Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023)

Having a place to return to is an incredible relief

Originally I was not going to watch this series. I had put it on my not interested list and kind of forgot about it. On the day that it began airing, I was talking to my friend and they asked if I was going to watch it. I decided to give episode 1 a try and see how it was going to go and I am so happy that I did. The number of life lessons and eye opening moments I observed, learned, or took to heart throughout this series... I love the message behind the series and just how much it related to me, my situation, and where I am going in life is shocking. "As always, we're going for only as long as our breath allows without being greedy. And whenever we're out of breath, we'll come back to that place."

This kdrama is honestly probably one of my most favorite I have seen, but it is not perfect. I loved so much about it and how I don’t feel as if there were any holes in the plot. Whenever I had a question, it would be answered at some point. There isn’t a difficult to understand premise and it is a super easy watch. The only aspect of the show that really made me feel uneasy and upset was the amount of alcohol consumption. I have watched hundreds of kdrama but I do not think I have seen one with this amount of beer or soju. It seemed at some points all they did in their spare time was consume alcohol.

My favorite character of the series is the Jeju Dolphin Center’s very own Gong Jichan, played by Kim Minchul. I loved the side story with him and learning more about Haeyul and Haedal. If there was a series just for these three, I would watch it.

Read More

An Ode to my Hometown

I loved loved loved the character Cho Yong Pil. The man with the most Greenest flag!

The last time I loved a male lead was Hwang Yong Sik, the heart stealer from 'When Camellia blooms'. And here I was loving CYP, the same way for being a guy with the greenest flag. Who was the most kind hearted, sweet and patient human being I have seen in Kdramaland. I don't think I found any flaw with his character. He was flawless, like he couldn't be in a real world. Maybe that's why we only find men like him and Yong Sik only in dramalands.

Moving on, this drama was what it promised. A slow paced relaxing vibe with great cast and a fantastic view of Jeju with heart tugging characters who we can't help but root for. And this drama made me miss my hometown. For a hometown which is far in memory and wanting to move back and have a community which could protect you and where you can be you. This drama made me want a sense of protection in people like how Samdal had. The power rangers and the local ajummas. I wanted it. I wanted that sense of relief knowing people got my back.

For anyone wanting to dive into this drama, please do. It's a slow angst friendly neighborhood drama with loving and sweet characters. The FL did irritate me at times for being just a pushover but I guess I kinda get what she is going through and her point of view later on. The only negative drawback for me was, even though the drama had tied up all lose ends, I wish it showed more about our MC's life and all the other characters. It did show, but I still wished they showed a bit more...

I think whenever I will miss for a hometown, I would come back to this drama to feel that sense of relief and safety.

Rating - 9/10

Read More

loved it, ost and all

Not too sure why the drama doesn't seem like it has many viewers with such stellar cast... I've been excited to watch it ever since I saw the trailer. I rush to watch this drama every week, and every time I catch up I just want more!

Plot
People might compare this with Hometown Chachacha with the seaside theme and the main lead going to there to escape from a scandal. Since people like to compare anyway, I think this drama has a better mix of happiness, sweetness and sorrow. While Hometown Chachacha was more heart-fluttering, Welcome to Samdalri is better at invoking emotions in my opinion. The sob story here is also better explained in my opinion. It's not just the main characters' lives you're interested in, you will want to know about everyone! Happy ending as per normal, but it's a nice closure. :)

Cast
You know it's a good drama when you see Shin Hyesun. Kim Mikyung has got to be everyone's favourite ahjumma. I do like Ji Changwook and his acting but I feel like his choice of dramas hasn't been the best ... UNTIL THIS. Good ol' Ji Changwook is back. :)

Music
Beautiful music. Will definitely listen to the OSTs and put them in a playlist. The tears,,, I convinced my friend to listen to the osts and she LOVES them (enough to want to watch the drama).

Read More

Finding yourself

Originally picked this one up because of the cast - Ji Chang Wook, Shin Hae Sun, Kim Mi Kyung, and more, what an amazing cast! Special shout out though to the younger of the three sisters and her daughter, I loved some of their interactions, really well written and performed. I'm a massive fan of Shin Hae Sun's work so I'd have watched this regardless to be honest!

I recall there were fears online about it being a bit like Hometown Cha Cha Cha but honestly it's nothing like that at all, this is very much its own story.

Predominantly set in Jeju-do we see our three sisters return there after Sam-dal's career goes up in flames and they each go on a journey of reflection and growth to find their real path in the world. Sam-dal had been under a pseudonym while in Seoul and wasn't really being her true self, her elder sisters marriage had ended and she'd not really found her place or any direction following that and the younger sister who has a daughter, her husband had died.

