based alternative to societal issues, rather than a country that simply criticizes reality in a provocative manner."
Joel Keller of Decider gave a mixed review, stating, "There's enough good things about Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, including the seashore scenery and the chemistry between the show's leads, to recommend it. However, there are moments when it moves so slowly that the momentum comes close to grinding to a halt."
One of the pop culture critics, Jung Deok-hyeon, from PD Journal, described Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha as "Soft Healing Drama". Meanwhile, Bang Yeon-joo, another pop culture critic from PD Journal, had a more mixed review. Bang pointed out some disappointing aspects, stating, "The portrayal of men and women in the drama followed typical stereotypes, despite attempting to showcase the contrasting personalities of Du-sik and Hye-jin in three dimensions. The episodes where the meddlesome Du-sik appeared to rescue Hye-jin whenever she faced a crisis were a clichéd setup that reduced Hye-jin to a 'damsel in distress' character." Additionally, Bang acknowledged that despite the drama's plain subject matter and genre, it achieved commercial success. This was attributed to the development of not only the romantic relationships in Gongjin, a seaside town, but also the endearing and affectionate characters of the townsfolk, which created a calming and enjoyable atmosphere.
Columnist Jung Deok-hyeon from Entermedia also expressed a similar sentiment, particularly regarding a scene involving a house trespasser that seemed to appear out of nowhere to further the relationship between Yoon Hye-jin and Hong Du-sik. Jung Deok-hyeon mentioned that this particular aspect of the drama felt like a weakness, as clichés that may have been more acceptable in the past are now harder to embrace due to changing sensibilities. Despite these perceived weaknesses, the viewer response was not bad, mainly because the fantasy depicted through the virtual setting of Gongjin in this drama was exceptionally compelling. This is especially notable within the context of a highly competitive reality, as depicted in the intense and gripping series "Squid Game."

### Tourism

There was also a noticeable increase in visitors to the various filming locations of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, which had a positive impact on Pohang tourism. The drama's setting quickly became an integral part of Pohang's tourism itinerary. It is reported that the local commercial district and the overall economy experienced a revival thanks to the popularity of the drama.
The drama's popularity also made a significant contribution to Yangju tourism. In the 12th episode of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, the Chang Ucchin Museum of Art was featured. It was established in 2014 by The Chang Ucchin Foundation in collaboration with the city of Yangju. According to Yangju's official, the museum caught the attention of viewers with its distinct white structure and its harmonious integration with the surrounding natural environment. This led to an increase in people seeking information about the museum.
On November 24, 2021, the contents of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha were released through LG U+ XR platform U+DIVe. Studio Dragon utilized its premium intellectual property to present virtual reality (VR) contents in partnership with Korea Tourism Organization and LG U+. The project aimed to promote Korea's beautiful tourist destinations using drama content as a medium. All content was filmed in VR, capturing the unique emotions of various tourist spots in 3D 180-degree high-definition video to enhance the immersive experience. Lee Sang-yi reprised his role as Ji PD and became virtual guide for Gongjin VR tour.

## Viewership
### Television broadcast

| Season | Season | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Average |
| Season | Season | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Average |
| | 1 | 1.670 | 1.624 | 2.126 | 2.232 | 2.490 | 2.593 | 2.321 | 2.106 | 2.397 | 2.978 | 2.438 | 2.776 | 2.459 | 3.013 | 2.652 | 3.237 | 2.444 |

### Streaming television

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.

## Accolades
### Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee | Result |
| Asia Television Award | 2022 | Best Drama Series | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha | Nominated |
| APAN Star Awards | 2022 | Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries | Shin Min-a | Won |
| APAN Star Awards | 2022 | Popularity Star Award, Actress | Shin Min-a | Nominated |
| Asian Academy Creative Awards | 2022 | National Winner (Korea) – Best Direction (Fiction) | Yoo Je-won | Won |
| Kim Soo-hyun Drama Art Hall (Cheongju Cultural Industry Promotion Foundation) | 2021 | Serial Drama Category – Good Drama of the Year | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha | Won |
| Korea Communications Commission Broadcasting Awards | 2022 | Hallyu Excellence Award | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha | Won |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2021 | Best OST | Choi Yu-ree — "Wish" | Nominated |
| Seoul International Drama Awards | 2022 | Outstanding Korean Actor | Kim Seon-ho | Won |
| 14th Korean Content Awards | 2022 | Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation | Shin Ha-eun | Won |

### Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement :
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement |
| Joy News 24 | 2021 | 2021 Best Drama | 2nd |
| NME | 2021 | The 10 best Korean dramas of 2021 | 8th |
| Variety | 2021 | The Best International TV Shows of 2021 | 6th |
| KOFICE | 2022 | 2022 Global Hallyu Trend (Korean drama category) | 5th |
| GQ India | 2023 | 10 best Korean Dramas on Netflix to start with if you're a first-time viewer | 1st |
| Time | 2023 | The 8 Best Korean Dramas on Netflix Right Now | Top 8 |
| Collider | 2024 | The Best Romantic Shows on Netflix Right Now | Top 20 |