Hometown Cha Cha Cha: Gongjin’s Three Mysteries Explained

One of my favorite things about Hometown Cha Cha Cha’s stories is how quirky Gongjin and its residents are. It’s reminds me of the neighborhood I grew up in, with all its unique lores and memories floating about.

So of course, Gongjin has a couple of unsolved mysteries that keeps folks on their toes, always speculating and gossiping. The three major ones out of all are:

1. What is Du-sik’s real identity? What did he do after graduating from college and the five years thereafter?
2. Why did Hwa-jeong and Yeon-guk file for a divorce? Did one of them have an affair?
3. Three years ago, who in Gongjin won a lotter worth 1.4 billion won? And, how are they hiding their newly acquired wealth so well?

I’ve got you covered with all the answers!

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha | Official Trailer | Netflix [ENG SUB]

Gongjin’s three mysteries solved: Du-sik involvement in a friend’s death forced him to move back home. Hwa-jeong filed a divorce from Yeon-guk because she thought he married her out of pity. And lastly, the mysterious lottery winner is none other than officer Eun-cheol.

These details are only revealed towards the end of the show. So in case you missed the fine print, let me give you the whole picture:

What is Du-sik’s real identity?

Is Du-sik a super spy who was posted in North Korea? Was a mountaineer who scaled Everest? Did he have a wife and kid who died in an accident?

Speculations around Du-sik’s identity are plenty since the Gongjin’s residents know he graduated from Seoul National University but are curious about the five years gap after that and his mysterious circumstances of returning to his hometown and settling there for good.

The truth is only revealed in episode 15 — While working as a successful hedge fund manager, he is part of an accident that kills his co-worker Jeong-woo, who he regarded as his own brother.

Since he blames himself for the death, he decides to atone by giving up his life in Seoul and returning to Gongjin. Here, he becomes an expert in all sorts of odd jobs, but once again, lets go of any ambition or financial success and chooses to only get paid the minimum wage. 

Why did Hwa-jeong and Yeon-guk split up?

The reason for Hwa-jeong and Yeon-guk’s split is simpler than you’d expect. After years of marriage, Hwa-jeong starts noticing that Yeon-guk has taken her for granted. The last straw was when she overhears Yeon-guk telling Chun-jae that he married her only because she was “all alone.”

So one day, when Hwa-jeong is at her wit’s end, she suddenly files a divorce from Yeon-guk. At the time Yeon-guk is unaware that of her overhearing his drunk rambling and his confusion at the divorce further drives a wedge between the two.

There are a lot of ups and downs in this rollercoaster of a relationship, including the two having to be good parents to Yi-joon and Yeon-guk’s first love Cho-Hui entering the scene.

But they eventually do realize that they care for each other and rekindle their love by giving marriage a second go.

Who won Gongjin’s infamous lottery?

This again has many candidates — Is it Du-sik? (Without knowing his past) it would explain why he only works for minimum age. Is it the talkative Nam-Suk, or perhaps one of the grannies?

Our guessing game is not aided by the fact that Yun-Gyeong does not remember to whom she sold the winning ticket!

The last person you’d expect it to be is officer Eun-cheol. Although the character is kind and virtuous (and just the right amount of comical awkward), he is also depicted to be frugal. So it comes as a total shock, to both us and Mi-Seon, when it is revealed by Eun-cheol won Gongjin’s infamous lottery worth 1.4 billion won.

He randomly happened to buy the ticket when Yun-Gyeong asked him to watch over the store. Once he found out he won, he decides to keep it a secret and continue living his life as normal.

Eun-cheol has already donated part of the money, while he intends to use the remaining to buy land in Gongjin, build a house and spend the rest of his life with Mi-seon. Looking back, I can’t think of a person other than Eun-cheol who’s more deserving of the lottery!

[Read More] What happened to Du-sik in Hometown Cha Cha Cha? [Add link once published]

About Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Hometown Cha Cha Cha is a South Korean drama that is set in the fictional town of Gongjin. While it follows the idiosyncratic stories of its residents, it focuses the town’s newest arrival Yoon Hye-jin, who gives up her hectic life in Seoul to open her own dental clinic in scenic Gongjin. 

She often clashes with Hong Du-sik, Gongjin’s overly skilled handyman with a traumatic past. Their different perspectives on life bring together, ensuing a romance full of healing. 

The main cast is made up of Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho and Lee Sang-yi.