SYNOPSIS:
After a scandal hits, Cho Sam Dal’s career as a renowned photographer suffers a sudden and devastating blow. Seeking refuge, she returns to her hometown, Samdal-ri, where she reconnects with her old friends and rekindles feelings for her former lover.
Year: 2023
Genre: Romance • Comedy • Drama
Network: JTBC
Episodes: 16
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I’ve always wanted to watch this ever since I saw the trailer last year. I’m a big fan of Shin Hye Sun since Mr. Queen. I typically wait until a drama concludes before diving in, and now I finally have the chance.
Welcome to Samdal-ri is a story of healing and reconciliation, a heartwarming drama about rekindling love, friendship, and mending broken relationships. Cho Sam Dal and Cho Yong Pil are childhood friends turned lovers. Everything about them screams “soulmates”, from the day and time they were born to the name of their favorite brand of candy. When they are young, Cho Sam Dal has always dreamed to go to Seoul and be successful, to be a “dragon that was born from a small stream”, while Cho Yong Pil is contented to remain in the “small stream”. I thought their diverging dreams will have something to do with their eventual break-up. But no, their aspirations in life have no bearing on their breakup at all which I find refreshing. In fact, both of them are supportive of each other’s dreams. They end up parting ways due to circumstances beyond their control. Following the breakup, Sam Dal severs ties with Jeju entirely, adopting a new identity in Seoul. However, a scandal abruptly derails her flourishing career, leaving her isolated and abandoned by former colleagues. I must say that the shameless and jealous assistant has really managed to piss me off. I have no sympathy for her and I feel annoyed every time she appears on screen. Sam Dal’s two sisters don’t have much luck in their lives either. To escape the reporters that are hounding them, they return to the only place they can think of, their hometown. Their parents’s reaction when they saw them come back is hilarious. The drama’s pace, especially in the beginning, feels sluggish (1 hour+ episodes is too long for this drama), but it gradually grows on me, and it’s particularly captivating around episode 8 onwards. The drama really took its time to reveal the pieces that complete the whole picture. It unravels different layers of the story, piece by piece, so you really need to be patient and let the story unfolds. Despite my frustrations with Sam Dal’s decisions, I can understand her motivation. It’s not about her career or her reputation, but the guilt that someone tried to end their life possibly because of her weighs so heavily on her heart that she’s unable to do anything. It’s not until she learns the truth that she finds relief and finally starts her self-discovery journey. The story of the two Mi Ja is definitely my favorite part of this drama. That whole storyline and how each one copes with the loss really made me tear up. This is the part where the drama really shines for me. The problem is that these characters are too self-sacrificing. They would rather keep to themselves and be hurt on their own than communicate and express their true feelings. They spend a long time wallowing in their own grief and bottling up resentment before they are finally able to express their true feelings and understand each other. The friendship of the five friends is wholesome, but I wish they spend more time on these friendships in the present instead of relying on those occasional flashbacks. Their appearances are solely tied to Sam Dal’s narrative, while their characters are left unexplored. Take Bu Sang Do, for instance. Aside from his unrequited love story, which once again revolves around Sam Dal, there’s a scene where his brother comes to the restaurant harassing their mom for money leading to a fight. There’s a glimpse of anger and resentment from the usually calm and reserved Bu Sang Do. But after that fight, the brother never shows up again, and that’s the end of it. They focus so much on his dull unrequited love when they could have this more interesting storyline instead. The character development is decent. The two leads are great individually, although they don’t have much chemistry as a couple. They are good as friends though. Cho Yong Pil is a stubborn yet romantic and caring person. He prioritizes others’ well-being and goes to great lengths for his loved ones. His life revolves around Samdal. He doesn’t have that much character development, but Ji Chang Wook did such a great job with his character that I don’t really mind. Cho Sam Dal is ambitious and always seems confident, but she has a tendency to run away and isolate herself. Eventually, she learns to hold tight to the things that truly matter despite the outside pressure, knowing that she has a strong support system. Shin Hye Sun is great as always. It’s phenomenal acting all around. When they cry, I cry, too. Ki Mi Kyung is such an amazing actress. Whenever she’s in a mother-character role, I know it will be great. The whole neighborhood is fun. While residing in a small village has its drawbacks, such as the pervasive gossip where everyone knows everyone’s business, there’s a silver lining to this tight-knit community. There’s mutual care and support, and the residents always have each other’s backs. I love the scenic backdrop of Jeju, with its breathtaking landscapes and serene view of the sea. The cinematography is beautiful and the soundtrack is great. They featured a few songs by Cho Yong Pil (the singer). I especially like the OSTs “Dream” by Taeyeon and “Song of the Sea” by Leeze. Ultimately, “Welcome to Samdal-ri” is a worthwhile watch, even though it’s not something I will rewatch. It offers a blend of superb acting and picturesque scenery, underscored by the universal theme of finding solace and support in the community around you. Because home is not always a place, but the people who love you and stand by you no matter what. ☆ RATING: 7/10 ☆ |