Benvenuti a Samdal-ri

Have been a Ji Chang-wook fan since I saw him in "Do You Believe in Magic?" so definitely had to watch it. Also seemed to be a little reminiscent of Cha Cha Cha the first couple of episodes (successful female moves back home to JuJu island from the city (Seoul) and runs into the local boy who never left. That drama was the 2nd one I ever watched and got me hooked on k-drama so got a good feeling about this one. True, was a little slow in the beginning, as others have suggested, but it is a sweet love story - soul mates that are destined from the beginning. I took off a few stars for the final because the one thing I don't care for is when loves get back together after being separated for so long and then they have to/or chose to be separated again for one reason or another - can't the ones that love each other just be together?

I lovely warm hearted story of life in a village on Jeju. Sadly the the first episode is a reflection of what has happened this last week to a persecuted man much loved Korean actor (Lee Sun-kyun). Showing a side of Korea we could all do without. Ji Chang-wook and Shin Hye-sun have incredible chemistry that it's hard to imagine another couple in these roles. They come here from action (Healer) and hilarious (Mr. Queen). The supporting roles are all well developed. Kim Mi-kyung as Sam-dal's mother as always is excellent. The connections between the parents and the sisters add another dimension to a well written series. As for Kim Do-eun, a star of the future.

Not disappoint at all! And the chemistry is chemistrying. Overall satisfied 🔥💯

Fighting fighting fighting fighting fighting

I just want to know why they breakup and who broke the relationship first cause it's too hilarious 😂 i also hope they will grow on each other again.

By the way, 😀 sang-do shi, nothing but i hope you not get hurt and become the third-wheel in this drama just that it look like someone have a crush.

Eun-jo 😌 really hope she get the ending she deserves and that is in hell. Well, i don't think that her photography (?) filming (?) or whatever they called will turn out lucky enough with that attitude she has.

Honestly it seems lone of the many K-dramas I've watched before. Different actors same premise. Nevertheless, it's quite enjoyable. To be quite honest my only pet peeve, because I can see the ending my mind, is the fact that their supposed to be pushing 40, yet they're behaving like 20 somethings. I recognize that's the script, unfortunately, the childlike behavior is the only thing throwing me off. Like I said in my mind. I already know what's going to happen with everyone from her mother, to her sisters, to the guy. If it's anything other than what I'm thinking I will put another review at the end of the series. I'm beginning to wonder if K-dramas are being dished out too often because the more I watch this, the more it feels like deja vu.

Note: this is an incomplete review as the series is still running.

Admittedly I almost checked out of this show after the first couple of episodes. Between the flashbacks and some painfully slow character development, you'd be forgiven if you lost interest early on. But if you manage to get past some of the more forgettable background-setting you'll be rewarded with a much better story that lies beneath a very superficial beginning.

I think a lot of K-drama series that originate with Netflix are hurt by the typical 12-16 episode series order. The first few episodes of "Welcome to Samdal-ri" are focused on the events that bring Sam-dal back to her home on Jeju. It's a catalyst that gets the story into its primary setting, but it's not the main focus of the overall arc. The relationships between Sam-dal, Yong-pil, and her family and friends is where the real heart of the story is. A half an episode focused on the abuse of power scandal would have been enough to propel the story where it needed to be.

Once you get to the root of the story, though, "Welcome to Samdal-ri" begins to shine. The multi-layered relationships are very smartly woven together and facets revealed at a good pace. The comedy provided by the haenyeos and the sisters (particularly the relationship between the older sister and her ex-husband) are evenly balanced with the tragedy that underlies the main story arc. By the end of "The story of the two Mi-jas", the series is hitting all the right emotional notes.

Upcoming episodes will return us to the abuse of power story, but I hope it doesn't linger too long there. The real heart of "Welcome to Samdal-ri" is, like all good K-dramas, in the relationships of its characters. Revenge stories have their place, but this series is so much bigger than a revenge story.