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Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a 2021 South Korean 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 from August 28 to October 17, 2021, on tvN's Saturdays and Sundays at 21:00 (KST) time slot. It is also available for streaming on Netflix.

The series was a commercial hit and became one of the highest-rated series on 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 drama depicts tiki-taka romance between the two and life of other Gongjin's residents.

Main

 * Shin Min-a as Yoon Hye-jin, a perfectionist and pragmatic dentist who ends up moving to Gongjin after her life goes awry.
 * Shim Hye-yeon as child Yoon Hye-jin
 * Oh Ye-joo 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.

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-hee, a teacher at Cheongjin Elementary School.
 * 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 Joo-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 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 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.

Main

 * Shin Min-a as Yoon Hye-jin (a.k.a Chigwa or Ms. Dentist)
 * Shim Hye-yeon as child Yoon Hye-jin
 * Oh Ye-joo as teenage Yoon Hye-jin


 * Yoon Hye-jin is a perfectionist and pragmatic dentist who ends up moving to Gongjin after her life goes awry. As she walks, for a moment there is an illusion that the world is moving in slow motion. The pleasant voice has a tone that sounds like singing a poem. When you smile with dimples visible, the light around you seems to brighten up about 100 lux. Pretty is not enough to say, but it is the personification of loveliness itself. Yoon is a dentist that was graduated from a prestigious university with annual salary of 100 million won. She studied mainly textbooks, so she shows weakness in general common sense. She gives regular monthly support for the socially disadvantaged, but she is a huge individualist. She looks like a princess who has never suffered, but she is actually an icon of self-made people. Hye-jin lived roughly in her life. She studied well despite difficult family circumstances, and it was probably a natural choice to become a doctor. From elementary, middle and high school days to hard training courses, she spent 22 years of hard ship so she was thinking it's time to be rewarded with money and success. She was going to gain more experience and open her own dental hospital in Gangnam five years later. This plan suddenly goes awry. It's also because of the 2% righteousness hidden inside her. After many twists and turns, Yoon went down to Gongjin, the sea village.


 * Kim Seon-ho as Hong Du-sik (a.k.a. Hong Banjang)
 * 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


 * The 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.
 * People call him ‘Hong Banjang’. Banjang is a village chief among administrative districts Dong, Ri, Tong, and Ban! His only allowances are holiday bonus of 50,000 won, twice a year, an honorary job that can be called service. He has been active for 3 years as Banjang of 5th Tong, 1st Ban of Gongjin-dong, Cheongho-si, Gangwondo. This man's official job is unemployed. He earns a living with various part-time jobs and receives only the minimum wage of 8,720 won per hour. Although there is no job, the work to be done is infinite.
 * Everyone is curious about the reason Du-sik is living like this, but no one knows the answer. There are only speculations about the unknown gap of 5 years. But what is certain is that this is the way of life that Du-sik has set. If something happens to someone somewhere, he will definitely show up. In Gongjin, Du-sik is Superman and Spiderman. Involved in all the big things and small things of Gongjin neighborhood.


 * Lee Sang-yi as Ji Seong-hyun (a.k.a Ji PD)


 * Ji Seong-hyun is a star variety show production director from entertainment bureau of television network ovN, who is workaholic and has a bright personality. Due to many of his sucessful hit television programs, he was called a director with Midas touch. His expertise is entertainment that warmly depicts the story of people's life. His work are always hit with pro-human content. In the broadcasting world, not knowing Ji PD is the same with living under a rock.
 * Unlike his appearance, He has a tendency to overuse cuteness. He think of work as a play and think of a colleague as a friend. He is a sunny coworker who dominated seventy percent of group chat room convo with work. Ji PD can be tiresome, but everyone who works with PD likes him. He was in charge of the unarmed zone and clean zone in the distorted human group in the broadcasting station. The only thing that makes Ji sensitive, was rice! If he starve, he'll get angry, and if he fill his stomach with something tasteless, he'll be more angry. It's a self-proclaimed foodie.
 * Ji wanted to be a film director when he was young and a reporter when he was in college. With honey-dripping voice as asset, he was as a college broadcasting station announcer during his college days. He met Hyejin through liberal arts class when she was a freshman in college. In his mind, Hyejin, who was busy with life and always had bright eyes, was special and pretty. While planning and exploring a new entertainment program he got the wrong way and arrived at 'Gongjin Port', where he reunited with Hyejin. He wonder if fate has taken him there.

