Du-sik adds more reasons for viewers to love him in the fourth episode of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.
From being a local hero who catches sexual harassment offenders to a bar performer who can heal through music; he can also be the best drinking buddy for someone with a weary heart.
But for now, Hye-jin gets a free pass to be Du-sik’s object of worry and affection. Also, the faster the romantic connection grows for our adorable dentist and equally endearing handyman, the better.
We love how the series emphasizes building a solid friendship between our love pairing while shaping up each of the many side stories involving Gongjin people along the way.
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 4 Key Moments
“He’s always around when you least expect it, so where is he today.”
Constantly seeing his presence in her life, Hye-jin reaches a point where she gets used to it and even vocally wonders where busybody Du-sik is. She even obliges to attend the neighborhood business owners’ meeting after learning that Du-sik will be there.
Unable to keep up with the vigorous chat of the people in the meeting, Hye-jin takes a quick restroom break. When she joins the group again, Dusik is not in his seat so she pretends to be drunk asleep to space out from the still lively chatters.
Just then, she heard Du-sik going to take the center stage to sing at the bar since Chun-jae does not have a voice. Furtively, she glimpses the man playing a guitar singing a sweet, warm song. Later, Hye-jin carries on with her drunk pretense even when the people start preparing to leave the place.
Du-sik who sees through her act takes charge of her with a piggyback ride out of the bar. But when her favorite shoe falls on the ground, she panics, just as he tells her to stop pretending anymore.
Getting her shoe back, they go for a round of cute bickering as usual as he teases her how his back felt broken because she weighs like a sack of rice. When she later learns it’s 80 kilos, she cutely gets annoyed.
Back in her room, Hye-jin listens to the song, Du-sik sang earlier while the busybody also relaxes at his broken ship hideout.
“He’s like Iron Man and Super Man all wrapped into one.”
Excited to take his well-deserved and self-proclaimed rest day, Du-sik heads to the sea ignoring the pleas of help from Chinese restaurant ajumma and hardware store ajussi.
At the dental clinic, they receive the loaded man for his treatment. Unknown to Hye-jin, Mi-seon has been feeling a little downbeat owing to that patient. She catches the pervert on the act of groping Mi-seon.
But the proud sexual predator has the guts to call the police. Unable to rein her fury for not being able to protect her friend, Hye-jin kicks the perverted guy. After receiving a tip from Grandma Gam-ri, Du-sik also rushes to save the day for Hye-jin straight from the ocean garbed in a surfing suit.
However, the assault led to Hye-jin and Du-sik being held at the police station. While she whines at the injustice her friend suffered because of the sexual assailant, the station completely ignores her. Totally different from how the police officer treats Du-sik with utmost friendliness and ready-to-serve face to his request.
“Friends are supposed to have each other’s back.”
Reuniting with Mi-seon at the police station, the two friends cry and reassure each other. Their conversation is openly heard by Du-sik, Eun-cheol, and nearby people who were able to grasp the story.
Through Grandma Gam-ri, the sex offender’s phone was found which became evidence of his crimes.
Meanwhile, a blast from Hwa-jung and Young-guk’s past arrives at Gong-jin. Just as Hwa-jung considers rekindling a connection with her ex-husband, Yeong-guk’s first love moves back to town to settle for good. He also learns she’s still single exciting the divorcee and posing a love threat to Hwa-jung.
Back at their clinic, Hye-jin and Mi-seon reaffirm their friendship by promising to be there for each other no matter what.
Awkwardly bumping on Eun-cheol, Mi-seon accepts his calling card as he reminds her to call the police when she needs help.
“You should be generous only when you are financially stable. You barely make a living.”
Hye-jin decides to properly thank Du-sik for helping them by bringing fruits and wine. But, she struggles to let go of the wine and was caught by him in her clingy can’t-let-go-of-this-wine monologue.
Surprised that his pad is not stinky, Hye-jin marvels at the myriad of collectible items inside Du-sik’s place. She also learns that he has been living alone since his family members passed away when he was young.
Casually chatting about themselves, Du-sik shared some of his heroic neighborhood adventures that led to his closeness to the local police.
She gives unsolicited advice to not be overly helpful when she learned the reward money he got was again donated by him to buy a fridge for the elderly.
“That day I came to Gongjin was my mom’s birthday. It’s sad how your birthday gets erased after you die and only the day you died remains.”
As the liquor effect takes over Hye-jin, she tells Du-sik how she does not allow herself to be intoxicated. That’s because she hates being not in control, vulnerable and more honest.
Their heart-to-heart talk deepens to Hye-jin throwing more curious questions revealing Du-sik’s simple life. He refuses to share more details though. When she gives him a free pass to ask one question for fairness.
Asking her real reason why she opened a clinic at Gongjin, Du-sik listens to her opening up about her mother. She relays her pain of feeling her mom’s existence is slowly fading away. At the same time, she yearns for what they could have done if she is still alive. She also reveals how they went for a family trip to Gongjin before she passed away
Holding back her tears, she asks him if her face is red. All the while holding the ice bucket, Du-sik’s cold hands reach for Hye-jin’s cheeks as he gazes at her face warmly.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha Episode 4 Musings
Mutually feeling connected to each other, Du-sik and Hye-jin were shown being involved by impulse and choice in this episode. Their interaction has definitely progressed to a level of comfortability where they shared glimpses of their private lives and innermost thoughts.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha episode 4 faintly answers Du-sik’s stance on why he does not keep something that has life in his place. His family left him at a young age. That also explains why he probably has learned a little of almost everything since he can only rely on himself.
Seeing the resemblance of our lead couple’s lives points most likely to the promised healing romance of the series.
On the horizon, we see delightful side love stories between Mi-seon and Eun-cheol as well as Hwajung and Yeong-guk.
Moreover, we have new characters settling at Gongjin with official introductions of Ji Sung-hyun (Lee Sang Yi) and Jun (Seong Tae) to their respective roles. Ju-ri’s fangirling moments with Jun are worth anticipating and so is Hye-jin’s reunion with her old friend.
Following the cliff-hanging ending scene of episode 4, we are all free to imagine wildly how far or friendly the “dimple couple” went through after spending the night together.
The teaser for the upcoming episode is quite a cute teaser, especially since Gongjin neighborhood houses interesting townspeople-powered grapevine.
Catch up on the latest episodes of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha on Netflix!
Photos: tvN
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