Retour à Samdal-ri (2023)

A comforting drama with a stellar cast!

I did enjoy this drama, once it got moving - it took a few episodes- as the beginning does feel like its just going in no direction at all. What we do get is never ending angst with lots of whining and yelling from the FL. They never seem to have the guys act like that, and its so common in kdramas having the girls screaming all the time, its ugly and hugely off putting to the viewer. Nothing will turn me off the FL faster than constant screaming dialogue.

The alcohol consumption in this show is off the charts. Like please, stop this korea, does anyone have a healthy liver? I highly doubt it. I know its common in Korea but this kind of drinking in shows is so disgusting. All the drunk scenes are ridiculous.

I loved this cast, especially all the side characters. I was here for that development between the younger sister and the dolphin center dude. Nothing felt inorganic in any of the plot lines, it was well done.

We do see quite a bit of character growth and that is a win for the writing in this show. So many characters saw a positive change, except maybe for the lying cow and the dad - who seems to remain just a fairly chill guy from start to finish. Even chasing JCW didn’t even feel overly threatening lol.

The views were great, I’m sure even more people will want to visit Jeju now than they do already, look out!!! 🤣🤣

Loved the relationships amd connections and a community coming together.

Final thought, what is with all these time jumps amd people chasing their dreams alone in Kdramas??? Doesn’t anyone just hook up and go off together???!!!! Like for reals in this case it even would have made complete sense. At 38 with so much wasted time - another time jump felt more annoying that supportive. Amd it makes no sense in a drama. Like who sits and honestly watches the time wasting filler while we wait for thr inevitable return? Not me. Time waster. Last episode was incredibly rushed because of that, and what was the benefit of the credibility of the experience- he just comes back and is treated as not knowing anything still… like that was weird.

Overall, I’m glad I watched. I enjoyed this far more than My Demon, it would probably have hit a 10 for me if we could have toned down the screaming, the over drinking and lengthy circles this show goes in.

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A healing drama

This slice of life drama is really comforting to watch.
But of course, some plots are a little bit annoying to watch such as,
FL - easily forgive the framer even tho her whole life is nearly destroyed and not standing up for herself.
ML - not much character development.
Second ML - unnecessary plot from my pov.
FL’s mother - close mouthed about her bff death, never confront ML’s father for years and she even made the whole family also felt guilty for ML’s mother weather related death.
ML’s father - his way of hatred on FL family is too childish and too nonsense (that I can’t even watch his scenes) and forgiveness is too sudden.

But overall, this drama is light hearted to watch from heavy plot dramas.

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A heartwarming kdrama!

This kdrama is just one of the prettiest I've ever seen. All the scenes are beautiful, they took the best pictures and videos of Jeju. The history is so pretty, and heartwarming. I love it from the beginning until the end. The last episode is just too beautiful, I cried a lot, the pictures and all the photos that she took... I don't have words to explain.

One of my favs kdramas so far. I just want to rewatch it and rewatch it and rewatch it again. Welcome to Sam Dal- Ri really has a special place in my heart. I just wanted that this Kdrama had more episodes, and showed more of the love story of the sisters too.

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Samdalri is very welcoming! Great chemistry with a predictable but still interesting plot.

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

I think I enjoyed “Welcome to Samdral-ri” a little bit more than I expected. There are a few things that usually give me pause when I watch a drama about moving back to a village/small town/rural area, and then learn to live or re-acquaint with a different lifestyle. Oftentimes, there are a bunch of loud, nosy, annoying villagers/town folks that irritate me to no end. Or, the plot is so slice-of-life that I need something to happen. Afterall, I prefer a plot-driven drama rather than a character-driven drama.

Luckily, aside from one somewhat nosy auntie, everyone is lovely. Even this auntie isn’t too bad, just a little annoying with her high-pitched voice. Everyone in Samdalri is really welcoming, friendly and caring. Moreover, “Welcome to Samdal-ri” is not very slice-of-life and the pace isn’t that slow. There are actually many side plots, in addition to the main plot of FL’s career downfall and moving back home. These are the two main reasons why I enjoy this drama more than I thought.

Despite being more plot-driven than other similar dramas, there are times when I do feel that the drama could have spent more time on the side characters, instead of the main leads. FL’s career and the main romance are important, but towards the second half of the drama, I just wish the leads would have opened up to each other sooner, or get back together sooner. I actually want to see more of the two sisters’ romances and backstories, and also more of the friendship between FL’s mother and ML’s mother. There’s a lot of potential here in keeping the drama interesting by sharing the spotlight with other interesting characters.

The acting is great all-around. Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun did not disappoint. JCW could be a hit or miss. I enjoyed his acting here more than in “If You Wish Upon Me”. SHS is just a goddess. She can slide into any role and become that character. The two of them have amazing chemistry. I have to say, I am a little disappointed with the kisses, given how experienced they both are in that area. LOL. The supporting cast is just as strong. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I really enjoy the acting of our beloved ahjumma, Kim Mi Kyung (FL’s mother) and also Yoo Oh Sung (ML’s father). The two of them broke my heart with the storyline about ML’s m other. Oh, and I discovered Kim Min Chul. He’s adorable as the dolphin guy.

Overall, I really enjoy “Welcome to Samdal-ri”. It’s not perfect but it’s worth a watch even if it lost my interest for a little bit. The plot is quite predictable but maybe that’s what you are looking for if you want something easy and light.


Completed: 3/24/2024 - Review #420

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A review coming from a sincere heart.