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 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 as a customer at Nam-sook's restaurant.
 * Jo Young-seo as main dancer of DOS.
 * Kim Do-kyun as lead dancer of DOS.


 * Kim Hak-sun, security guard.

Yoo Je-won nomination

Episodes
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha's episode titles were written in official wallpaper of each episode in the drama official website. Episode Titles (published by Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Official Website)
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Development
The series, written by Shin Ha-eun, was her comeback after co-writting 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 starring the late Kim Joo-hyeok and Uhm Jung-hwa and written by Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jung-goo by.

Casting
Casting was first announced on December 21, 2020, with Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-a being offered the lead roles. In 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 worked together on Tomorrow with You (2017).

Filming
The first script reading of the cast was held on April 21, 2021. Filming was scheduled to begin on May 8, which was conducted mainly in Pohang. The drama schedulled to wrapped up filming on October 6th, 2021.

Music and choreography
The series features numerous song covers sung onscreen 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 crews also actively gave ideas. Just like 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 drama characters performed in Gongjin Village's "Lighthouse Song Festival". The opening stage of the festival was performance of Gongjin's pride, Oh Yeon, who sung his only hit song, "Exercising in the Moonlight". To revive realistic festival atmosphere, Jo Han-chul sang and played the guitar live. "Exercising in the Moonlight" is actually an old song composed by Lim back in the nineties, selected to achieve realistic nineties sound of hit song that ranked second place in the 1993 K-pop Top 10 Gayo, best achievement of the nineties singer, Oh Yeon. According to the production team, the festival was the most important scene in the sixth episode. It was the most difficult scene that took a long time to film due to involvement the largest number of people, uncertain weather during the rainy season, whilst following the quarantine rules because of COVID-19 situation.

This drama featured a fictional idol group DOS with their hit song "Just a Feeling". Dance for the song was choreographed by Jo Young-seo and Kim Do-gyun, choreographer and dancer from group named Dance of Soul (DOS), known as choreographers for hit television show, Mr. Trot. Jo mentioned that the idol group name in the drama was originally "Choice," however writer Shin Ha-eun changed the name into DOS. Jo and Kim also said that their appearance in the drama was a sudden 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 other member from the dance team then went through a month dance practice in order to portray image of DOS perfectly. The dance were performed by at "Lighthouse Song Festival", first by Hye-jin and Du-sik who acted as backup dancers for Oh Ju-ri, then by idol group DOS who do surprise performance at the festival.

Filming Location
Many of the scenes filmed on mainly in Pohang are as follows:

Cheongha City Area

 * Cheongha Market in Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang. Cheongha Market was major filming locations of the series. The drama production built the sets since June 5th, 2021.
 * Gongjin Market (공진시장), with Squid Monument, Oh Yoon Cafe photo backdrop, Homcha mural.
 * Gongjin Banjeom
 * Bora Supermarket (보라슈퍼)
 * Cheongho Hardware (청호철물)
 * Coffee in the midday and beer on a moonlit night (한낮엔 커피, 달밤엔 맥주). Oh Yoon Cafe.


 * Cheongha police building (촬영지 청하파출소). Interior of this building was where Eun-cheol work.

Seokbyeong

 * Seokbyeong 1-ri
 * Red Lighthouse (Cheongjin 2-ri & Seokbyeong 1-ri Breakwaters). In many of the show’s most memorable moments, be it the first meeting of Chief Hong and Ji Seong-hyun or the revival of the romance between Chief Hong and Hye-jin, a red lighthouse could be seen in the background.
 * The Cheongjin 3-ri Fishermen's Welfare Center. It was set of Yoon Dental Clinic. Now it’s a restaurant.
 * Hwajeong Hoetjip. Ji Seong-hyun’s mouthwatering dining scene was filmed at Hwajeong Hoetjip, a restaurant with the same name and appearance as the restaurant from the drama.
 * Seokbyeong 1-ri Village. Village where Hong Du-Sik’ house, Yoon Hye-jin’ house and Kim Gam-ri’s house situated. There are private property rented for the drama. Tourist are not allowed to visit.
 * Seokbyeong 1-ri Village Hall (석병 1리마을회관). 207 Ilchul-ro, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si). Village Hall where Gongjin Village party situated.