Being set in Jeju-do means that you've just got non-stop beautiful scenery in this drama. It's also good to see the Haenyeo's (female divers) feature prominently in a drama too, it doesn't happen too often, but in this one they're fundamental to the whole story. Lots of fun banter and interactions, they're fun, fierce and loyal and will go to the ends of the earth to defend their own.

I never thought the story wandered, it always seemed to be continuing in a direction, and I didn't get bored watching it. For me, from the start this was a must-watch each episode that came up.

It's a pretty light easy going story on the whole, there's no violence (well, beyond what could only be described as comedic violence) or abuse, there's no murders, just people figuring out their path.

There are numerous moments that will dampen the eyes as things progress.

I think of all the journeys undertaken, the father of Yong pil is probably the most meaningful, dealing with bereavement for 20 years and never getting past it, creating a huge rift between two families that were closer than blood and how that all intertwines fundamentally in the whole premise of the story, as well as its conclusion. It's not an easy answer, there's no magic button moment, you're on this journey with him and his performance is superb throughout (even if you do kinda want to throw things at the TV sometimes...)

The daughter of the youngest sister is brilliant, she's going to be an amazing talent to watch develop as she gets older I think, the future is bright for the cast of dramas to come!

Definitely worth a watch if you're in the mood for something a bit lighter, some occasional tears (assuming you're wired that way, not all are!), some good laughs and a feel-good trajectory throughout.

The drama also does a fairly good job at supporting Jeju-do tourism - I really want to go do the Jeju Olle Trail now...

Is it entirely perfect without flaw? Well, the final bits of the ending where they cut to the various people in "The Power Rangers" (the name of their group) is a little silly, things that didn't work before suddenly work magnificently at the end, but, I'll allow it, it really doesn't matter to the story and fits with the up beat tie-a-bow-on-it ending.

Interestingly, I thought this was a much better "weather" drama than the "Forecasting Love and Weather" which just fell flat for me - this one has some actual weather-moments and you feel like you're a little more involved in the KMA's work. I really need to dig a little and see if anyone's actually managed to pull off a good drama based entirely around the KMA.

Read More

A kdrama that created a space for it deep within my heart <3

I usually love childhood love troupe (also Second Chances) so this was exactly my cup of tea. And usually due to that same high expectations I usually get disappointed by this same troupe as it fails to be portrayed so well. But this?? OH WOW. It was beautiful. Powerful, healing and just.. soothing.

It felt like I watched a soothing landscape for 16 hours (oh yes Jeju!) I'm a very rare review writer so this one did impact me to write one. The story somehow healed a part of me!

(SPOILERS BELOW!!)

Story: 10/10

As I mentioned it might be my personal opinion but I am a sucker for childhood love troupe. And second chances! This kdrama grabbed my attention from both the aspects! This kdrama is actually the perfect example of two people destined to love each other despites all odds! Their story of healing, finding themselves in this busy world of rat race, the rawness and lastly never giving up on each other captured my attention and heart both! I loved the way side characters were significant in the story rather than just being fillers. Their stories had importance. Overall I loved the pacing, it was slow and refreshing. I m a slow burn romance preferring person so that worked for me. The unfurling of their feelings for a second time that they tried to bury for 8 years had the best pacing. The past unfurling was also at the right moment and at no point I was ever bored. I loved the humor. Especially the friends group! Small things they did were so wholesome that I went emotional all the time. It was so pure and beautiful. It had a good take in this kdrama and I enjoyed them so much!! I liked Sam Dal's family a lot as well! Overall definitely deserves a 10.

Characters and Actors: 10/10

I love Ji Chang Wook and it was refreshing to watch his character. It felt like he was way too natural for this role! he nailed it. I could actually see how naturally his character loved Sam Dal unconditionally. Same goes for Shin Hye Sun. I just adored her and her character. Usually I find male characters doing more than females and that their character only revolves around the male leads. Hers was different and had an unique take. I can't appreciate it enough. Their love story was so natural that it just healed something in me. I loved them throughout the whole time. I get it that Yong Pil took care of her deeply but at the same time he has his own individual personality, his likes and dislikes. Same went for Sam Dal. She was so raw, real and relatable as well. Shin Hye Sun nailed her role!

I loved the side characters! They were so adorable and had a meaningful presence. Each had their own role to fulfill and all seemed to nail their roles as well! It was refreshing to watch. I could not bring myself to dislike Yong Pil's father because it was his grief that held him back. I wouldn't justify the behavior but I couldn't dislike him either. Just like that I couldn't bring to dislike anyone (except for Jin Dal's in laws, they were annoying)

Music: 10/10

Music is something I particularly notice a lot in any drama so this one had amazing OSTs. They were so beautiful and refreshing to listen to!

