Hong Du-sik
Hong Du-sik widely recognized by his nickname Hong Banjang, is a fictional character that has been featured as the main lead in two different productions: one film and one series. He was first created by screenwriters Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jeong-goo for the 2004 film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong, where he was played by Kim Joo-hyuk.
Hong Banjang was later reimagined for the 2021 series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, adapted from the original by screenwriter Shin Ha-eun, and portrayed by Kim Seon-ho. Coproduced by Studio Dragon and GTist, this 16-episode miniseries ran from August 2021 until October 17, 2021 on tvN on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:00. It is also available for streaming on Netflix.
Appearance
Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong
The character of Hong Du-sik, widely known by the title Hong Banjang, originated in the 2004 romantic comedy film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong. Portrayed by Kim Joo-hyuk, this initial version established the character's core identity as a versatile, local "fixer" who performs various manual and technical tasks for the residents of a small town. In the film, Hong is characterized by his ubiquity and his fixed service rate of 50,000 KRW, serving as a grounded, rural contrast to the urban-focused dentist Yoon Hye-jin. The narrative focuses primarily on the comedic friction and eventual romance that arises from Hong's timely appearances whenever Yoon encounters trouble.Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
In 2021, the character Hong Du-sik was reimagined for the television series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, with Kim Seon-ho taking over the role. He was the village chief of Gongjin, a fictional seaside village situated in Gangwon-do. While screenwriter Shin Ha-eun, maintained the "neighborhood hero" archetype, the series significantly expanded the character's psychological depth and narrative significance. The love story between Hong Banjang and Hye-jin, the city-girl dentist, was enriched by their relationships with the various residents of Gongjin.Character
Inspiration
The film is known in English as Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong. Its original Korean title, however, is, holds the distinction of being the second longest title for a Korean film. The title translates to "If something happens to someone somewhere, Hong Banjang will surely appear," a phrase inspired by the opening theme song of the Japanese anime Astroganger. This title directly reflects the film's central theme: Hong Banjang is portrayed as a neighborhood hero who appears precisely when he is most needed. Additionally, the character is often compared to MacGyver due to his ability to solve virtually any problem.Character description
Hong Du-sik serves as the story's central, paradoxical figure. Though highly intelligent and educated, he eschews a conventional career to remain in his hometown. He holds the honorary title of Hong Banjang, a voluntary, low-compensation role as the head of the smallest administrative unit, a ban. His lifestyle of taking various odd jobs masks a deeper mystery: the true reason for his unconventional choices is linked to an unexplained period of absence between his graduation and his return home. He is also noted for his habit of speaking exclusively in banmal.In the original film, Du-sik is presented as a multi-talented and idealized character. He possesses a wide range of professional certifications, including real estate and interior design. His skills extend to athletics and strategy, specifically golf, Go, and combat, and he has received police commendations for apprehending criminals. His persona is rounded out by hobbies such as book and LP collecting. Despite his qualifications, he served as the village chief for six years following a three-year disappearance, performing odd jobs for a fixed daily rate of 50,000 KRW.
The drama adaptation emphasizes Du-sik's duality and emotional depth. Portrayed as a graduate of the prestigious Seoul National University. he serves as the banjang for three years, receiving only a minimal semi-annual bonus of 50,000 KRW. In this version, his mysterious past is extended to a five-year absence. As a "jack-of-all-trades," Du-sik performs an array of part-time roles, including barista, fisherman, auctioneer, and repairman, charging only the 2021 South Korean minimum wage of 8,720 KRW per hour. His numerous professional licenses allow him to navigate the community as a "professional part-timer," serving as the backbone of the local village.
Backstory
The backstory of Hong Du-sik varies significantly between the original film and the television adaptation. In the 2004 film, Du-sik is depicted as an orphan who lost his parents in a car accident during his childhood. He was adopted by an elderly man who owned the village rice shop. His residence, characterized by a large metal door, is a former rice warehouse that Du-sik personally renovated.In contrast, the drama adaptation portrays Du-sik as being raised primarily by his grandfather following the early loss of his parents. His grandfather’s sudden death from a heart attack, occurring while Du-sik was attending a World Cup match event, leaves him with a profound sense of survivor's guilt. Following this tragedy, the residents of Gongjin, particularly a group of local elder women led by Kim Gam-ri, provided him with communal care. In this version, his home is a self-renovated hanok overlooking a red lighthouse and the sea.
