Two of the most successful Korean romantic comedies in recent years, Crash Landing on You and Hometown Cha-cha-cha, share similarities that go beyond the genre’s typical exploration of romantic courtship. While they captivate audiences with sweet love stories, both dramas offer more profound reflections on life, community, and identity, tapping into a nostalgic longing for lost values.
During a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I found myself discussing Korean dramas at a café near Batu Cave with two ladies and a gentleman. The conversation quickly turned to their all-time favorites: Crash Landing on You and Hometown Cha-cha-cha. Although I had missed these shows when they first aired, their enthusiasm piqued my curiosity. Eager to understand what made these dramas resonate so deeply, I promised I would watch them—and write about them. What I discovered was that these series are much more than just escapist tales designed to comfort the weary minds of modern city dwellers. They blend romance with deeper explorations of personal growth, communal bonds, and a creative engagement with the past.
There is no doubt that these dramas follow in the tradition of iconic Korean romantic series, dating back to Winter Sonata (2002), which took Asia by storm. Before that, melodramas and “trendy dramas” focused on young people’s relationships with love, family, and work, portraying their lives in ways that felt realistic within the bounds of fictional storytelling. However, Winter Sonata shifted this approach by blending realism with fantasy, using the most improbable plot points as the foundation for deeply emotional and romantic stories. This tradition—turning the unreal into a dream-like romance—continues to define the genre, and while some may dismiss these dramas for their over-the-top plot twists or exaggerated character arcs, their addictive appeal is undeniable.
Crash Landing on You exemplifies this. The story follows Se-ri, a successful CEO who crash-lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident. There, she meets Captain Ri, a principled North Korean officer who helps her return to safety. Though the premise is highly unrealistic—after all, a North Korean soldier concealing a South Korean woman’s presence would have dire consequences—the show presents this as a romanticized metaphor for North and South Korea’s desire for reunification. This notion of unity despite political division has long been a theme in Korean media, most notably in the film Joint Security Area (2000), which portrays the unlikely friendship between North and South Korean soldiers. In a moment of self-awareness, Se-ri even references this film, saying, “This is just like JSA.”
Despite its improbable plot, Crash Landing on You thrives on its emotionally rich and memorable moments. One particularly poignant scene occurs when Se-ri, posing as Captain Ri’s fiancée, gets lost in a local market. Her disorientation triggers painful childhood memories of abandonment, but Captain Ri rushes to find her, holding a scented candle aloft—something she had mentioned would calm her. In this moment, Captain Ri embodies the classic romantic hero, a beacon in the night, rescuing the damsel in distress. Yet, this romance is only one layer of the story.
Crash Landing on You, like Hometown Cha-cha-cha, uses a retro sensibility to explore more than just romance. Se-ri’s fashion, for example, evolves from high-powered, business chic to the brightly colored, hand-knitted cardigans and floral scarves reminiscent of 1950s fashion. As she settles into the North Korean village, the setting evokes a simpler time, one where community bonds are strong and people look out for each other. This contrast to Se-ri’s cutthroat business world underscores a key theme: the healing power of community. In this village, Se-ri finds not just refuge but a space to reconnect with values that had been lost in her fast-paced, competitive life.
This engagement with the past is part of a larger trend in Korean media, where nostalgia has become a prominent theme. Dramas like Reply 1988 (2015) and political thrillers such as King Maker (2022) and Spring in Seoul (2023) meticulously recreate the past to evoke a sense of nostalgia. However, Crash Landing on You goes a step further. Rather than simply recreating the past for sentimental value, it uses this setting to construct an idealized sense of community that helps characters rediscover their personal values in the present. The past becomes a tool for healing and self-construction.
Similarly, in Hometown Cha-cha-cha, Hye-jin, a dentist who has lost her way, embarks on a journey of self-discovery in a small beach town. Like Se-ri, she lacks familial support and has dedicated her life to work. However, it is in this quaint village that she finds a sense of belonging and an alternative family. Early in the series, Hye-jin’s interactions with her busy, nosy neighbors in Seoul reflect the pressures of urban life, where a rigid formula for success is often imposed. By moving to the small town, Hye-jin escapes these societal pressures and learns to carve out a life on her own terms.
Both Crash Landing on You and Hometown Cha-cha-cha were widely successful, not just in Korea but across Asia, largely because of their charming depictions of romantic relationships. But their appeal extends beyond romance. By drawing on retro aesthetics and nostalgic settings, these dramas create spaces where characters—and audiences—can reconnect with values of community, belonging, and self-worth. In an age of increasing individualism and disconnection, these dramas offer more than just sweet love stories—they provide a creative way to engage with the past and reshape the present.