Reviews

The FL will be known by everyone soon!

Derailment has a very compelling premise and a pretty good twist so I was entertain and engaged throughout the whole series despite some lows for the show as a whole.
1) The actress playing the FL is INCREDIBLE. She will be well known soon and I will watch everything she is in moving forward. She is incredibly talented and a big part of why I stayed engaged with the story the whole time. I recommend watching just for her performance.
2) Speaking of acting I don't know if the actor playing the ML was the best choice. I've seen him in other romances and never had a problem with his performance but I don't think he pulled off the smooth and collected guy-in-charge part of the role. In the moments of warmth, kindness, and caring with our FL he did great and I think his previous experience translated to that part of the role.
3) The main sci-fi and mystery element got a little overshadowed by the FL's day to day in the later part of the show which I think displeased viewers who were mainly there for that. I however, like seeing these parts of the FL's character because it was the first time we get to see her happy with her life. However, it did feel like they rushed back to the main storyline for the last episode.
4) Romance is a part of the story but it's not a major component and there's not much lovey doveyness to the romance so if you want to watch it for the feels I'd pass.
Overall, I liked the show the whole time I watched it; I was never bored and don't regret watching it. Although, I doubt I'd watch it again. So if it seems interesting to you, I'd recommend trying it. It's definitely not a hard pass but it's not something I want everyone I know to watch.

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A trama é boa e envolvente

A história me prendeu, adoro a atuação da Lee Ji Ah, mas o que houve com o final? Achei um pouco frustrante, ainda que tem outra temporada pra concertar... tenho altas espectativas para a próxima temporada.

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Real, emotional and a must watch!

Es un kdrama que visibiliza los trastornos mentales y lo complicados que pueden llegar a hacer. Me gusta mucho que intenta no caer en los estereotipos que de tienen de las enfermedades mentales y muestra lo reales que son, lo comunes y la importancia de las redes de apoyo para poder sobrellevarlos.

Me sorprendió mucho el triángulo amoroso que tiene y aún más el con quien se queda ellaaaa, esperaba algo diferente.

Me gusta el crecimiento que tuvieron los personajes, como durante todo el kdrama los vemos sufrir, salir adelante, aprender, cambiar y crecer.

Es un drama muy lindo, que toca temas muy importantes. Si bien la psiquiatría es muy importante, me habría gustado que se mencionara más sobre la terapia psicológica, ya que siento que el acercamiento que se tiene a esta es muy superficial. Sobretodo porque la terapia es parte fundamental para tratar los trastornos y evitar que se agraven.

Me gustó mucho y el capítulo sobre ansiedad social me hizo llorar mucho, fue muy personal.

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I LOVE IT

this was such a cute drama with just right amount of fluff, fun, angst and drama.

the acting is superb, from the main cast to supporting cast and the grandpa character just gave this drama a finishing touch and its perfect. i watched this on youtube and i saw the comments saying they felt 2nd embarrasement in watching it because of the female main lead which i dont get at all??? she's cute and i didnt felt that at all???😭 she played the character so well. now on the male male lead, i always know him as a good actor so i already know this is gonna be good and he didn't dissapoint! he suits these type of characters so much lol

i love the main couple so much, they just paired so well and i felt the chemistry even on the start. i didn't felt any cringe moment and i just enjoyed everything from start to finish. the kissing scenes are 10/10 lmaoosoaoao I LOVE IT. i repeated those scenes a couple of times before proceeding lol they dont need those heavy bed scenes to show their chemistry!! its like watching two people who dont know anything about love falling in love, ITS CUTE.

for the story and pace its just right. i love how every in misunderstanding they try to resolve it right away especially on the MML pov knowing how his character is. i just dont like how they ended it with her choosing him over her career😭 im just not a fan of those type of things where woman have to give up her growth for a man but in this one she's also thinking about the grandpa who have only a few months to live so i'll give it a pass i guess!

overall, i would def recommend and someghing i will rewatch it i feel like to.

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An Unsavory Ending

Look as much as I love my boys interactions and whatnot that ending has me a bit sour in the mouth.

Like adding the scene of the friends ganging up on the sister without any resolution for her felt like such an annoyance, cause now I personally NEED to see her go through her own resolution of finding actual better friends and those two girl get their karma.

Plus the fact that we don't get a moment of the twins together with their partners in a group interaction kinda bugged me as well cause not even an apology or something to better clear the air.

And the whole "I like what we flhave now, you're my best friend but I could not see you as anything other than friends" by Jack made me wanna fight.

Sam really is my light and soul and the whole bright reason to be happy. Coulda got more TanSam scenes but I'm happy with it.