Rewatch value: 10/10

It is obvious why it would have a 10/10 rewatch value. It was so refreshing to watch that for hours you can just forget about your real world and jump into the world of Sam Dal and Yong Pil, their story in Jeju hehe. It was refreshing experience so I would definitely rewatch whenever I need a recharge in life haha!

So yea here is an another review by me. Overall 10/10 recommendation if you love healing kdramas with second chances, top tier cast and romance hehe! (sorry if my review looks a bit shabby as I am not that used to writing them!)

Thank you. Happy reading and hope you have a great day ahead! :)

Read More

Nice little slice of life drama

It frustrates me how they didn't try to communicate sooner because the first 10 episodes, well they really took things very slowly then the writers dump it away in the last few episodes. I expected Samdal to focus on her life in her hometown and the drama with her family and neighbors, but suddenly we forgot about her problems in Seoul. I don't mean that Samdal has to confront Eunji all the time and I want to see that girl get her karma like a typical revenge drama, but we just don't get any more updates after that. It's just the order of things for me because I think it's important as it's part of current Samdal's life too.

We get a touching love journey between Samdal and Yongpil as the core of this drama. They are cute, but I find it complicated because this is related to Yongpil's father's firm rejection who still mourning over his wife. Yongpil's father is as hard as a rock and I feel like he has no right to restrict Yongpil's life. Yongpil is an adult and he can decide what is best for his life. But, I also don't like how they have to go against their parents just to be together. In a way, it's very dramatic. That's why I just want to see them communicate. You could say it's realistic given their difficult conditions, but they really just let things go and there wasn't much effort put in.

It's just minor issues like this, but overall it's still good, great acting!! I really enjoyed it myself but I also hope for more exposure with other character's growth.

Read More

Hidden Gems Amidst Familiar Plots

If you’re looking for a drama that wraps you in a warm, cozy blanket and takes you on a picturesque journey to Jeju Island, "Welcome to Samdal-ri" might just be the show for you. It’s not without its quirks, but here’s why I found myself enjoying it despite a few bumps along the way.

From the very start, Jeju Island’s breathtaking scenery set the stage for a visually stunning experience. The lush green hills, sparkling turquoise waters, and vibrant tangerine farms created a backdrop that was as comforting as a home-cooked meal. The OST perfectly captured the coastal vibe, with upbeat songs and soulful ballads that added to the show’s charm.

The cast brought their A-game, with Ji Chang Wook as Yong Pil delivering his usual stellar performance. He’s got that magic touch – when he loves, you feel it; when he cries, your heart aches along with him. His portrayal was a highlight and kept me invested in the story.

Eun-ju, the fiery photographer, and Haebang, the enigmatic weather forecaster, had a chemistry that simmered nicely. Their relationship, though sometimes a bit melodramatic, was engaging and added a lot of heart to the drama. The quirky villagers of Samdal-ri also brought a unique charm to the show, making the small-town setting feel like a second home.

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The drama had its moments of overacting and plot detours that felt a bit forced. Early on, the pacing was uneven, and it took a while for the story to find its rhythm. The excessive alcohol consumption in some scenes felt a bit excessive and didn’t add much to the overall narrative.

The ending, while heartfelt, left me wanting more. The resolution of Eun-ju’s storyline was also a bit rushed, and I would have liked a more satisfying conclusion to her character arc.

Despite its flaws, "Welcome to Samdal-ri" was a delightful watch. It’s one of those dramas that might not be perfect, but it has enough warmth and charm to make it worth your time. The beautiful setting, touching performances, and the overall feel-good vibe made it a comforting escape. If you’re in the mood for a slow-paced romance with some lovely coastal scenery and endearing characters, give this one a try. It’s a cozy watch that might just leave you with a smile and a few lingering fond memories.

Read More

found family

Achei a história do dorama muito boa, os personagens muito bem construídos e adorei como eles evoluíram ao decorrer do drama, todos os casais tem muita quimica e são uns fofos.
Adorei a relação do Yong-Phill e da Sam-Dal, além de ser muito linda a amizade que eles tem e como as pessoas de Samaldari sempre acabam ajudando a Sam-Dal.
O final também foi bom, gostei de como todos tiveram uma segunda chance e deu tudo certo
Me envolvi com os personagens e com a história ao desenvolver do dorama e fiquei bem satisfeita!❤️
O único problema é ser um pouco repetitivo e demorado, eles tratavam as coisas como se fossem adolescentes não adultos mas mesmo assim não tive vontade nenhuma de dropar.

Read More