Other Places in Pohang

 * Pohang Northern Police Station (포항 북부경찰서). Exterior of Building was filmed as Police Station where Du-sik and Hyejin were arrested.
 * Mukeunbong Hill, Sabang Memorial Park in Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang. Location of Hong Du-sik boat in the drama.
 * Mountain Gonryun Observatory (곤륜산 전망대). Where Hong Banjang shown location to Ji Sung-hyun PD.
 * Yangpo Port (경상북 Fictional Gongjin Port, where Hye-jin did part-time job preparing squid with the grannies and Hong Ban-jang presides over the auction.
 * Wolpo Beach (월포해수욕장) Chief Hong’s surfing scene on the emerald sea was filmed at Wolpo Beach.
 * Guryongpo Beach (구룡포해수욕장) Chief Hong and Wang Ji-won (spied by Geum-cheol).


 * Yonggwangno Red Clay Sauna, Homi-ro, Donghae-myeon, Pohang. Sauna where Hye-jin spend her first night in Gongjin.
 * Bada Punggyeong (바다풍경). This restaurant is used for the scene where hye jin and chief hong lunch together in a seafood restaurant overlooking the oceans.
 * Pohang School.

Outside Pohang

 * Chang Ujjin Museum (양주시립장욱진미술관). Located in Jangheung-myeon, Yangju City, Yangju Chang Ucchin Museum of Art opened in April 2014, and has been presenting various works of art that stand out in simplicity and simplicity by Jang Uccin, a painter representing modern art. It was featured in 12th episode as Hye-jin and Du-sik date place.
 * Banpo Bridge [반포대교] X Jamsu Bridge [잠수교]. Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) goes for a morning jog over this bridge in episode 1.
 * Seoul Woori Dental Clinic (서울우리치과). Hyejin former Gangnam clinic.
 * Tower-type apartment in Yongsan-gu (용산구 타워형아파트). Hyejin Seoul Apartment.
 * Seoul Dragon City [서울드래곤시티]. When on a day trip in Seoul in episode 3, Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) and Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho) pass by this building and they are photographed by somebody inside the building without noticing.
 * Dongho Bridge [동호대교/東湖大橋]. When leaving Seoul after a day in the capital, Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) and Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho) drive over this bridge in episode 3
 * Bella Cucina (더리버 벨라쿠치나) Italia Restaurant at The River (더리버) by Hyundai Yatch . On a trip to Seoul, Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-ah) and her best friend Pyo Mi-seon (Gong Min-jung) have dinner here in episode 10.

Original soundtrack
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha soundtrack album written by music director Lim Ha-young, contains 11 songs (including singles) and 32 score pieces from the series. All sound source compilation consists of a total of 43 tracks that were carefully selected to fully feel the emotion of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and the afterglow of the drama. It is expected to be a surprise gift for fans. Along with the 8 previously released OST songs, features vocal performances from Car, the Garden, Kassy, Cheeze, Choi Yu-ree, Kim Jae-hwan, Sandeul, Seungmin (Stray Kids), and Lee Sang-yi; due to request from viewers, three more songs are added to the album. There are "Just a Feeling" of fictional idol group 'DOS' in the drama and two songs from 'Oh Yoon', the superstar of 'Gongjin' played by actor Jo Han-chul, "Exercise at the Moonlit Night" and "End and Beginning".

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 19th, 2022 with 891 copies sold.

Tie-in publishing
The series' original script was published into two books; each covers eight episodes. The official release date was scheduled on early November 2021.

On November 30, 2021, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Photo Essay was scheduled to be published, but was canceled due unfortunate circumstances. However, on October 17, 2022, publication of the photo essay was finally confirmed. Photo essay was published in a package of two books; each covers eight episodes in February 2023.