"Having a place to return to is an incredible relief". What a beautiful reminder. This kdrama has reached the depth of my heart in a way that I didn't think was possible. It reminded me that love is everywhere as long as you are willing to see it.
Home is place that heals your heart and gives you the power to keep going. Remember to stop once in a while and look around. When cho samdal finally realized how much her people loves her and started staring at them with a wide smile, the following phrase accured to my mind : it's everything you ever want, it's everything you ever need, and it's here right in front of you, this is where you wanna be. (from the greatest showman)
This kdrama has brought a lot of joy to my month, I hope you guys watch it heartfuly .

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Comforting watch with great setting

"Welcome to Samdal-ri" effortlessly combines two of my favorite romance tropes: childhood best friends and second chances, all set against the backdrop of a charming small town. The series offers more than just romance; it presents a heartwarming narrative filled with loveable, emotional side characters, strong acting performances, and a lovely soundtrack that perfectly complements the mood.

Strengths:

The chemistry between *Shin Hye-sun* and *Ji Chang-wook* is undeniable, making their journey from past hurts to present healing a joy to watch. The setting of Samdal-ri is truly picturesque, capturing the essence of countryside life and making viewers yearn for a peaceful retreat from the bustling city. I was especially fond of the subplot involving the dolphin researcher and the youngest sister—an unexpected yet sweet romance that added layers to the story.

The narrative and the underlying message—that it takes a village to succeed in life—resonate deeply. What initially appears to be a simple tale of a city girl versus a village boy evolves into something much more profound, touching on themes of community, forgiveness, and self-discovery.

Weaknesses:

However, the drama isn't without its flaws. One of the main issues lies in the editing. While the back-and-forth flashbacks generally enhance the narrative, the repeated scenes from previous episodes can disrupt the pacing, making certain parts feel unnecessarily dragged out.

Another aspect that felt off was the portrayal of the characters' ages. Despite being almost 40, they often behave as though they're in their early 30s. This might be due to cultural differences, but it does create a slight disconnect. It’s also worth mentioning that the second lead didn't add much to the overall narrative and could have been omitted without losing any impact.

The final two episodes, while still enjoyable, could have benefited from tighter editing. They dragged on a bit too long, and while I appreciated the cheesy ending on the career spot, the separation of the leads for one to go abroad felt cliché. I would have preferred to see them together in Switzerland rather than the standard last-minute reunion scene. Additionally, I found the villain to be somewhat one-dimensional; a bit more depth to their character would have made the story even more compelling.

Conclusion:

Despite its minor flaws, *"Welcome to Samdal-ri"* is a comforting and delightful watch. The performances, particularly from *Shin Hye-sun* and *Ji Chang-wook*, are excellent, and their chemistry is extra sweet. The friendships portrayed are touching, and the series beautifully illustrates the importance of community. It’s a drama that starts with familiar tropes but evolves into something much deeper, making it a satisfying and heartwarming experience overall.

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Welcome to Kdramal-ri--stay awhile, you will enjoy this!

This is what good Kdramas are all about. A well-written story full of delightful characters, all with their own stories to tell who take the viewer on an amazing experience. The main word I would use to describe it is heartwarming. As the main character returns to her hometown due to a scandal, she must confront a past tragedy and grief that influenced her decision to walk away from her one and only love. He too has to confront the past, the pain of losing her, and the influence his father's grief has had on his life. The two main leads did an exceptional job portraying the simultaneous emotions of heartache with attraction, and walking on eggshells with their parents. I don't think they could've gotten better actors than these two. They were so genuine with their roles and characters, with each other, and with family and friends. It was like two best friends who actually grew up together said to each other one day, "Hey let's make a movie!" Well done Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun!! And who could not help but fall in love with the Haenyeos?!! Set and filmed in both Seoul and Jeju Island, the cinematography will stir the traveler in you to get on a plane and visit these beautiful areas of South Korea. All of this wrapped in a good soundtrack and you've got the makings of viewer nirvana, which is actually what it was. Great story, good subplots, great acting, great locations, music, and a good ending. All that's left is to grab the popcorn, curl up on the couch, and watch!

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wholesome, heartwarming, tear jerking, adorable

I will never stop saying good things about this drama. I started on a whim and fell in love. Just one more episode turned into let’s binge all of this. Waiting every week for it gave it a certain charm that just made it all the more enjoyable.

The best thing about this drama for me was the characters. They made everyone so damn likeable (except Cheungi, Eun Bi, and Yong Pil dad). Like genuinely, I would’ve watched a whole drama based on anyone of the characters. They’re all so wholesome, and the entire town is so cute. It’s such a close knit family, and they may be nosey at times but it’s because they care.

This was my Ji Chang Wook awakening. I have missed out. Then, I went to watch his other dramas, and I LOVE HIM EVEN MORE. He is so golden retriever coded. Lord bless me with a Cho Yong Pil.

The sisters were all so spectacular in each of their own way. I wish they gave more screen time for the other two sisters because their story was so worth it. THEYRE SO CUTE I SWEAR. The rich guy is such a puppy. He never did anything wrong. Hae-dal and Ha-yul are absolutely adorable. Hayul is a national treasure, and I can’t wait to see how the actress grows up.

The love story. IM DYINGGGGG. I thought I would be annoyed, but they did it so well. They’re very mature about it, and I love them so much. The Power Rangers are iconic, and I wish everyone could have friends like that.

THE MOM. Let me tell you, I love this woman. I love this actress too. I’ve seen here everywhere, and she ATEEEEEE.

This drama made me go through all the feels, and I feel so full from it.

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