The national team picks with little to no cheering up or celebration for either of sides that did and did not get picked just felt more like at "well why did I have to see this"

FirstSprite scene on the court was cute and all but that moment of them laughing was too long and felt forced at that point.

Zee and his girl scene seemed a little outta place and could a been a good moment for FirstZee to happen to walk by and show up but they didn't and it was just welp.

The drugged out "I miss Koh" moment was also a little filler based feeling.

Lack of development for many characters has me feeling a little bugged by it.

Overall last episode could have been maintained differently to feel like a happy ending cause four pivotal moments made me feel it needs more.

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It's perfect!

I loved every second! The story was the cute kind of cliche and the acting reminded me of watching anime. Super cute couple and side characters. Soft vibes at it's best! It's the healing kind of romance, that just makes you smile like there's no tomorrow. The couple had the cute kind of chemistry and it makes you want more after watching.

(PT/BR) Amei cada segundo! A história é o tipo fofo de clichê e a atuação me fez lembrar animes. Casal super fofo e os personagens secundários também. Definição de fofura! É o tipo de romance que cura a alma e te faz sorrir como se não houvesse amanhã. O casal teve uma química muito fofa e te faz querer mais depois de assistir.

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Having a place to return to.

The ending lines of "Having a place to return to is an incredible feeling" resonates with me so much. Samdalri feels like a safe haven for not only our leads, especially Samdal. in more ways than one, it has become a place as such for me as well the last two months watching the drama

there's something incredibly healing about the show. the bonds and relationships, the companionship, the belonging to a community, your people your weather yiur place. there's nothing like home and there's nothing like having a place to return to, and people to support your dreams. yong pil goes further than just support samdal too there. but I loved how her comeback isn't just cause of him. she did cause she wanted to. love how yong pil was let her walk her way, but hung around to catch if and when she faltered. there's no pushing there, there's no imposing of his wishes her. letting her find herself was the best thing.

ep16 was everything.
My heart is so full. The bonds of family, friendship and community in this drama are just so precious. watching the last ep I felt like I was part of it all. ❤️

~As always, we're going for only as long as our breath allows without being greedy. And whenever we're out of breath, we'll come back to that place. Our small stream, Samdal-ri.


The OST is incredible. I'm so glad I discovered Cho Yong Pil through this. Short Hair has become an all time favourite song. The remastered versions are incredible. so is the Haenyeo song sung in Ep9. It's so hauntingly beautiful hasn't stopped ringing in my ears since I heard it.

though it had it's flaws early and meandering plotlines and maybe unnecessary air time given to certain plot lines which could have been better used somewhere else, the ending just makes up for it. that's one of the most beautiful, most satisfying heartfelt ending of a drama I have seen. my rating jumped from 8.5/9 to 9.5 and even a 10 just cuz of that episode. it's incredible.

and JCW standing in the snow smiling like that with that song in the background and there reunion? please. gorgeous. the power rangers are the best friend group ever and they deserved their second chances. second chances are indeed the underlying theme of the drama anyway.

a place to return to, and a second chance at making it right.


the acting is incredible. the casting is superb, no moment of over the top reactions, very subtle, very real very raw. the Haenyeo group reminds of the ladies in my town❤️ they are all precious.

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beautiful beautiful beautiful

IM CRYING MY EYES OUT.
This movie is really really beautiful, the emotions were portrayed so well and everything was played out amazingly and beautifully. Even small details like the lightning or even some glances here and there matched the storyline and the characteristics of each character.

At first, I thought this movie would be too confusing, since we never really got a hold of what was actually happening, but as time went by I learned how to just be happy with what I knew, instead of worrying about how that would change. My perception of what was happening was constantly changing, but itfelt like an exercise of patience and a way to keep me focused to know the real situation that was going on.

Every actor/actress did an AMAZING job, but I'd like to give a big shoutout to the two little main leads. At their young age, they managed to create a masterpiece and portray emotions with a lot of maturity and didn't hesitate to show the vulnerabilities and feelings of the characters they were playing as if they were their own.

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Despite shortcomings, still an enjoyable watch

STORY 8.0/10
Season 2 falls short of the narrative strength seen in season 1, with both old and new storylines feeling drawn out. I wish the overall series had a shorter episode count in order to enhance pacing and storytelling. Introducing a new villain with different motives could have injected fresh energy into season 2, because I got tired of the same politicking and drama that carried over from season 1.

Romance took a bit more screen time this season, but it still felt somewhat rushed. It still falls victim to some tropes as well as cheesy and contrived moments. Despite these shortcomings, however, the chemistry between the leads kept me watching.

After the incidents of season 1, I welcomed the change in the male lead's character. I loved his tortured angst compared to his hot-headed naivete in season 1. He also became so bad-ass after the 3 year time jump.