Big Data Reception
During its airing, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha managed to enter Top Ten in Content Power Index (CPI) powered by RACOI. It was first entered Top 10 (Rank 6th) in drama category in the 4th week of August (from 23rd to 29th). In first and second week of September, the drama rank 3rd place drama category and 4th in overall category. In third week of September, the drama rank 2nd place in in drama category and 3rd in overall category. For four weeks in a row, from 4th week of September 2021 to 2nd week of October 2021, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha was ranked 1st in drama category. For overall category, in 4th and 5th week of September the drama rank 2nd. After slight drop in 1st week of October to 4th place in overall category, the drama was back to 2nd rank in 2nd week of October.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha also generated buzz according to Good Data Corporation. It was charting in Top 10 in TV Topicality Ranking in drama division category since 3rd week of August 2021 to 2nd week of October 2021. In 3rd week of August 2021, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha ranked 8th. In 4th week of August 2021, 1st week and 2nd week of September, the drama secured the third rank. It climbed to 2nd rank in 3rd week week of September, 2021. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha finally, won the top spot in drama popularity in the 4th week of September and 1st week of October 2021. The main leads, Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-a ranked 1st and 2nd in consecutive weeks from 3rd week of August 2021 to the 4th week of September. In the 5th week of September, Kim Seon-ho ranked 2nd and Shin Min-a 3rd. On the 1st and 2nd week of October 2021, Kim Seon-ho back to rank first in the 1st and 2nd week of October 2021. Meanwhile, Shin Min-a in the 1st week of October 2021, ranked 5th. She was back to rank 3rd in 2nd week of October 2021. Good Data [TV Topic] Drama Ranking


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Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha also enter top 20 of 'FUNdex' (rank 17th) which recorded 83.13 points out of 355 Korean dramas aired from 2018 to 2021. 'FUNdex' provides fun and box office predictions of content by integrating six data: the number of household viewers, the number of 2049 viewers, topicality, performer topicality, clip views, and media attention. Good Data Corporation data and public data provided by RACOI were also used.

On April 18, 2022, KOFICE announced the result of The 2021 Big Data Utilization Hallyu Market Research. This survey is about the public interest in the Korean Wave and to analyze the current status of Hallyu by collecting and analyzing voluntary global reactions that occur online in real-time. This survey is published by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Development Institute (KOFICE). Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, along with its leads, is one of the most searched (prominent keywords) related to K-Drama on the report.

Drama popularity also had direct impact to main leads good data. Result of big data analysis by The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute in September 2021, Kim Seon-ho topped the drama actor brand reputation, and Shin Min-a was listed in third position. The Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute analyzed 99,640,608 brand big data of 50 actors appearing in dramas aired from August 20, 2021 to September 20, 2021 as consumers' brand participation, media volume, traffic volume, and communication volume. It was measured and indexed with a brand reputation algorithm. Compared to the drama actor brand big data in August 2021, it increased by 21.00%. A year-end poll that Gallup conducted in South Korea named Kim Seon-ho as Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year, while Shin Min-a was listed in second position.

Commercial performance
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha commercial success had impact to its production house commercial performance. The sales of Studio Dragon third quarter of 2021 were, up 27.7% from the same period last year. The proportion of sales was 55.9%, an increase of 8.1% compared to the same period last year. GTist, who participated in the production company of the drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, is considered to have made a full profit in 2021 (net profit of ). CJ ENM, parent company of GTist, Studio Dragon, and tvN recorded sales of of and operating profit of  on a consolidated basis in the third quarter of 2021. Compared to the third quarter of 2020, sales increased by 7.4% and operating profit by 23.6%. TV advertisements and content sales increased by 22.9% and 33.3%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2020. This was attributed to sales of major dramas including Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

Popularity of the drama coined the term “Gaetcha Craze”. Properties featured in the drama saw an increase in sales. The wine that Yoon Hye-jin gifted to Hong Du-sik in episodes 5, got a rush of orders and was temporarily sold out. The bag worn by Yoon Hye-jin also sold out. In addition, inquiries about other clothes, jewelry, and shoes Shin wore are flooding in. Yoon Hye-jin’s fashion was gaining popularity due to mixed of sophisticated fashion with her unique and lovely charm.

