Benvenuti a Samdal-ri (2023)

looking for a comfort show? you got it!

this show might be your cup pf tea if you enjoy:
- nostalgia
- deep analysis of platonic & romantic relationships
- tons of emotions
- amazing cinematography that makes you feel at home
- lovable cast

a story about finding your roots after living away from home for so long; we all know how busy our lives have become these days and this show portrays that perfectly, it also shows that even though it is great to be achieving your dreams and going your way to achieve success, someday you will need a break from your busy life.

a story about close friends, a great family bond, missing your childhood memories and home. this show shows that there are people around you who always wish for your best and want the best for you. you may feel left out, alone and invisible but there’s always going to be someone who is silently praying for your health and happiness. whether it be your family, or your childhood friends you keep no contact with anymore.

the reflection and healing in this show is something, the way you experience the characters’ healing process along with them, experiencing all different types of emotions. everyone is going through something different but the makers really did an amazing job by giving everyone more than enough spotlight so you can seriously see and understand them as a whole.

this is definitely comfort show worthy, it made me cry so many times because of the emotions i felt seeing the characters and their stories. the actors did an amazing job as well portraying their characters. well done!

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The drama beautifully explores family, community, and the healing power of love.

This K-drama shared into the themes of family, sisterhood, career, community and most especially true love throughout its 16 episodes.

I was initially drawn in by the central conflict, and hoping it will be resolved soon but along the few episodes, I found Sam Dal's journey toward inner peace with her family, particularly her soulmate Yong Pil.

In mirroring real life, it beautifully portrays how adversity can pave the way for profound connections, healing, and a peaceful resolution. love the storyline, moving performances, and commendable work from the entire team, it stands as one of the best K-dramas.

I had to cry so hard for the last two episodes, pure talent of the screenwriter and the entire production crew. Bravo!

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WATCH IT OR NOT?!!?

Firstly I would say only try to watch this drama if you can keep watching multiple episodes as the drama is quite slowly paced and has its little sprinkle of laughter and romance.

The drama mainly focuses of the ML and FL past and everything tied to that which made the whole storytelling quite enjoyable, some episodes did leave me a bit saddened when it came to how slow it was paced, but it was worth the watch as it kept on getting better. This drama isn't that one amazing drama of the year or something new, if that's what you are looking for.

I solely would recommend this drama as its a feel good drama to raise your spirits as you watch it and tends to make you happy when certain problems or obstacles the characters face are solved.

Don't watch if you cant keep up with the slow pacing as it is quite slow after the first few episodes and leaves you longing or a good plot twist or at least some satisfaction but it makes you wait a bit long. Other than that it was quite a good warm drama that brightened my mood. Loved the acting and enjoyed the storytelling and the music matched the vibes.

In my case it was definitely a good watch at it had a warm feeling as each obstacle was overcame by the MC's and all the issues were solved and especially I loved the side character stories as well.

I'd say its definitely a good watch for people who want something heartwarming to watch.

Disclaimer! Don't watch if you hate slowly paced dramas (some plot advancements even take up 3 episodes but the resolution makes it worth while)

Well that's it for this short review, hope it was helpful.

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This drama had it all

I’ll be honest that it’s been a long while that a drama completely got a hold of me this much. After years and years of watching kdramas many have turned so repetitive that even the actors themselves seem to have hard time not treating them like products from convoyer belts. Not to mention the dramas that take episodes after episodes before you get attached to any of the characters - which was completely not an issue with this one. I think I felt hooked within the first 10 minutes.

I’m not saying this drama was completely perfect what comes to its storyline but for me personally it came close. Of course it’s a huge bonus having changwook and hyesun in the cast, with wonderful chemistry, portraying every possible emotion and line perfectly and thus producing a very believable relationship between the characters. I found myself laughing, crying and squealing with them - something i don’t do very often.

But most importantly what comes to welcome to samdalri, that got my attention from the very first episode (in addition to cho yong pil’s ”short hair”), was the perfectly casted villagers and families in beautiful jeju setting, creating a wondeful sense of family, friends and home. I loved the complicated feelings and backstories we were provided combined with the island’s way of life. Not one character felt out of depth or boring and i’d have liked a deep dive into any of their backstories even more. (Why not have ten episodes more?). I would like to say much more but don’t want to hand out any spoilers. What could be an important lesson we learn is that life happens and we cope with it in very different ways.

The drama as a whole left a big spot in my heart, and i don’t think i’ll find another i’ll like this much very soon. That’s how much of a hold the story had in me.

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SO SWEET… but not enough screen time for the side couple!!

BRO this was so cute. i cried sm. so feel good. omg i love this. so much more than hometown cha cha cha thing… i didn’t like that but THIS AHHHHHH!!! omg and kang mina 😍😍i missed her sm she’s so cute and her daughter UGH LOVE. this was so good. i love them in their hometown so sweet. and second chance love was cute. BUT THE SECOND COUPLE…. KANG MINA AND THE DOLPHIN BOY. i literally started watching this just for them BUT THEY GOT LIKE NO SCREEN TIME AT ALL HELLO??? just like very little in the last ep… pls…. I NEED MORE. kang mina needs to star in something some romcom pls i love her. but i loved the three sisters. the older sister … i wish she had less screen time and MORE FOR KANG MINA HELLOOO. omg and hayul was so cute omlllll so sweet i cried she’s so thoughtful. and last ep the gallery scene SOBBBBBBB it was so beautiful 😭😭😭yongpils dad got on my nerves tho like… they would’ve been perfect if not for him.

very feel good! sweet! -2 for no screen time parts… BUT TAY

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A love story in Samdal-ri village

Finally... after being annoyed with 3 Korean dramas that are the same and make you boring, such as the curse of the past (Korean drama A Good Day to be a Dog), the story of love that never ends (My Demon), and the story of a husband who died on his wedding night (The Story Of Park's Marriage Contract ), dramas that resolve problems hundreds of years ago in the present century.

