Of course, since then, Netflix has continued to release one hit after another, be it Business Proposal, Alchemy of Souls, The Glory, All of Us Are Dead, or Crash Landing On You. Even so, there’s still one k-drama that Netflix has yet to top, and it’s still a perfect 10/10 even after all these years.
16 Best K-Dramas Of The 2020s So Far, Ranked
Although K-dramas have been around for decades, the genre is more innovative and experimental than ever— which explains why the 2020s is full of hits.
5 Years Later, Netflix Has Yet to Top Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Squid Game Was Not Netflix’s Only Major Hit of 2021
Released the same year as Squid Game, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha was arguably Netflix’s second-biggest hit of 2021. The series essentially revolves around dentist Yoon Hye-jin, who after losing her job in Seoul decides to open up her own clinic in the idyllic seaside town of Gongjin.
Used to the hustle, bustle, and privacy of the city, what ensues is very much a “fish out of water” story as Hye-jin adapts to living in the countryside with her new, incredibly quirky, nosy, yet well-meaning neighbors.
This includes the town’s handyman and Mr. Do-It-All, Hong Du-sik, with whom Hye-jin is immediately at odds, setting up a classical enemies-to-lovers dynamic, not unlike Pride and Prejudice. The show is incredibly cozy, heartfelt, and comforting despite its darker moments, though perhaps the most impressive part is its intricate writing.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha features a massive ensemble cast and yet manages to give nearly every one of these side characters well-thought-out and meaningful backstories and character arcs of their own, which is a quality that has previously defined the success of shows like Reply 1988.
Most surprisingly, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha also features a lesbian sub-plot, which is quite a rarity in K-dramas.
As such, despite all the romantic comedies that have been released since, no K-drama has come close to recreating the same magic as Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Netflix’s 2023 comedy drama, Welcome to Samdal-ri perhaps came the closest with its similar seaside setting, but was still far more somber in comparison and not quite as comforting and well-rounded as Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’s Leads Are Returning in 2026
Much to the disappointment of fans craving more of Kim Seon-ho and Shin Min-a’s chemistry, the two leads have yet to star alongside each other again since Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. That said, 2026 is going to be an exciting year for the two stars and their fans, as both are set to star in major webtoon live-action adaptations.
Kim Seon-ho already made a splash earlier this year with Can This Love Be Translated and When Life Gives You Tangerines, and will be returning again in Portraits of Delusion alongside his Start-Up co-star Suzy. Meanwhile, Shin Min-a is set to play the lead, Empress Navier, in the upcoming adaptation of The Remarried Empress alongside Lee Jong-suk and Ju Ji-hoon.
Coincidentally, both Portraits of Delusion and The Remarried Empress are coming to Disney Plus, which already has quite an impressive K-drama lineup this year and could give Netflix a run for its money. While there isn’t room for a sequel to Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, hopefully Netflix will soon reunite the two fan favorites for another unforgettable romance.