Kim Haeng-sook’ poetry book, Portrait of Echo, gained renewed attention after one of the poem The Gatekeeper was featured in the drama. It has never been on the bestseller list since it was released in 2014, but thanks to Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, it was rediscovered by the public after 7 years. It rose to the second bestseller list in the Kyobo Bookstore's poetry section in the first week of October. It also entered the 3rd bestseller list in the Yes 24 Korean poetry category as of the second week of October. Korean translation book of Henry David Thoreau's Walden, which Hong Ban-jang read in episode 2, was ranking 11th on the bestseller list in the Yes 24 essay category as of the second week of October. As a result of analyzing the book sales growth rate for one week before and after Walden and Portrait of Echo, starting with the exposure date of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Yes24 showed high sales growth rates of 369% and 3,257%, respectively.

Yes24 reported, that the limited first editions (the writer's edition) of unedited scriptbook Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 1 and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 2, which contain autographs and messages from actors Shin Min-ah and Kim Seon-ho, reached the top of the overall bestseller list within one day of pre-sale, and over 9,000 copies were booked on the day of publication alone and proved its popularity. As for the purchasing age of the script book, people in their 20s (36.8%) and 30s (32.4%) had the highest share, followed by people in their 40s (18.7%) and teenagers (7.4%). The male to female ratio was approximately 1:9. According to the official from Aladin, the script soared to the number one spot on Aladin’s bestsellers list on October 16, 2021. “We have been selling the scripts of popular dramas, but a drama script topping the bestseller list is rare,” an Aladin official told The Korea Herald.

Critical Performance
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha largely received positive critical feedback, primarily for its simplicity, acting by the cast, beautiful cinematography and setting, and warm and healing vibe. Variety selected Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha as one of "The Best International TV Shows of 2021". At rank sixth, the story’s simplicity and lightheartedness has a refreshing vibe amid the doom and gloom of the pandemic. On 21st December 2021 NME unveiled the "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. Piere 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.” Carolyn Hinds from ''But Why Tho? A Geek Community'', said, “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a charming and sweet rom-com that’s the perfect palate cleanser if you’ve been watching a lot of heavy dramas and films recently.”

Professor Mo Jong-rin, a professor at Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies praised the series as fresh. 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 is an alternative solution to the reality of the Squid Game. I'm sorry to the Squid Game fans, but I honestly want foreigners to remember Korea as a warm country that presented a community alternative to the problem, not a country that criticized reality in a provocative way.

Joel Keller of Decider gave a mixed review, "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. But it moves so slowly at times, the momentum comes close to grinding to a halt."

One of Pop Culture Critics, Jung Deok-hyeon of PD Journal described Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha as "Soft Healing Drama". Bang Yeon-joo, Pop Culture Critic from PD Journal was more mixed in the review, pointing towards some disappointing points, “The role of men and women did not deviate from the typical composition while portraying the difference in personality between Du-sik and Hye-jin in three dimensions. The episodes when “nosy” Du-sik appeared and saved Hye-jin whenever she was in crisis were a cliche setting that defined Hye-jin only as a "damsel in distress". Further more pointed out that the drama was a box office success despite its plain subject matter and genre. “This is because not only the romance between men and women in Gongjin, a seaside town, but also the story of the townsfolk's affectionate characters was built up one by one, bringing in calming fun.

Columnist Jung Deok-hyeon from Entermedia also shared the same sentiment. Particularly about scene of a house trespasser who appeared out of nowhere to advance the relationship between Yoon Hye-jin and Hong Du-sik as the weakness of the drama. Mentioned the cliché that may have been accepted in the past, were difficult to accept with the changed sensibilities of today. Despite these many weaknesses, the viewer response to was not bad, that’s because the fantasy drawn through the virtual space of Gongjin in this drama was that powerful. In a competitive reality like the die-and-kill Squid Game.

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Reporter Son Ho-young Chosun.

Gongjin mistery.

Audi

How did Korean dramas with poor stories sweep Netflix?

Lee Joo-ra

Ryu Seo-yeon

harsh criticism

lighthouse tour

Social Impact
SocialAnyway, weekend

“Shall I become Captain Hong too?” Do you know the 'gwieo school' where fishing villages practice?

[Anyway, weekends] 6 places nationwide, competition rate 11:1

I took fishermen's classes in Gangneung

A site has been created that gathers information necessary when moving to a seaside town. It is a 'Gwieogwichon Comprehensive Information Platform'.

