Kdrama to Maybe Watch: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

 

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)

Grade: B-

16 Episodes, 75 minutes each

Viewing Platform: Netflix

Dentist Yoon Hye-jin is blacklisted in the city when she calls out her boss for pushing unnecessary and expensive dental procedures on their patients. She then decides to open her own practice at the sleepy seaside town Gongjin – a familiar, calm place she had visited a few times in the past. Hye-jin soon has a few run-ins with the area chief, Hong Du-sik – a young man content with working all kinds of odd jobs for minimum wage. What happens when feelings start to develop between the two? Will the close-knit community approve of the city-minded dentist? And what happens when a blossoming relationship dredges up trauma from Du-sik's past?

*This kdrama definitely has a slower pace, and the humor isn't a major focus for these writers. The background character stories are interesting enough, though the last couple episodes are HIGHLY emotional, as death, suicide, and other trauma are explored. Hye-jin's wardrobe is a total throwback to the 90s, with big, bulky-fitting clothes and clashing color tones; several other characters have baggy, unflattering clothes as well. The scenery is pretty, and the soundtrack is nice, but again, the story evokes a large emotional response from the viewer, which wasn't my favorite. Worth at least one viewing, though.*