Korean dramas, or K-dramas as they are called by clued in digital viewers, are the biggest thing in the entertainment space right now. The craze for Korean content has swept through the world like never before. For those yet not in the know, Korean dramas are shows and films created in South Korea. The past couple of years have seen K-dramas climbing to the top of every TV and film buff’s must-watch lists. Not just viewers, every streaming service has jumped onto the K-drama bandwagon.
Streaming giant Netflix has been betting big on K-dramas. It is the proud owner and creator of the biggest Korean slate outside of South Korea. 2021 proved to be especially productive for Netflix, as far as its Korean lineup is concerned. The streamer had a truly monstrous hit in dystopian thriller series ‘Squid Game‘. The show hit massive number of views and shattered long-standing records, becoming the most-viewed show on Netflix. Yet, according to a vote conducted amongst Netflix users, Squid Game was not their most favourite and best Korean drama of 2021.
That honour went to another popular K-drama on Netflix – a rom-com called ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha‘. When asked to choose the best K-drama of 2021, most participants voted for the charming, feel-good show. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha premiered on Netflix in late August, and was soon declared a sleeper hit for Netflix across the world.
The show stars popular Korean stars Shin Min-a (Oh My Venus), Kim Seon-ho (Start-Up) and Lee Sang-yi (Prison Playbook). Shin Min-a plays a big-city dentist Yoon Hye-Jin, who moves from Seoul to the seaside village of Gongjin after she loses her job. In the village, she meets handyman Hong Du-sik (played by Kim), a kind-hearted, generous man, who is ready to assist anyone who needs his help. The villagers call him Chief Hong, and he is a master of all trades. As the two get to know each other better, a romance is kindled between them. It is a feel-good rom-com that is uplifting and invigorating.
Its popularity can be gauged by the fact that Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha entered and remained in Netflix’s non-English popular television show list for 14 weeks, and reached the Top 10 charts in more than 20 countries. It also remained on Netflix’s Top 10 Chart for television shows for more than two months from its last episode.
Netflix users have given their verdict. So if you’ve not watched Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha yet, do yourself a favour this end of the year, and watch the show ASAP. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is currently streaming on Netflix.