This review may contain spoilers
These 2 friends who have grown as a brother and sister, they like each other but, she goes to Seoul while he stay at Jeju island. After 8 years she come back to the home family with her 2 sisters and niece and they meet again. Theirs feelings are the same that in the past but also another mate love her.Great acting of Ji Chang Wook with his fast speech, his smile and the deep voice.
Many things are great: the cast, some gestures (for example the niece that take the shirt of her grandmother), I love when he call her mom "omma", the fact of a multi parenting (two mother each), the relationship of these 3 sisters, the boy friendship like power rangers, when these fishing's women (Haenyeo) drive their quads, the "adult" niece, the kindness of the new couple of dolphin boy and the little sister,...
I informed me about the activity of these "Haenyeo" and I learnt is so precious in Jeju that since 2016 become a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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This review may contain spoilers
Well paced heartwarming romantic series with small town, friends to lovers and revenge elements
9/10 is my rating. This is a 2023/2024 South Korean romantic comedy with 16, 70 minute episodes.First I provide a unique synopsis then review.
Synopsis
Cho Yong-pil (Ji Chang-wook) and Cho Sam-dal (Shin Hye-sun) were childhood friends who grew up in a small community on Jeju Island. The adults termed them soul mates as they were born minutes apart on the same day. And their life follows the trajectory of that destined fate as close friends as children then a young couple later on. An incident drives them apart and lead both to separately pursue their dreams. Yong-pil remains on the island as a weather forecaster to fulfill his dream of providing accurate forecasts so that others will not die from weather events as his mother did. While brilliant in his field, he is a thorn in the side of the other forecasters as he is very vociferous in his demands for perfection in forecasting. Many of the youth from the Island are eager to escape that limited geography and make their mark in big city Seoul. Sam-dal also wants to escape the small town and is determined to thrive in Seoul. After much hardship, Samdal finally becomes a highly successful fashion photographer known under the professional name Cho Eun-hye. At the peak of her career, she is in the circles with all the top celebrities as a highly demanded artistic and entertainment photographer. A series of events causes Cho Eun hye’s professional and personal life to completely come apart. Samdal decides to take a pause on her career and leave the city that now felt like it turned on her. Her hometown has always been her safe haven filled with all the people she was once very close to. When Samdal and Yongpil find themselves back in the same circles, they discover their feelings for each other never died. With two very different dreams is there a way for them to be together without sacrificing their own life goals? Can Samdal prove her innocence and re-establish her career?
Review
This is a really good romantic drama with friends to lovers, coming of age and even revenge elements. People who grew up in an island culture or in a small town will relate to a lot of the content. It is an overall feel good romance served up with slices of small town life. The small insights into Haenyeo (female diver) culture is a bonus.
Spoilers
Yong pil’s dad Cho Sang-tae (Yu Oh seong), was so emotionally and physically abusive to others I seriously disliked the character. It was satisfying, in the last few episodes, when the rest let loose in him. Look she wasn’t just your wife she was my best friend, my mother etc. You are not the only one grieving. I wish someone had said your wife would have hated this. He was obsessed with her leading up to them being together and was obsessed with her after she died. Blaming her best friend when his wife as an adult who chose to go was misplaced anger. He was such a cruel selfish person, I was glad he came around for the other characters but I did not feel there was any redemption for him.
The assistant who falsely accused her was eventually revealed as a liar. That was great to get to see some justice served. A little bit more about her and the fall out of her misdeeds would have been better as so much of Samdal’s story centered around her assistant’s lies.
I loved the story with her older sister and ex husband who so clearly still loved each other but had been driven apart by his horrible family. I would have liked to see them get remarried.
The chemistry between Shin Hye sun and Ji Chang wook was surprising. I just never pictured them together as they typically choose very different scripts. But they are both such great actors it was completely believable. I became a fan Of Ji Chang wook from his action shows but this sweet boy next door role worked perfectly too which just shows his diversity.
#WelcometoSandalRi
#JiChangwook
#ShinHyeSun
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SENSATIONAL STORY AND PHENOMENAL ACTING
I could go on and on about this drama, and I will. But for now, all I want to say is that THIS IS MY COMFORT DRAMA. Yong Pil and Sam Dal's chemistry was so outstanding. Shin Hye Sun and Ji Chang work are two of the most impressive and versatile actors I have ever known, and they did justice to Yong-Dal relationship dynamic.Both Yong Pil and Sam Dal's character individually are just as impressive as the couple. Yong Pil is such a green flag, I love how Sam Dal could always count on Yong Pil and how he never left her alone. This is true love right here.
As for Sam Dal, she's truly iconic. A woman who possessed great talents, worked hard to make her dreams come true and yet she had to find herself in order to heal her heart. She is unstoppable.
