‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’: Love-Triangle Has Fans Rooting for Both Male Characters
The Netflix Korean drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha has fans enamored with its fun comedy, small-town atmosphere, and brewing romance. The K-drama is a remake of a 2004 Korean movie, Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong. As the drama has progressed and gained a fan base, fans are starting to see the beginning of a love triangle. Yoon Hye-Jin (Shin Min-A) and Hong Du-Sik (Kim Seon-Ho) have had rocky moments in their courteous friendship. The arrival of Hye-Jin’s former acquaintance, Ji Seong-Hyun (Lee Sang-Yi), has Du-Sik feeling the jealousy monster. Both male characters have good traits that have fans rooting for both in the drama’s love triangle.
A city dentist moves to beachside town to open her practice
Hye-Jin had a glamourous life living in Seoul, working at a well-known dentist’s office. When her boss cares more about money than the quality of care given to patients, Hye-Jin quits. With nowhere else to go, Hye-Jin visits a beachside town from her youth. She is soon convinced to open her own practice. From the first episode, Hye-Jin and the town’s “do it all” resident, Du-Sik has have had a unique relationship. From the courteous conversations to small fights, the two characters develop feelings they do not want to admit.
In episode 6 of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, a new male character is introduced. Du-Sik helps Seong-Hyun navigate around town and later learns he is a producer scouting a new filming location. In episode 7, Seong-Hyun is revealed to be an old friend of Hye-Jin. The two immediately hit it off and have a natural connection.
It is clear Seong-Hyun has feelings for Hye-Jin that stem from their college years together. Seong-Hyun’s interest in Hye-Jin has Du-Sik try to gain her favor and experience jealousy. Both male characters are good guys at heart and have fans wondering who deserves to win Hye-Jin’s heart.
It is Du-Sik versus Seong-Hyu in ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’
The key to Du-Sik’s and Seong-Hyun’s friendship is Hye-Jin. In a synopsis from Soompi of episode 8, they explain Du-Sik and Seong-Hyun “can’t help but be on guard around each other when it comes to Yoon Hye Jin.” Both male love interests have their strong points. Du-Sik starts to see Hye-Jin for more than the appearance she tried to hold on to in Seoul. Behind the designer clothing and poshness, she is kind-hearted and seeks to help people in some way.
Fans have also fallen for Du-Sik’s good heart of always helping the townspeople and caring for the elderly. Despite his bickering with Hye-Jin, Du-Sik always thinks about her health and her safety. When hearing about her herniated disk, he goes out of his way to source a tree bark remedy. The arrival of Seong-Hyun marks the beginning of a love triangle. Seong-Hyun has an immediate connection with Hye-Jin that Du-Sik does not possess.
In one episode, Hye-Jin and Seong-Hyun are reminiscing about their past together. “Hong Doo Shik realized that he had no way to relate to Yoon Hye Jin and Ji Sung Hyun while they were reminiscing about their college days,” explained Soompi. Both male characters are now battling to see who Hye-Jin is most comfortable with and who wins her heart.
Fans of ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ have high hopes for the love triangle
A K-drama love triangle can go two ways. The male lead who gets the girl is not always a fan favorite. The male character stuck with “second-lead syndrome” is often the one fans root for but know will never succeed. Fans of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha hope to see an amicable love triangle where both male characters care more for the female lead than their bid to win her heart.
On Reddit, one fan comments, “I was worried that they might stretch out the love triangle, but I’m genuinely loving the way things are going. I love the bromance and the second lead himself. I think I might get another SLS (second-lead syndrome), not in an “I want him to get the girl” way but more in an “I want to know more about his character and hope he is happy” way. I’m glad they introduced a second lead whose personality is not just chasing the FL (female lead) but has an actual personality.”
Fans comment Seong-Hyun’s character in the Netflix K-drama puts him on the same level as Du-Shik. Both are more than happy to help people in need. The drama’s producers comment, “This situation is different than the love triangle situation where two men get jealous and try to steal the woman from each other. You will enjoy the drama even more if you focus on both Hong Doo-Shik and Ji Sung-Hyun, who each possess their own attractive charm.” Fans can expect the K-drama to have a worthwhile love story and resolution.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is available to stream on Netflix.
