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 wasn’t 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 like—no unnecessary dragging, no unrealistic jumps, just two people gradually falling in love in the most beautiful way. The chemistry was so electric it didn’t even feel scripted. Just pure, unfiltered longing and love.
That being said, I have some thoughts on Hye-jin. People say she’s 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 little😭. Also, around ep 13, she seemed lowkey embarrassed about Du-shik’s lack of a set job, and I was just like… girl, this is Chief Hong we’re 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 dimples—I need a Du-shik in my life, it’s not even funny anymore. If my man doesn’t steal drumsticks for me, I don’t 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 Wasn’t Just Romance…
The side characters??? ICONIC (mostly). Gongjin wasn’t 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 said…
Nam-sook? Annoying.
Oh Yoon? Sir, I get that you’re 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 he’s just like, “I said sorry”—LIKE WHAT?
But on the flip side—Ji-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-shik’s past… I was NOT prepared. The way this drama slowly unraveled his trauma, his guilt, his deep-rooted pain—it was SO well done. And Kim Seon-ho’s acting??? CRIMINALLY GOOD. The breakdown scene?? I sobbed.
The fact that Hye-jin didn’t “fix” 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 wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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 like—no unnecessary dragging, no unrealistic jumps, just two people gradually falling in love in the most beautiful way. The chemistry was so electric it didn’t even feel scripted. Just pure, unfiltered longing and love.
That being said, I have some thoughts on Hye-jin. People say she’s 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 little😭. Also, around ep 13, she seemed lowkey embarrassed about Du-shik’s lack of a set job, and I was just like… girl, this is Chief Hong we’re 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 dimples—I need a Du-shik in my life, it’s not even funny anymore. If my man doesn’t steal drumsticks for me, I don’t 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 Wasn’t Just Romance…
The side characters??? ICONIC (mostly). Gongjin wasn’t 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 said…
Nam-sook? Annoying.
Oh Yoon? Sir, I get that you’re 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 he’s just like, “I said sorry”—LIKE WHAT?
But on the flip side—Ji-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-shik’s past… I was NOT prepared. The way this drama slowly unraveled his trauma, his guilt, his deep-rooted pain—it was SO well done. And Kim Seon-ho’s acting??? CRIMINALLY GOOD. The breakdown scene?? I sobbed.
The fact that Hye-jin didn’t “fix” 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 wasn’t 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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