Literally healed me
I watched this back when it was airing in 2021, gave it a 10/10, rewatched it in 2023 and again this year in 2025. A 10/10 EVERYTIME.
I HAVE NEVER FELT SO WARM AND FULFILLED WATCHING A DRAMA. Like, HomeCha wasnāt just a show, it was an experience. It was like taking a deep breath of fresh air, like a warm hug, like drinking hot chocolate on a rainy day. It was comfort in drama form.
Romance? 12/10. Chemistry? OFF THE CHARTS.
Yoon Hye-jin and Hong Du-sik??? PERFECTION. Their relationship felt so natural, so real, so deeply emotional that I could feel their love growing with every interaction. Their bickering? Adorable. Their tender moments? Butterflies. Their angst? PAIN. This is what true romance pacing looks likeāno unnecessary dragging, no unrealistic jumps, just two people gradually falling in love in the most beautiful way. The chemistry was so electric it didnāt even feel scripted. Just pure, unfiltered longing and love.
That being said, I have some thoughts on Hye-jin. People say sheās rude, but honestly, I never saw her that way. What did bother me, though, was her cringy baby talk when she got into a relationship. I honestly get it because her whole life she has had to be an adult because of her family, and now she finally gets to experience her inner child, still it annoyed me a littleš. Also, around ep 13, she seemed lowkey embarrassed about Du-shikās lack of a set job, and I was just likeā¦ girl, this is Chief Hong weāre talking about. The man can do literally everything. Also, why did Du-shik have to apologize just because Hye-jin was telling Du-shik to care of the guy who had a crush on her? It made no sense. But her character development was EVERYTHING.
But does Hye-jin ruin the drama for me? Absolutely not. Nothing could ruin this drama for me. I squealed like a kid every time she and Du-shik had a moment. Their dynamic was everything, and Du-shik as a character?? A 20/10. Kim Seon-ho ate this role UP. His smile, his little eyebrow raises, his dimplesāI need a Du-shik in my life, itās not even funny anymore. If my man doesnāt steal drumsticks for me, I donāt even want him. Like ask me to write my college essay on Cheif Hong, AND YOU WILL FIND IT DONE IN AN HOUR.
But This Drama Wasnāt Just Romanceā¦
The side characters??? ICONIC (mostly). Gongjin wasnāt just a setting, it was a whole community that felt like home. The character development, especially with Hye-jin finally understanding why Du-shik loved Gongjin so much, was so beautifully done. That being saidā¦
Nam-sook? Annoying.
Oh Yoon? Sir, I get that youāre a musician, but enough. Stop pushing your music on everyone.
Geum-cheol??? Bro. Your wife is pregnant. Stop being so insensitive. Like, Yung-yeong is so patient, and heās just like, āI said sorryāāLIKE WHAT?
But on the flip sideāJi-won and Seung-hyun??? CUTEST. And that scene of I-jun crying because his parents got back together??? My heart.
Listen. Episode 14 destroyed me. Du-shikās pastā¦ I was NOT prepared. The way this drama slowly unraveled his trauma, his guilt, his deep-rooted paināit was SO well done. And Kim Seon-hoās acting??? CRIMINALLY GOOD. The breakdown scene?? I sobbed.
The fact that Hye-jin didnāt āfixā him, but loved him through it?? UGH. The way she showed patience and understanding instead of trying to be his savior??? Perfectly written.
Final Thoughts: A MASTERPIECE. This wasnāt just a romcom. This was a healing drama. It made me laugh, cry, scream, melt, and reflect on life all at once. The romance was top-tier, the characters felt real, and the emotional depth was unexpected but so satisfying.
Would I rewatch it? Yes.
Would I sell my soul to experience it for the first time again? Absolutely.
Do I now expect every K-drama romance to feel this real and perfect? Unfortunately, yes.
I HAVE NEVER FELT SO WARM AND FULFILLED WATCHING A DRAMA. Like, HomeCha wasnāt just a show, it was an experience. It was like taking a deep breath of fresh air, like a warm hug, like drinking hot chocolate on a rainy day. It was comfort in drama form.
Romance? 12/10. Chemistry? OFF THE CHARTS.
Yoon Hye-jin and Hong Du-sik??? PERFECTION. Their relationship felt so natural, so real, so deeply emotional that I could feel their love growing with every interaction. Their bickering? Adorable. Their tender moments? Butterflies. Their angst? PAIN. This is what true romance pacing looks likeāno unnecessary dragging, no unrealistic jumps, just two people gradually falling in love in the most beautiful way. The chemistry was so electric it didnāt even feel scripted. Just pure, unfiltered longing and love.
That being said, I have some thoughts on Hye-jin. People say sheās rude, but honestly, I never saw her that way. What did bother me, though, was her cringy baby talk when she got into a relationship. I honestly get it because her whole life she has had to be an adult because of her family, and now she finally gets to experience her inner child, still it annoyed me a littleš. Also, around ep 13, she seemed lowkey embarrassed about Du-shikās lack of a set job, and I was just likeā¦ girl, this is Chief Hong weāre talking about. The man can do literally everything. Also, why did Du-shik have to apologize just because Hye-jin was telling Du-shik to care of the guy who had a crush on her? It made no sense. But her character development was EVERYTHING.
But does Hye-jin ruin the drama for me? Absolutely not. Nothing could ruin this drama for me. I squealed like a kid every time she and Du-shik had a moment. Their dynamic was everything, and Du-shik as a character?? A 20/10. Kim Seon-ho ate this role UP. His smile, his little eyebrow raises, his dimplesāI need a Du-shik in my life, itās not even funny anymore. If my man doesnāt steal drumsticks for me, I donāt even want him. Like ask me to write my college essay on Cheif Hong, AND YOU WILL FIND IT DONE IN AN HOUR.
But This Drama Wasnāt Just Romanceā¦
The side characters??? ICONIC (mostly). Gongjin wasnāt just a setting, it was a whole community that felt like home. The character development, especially with Hye-jin finally understanding why Du-shik loved Gongjin so much, was so beautifully done. That being saidā¦
Nam-sook? Annoying.
Oh Yoon? Sir, I get that youāre a musician, but enough. Stop pushing your music on everyone.
Geum-cheol??? Bro. Your wife is pregnant. Stop being so insensitive. Like, Yung-yeong is so patient, and heās just like, āI said sorryāāLIKE WHAT?
But on the flip sideāJi-won and Seung-hyun??? CUTEST. And that scene of I-jun crying because his parents got back together??? My heart.
Listen. Episode 14 destroyed me. Du-shikās pastā¦ I was NOT prepared. The way this drama slowly unraveled his trauma, his guilt, his deep-rooted paināit was SO well done. And Kim Seon-hoās acting??? CRIMINALLY GOOD. The breakdown scene?? I sobbed.
The fact that Hye-jin didnāt āfixā him, but loved him through it?? UGH. The way she showed patience and understanding instead of trying to be his savior??? Perfectly written.
Final Thoughts: A MASTERPIECE. This wasnāt just a romcom. This was a healing drama. It made me laugh, cry, scream, melt, and reflect on life all at once. The romance was top-tier, the characters felt real, and the emotional depth was unexpected but so satisfying.
Would I rewatch it? Yes.
Would I sell my soul to experience it for the first time again? Absolutely.
Do I now expect every K-drama romance to feel this real and perfect? Unfortunately, yes.
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