In both iterations, Du-sik is an alumnus of Seoul National University, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. A central mystery in both narratives involves a period of absence between his graduation and his return to his hometown. In the film, this gap lasts for three years and remains a subject of speculation among the villagers. The drama adaptation extends this period to five years, gradually revealing the specific emotional traumas and events that occurred during his time away from the village
Despite these narrative differences, both the film and the drama utilize the "boat on the hill" as a primary symbol of Du-sik’s internal conflict. Originally belonging to his grandfather, the boat represents Du-sik's psyche and his deep-seated fear of abandonment. By placing the vessel on high ground rather than in the water, he symbolically attempts to protect it from being lost to the sea, reflecting his desire for emotional safety and his resistance to further loss.
Relationship with Yoon Hye-jin
The central plot revolves around an "opposites-attract" romance between Hong Du-sik, the local neighborhood leader and handyman, and Yoon Hye-jin, a pragmatic dentist from the city. Their dynamic begins when Hye-jin opens a dental clinic in Du-sik's hometown. Known for his ability to appear instantly to resolve local issues, Du-sik frequently crosses paths with the initially reluctant Hye-jin, serving as the catalyst for her integration into the community.In the original film, the narrative focuses tightly on the romantic evolution of the two leads, characterized by frequent bickering and personality clashes rather than broader cultural conflicts. Du-sik is established as one year older than Hye-jin, who is portrayed as 30 years old The conflict in the film culminates when Du-sik initially rejects Hye-jin's feelings. This leads her to return to Seoul. However, after attending a high-society event, she returns to the village to seek a reconciliation with Du-sik.
The television adaptation maintains the core character traits and the one-year age gap, with Du-sik's birth date specified as July 24, 1987. It places greater emphasis on Hye-jin’s integration into the seaside village of Gongjin, where Du-sik acts as both her guide and ally. Her journey to form deep bonds with the residents is a central theme that runs parallel to her strengthening relationship with Du-sik.
Communication and social status serve as recurring themes in both versions. Initially, the pair refer to each other by professional or functional nicknames: "Chikwa" for Hye-jin and "Hong Banjang" for Du-sik. Their initial friction stems from Hye-jin’s perceptions of social hierarchy, while the later tension arises from Du-sik's internal struggles.
In the drama, although Du-sik accepts Hye-jin’s confession earlier than in the film, he finds it difficult to disclose his past trauma. This emotional distance causes a temporary separation after Hye-jin learns of his history through a third party. The relationship is ultimately restored through Hye-jin's patience, which eventually allows Du-sik to achieve emotional transparency.
Casting and portrayal
On October 10, 2003, it was announced that Kim Joo-hyeok had been cast in a lead role in Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong. It was also reported that the filming will start on October 25, 2003. Produced by Zenith Entertainment, The film was the directorial debut of Kang Seok-beom and the screenplay was written by Kang and Shin Jung-goo. Kim Joo-hyuk expressed his initial surprise regarding his casting:"At first, I wondered why the director gave me the script. I've never lived in the countryside, and all the roles I’ve played so far have had a strong city person vibe. I tried my best to look as country as possible, but to be honest, my biggest regret is that I couldn't completely shed my city person vibe in Hong Banjang."
In another interview, Kim confessed that he questioned his casting, believing the role of Hong Banjang was a "perfect fit" for Im Chang-jung. In November 2003, it was reported that Kim Joo-hyuk was taking private guitar lessons. He was tasked with singing two songs while playing the guitar in scenes where Hong Banjang fills in as a singer, despite having no prior experience with the instrument. Kim Joo-hyuk humorously remarked: "I started learning guitar a while ago, but since it's my first time, my fingers hurt. I have to get better..."
Plans to adapt the film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong into a drama series were first announced on December 21, 2020, under the working title Hong Banjang. The adaptation was written by Shin Ha-eun with Kim Seon-ho being offered the lead role. On April 2, 2021, it was officially announced that Yoo Je-won would direct the drama. Kim Seon-ho also confirmed as Hong Banjang.
Later, Kim Seon-ho commented on the unique appeal of the script and setting:
"When I first got the script, each and every phrase was so pretty to me. I wanted to appear a bit ordinary to others. My actor friends said that it was like watching a stage play after tuning in to the drama. Gongjin Village is the stage and the citizens appear in it, simply existing and interacting with each other. The script didn’t really say much, but as an actor, I thought that it is already a blessing to simply exist like this. Drama characters usually run towards their respective goals, in order to achieve and gain something in the process. However, in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, the villagers are kind to new people in town and even give advice to them, including the newcomers into their lot. There is no special event to be shown, just people living their daily lives in the small town. I have always wanted to do something like this."
To prepare for the role, Kim Seon-ho also took on various private courses, including learning how to surf and making coffee as a barista. He also practiced playing the guitar in order to cover "Old Love" by Lee Moon-sae in the drama.