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AnimatedGuru

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Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha korean drama review
Completed
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
0 people found this review helpful
by AnimatedGuru
Nov 27, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Hometown Cha-Cha-Wah??

This is a show that largely has two different halves to it, one before and one after our main characters become a couple. This review is going to be largely contrasting the pros and cons of the two through condensed points, with an (*) on what I believe is the most important pro and con to mention. With that being said, let start!

Story()-
Cons:
-I found the show conveying Doo Shik as a jack of all trades felt kind of unbelievable, but the real problem is him always being the only person to service any of those jobs. Its how the writers force interactions between our main characters after Doo Shiks cold introduction to Hye Jin, but it just feels like sloppy writing and can take you out of the immersion of the show.
-The series loses some flare after episode ten or so. The last half doesn't convey much more development between our main characters and they just become quite mushy for the rest of the series, with there relationship moving unbelievably fast in this period.
-After Hye Jin and Doo Shik decide to start dating there are a multitude of flashbacks to push the narrative of the two being destined to be with each other, it was a bit cheesy and unnecessary. We get solid build up till that point between their related trauma and social chemistry, the audience already had enough development to appreciate their connection. This time could have been used elsewhere.
-They also try to force the unwrapping of Doo Shik's past in a short period during the end of the show, with him getting over his deep trauma incredibly quickly(inspite of him being blamed for everything when it wasn't his fault), it feels the purpose was just a way to keep the viewer invested, instead of actual development of his character.
*-After our main characters become a couple they are faced with multiple struggles that makes the viewer wonder "are they going to break this relationship off?" only for them to decide to get married within a few episodes after. That pacing is crazy and ruined the development that was built up to that point making it unrealistic and difficult to wrap your head around. I personally lost all I had invested in the main relationship at that point.

Pros:
-The part of this show that drives home uniqueness is the partnering of exciting side characters with the set. with all of the side cast being store owners, you get a deeper idea of their past as well as the towns through the various shops. Giving the plot a sense of vibrancy early on without trying.
*-Fantastic at responding to the main love triangle, it makes you sympathize with Sung Hyun nicely while still being satisfied that Doo Shik gets the girl. This makes ep9 the best in my opinion, It sells the message that not everyone gets the results they want and/or deserve conveying sadness. But most importantly, in a beautify way makes you appreciate how relationships can consolidate as well as break apart, displaying its not all doom and gloom for Sung Hyun.
-With that being said it has good romantic elements in the first half but it gets brownie points for setting up four separate relationships with arguably the side three being more satisfying and what holds up the series till the conclusion.


Cast/Characters(9)-
Cons:
-As mentioned in the story section above, the second halves focus is put more on romance. This should be fine, but because of this, all the great side characters that were built up in the first half get push by the wayside, only being gossip hounds for the majority of the second half of the show.
Pros:
-The side characters are fantastic, all bringing a unique element that makes the world conveyed feel colorful.
-All the acting and casting was done very well. I often found myself surprised at how the side characters could steal scenes.
-Inspite of the poor treatment of the side cast during the last half of the show, they get a final bang in the last 20mins of the show bringing a feel good ending, but also leaves more to be desired from these characters.



Music(6.5)-The music is not bad, but the soundtrack is what can make or break a show into being truly memorable and iconic. I felt that job was done much better by the unique set, not the music. To note I personally liked the opening, "Here Always" and "one sunny day". That being said the soundtrack was decent but nothing to call home about. I felt the sfx did a better job at elevating scenes.


Rewatch Value(7)-The unique set makes it an interesting show. But the side characters are really the heart and soul, so with them being mostly absent and with a weak second half of Doo Shik and Hye Jin's relationship its hard to give a great rating here.


Overall(7.5)-This show has two very different sides. In the first half our main characters and side characters get good development. But in the second they are lost for the most part. The one benefit being the three other side relationships that develop and get a satisfying resolution. Where many romantic K-dramas can end in a whimper, this one ends slightly better. It does lose the main relationship to poor writing and pacing, but the trade of developing the other three relationships, in a weird way keeps you invested. In many ways its all over the place with there always being something to like and dislike in the second half. Overall id recommend, but i don't think its nearly as good as the common consensus.
I hope you found my review helpful. Have a great day!
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