Tourism
There was also an increase in visitors at the various filming sites of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. At the beginning conflicts arised as tourists flocked to the filming location due to its popularity. The production team appealed for damage caused by visitors, emphasizing that part of the filming location was a private rental property, and requested visitors to refrain from visiting. To accomodate tourists, with consultation with Pohang City, the statue of squid in Cheongha Market and the boat in Sabang Memorial Park were maintained even after filming. The win-win policy contributed to a positive economic effect to Pohang tourism. The place in the drama quickly emerged as an essential course in Pohang tourism. It was said that the surrounding commercial district and the local economy have been revived thanks to the drama.

On November 24th, 2021 Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha contents was released through LG U+ XR platform U+DIVe. Studio Dragon used its premium IP to present virtual reality (VR) contents in partnership with Korea Tourism Organization and LG U+. This project started with the goal of promoting Korea' beautiful tourist destinations with drama content as a medium. All content was filmed in VR, and tourist places with unique emotions, were filmed in 3D 180-degree high-definition video to double the vividness. Lee Sang-yi reprised his role as Ji PD and became virtual guide of Gongjin VR tour.

On October 2nd, 2022, Korea Tourism Organization promoted Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha filming location as one of Themed Travel Hallyu Tourism in Official Visit Korea Website.

Popularity of the drama also contributed to Yangju tourism. Featured in the 12th episode of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha was Chang Ucchin Museum of Art, founded in 2014 by The Chang Ucchin Foundation in collaboration with the city of Yangju. According to Yangju City, the unique structure of the white museum building and the harmony of the surrounding nature caught the viewers' attention, suggesting that more and more people are looking for information about the museum. It was considered as one of Gyeonggi-do hot destination.

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Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha attracted international tourism to South Korea and its filming locations became major attractions.

Cheongha Market in Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, appeared in the drama under the fictional name of 'Gongjin Market'. Now, the signboards, props, and squid sculptures at the time of filming are still intact. The market merchant has decided not to dismantle drama props for tourists. The city of Pohang, Gyeongbuk announced on May 9th, 2022 that a beautiful mural was created on the wall of an old building near Cheongha Market in Buk-gu.

Sabang Memorial Park is a place to commemorate the so-called desert prevention project, which was promoted by the Park Chung-hee government in the 1970s. Here, on the hill behind the memorial hall (Mukeunbong), the Du-sik fish boat in the drama is placed. It took about 20 minutes to climb the steep stairs, but on top of the hill, tourists were constantly coming to take commemorative photos. The view overlooking the sea off Pohang is also a great place. An official from Sabang Memorial Park said, "Before the drama aired, the parking lot was empty, but now more than 1,000 people a day are looking for it."

Since October 18th, Pohang City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, operates the 'Getcha Course' as a special themed trip for Pohang City Tour on weekdays. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha was also part of the 'Pohang Drama Street Stamp Tour', a limited event commemorating the K-drama hit, starting from November 11 to December, 11, 2021.

Mode tour

On April 8, 2022, Abe Yuko (安部 裕子), a famous Japanese Korean entertainment writer, picked Pohang, where the drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha was filmed, as one of best destination to visit. Regarding Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Pohang, She said, "It's full of good parts of Korean dramas, such as the warm story and the tempo of the drama that Japanese people have forgotten."

Pohang City will participate in the '7th Korea International Tourism Fair (Korea Travel Fair)' to be held at KINTEX in Ilsan for 4 days from the 11th to the 14th to inform and represent various festivals in Pohang. Pohang City has set up a public relations center with the theme of 'A city like a drama at every moment', as it is a city of dramas represented as the filming locations of 'tvN Gaet Village Cha Cha Cha (2021)' and 'When the Camellia Blooms (2019)'.

'Tourism Expo Japan', Japan's largest tourism expo.

The Korea Tourism Organization Beijing branch will hold a Hallyu tourism exhibition and experience event at the large shopping mall 'Chaoyangdahuecheng' in downtown Beijing until the 3rd of next month to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic ties (August 24th). announced on the 29th.

Hallyu Festival '2022 Moggoji Korea' held in Uzbekistan and Malaysia.