Some viewers griped about the female lead's shift in personality, but I think the writers did it intentionally by reversing the dynamic between the male lead and female lead. It's showcasing their complementary yin-yang natures between seasons. In season 1, the female lead was more calculating and clever while the male lead was more naive and carefree. In season 2, the male lead became the clever one while the female lead became more playful and carefree. The female lead also took initiative in pursuing the male lead romantically in season 2, while he was the one who pursued her in season 1. Although the female lead lost her mage powers, she gained divine powers instead which complemented the male lead's powers. Ultimately, I think the changes to the female lead worked out fine and they support the duality theme of the show.

ACTING/CAST 9/10
The supporting cast is notably neglected. This was a shame, because they were so enjoyable to watch in season 1.

The romantic chemistry between the leads significantly improved and I enjoyed every moment they were on-screen together. I believe Go Youn Jung is just more compatible with Lee Jae Wook on-screen.

MUSIC 10/10
Great soundtrack and I liked the pop ballads in this season more than in season 1.

REWATCH VALUE 8.5/10
While the overarching storyline is not as engaging as season 1 and a lot of side characters were neglected, I absolutely loved seeing the two leads together in this season. I would rewatch this season just to see them together again.

OVERALL 9/10
Issues from season 1 are still present in season 2, such as pacing and storytelling issues as well as contrived tropes. Conclusions to some plot lines and the final confrontation at the end of the series also felt underwhelming despite all the build up over 2 seasons. But overall, the series was still an enjoyable watch. I especially enjoyed watching the two leads together on-screen. I would love to see Lee Jae Wook and Go Youn Jung leading another series together because they looked amazing together and their chemistry was phenomenal. I binge watched both seasons consecutively and will dearly miss the world of Daeho and this cast.

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I don't know that is actually consider this a BL

So... It's not as bad as everyone else says but it takes a minute to get use to the bad dubbing that was done on purpose and it does an extra comical aspect to the whole show. It was a pretty good show and honestly I showed up for Lee & Frank (Kokliang was an added bonus). I did expect it to be a BL but it's call it more of a bromance which is fine I don't feel like I wasted my time watching it just after Love Syndrome I was hoping for some sweet moments between these to since they have an odd chemistry I just love. I wouldn't watch it again but it was decent and very fun in parts.

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Loved this series.

So well put together. You really get to hate him at the beginning and as the first episodes unfold - you'll find yourself getting anxious about if she will start to like him too early. He is so good at being bad that you fear anything good will be taken away the next time he is angry. That is good writing and great acting.

I don't want to dive into any of the details since so many other reviewers do that well so, I will just stick with that it is something to put and leave in your watch list. You will have favorite moments and go back to them often.

A little side note. In some dramas you can tell the actors/actresses aren't in to each other in the kissing scenes. They are just going through the motions. Not these two - the little details in how they kiss are perfect. Think Korean Odyssey when they kiss each other in the library or, when they finally spend a night together - those kisses/moments are perfect. Same with this series. They are trying so hard not to fall in love but, just can't help it.

You will enjoy this one.

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Looking for a Comfort Show? You've Found It

Welcome to Samdal-ri is a show that I couldn't help to look forward to every week. The story didn't have grappling cliff hangers or an intense conflict, but it was a drama that I could sit down, watch, and feel healed.

Story:
Welcome to Samdal-ri's storyline was nothing I haven't seen before. City girl goes back to small town and reunites with first love. Family conflict provides tension and drama. Side character storylines are short, but relevant. Did I think that all the conflict was necessary? No. However, I understand the need to drag things out to fit the 16 episode time frame. Overall, everything felt natural and concluded nicely.

Acting/Cast:
This drama has two of my favorite actors in it, so I am a little biased. Firstly, Ji Changwook did a great job. He's an especially emotive actor and really draws me into the story and world that he creates. Shin Hyesun continuously does a terrific job at making any character relatable and charismatic. Her performance is no less than what I thought it would be. I was not a fan of Yoo Ohsung's acting, but that could be blamed on his role.

Music:
My opinions for a soundtrack is that if you notice it, it's either terrible or terrific. Welcome to Samdal-ri's sountrack was for the most part unnoticeable, so I would consider it pretty good. The intro was so cute and cheerful, and the music in the last episode especially was a fantastic choice. If I ever rewatch this show, the music would be the number one thing to bring nostalgia.

Rewatch Value:
As a light and fluffy show, Welcome to Samdal-ri has a very high rewatch value for me. Nothing about this show stressed me out, if anything it did the opposite. It's the perfect drama to watch when you're feeling down. I'll definitely come back and watch this again.

Overall, I would suggest this drama to anyone who needs a little bit of happiness and bliss.

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