Hometown Cha-cha-cha

Episodes: 16

Synopsis: Yoon Hye-Jin, an accomplished dentist from Seoul, goes to the seaside village of Gongjin after her life/career goes awry. She decides to open up a dental clinic and gets to know the village jack-of-all-trades Hong Du-Sik aka Chief Hong. The journey follows Hye Jin's self-discovery journey through the relationships she builds with those living in the village, including the romantic relationship that develops with Hong Du-Sik

Review: 
This was such a feel-good drama, and I looked forward to each episode. The male lead was so emotionally healthy and charismatic, and I loved how it balanced the female lead out so well. Both characters were learning and growing with each other and it was so light-hearted. I found myself "la la la" -ing every day to the OST. It was also lovely to see Shin Min-A act in this role and it made me so emotional that I grew up watching her - from her gumiho days to now. 

However, when Hong Du-Sik starts sharing his deep-rooted traumas and his reason for why he moved back to the town, I got whiplash. It felt so out-of-the-blue for a character that has always been mature, and communicative in his relationship & who has taught the female lead so much about having a positive outlook and investing in others. It seemed almost forced into the storyline to provide conflict and tension - but it was done a bit too heavy-handed. 

I wish the "conflict" the couple experienced in this drama was developed differently because Hong Du Sik's trauma was brought up so late into the drama and so out of the blue, it just felt frustrating to watch. It instantly turned the character into a stranger the viewer hasn't been able to truly glimpse at in earlier episodes & it felt like a pretty significant barrier/red flag to pose in a relationship dynamic that is just starting out. 

Would I watch this again though? Yes.
Overall, it is a positive and healthy drama & is a very relaxing/feel-good watch.