There is a Korean drama that makes you "smart", namely the Korean drama Welcome to Samdal-ri which tells the story of Korean culture and the daily lives of its people, especially rural communities. Similar to the Korean drama "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha", but it's better because the Korean drama "Welcome to Samdal-ri" captures Haenyeo's daily life more specifically.

The plot of the Korean drama "Welcome to Samdal-ri" is not adventurous. The advantage lies in the clever combination of scenes and dialogue, neat cinematography, and the actors who act very well.

Talking about acting, I'm surprised why I didn't like Shin Hae-Sun, who plays Cho Sam-Dal. 😀😀 I didn't like it so much, I didn't move when the actress who started her career as a supporting actor won Best Actress in the Korean drama "Angel's Last Mission" and just watched her acting again in the Korean drama "Mr. Queen” which is really awesome with a rating of 18.5%.

Together with Ji Chang-Wook, Shin Hae-Sun acted well. The chemistry between the two is adorable. It's not surprising that many people find it difficult to move on after watching this drama.

The acting of the supporting actresses/actors is no less stunning. That's the advantage of Korean dramas, right? Look at the acting of Baek Hyun-Joo who plays Oh Geum-Sool, one of the haenyeo.

The appearance of Baek Hyun-Joo as Wang Gyeong-Tae's mother, the main character's best friend, feels right. Typical village woman with a shrill voice who likes to gossip and sometimes gossip.

And of course the appearance of senior actress Kim Mi-Kyung who plays haenyeo Ko Mi-Ja, the life giver in this drama.

And finally, we must appreciate the writer's efforts to present scenes that trigger adrenaline. In the final episodes, confusion arises when journalists who want to "invade" Cho Sam-Dal's (Shin Hae-Sun) privacy, arrive at the same time as plans to hold an exhibition in Samdal-ri village.

Help comes from Cho Yong-Pil (Ji Chang-Wook) who mobilizes the haenyeo fleet with his signature vehicles, deceiving the existence of the exhibition from the reporters' coverage.

It's a bit over the top, but okay. Small explosions are often needed in dramas so that the audience changes their assessment, from boring to recommended.
The next review can be read here:
https://www.maria-g-soemitro.com/2024/02/welcome-to-samdal-ri-review-drama-korea.html

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Worst show for both the leads

This is definitely the worst show done by bothe shin Hye soon and jcw..
Story is beyond ridiculous with almost 40 years old Virgin ML pining for his ex girlfriend of 8 years back who is changing boyfriends every year..
In conclusion, ml is a loser as well as simp and fl is whiny, annoying, selfish and bratty who only drink and cry in the whole show..
There is some comic relief by side characters, that's the only good point..
The ridiculous story arc of ml father and fl mother adds insult to the injury of already crippled plot of the drama..
IF YOU ARE HUGE FAN OF LEADS AND TOO MUCH TIME TO WASTE, ONLY THEN THINK ABOUT WATCHING THIS WITH ATLEAST 2× SPEED WITH SKIPPING MOST SCENES OF SML AND ML'S FATHER..

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quel dommage !

Mettre des acteurs exceptionnels comme Ji Chang Wook et Shin Hye Sun ne fait hélas pas forcément un bon résultat ! La mise en place de la série démarre quand même par 3 soeurs entre 30 et 40 ans, dont une avec un enfant, et qui habitent ensemble bien qu'elles aient de l'argent ... Du coté de l'acteur principal, idem, il a quasi 40 ans mais habite seul avec son père ... On comprend le très faible taux de natalité de la Corée , le plus faible au monde ... S'ensuit l'intrigue, simple, un enregistrement et une accusation de harcèlement, et les 3 soeurs repartent sur l'ile de Jeju... Ensuite on retrouve tous les ingrédients bien lourds de certaines romcom : les parents pénibles, les voisins ultra-pénibles, l'actrice principale qui passe son temps à (aux choix) : se cacher, pleurer, taper l'acteur principal, crier ... Heureusement il y a de très beaux paysages de l'ile de Jeju, et cela fait toujours plaisir de voir Ji Chang Wook et Shin Hye Sun.
De bons produits ne font pas de bons plats, la recette et la cuisson doivent être bonnes ! Dommage

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An epic story of healing

Sam Dal a damsel in distress is healed by her white knight, brother from another mother, lifetime lover Yong Pil.

Sounds epic, doesn't it?

Beware though, this is drama land. Don't expect plausible character behavior or a coherent plot.

On the other side, there are plenty of asian dramas that manage to be plausible and coherent. So should we really be that lenient with the ones that aren't?

Alas, I can't.

PS: There are some decent support characters and side stories and also some totally pointless ones too, like Sang Do, a total waste of screen time.

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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.

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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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