Hong Du-sik (), widely known by his nickname "Hong Banjang" (), is a fictional character who serves as the main protagonist of the 2004 film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong and its 2021 television adaptation Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. He was originally created by screenwriters Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jeong-goo. Across his screen appearances, the character has been portrayed by several actors, most notably Kim Joo-hyuk in the 2004 film and Kim Seon-ho in the 2021 television series, alongside Moon Seong-hyun, Ahn Seong-won, and Song Min-jae portraying his younger years.
Although the 2004 film was a modest release, Kim Joo-hyuk's performance as Hong Banjang is frequently cited as his most memorable character. Screenwriter Shin Ha-eun, who adapted the film for television, described the character as an iconic part of late Kim Joo-hyuk's legacy, noting that "Hong Banjang" has since functioned as "a proper noun." Over time, "Hong Banjang" has evolved into a cultural archetype representing proactive neighborhood leaders and social workers, with media outlets frequently applying the moniker to real-life figures dedicated to public service.
Kim Seon-ho's later interpretation in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha introduced the character to a wider international audience. Broadcast concurrently on tvN and Netflix from September to October 2021, the series achieved peak nationwide ratings of 13.322 percent, making it into the list of highest-rated series on Korean cable television. The adaptation also became one of Netflix's top Korean programs of 2021, charting in the Top 10 across more than 20 countries and remaining on the global non-English weekly charts for 16 consecutive weeks.
The cinematic and television adaptations each generated notable screen tourism, or set-jetting. While the 2004 film directed attention to Jeju Island's Beophwan Village, the 2021 television adaptation transformed Pohang into a major Hallyu pilgrimage destination. Featured locations, including the boat display at Sabang Memorial Park and the Squid Statue at Cheongha Gongjin Market, attracted large numbers of tourists, leading to municipal infrastructure investments. The Korea Tourism Organization later featured the locations on its Visit Korea website and incorporated them into national tourism campaigns.
Appearance Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong
Hong Du-sik made his debut in the romantic comedy film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong (2004), portrayed by Kim Joo-hyuk. Known as "Hong Banjang," the character works as a fixer performing manual labor and odd jobs in his hometown. The film follows the romance between him and Yoon Hye-jin (Uhm Jung-hwa), a dentist from Seoul. Much of the plot relies on the comedic tension of Du-sik appearing to rescue Hye-jin whenever she encounters trouble.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Hong Du-sik is introduced in the first episode of the tvN television series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) as the neighborhood chief, known locally as "Hong Banjang." Portrayed by Kim Seon-ho, the character appears in all 16 episodes as the story's main protagonist. He first encounters dentist Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) at Gongjin's beach after retrieving one of her high-heeled shoes from the sea while surfing. Alongside their central romance, the television narrative expands to explore the lives and personal stories of the various residents of Gongjin.
Development
Character creation The character Hong Du-sik, widely known as Hong Banjang, was originally created by screenwriters Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jeong-goo for the 2004 film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong. Produced by Zenith Entertainment, the film was the directorial debut of Kang Seok-beom. The film's full Korean title, , holds the record for the second-longest title in South Korean cinema history. This title pays homage to the Japanese anime Astroganger, establishing Hong Banjang as a neighborhood hero who arrives whenever help is needed. His "can-do-everything" trait frequently earned him comparisons to MacGyver.
Plans to adapt the 2004 film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong into a television series were first announced on December 21, 2020, under the working title Hong Banjang, with Shin Ha-eun attached as screenwriter. Yoo Je-won was officially confirmed as director on April 2, 2021.
Shin initially hesitated when approached for the remake, viewing the original character of Hong Banjang as an iconic cultural touchstone whose name functions almost as "a proper noun." She worried a new version might diminish the legacy of the film and its lead actor, Kim Joo-hyuk, with whom she had previously collaborated on her first miniseries, Argon.Cine21 22 WRITERS
She ultimately decided to proceed after re-watching the original film and visualizing how the character would translate to a contemporary setting. Recognizing that the source material lacked developed supporting roles, she seized the opportunity to build an ensemble of sixteen distinct villagers for the fictional setting of Gongjin, giving each a fully realized backstory. This expansion allowed the remake to establish its own identity while honoring the spirit of the original.
The series further distinguishes itself by expanding on the protagonist's internal life. Shin introduced a significant subplot regarding a mysterious year following Du-sik's university graduation. By exploring his psychological trauma and survivor's guilt, the adaptation frames Du-sik's commitment to community service as a journey toward emotional recovery rather than simply a professional choice.
