A delightful rom-com with a colorful small-town backdrop!
This rom-com is a contemporary take on classic romantic tropes set in a charming town on Jeju Island. The two charismatic leads, Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun, carry this story, owning every moment they're on screen.For Korean drama buffs, the themes are familiar. They are soulmates born within minutes of each other (à la The Good Bad Mother) who break up although they still have feelings (Our Beloved Summer). They reunite in the setting of heartwarming friends and endearing locals in a beautiful small town (Hometown Cha Cha Cha; Our Blues). Those who love these themes are likely to find this show delightful as well!
For less familiar audiences, the exaggerated problems and crises that punctuate the storyline could be viewed as flaws. It's helpful to keep in mind that Korea has an especially harsh cancel culture. It's not unheard of for baseless accusations to stymie careers (Tablo of Epik High comes to mind).
Enjoy this journey of two inseparable friends rekindling love, supporting each other, and helping each other grow!
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Our Beloved Samdal-Ri
I watched this drama because of the amazing cast and my love for seaside dramas. I enjoyed Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and thought I'd enjoy this one too. Well, I was not wrong.I loved the acting, storyline and OST. To be fair, the pace is pretty slow and I sometimes got annoyed because of Samdal since she was initally portrayed as a badass fl, but was hesitant to uncover the truth behind the scandal. However, I quickly realised that she maybe didn't feel the need to do so and was probably exhausted by the hectic continent life.
The story had many beautiful plots: Jindal and Daeyoung, Haedal and Dolphin Guy and more. I loved seeing Eunju going down and the fact that karma had hit her before Samdal spoke up. I clearly needed to do some thinking in order to understand that the storyline went on perfectly.
The last episode was amazing to watch and one of the best I've ever seen.
Thank you, Samdal-Ri!
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Welcome to Samdalri and the Power Rangers!!?
Ah, I’m sad it’s over.The negative first:
1) The handling of Eun Joo at the end felt rushed and wasn’t satisfying at all because we didn’t see any consequences. We know that the truth came out, but her suffering should have been part of her karma!
2) The beginning of the drama felt like the writer didn’t quite know where to go. While I enjoyed the early episodes, I think it’s only starting episode 7/8 that I really, REALLY enjoyed the drama since it seemed like the writer finally knew where to go with this drama. Especially because…
3) … the characters finally stopped consuming so much alcohol. In the beginning, the alcohol consumption was astronomical, it was terrible and a bit of a turn off!
The good:
1) The cinematography was amazing!
2) The OST gave the perfect coastal-drama vibes: some up-beat cutie songs, but also some ballads, I like!
3) The acting and especially the emotional depth and delivery of the lead actors and whole ensemble at that was undeniably great. I like JCW anyway, and know he can deliver, but Yong Pil’s breakdown in front of his father was truly a great scene. Acting in love is also one of JCW strengths, his eye-acting is always great, so all the scenes we got with him and SHS were just – 100% believable. This was my first SHS drama (and not my last). The subtle acting, the changing expressions in a heartbeat, the conflict, heartbreak, everything is controlled and yet so natural and easily believable. I really enjoyed her performance and I am so(!) excited to watch more of her dramas because her talent really came through in this drama. Kim Mi Kyung is generally known as everyone’s mom in Kdrama-land (or also hacker ahjumma in “Healer” lol), but I think this was the first drama of hers where she had something more to play with. When Ko Mi Ja confronted Cho Sang Tae after 20 years of keeping her suffering and pain to herself – that scene went straight to my heart like a knife. What a great performance. The overall performances were charming, heartbreaking and always 100% perfect!
4) I enjoyed the overall final episode! Everyone got a good ending; it was a little sentimental yet happy. Everyone was able to go after their dreams without having to compromise for the other, and I really liked that.
5) The representation of grief. Sang Tae is definitely not a great character for the majority of the drama. However, he is a good example of how grief can make a good person bad. And how grief is really ugly sometimes. We see through Sam Dal and his own memory that he used to be a kind man, a man that took care of Sam Dal (and her sisters, I might assume) like an uncle and how he accepted her as his daughter. Because that is what the two Mi Ja’s of Samdal-ri decided: Yong Pil is also Ko Mi Ja’s son and her own daughters are Bu Mi Ja’s daughters. Sang Tae’s grief made him resentful, petty and selfish. It doesn’t erase the pain he caused his own son and Sam Dal’s family, but grief is never fun. And we can see at the end that he is working on his relationship with Sam Dal and her parents.