I also loved the slight contrast between their characters that, in my opinion, made them understand each other better. Their personalities fit together so perfectly, they truly redefined soulmatism.
The story is comforting and uplifting. It's all about healing and finding yourself. It's about being able to spread your wings and flying high, knowing that there are people who have your back and they will always catch you when you fall. This drama truly taught me so many things.
I could go on and on, but I need everybody to watch it!!
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Something special about this drama.
I've seen 70+ kdramas and started countless others, and rarely does a drama stick with me like this. But this one, gosh. I finished this a few days ago and I'm still not over it. I can't start anything new because nothing else compares. I feel like I'm trying to get over an ex lol.Anyways, Ji Chang Wook just has these eyes that look so full of love I can't stop thinking about that look. And Shin Hye Sun is just such a talented actress. And their love, aghhhh. How can I ever watch a drama that's not about them??@?@??
Also, Ko Mi Ja's story and the sweetness of the town and its people, and the soundtrack, all stand out to me.
The story and reasoning of characters is sometimes a bit off, but overall the writing was good and the plotlines came together well overall.
This one's going down as one of my all time favorites.
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An outstanding and invigorating series.
From start to finish, both characters encapsulated the essence, making me feel like I was truly in my homeland, spending quality time with my family. This show earnestly endeavors to depict the emotions inherent in every relationship—be it with parents, siblings, or friends. It highlights the idea that even when we hit rock bottom in our lives, there is always someone from our neighborhood or circle of friends standing behind us, ready to offer support. Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun delivered exceptional performances, showcasing incredible chemistry both as lovers and childhood friends. It's been a while since I've seen Ji Chang Wook make such a remarkable comeback, and he looked handsome in every scene. Finally, I love the whole friends' gang Power Rangers they were the best!!!!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Hometown healing
Jan. 21, 2024Welcome to Sam-dal ri is definitely that kdrama for healing. Not revenge.
For starters, I know a lot of other people have mentioned how they love how this show gets better as it goes on. And that is so true. I never really expected to love this drama if you asked me around the first few episodes. It is a slower pace slice of life show. It alleviates that fast-life city feeling, as it is set in a small town. You know, as a person who grew up in the city, I kind of feel jealous and I really do want to experience that slower pace type of living.
The plot of the show is amazing, it is pretty good in terms of the story telling and how it was delivered throughout the episodes. I did wish though that the so called "antagonists" got much harsher ending for all the things they have committed. I do know that this is not a revenge drama but regardless, it fell flat in that area.
The cast is amazing and I feel like this drama is very underrated or underrepresented in terms of all the kdramas that on the smae air-time as this one. So please give Welcome to Sam-dal ri the love and recognition it deserves!
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A Sea of Emotions
I love this story! For someone who lives in North America, I find the whole concept of Haenyeo(women divers)fascinating. and this is what I love about watching Korean Dramas. I learn so much more from the dramas than from a written book. I am somewhat familar with Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun in their various dramas, but I think this drama shows their talents and chemistry really well. It's funny how parents' grudges become their children's problems but yet their health concerns are kept away from the children. I enjoy how this drama is very realistic portrayal of everyday life in a small community. All in all, this is a drama I would watch again.Was this review helpful to you?
Underrated Masterpiece Deserving of a Spotlight!
This K-drama is an absolute hidden gem, quietly awaiting the recognition it truly deserves. It's like stumbling upon a treasure trove in the vast landscape of K-dramas, and if you haven't dived into it yet, you're essentially missing out on the VIP section of drama appreciation.The main couple's chemistry is not just on point; it's practically sparking a revolution in the romance genre. Their connection is so genuine that I'm tempted to start a petition demanding an award for them – they've managed to reignite our belief in love with their exceptional performances.
And let's not forget the unsung heroes of the show – the side characters. They are the real MVPs, adding depth and charm to the narrative. Of course, there are a few annoying ones who could use a crash course in being less irritating, but they're a small hiccup in an otherwise flawless ensemble.
In my book, this K-drama easily earns a solid 10/10. I wholeheartedly recommend it, served with a side of popcorn and a generous emotional investment. It's a journey worth taking, and you'll find yourself immersed in a world where love, laughter, and a few eye-rolls are in perfect harmony.
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Waste of A-List Talent
This is a story of a girl who had big dreams. She is now reduced to wailing, whining and wasting away her life in relentless self-pity (7 episodes in and the self-pity party is showing no signs of abating.) Read this in Chandler's tone: Can she do anymore sobbing?WTS also tells the story of a boy whose only aspiration in life is to be with a girl and follow her around like a lost lovesick puppy. The sole purpose and impetus of everything he does is to one day see himself and Samdal ride off into the Jeju sunset. Ngl it may appear romantic on-screen, but that's the very definition of a loser in real life (think about it).