Character description and backstory Hong Du-sik earned the title "Hong Banjang" through his status as neighborhood chief. Described as a jack-of-all-trades who can handle any task, he holds over twenty professional licenses, including real estate and electrical work. In the 2004 film, he serves as village chief of his seaside hometown for six years, keeping his services accessible at a flat rate of 50,000 KRW per day. In the 2021 series, Du-sik acts as the local chief for three years for Ban 1, Tong 5 of Gongjin-dong, Cheongho, earning a semi-annual bonus of . Along with his extensive assortment of professional licenses, he also holds a barista certification. He earns his living through odd jobs billed at the 2021 minimum wage of per hour. In his free time, he enjoys surfing and photography.
Du-sik resides in a seaside house inherited from his grandfather. In the 2004 film, the residence is a self-renovated former rice barn, which is filled with a collection of books, LP records and typewriters. In the 2021 series, his house is a remodeled hanok located near a red lighthouse. The interior features wooden flooring and exposed hanok rafters, complemented by vintage radios and a camera display. There is also a room divider filled with large glass jars of .
Du-sik is an orphan. In the 2004 film, his parents die in a car accident; following their deaths, the townspeople collectively arranged for the local rice shop owner to adopt him, a community effort that helped him grow into a cheerful and kind-hearted man. The 2021 series provides a more detailed background, establishing his birth date as July 24, 1987. After losing his parents, he was raised by his grandfather, an oil vendor. During his middle school years, his grandfather died of a heart attack while Du-sik was attending a World Cup viewing event. Following this loss, the residents of Gongjin, led by Kim Gam-ri, assumed responsibility for his upbringing.
Both versions note that Du-sik graduated from Seoul National University, with the drama specifying a mechanical engineering degree. This academic background contrasts with his current lifestyle, sparking rumors among local residents regarding his "missing years." This period lasts three years in the film and five years in the drama, the latter of which attributes his absence to a career in Seoul and a traumatic accident that caused psychological distress before his return to Gongjin. Du-sik's fear of losing loved ones is symbolized by a fishing boat on the hill that belonged to his grandfather. Despite the boat no longer sailing, Du-sik spends his free time carefully maintaining it. The drama depicts Du-sik spending a small fortune to move it higher to a hilltop, allowing the vessel, named Soon-im after his grandmother, to rest with a view of the ocean.
Relationship with Yoon Hye-jin
The relationship between Hong Du-sik and Yoon Hye-jin follows an enemies-to-lovers dynamic. After moving from Seoul to open a clinic in a seaside village, dentist Yoon Hye-jin repeatedly encounters Du-sik during various crises. Initially, they address each other simply as "Dentist" and "Hong Banjang." In the film, Du-sik speaks to Hye-jin in banmal because he is 31 years old in Korean age, making him one year her senior. In contrast, the television series depicts him using banmal with all village residents regardless of age or status.
The narrative centers on the couple's constant bickering, which paradoxically draws them closer together. Although this connection grows, Du-sik rejects Hye-jin's initial confession of love, prompting her to return to Seoul. However, after attending a high-society event in the city, she realizes her true feelings and travels back to the village, where Du-sik is waiting for her at home with a closet stocked with her favorite wines. Later, she suggests that he take his late grandfather's boat out to sea again, signaling her commitment to stay by his side.
By contrast, the 2021 drama series emphasizes the village of Gongjin as a tight-knit community, with Du-sik acting as a bridge to help Hye-jin earn the locals' trust and find her place among them. Unlike in the film, Du-sik accepts her confession, and the two begin a relationship. Their bond faces a test when Hye-jin learns about his hidden past from a third party. Giving him the necessary space allows Du-sik to finally open up about his trauma, enabling them to move forward together. In the final episode, during a pre-wedding photoshoot, Hye-jin asks Du-sik to add her name to his grandfather's boat to symbolize her integration into his family.
Casting and portrayal
On October 10, 2003, it was announced that Kim Joo-hyuk 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. Kim Joo-hyuk initially expressed reservations about his casting, saying: "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 like a country bumpkin, but to be honest, my biggest regret is that I couldn't completely shed my city person vibe as Hong Banjang." In another interview, he suggested that the role was a "perfect fit" for Im Chang-jung.
To prepare for scenes where his character fills in as a live performer, Kim began private guitar lessons in November 2003. He described the process as difficult. He learned two songs for the film: Yoo Jae-ha's "You in My Arms" and Kim Kwang-seok's "With the mind to forget," the latter of which was included on the official soundtrack album.
Critical reception later characterized the role as uniquely suited to Kim, with some suggesting the film served as a vehicle for his specific talents. Discussing his performance, Kim noted a personal affinity with the character: "I am somewhat similar to Du-sik in that I act quirky on the outside, even though that’s not how I feel inside. The script was good, so I didn't force the humor and just naturally adapted to the situation."