Overall, the drama was great and made me laugh, cry, giggle and kick my feet. I had a great time and will surely miss the Power Rangers!🐢🐢
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Welcome to Samdal-ri 2023: A Heartwarming Escape to Jeju Island
Ah, "Welcome to Samdal-ri" 2023. The title itself evokes a warmth that lingers like the salty Jeju Island air, promising tranquility and whispered secrets. It wasn't just a drama; it was a portal to a simpler life, a refuge where I found myself returning week after week.The characters became etched in my memory. The fiery photographer, Eun-ju, grappling with a hidden past, had me rooting for her journey of self-discovery. She's paired with the enigmatic Haebang, a talented weather forecaster who's not quite what he seems. Their chemistry? It simmered like the island's volcanic hot springs, building in intensity until it erupted in undeniable connection.
But "Welcome to Samdal-ri" wasn't just a love story. It was a vibrant tapestry woven with the lives of the quirky villagers, each with their own stories and genuine warmth. They welcomed Eun-ju like a long-lost family member, their laughter echoing in my living room, their struggles tugging at my heartstrings.
And the setting, oh the setting! Jeju Island was the star of the show. Lush green hills cascaded down to turquoise waters, painted with the vibrant colours of tangerine farms. It wasn't just a backdrop; it was a living, breathing character, whispering tales of resilience and the healing power of nature.
The narrative wasn't flawless. There were detours, moments of confusion, and even occasional frustration. Yet, like Eun-ju's arduous climb towards self-acceptance, the show found its rhythm, its heart. The finale? Let's just say I wept like a cleansing spring shower, leaving me hopeful and renewed.
"Welcome to Samdal-ri" 2023 wasn't perfect, but it resonated perfectly with me. It was a warm embrace on a cold day, a reminder that beauty and kindness can bloom even in the most unexpected corners. So, if you seek a show that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of second chances, set sail for Samdal-ri. Just pack your tissues, maybe a tangerine or two, and prepare to be swept away by the Jeju magic.
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Refreshing
I've watched only two episodes but this is definitely a light-hearted, hopefully wholesome show.This drama has a plotline of a Hallmark movie where the leads know eachother from childhood, fall in love but the female lead leaves because she doesn't want to be confined. this is one of my favorite tropes so I'm still going to watch lmao
Plus, i know there's going to be layers to this because obviously there are 16 episodes and i can't wait.
Watch it guys. Highly recommend this drama
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No impact
This drama was mid.What I liked:
The cast/acting (Ji Chang Wook is an S tier romance ML. When he loves, I love. When he cries, I cry.)
The potential for revenge/justice against Bang Eunjoo
The friends/lovers/EXs/family convoluted feelings
The background of why the leads broke up
The family town aspect
What I disliked:
The fizzled out romantic ending. The leads could have gotten married, or moved in together, or took some other step to farther their relationship, but no. Some sneaking, kissing and cuddles then BAM: Another long separation. It reminds me of the ending of Because This is My First Life. I understand that SK people are into traveling and fulfilling your dreams at the expense of romance and family, but damn. Cho Samdal could have went with him! Or he could have worked in Seoul. Or just take a 6 month work abroad for the experience. The kicker is he didn't even need the work experience because he was already offered a job in Seoul. Like really, working in Switzerland for 2 years FOR WHAT? Like that's going to make a difference in anything. It was so sudden and illogical.
The lack of fulfilling revenge. Cho Samdal's career was set right again with a nice little bow after 1 thing was revealed. There was no satisfying dramatic reveal of Eunjoo's sly personality, cheating, or catty behavior to everyone. Just a quick, she lied and took money. Oh, Cho Samdal is welcomed back now. What? Where is the drama? I felt heart wretched with worry for what. There was no satisfying, meticulous take down.
To be honest, halfway through, I started skipping through a lot of supporting character scenes. It was slow and I don't think I missed much.
This drama makes me feel like I stuck my hands in water. It felt great for a while, but when I pulled my hands out - there was nothing. It all slipped through my fingers. Nothing of real substance to particularly love and remember.
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having a place to return to is an incredible relief
first of all i shall say its a HEALING drama so you really shouldn't start it with a "the glory" revenge plots expectations because this is not what is going to happenthis show is so comforitng and what made it so much better is the acting. like i dont remeber that time i was this hooked by the kdrama actors from the main leads to the support to the guest roles they all did so well.
all the relationships this drama showed from the main leads love story to the village pple sense of caring for eo, it was really so meaningful and i dont regret watching it.
i guess if you like healing , village theme , comforting dramas , you will not regret watching this show
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Romance, friends,family, healing and Dream
Usually l don't write review but after reading hate I thought I have to write.It's a story of two people who born on same day in small village in Jeju island Village Samdalri. They are always together since they were born from childhood, teenagers to there twenties but when they were in there 30's they part way because of there break-up reason don't know the reason of their breakup currently. Now after 8 year's Seoul city girl
have something happened , she want to avoid the problem that's why she goes back to her hometown Village and think when everything goes normal I will come back now in her hometown she meet her childhood friend (ex) and the story unfolds.