Misery, they say, loves company. Not so fast. Samdal's continued misery does not make for a great company, or chemistry for that matter. Because even with Yongpil's incessant smothering attention for the consummate damsel-in-distress Samdal, oil and water have better chemistry.
Now let's go to the plot. Welcome to Samdalri is like the madlibs of Kdrama. Someone draws a card (plot), and players toss out random words, names and places to fill in the blanks. For fun, someone throws in postcards (cinematography) and turns on the FM radio (soundtrack).
How they got A-List actors Shin Hyesun and Ji Changwook onboard is a mystery. Unfortunately, not even their masterful acting can keep the Samdalri sinking ship afloat.
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This review may contain spoilers
One word: Warmth. That's what the drama made me feel. Love it (Second chance romance worth watching)
Jo Yong Pil (ML): The greenest flag of a character I have ever seen. Its impossible not to adore him. The actor does such justice to the character, i wonder if the writer wrote the script with Ji Chang Wook in mind.Cho Sam Dal (FL): Very straightforward person, doesn't beat around the bush, which comes off as rude. This got her into trouble, leading to her loosing her career in the city. Bang Eun Joo (the villain) was smart to use that flaw in her character to her advantage. What I like about Cho Sam Dal are her faults, she can be pretty clueless at times and also slow to take actions, but despite them all she is a good person.
Sam Dal and Yong Pil complement each other so well. I am glad that Yong Pil got his happy beginning. While Sam Dal is a pretty impressive, Yong Pil steals the show and captures your heart, making you want to root for him. It impossible not to feel loved while watching this drama, that's how warm Yong Pil is. I'm more into enemies to lover tropes then best friend turned lovers, but this couple holds a special place in my heart. It shows us how relationships don't necessarily have to be the constant push-and-pull but can full of love and care.
Breakdown of allegations against Cho Sam Dal:
1. Bang Eun Joo intentionally went out of the way to get with Sam Dal's ex (Cheon Chung Gi ) just to prove that she could have him. (The guys is also utter crap) The only time Sam Dal said something intentionally harsh was when Eun Joo practically gloated to her that she slept with Sam Dal's boyfriend.
2. What Sam Dal said pissed off Eun Joo so much that she fabricated a suicide attempt and then claimed that she was driven to suicide because of Sam Dal bullying. Sam Dal on the other hand was so shocked to hear about the suicide attempt that she practically gaslit herself for a while, which had us all wondering did she really bully that woman?
3. That's not where it ends though, Eun Joo decided to steal Sam Dal's ideas and work as well. What did Sam Dal do when she discovered it, gave it away to the Eun Joo for free and decided to wash her hands of her.
Coming to Cho Sam Dal's family dynamics, watching the three sisters together is very fun. Ha Yool is also so damn adorable.
All the other couples were also pretty decent to watch. It was good to see all of them succeed in their careers.
I'm a bit unsatisfied with the ending because I just want more of the Samdal-ri's crowd, specially Sam Dal's and Yong Pil's relationship.
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Welcome-to -samdalri has my heart!
Every plot I watched was just so amazing. I didn't expect to come across such a fabulous drama that perfectly and beautifully describes the connection between a small village town and the mainland. what drama can do such an amazing job than this?I see people saying somewhere it's boring, then it's not your genre simply because not a single second is weird or frustrating.
stories of every daughter and character in the story are so mesmerizing. the bond between the male and female lead are just wow! and the friendship between the group is just so heart touching.
totally recommending it
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This review may contain spoilers
I held on as long as I could
I love the male lead and like the female lead as well but her character makes mewant to turn my tv off. She did look down on those under her. I feel she did
treat people under her like they wasn't anything. Like she was all that and as
when she was out drinking with the girls her attitude was she's the shit and
the people that had been under her was nothing and she could talk to them
anyway she wanted. Even though that chick under her was trash I'm surprised
something like this hasn't happened to her long ago. Overall I really didn't like
the female leads character at all when she was in the big city and my dislike for
her got worse once she went home to the small town. All she did was hide and whine
about what happened to her instead of fighting. I mean damn she worked hard to get
where she was right? It took her mother to drag her out to set the record straight to all
the gossiping people around town and word of what her mother said quickly spread like
wild fire🤦🏼♀️. Six eps in and this is definitely NOT a show that I would rewatch hell I'm struggling to
make it to the end of this. I won't go into any long details about what I think of this after giving it two more eps but I did at least hang in there half way through. I really wanted to stick this out because of the leads but I'm just not feeling it.
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