Amusing romantic moments overflow in the latest episode of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.
Along with that, belatedly realized mistakes would shape the remaining loose ends of the series. Down to the last two weeks, we definitely hope for wedding bells and more smiles for the people of Gongjin.
abbyinhallyuland watched Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha on Netflix
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Finale Episode + Review |
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Episode 12 Key Moments
“You know we’re trying to get to know each other slowly first. Connecting our souls comes first.”
Hoping to see the sunrise with Du-sik, Hye-jin goes to his house early and comforts him when he had a bad dream. Apparently, the sun has already risen so she made him promise to see it again until they can see it together.
On a happy mood, Hye-jin shows Mi-seon the dating bucket list she prepared for her and Du-sik. Teased by her best friend for not including the most important “intimacy” part of the relationship, she remains firm in strengthening their “connection” first. Nevertheless, she places a heart symbol at the last entry of her excel list.
After a day’s work, Du-sik finds his girlfriend waiting at his house. Asking him to wash up because they will do something, Du-sik’s imagination runs wild and rushes to the washroom. Then, he finds himself stretching muscles with a “couple yoga” session listed on Hye-jin’s things-to-do bucket.
In the next few hours, they work to strengthening their physical and emotional connection like brushing teeth together and taking “couple photos” of them wearing school uniforms. When she suggests another activity, Du-sik shows disinterest making her wonder if he does not want to share memories with her.
“How can I not cave in when you’re this cute? What should we do first? Should we do them from top to bottom?”
Picking her bag to leave, Du-sik finds Hye-jin’s bucket list note and realizes her intentions. He pulls her to his embrace and promises to do everything on the list. They decide to tick a lot of things on the bucket list when they head to Seoul for a weekend date.
Meanwhile, I-jun winning a school contest made him and Bo-ra get Seum-seum the hedgehog stay at I-jun’s house. At night, Du-sik calls for an emergency meeting to discuss the people who would be part of PD Ji’s show. For the next episode, the show plans on treating the village people with yummy food cooked by June and In-woo. Grandma Gam-ri is already on the list so they have to pick four more.
Those interested in joining the show provide the reason why they should be chosen so Du-sik settles it with a name draw. Chun-jae, Nam-suk, Yun-gyeom and Yeong-guk. The next day, they head to film but the chosen guests struggle in keeping natural in front of the cameras.
Later, the quick sweet embrace shared by Du-sik and Hye-jin vanishes when they lightly argue about Hye-jin’s request for Du-sik to take care of Ji PD who looks gaunt the last time she saw him. Hye-jin fails to notice her boyfriend does not like the attention she freely gives to Ji PD.
“How can you give up easily .just because I played hard to get?”
In front of a rotisserie chicken truck that Mi-seon really likes, Eun-cheol professes his feelings marking another “new lovers” in Gongjin. Mi-seon admits that she understood his confession last time as Eun-cheol acknowledges he’s a bit slow but he is diligent so he would work hard for their relationship.
At the cafe, Ji PD and his team dines with Gongjin people. Served with fried chicken, Du-sik childishly snatches the chicken legs Chun-jae wants to give Ji PD. Eating some chips outside, Ji PD asks what’s wrong with Du-sik and learns about Hye-jin’s worry about him looking gaunt. Ji PD tells him that he’s lucky to feel jealous because it’s not easy to feel pitied.
Later writer Wang and Do-ha join them because the people inside are talking loudly. Du-sik decides to leave even if its rude since the seniors inside the resto-bar won’t end their ruckus anyway.
Mi-seon reveals her dating status to Hye-jin and happily exclaims how everything is new and fun to her since she has to teach Eun-cheol all the basics. Their chat gets interrupted when Du-sik messaged Hye-jin to come out.
Confessing how childish he was for being jealous, he tells how because of Hye-jin he’s discovering a new side of him. Hye-jin smiles because of his sweet jealousy admittance and mentions how happy she is to discover new charming sides of him every day.
“I sent him a text message of 56 words. But he only replied with three words. What does it mean?”
It’s a weekend Seoul date for the dimple couple. Hye-jin is all dolled up wearing matching pink pants and a blouse while Du-sik looks dapper in a sky blue shirt and blue jeans. Their first stop is a gallery where Du-sik was reminded of an old flame. Then, they go shopping for Du-sik’s wardrobe which he was forced to take because of “Hye-jin’s bucket list”.
After buying a few pieces of clothing for Du-sik, they go to a jewelry store to buy the necklace Hye-jin has been eyeing to buy. At the mall, they bump with Du-sik’s old senior acquaintance which totally changed his mood.
The next day Hye-jin still worries about Du-sik’s sudden cold mood. She waits for him in front of his house and when he finds her there, he brings her to a cute wooden tent he prepared especially for her.
Relaying her woes about her getting a pricey necklace, Du-sik assures her that he’s not fazed at all since she deserves to buy herself a gift she likes with her hard-earned money. She honestly conveys her thought that it could have given him a sense of feeling inferior, but he shoves the idea away claiming he is perceptive.
Surprised to learn that Hye-jin sold the necklace, he presents a pretty jewelry box he made with his own hands making her so happy. Leaning on Du-sik’s shoulder she expressed loving the sight and sound of the sea, the stars, the smell of summer and him. She confesses how he likes him the most out of everything that exists in the world.
Hearing her girlfriend’s unfeigned adoration, Du-sik gazes at Hye-jin’s face while saying he loves her. She beams and tells Du-sik she loves him too.
Under the serene night and the sound of the rustling sea waves, they kiss each other with all the love they have for each other.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Episode 12 Musings
We got an ample fill of fan service from the “dimple couple” fulfilling their relationship bucket list in episode 12 of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Aside from that, we got glimpses of Du-sik’s fears which have been shown in passing in the previous episodes.
We know Hye-jin can break his wall to finally let himself be freed of that vague emotional shackle we are all curious about. Eventually, since we are down to the last four episodes, we will get the concrete picture.
That is particularly in sync with why Du-sik wants to fulfill Hye-jin’s bucket list. Because he wants to bring happiness to someone special to him. Something he was not able to do for his departed loved ones. Interestingly, the bucket list they prepared for each other show their varying personalities. Hye-jin prefers to follow the list she has set already. While Du-sik seems to be patiently writing down the things and memories he will share with her spontaneously.
Also, finally, the other love ship we were hoping to sail has finally zoomed in to the waters of love. Eun-cheol and Mi-seon
This episode also left a heartening message of celebrating more the process than the prize in any endeavor. Hwajeong teaching I-jun how they met as a family together is more of him being diligent to win a prize in a school contest.
She also made him understand how he can ask for something that makes him happy and not wait for something to use as leverage. This scene I hope would nag to parents who are currently rearing children.
Yeong-guk also finally learned there was more beyond his messy habit that pushed Hwajeong to end their marriage. All those little things he took for granted piled up to an irreconcilable “game over situation” because Hwajeong chose to value her self-worth.
There’s no way we will miss the mystery of Du-sik’s backstory and in the last two weeks of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.
Make sure you are up to date with Hye-jin and Du-sik’s refreshing love story! Global fans can watch it on Netflix!
Photos: tvN
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