Welcome to Samdalri

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?

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.

Take your time to appreciate this beautiful, delicate and slowpaced story of two soulmates who were meant to be but were separated by cirucumstances.

Romance is not all about physical intimacy, in this drama its a beautiful relationship of belongingness, unconditional friendship, love and support for each other despite the time lapse.

This drama will suit those who really try to understand and savor the story, empathize with the characters while relating to People, Place, and Time. Different people in different parts of the world would have different lifestyles, ordeals and constraints, the boundaries of actions, traditional mindset and manners. International audience should approach this story with a broader mindset, then they will truly enjoy the characters in this drama. Not ideal for those who sift through fast paced dramas to finish and compare.

Special appreciation for the friends group, samdalri community who is always there for Samdal. Even the strongest of successful people would feel fragile when walls cave in and left alone. We all need moral support of our loved ones, and the community that recognizes you for your roots to spring back. The message is simple, sweet and well taken.

Love the OST(In My Heart, Beautiful Day), cinematography and my favorite Leads' acting.

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.

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.