Welcome to Samdalri

This one didn't made it into my list as i don't follow much kdrama headlines or review articles but man oh man i got hooked after the 2nd episode. God this one will go down in history of the best KDrama Production,Acting and Visuals. Its a must watch for those who loved Reply 1988 and Twenty One Twenty Five.

I haven't seen other show of any of the cast members but these actors and actresses are very well fitted in their respective roles. Thanks for producing a high quality show like this. Looking forward to the next weeks delight.

For me i think my December and start of a New year will be great because of this show & fingers crossed for a great run and finale in January.

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.

I think that this drama (rom-com), beyond the two main actors who are amazing and versatile actors, as well as the secondary characters, and the love story, has a depth far beyond what you see, and it touches on the point - how unbearably easily celebrities can fall and be destroyed because Whim, jealousy and rumors of others (actors, singers, models, etc.), without even giving them the opportunity to explain themselves or defend themselves, the first step is to cancel contracts with them, which is really sad. Another point is to show the huge difference between city life (Seoul) and village life, in the big city everything is disconnected, workers are based, jealous competition and achievements at the expense of others, in the village there is warmth, caring "one for all and all for one" (it is true that sometimes it is suffocating , because everyone knows everything about everyone, but that's how it is to live in a small village and that's what's beautiful about it. Another point is the soul-searching we do after something happens to us that shocks us (recalculating the course of our lives) I hope the drama will continue to be deep in the plot ( again beyond what we see) and achieve high ratings. Aim for both drama and actors Ji Chang Wook, Shin Hye Sun totally deserve it.

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). Amusing twists and turns (and slapstick comedy), not to mention challenges, abound. Those who love these themes are likely to find this show delightful as well!

On the other hand, the exaggerated problems and crises that punctuate the storyline could be viewed as flaws. It might be 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!

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.