This drama is more about family, friends village rather the only romance, it's a healing drama with lots of emotions involved if you think you want to watch this only for romance then it's not good idea, ofcourse you gonna get romance & lovely scenes but amount will be very less, it will be more focused on relationship of ML& FL , all five friends, there families, ML & FL families relationship. Even other sister story is also good, this drama have side character have there own story, that is really one of best thing of this drama
Acting department this drama is 10/10
If you wanto see actor who really act then you can watch this every character have did there best acting, from ML & FL to all the supporting cast did phenomenal job.
Music is also 10/10
I like all the songs of the album my favourite is (Short hair) all the OST of this drama is on point,even all singers who sing the OST are great you don't get disappointed.
Rewatch value 8.5,9/10
Depends on the people what the feel about the drama if you liked this then you can rewatch but everyone have different taste so it's depends on the people
Overall it good watch if you like slice of life healing drama with Romance and little bit comedy.
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The drama is worth watching
I think there was a very interesting main story, but also others.I thought the acting was great.
I also think it's good that the mother hasn't abandoned the son from her best friend or father over the years, just because the father was mad at her and blamed her for the death of his wife.
I thought the ending was great because he was also able to live out his dream in Switzerland and she was waiting for him.
I just loved watching every episode and think I could watch it again.
you should really give the drama a chance
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Having a place to return to.
The ending lines of "Having a place to return to is an incredible feeling" resonates with me so much. Samdalri feels like a safe haven for not only our leads, especially Samdal. in more ways than one, it has become a place as such for me as well the last two months watching the dramathere's something incredibly healing about the show. the bonds and relationships, the companionship, the belonging to a community, your people your weather yiur place. there's nothing like home and there's nothing like having a place to return to, and people to support your dreams. yong pil goes further than just support samdal too there. but I loved how her comeback isn't just cause of him. she did cause she wanted to. love how yong pil was let her walk her way, but hung around to catch if and when she faltered. there's no pushing there, there's no imposing of his wishes her. letting her find herself was the best thing.
ep16 was everything.
My heart is so full. The bonds of family, friendship and community in this drama are just so precious. watching the last ep I felt like I was part of it all. ❤️
~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. Our small stream, Samdal-ri.
The OST is incredible. I'm so glad I discovered Cho Yong Pil through this. Short Hair has become an all time favourite song. The remastered versions are incredible. so is the Haenyeo song sung in Ep9. It's so hauntingly beautiful hasn't stopped ringing in my ears since I heard it.
though it had it's flaws early and meandering plotlines and maybe unnecessary air time given to certain plot lines which could have been better used somewhere else, the ending just makes up for it. that's one of the most beautiful, most satisfying heartfelt ending of a drama I have seen. my rating jumped from 8.5/9 to 9.5 and even a 10 just cuz of that episode. it's incredible.
and JCW standing in the snow smiling like that with that song in the background and there reunion? please. gorgeous. the power rangers are the best friend group ever and they deserved their second chances. second chances are indeed the underlying theme of the drama anyway.
a place to return to, and a second chance at making it right.
the acting is incredible. the casting is superb, no moment of over the top reactions, very subtle, very real very raw. the Haenyeo group reminds of the ladies in my town❤️ they are all precious.
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awesome
I really enjoy watching it and I like the story. Thank you for giving us viewers a good film to watch. God bless to all actors and the people behind the cameras. Ji Chang Wook I'm your number one fun here in the Philippines since I've watched you in Dong Hae. Please continue to inspire us your fans. Take care. mwah!!!! More power!Shin Haesun, I am also your fan! Seen Mr. Queen an Angel's Last Mission: Love
Such a great actress. Rooting for you as well. You deserve all the accolades
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Must watch this drama....Love You Wooki
As I am writing this review, four episodes of this drama have ended... and these four episodes that I have watched are very good and if you are also wondering whether I should watch this drama or not, I must say that you must watch this drama without any problemAnd I hope you guys will enjoy watching this drama. And as this drama is progressing it is becoming very good and we hope that when the 16 episodes of this drama will be over then we will understand that this drama is a master piece
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