Reviews

It could been a lot better

I recently started rewatch this adaption from the manga Kimi ni Todoke cus I felt like I didn’t see it properly the frist time. The very frist episodes was interesting to watch, I felt it took time to get through them,

The story version for the series was amazingly build, it follow the manga story line just fine but it felt too short and rather rushed. It going been 16-20 episodes longer like dramas like the series had.

At the same time It wasn’t that good at all? It’s felt abit boring and not as touching to me as manga and anime had. that I thought I felt some characters was miscasting in this like Kazehaya, He didn’t felt like the Kazehaya I hade in mind, he was cute and the personality but he didn’t really have charm, jealousy or sadness either, they should just casted another actor as him same as Ryu, he felt abit short for me, but kazehaya had great chemistry with the actress that played Sawako, although Sawako wasn’t scary or look scary or misunderstood the same way as manga or movie, it felt it abit more tuned down with the bullying, the visuals for the series could been done better.

The OST was wonderful and felt like it worked well with the series! Music is what a lot bring series or movie alive.

I felt like the visual wasn’t all the bad but it was just not there.

For many reasons I feel like I prefer the movie version over the series even if didn’t follow the storyline from the manga so much, but that’s cus I grew up movie version and saw the anime when frist came out. That’s a perfect cast for the movie and felt like the movie version came straight out of from the manga it’s still the best live adaptation than the series sadly, they should use the same producers/director for the series tbh, it could bring out the same magic. The rest of the other cast and the music was amazing too, the music did save the series as well the storyline, but I honestly suggest watch the movie than the series frist cus it felt was boring at times, ugh!

Maybe I’ll rewatch it but not now.

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Yongpil's portrait description

This is not a proper review because I'm not very good with those, I'll just say I enjoyed this drama though I skimmed through some parts, the leads were amazing at their roles. Uri Dokyeom did amazing with the OST and Jeju is beautiful.

Anyway I'm just writing this because I think Yongpil's portrait description in the last episode was really heartwarming and tied everything up so I hope everyone reads it, since it wasn't translated on Netflix:


Yongpil always looks up at the sky. The ever-changing nature of nature, invisible to others, seems to be visible to his eyes. Lenticular clouds are lens-shaped clouds that are aligned at right angles to the wind direction at high altitudes.

It is sure to catch your eye due to its unique shape, and it also gives the feeling of rising into the sky.

I always wanted to be a dragon in a war. A dragon leaving the stream and soaring high in the sky Paradoxically, the stream

It was only when I came back to this place and back to him that I realized that I was able to soar because of him. It was Yongpil who taught me how to protect myself and not get swept away in a world where everything changes rapidly every day.

Just as he was a catalyst for me, I want to be a catalyst for him and watch him rise high in the sky and make his dreams come true.

This photo, and this exhibition, is a sincere confession to him who now feels comfort, not longing.

I express my sincere feelings to him who accompanied me to the Korea Meteorological Administration photo exhibition, and to him who will continue to travel with me in the future

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Let’s go back to the beginning…

Self Discovery.

Who are we outside of our profession? What is our drive and passion in life? I think these are the main questions this series wants viewers to dig within.

It wants us to recall. To go back into time and discover who we are before we grew up to be workers. It also urges viewers to take a chance again. Failure doesn’t mean it’s the end. We can all stand up again. We can try again.

The picture and the lesson the show wants to send is truly heartwarming. Growth doesn’t truly mean we should forget everything that made us who we are. It shouldn’t change the youth and joy within us.

Beautiful really…

The issue FOR ME, is that there are so many things that needed more attention in this series. The story focused so much on just Samdal- and yes I know she’s the star of this show, but there are people behind who she is.

Her sisters, her friends, and the diving residents of Samdalri also had really great stories to share. Stories that are all part of her as well. I mean her exhibit showed that. I just wish that they were all given proper endings rather than all of it being crammed in the last episode. It would have made a great full circle.

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I was captivated by Wang Anyu & Zhao Lusi's Chemistry

I watched this drama because of Zhao Lusi, I knew she would act very well but I didn't expect that Wang Anyu actually also has amazing acting skills. I've never watched a drama series starring Wang Anyu so I didn't have much expectations of him, but unexpectedly he was able to build chemistry with Zhao Lusi and his acting was really natural. His intonation is also good. I'm happy to see that he managed to attract a lot of new fans during Shenyin's broadcast.

Discussing technical matters, I'm actually not an expert in editing but I was quite disappointed with the CGI used. I'm pretty sure Shenyin is a BIG budget drama series, but for some reason the editing process seems haphazard. Moreover they don't even put any effort into the technique of transitioning one scene to another. The transition is so rough that I really wanna cry when watching it . This is definitely not the actor's fault because their job is only to act and follow directions from the director and producer. I was disappointed with the production team for not being able to keep up with the actors who put in their blood, sweat and tears to give such great performances.

But even though I'm disappointed, I'm quite happy that the producers allowed Zhao Lusi and Wang Anyu to use their own voices. However, an actor's acting ability is not only measured by their facial expressions, but their speaking intonation as well.

In terms of storyline, xianxia dramas are so complicated and I'm not a fan of the genre either. So I can't write much review but in my opinion as a beginner with xianxia, ​​the storyline of Shenyin is still quite easy to understand.

In conclusion, there is no problem at all with the performances of the actors, especially the four main characters. They all have good chemistry and teamwork, I even enjoy seeing their friendship behind the scenes. Zhao Lusi and Wang Anyu are also serious about their work and have succeeded in building a good working atmosphere in their work environment. It's just that the production team didn't do their job very well so they didn't produce anything that exceeded the audience's expectations, but still, thanks to them for bringing Zhao Lusi & Wang Anyu together. I'm really looking forward to them being reunited in a modern drama!

Oh! all their soundtracks are superb! thank you for making Zhao Lusi sing the opening song and Wang Anyu sing the ending song. What an interesting combination!

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Welcome to Samdalri and the Power Rangers!!?

Ah, I’m sad it’s over.

The negative first:
1) The handling of Eun Joo at the end felt rushed and wasn’t satisfying at all because we didn’t see any consequences. We know that the truth came out, but her suffering should have been part of her karma!

2) The beginning of the drama felt like the writer didn’t quite know where to go. While I enjoyed the early episodes, I think it’s only starting episode 7/8 that I really, REALLY enjoyed the drama since it seemed like the writer finally knew where to go with this drama. Especially because…

3) … the characters finally stopped consuming so much alcohol. In the beginning, the alcohol consumption was astronomical, it was terrible and a bit of a turn off!

The good:
1) The cinematography was amazing!

2) The OST gave the perfect coastal-drama vibes: some up-beat cutie songs, but also some ballads, I like!

3) The acting and especially the emotional depth and delivery of the lead actors and whole ensemble at that was undeniably great. I like JCW anyway, and know he can deliver, but Yong Pil’s breakdown in front of his father was truly a great scene. Acting in love is also one of JCW strengths, his eye-acting is always great, so all the scenes we got with him and SHS were just – 100% believable. This was my first SHS drama (and not my last). The subtle acting, the changing expressions in a heartbeat, the conflict, heartbreak, everything is controlled and yet so natural and easily believable. I really enjoyed her performance and I am so(!) excited to watch more of her dramas because her talent really came through in this drama. Kim Mi Kyung is generally known as everyone’s mom in Kdrama-land (or also hacker ahjumma in “Healer” lol), but I think this was the first drama of hers where she had something more to play with. When Ko Mi Ja confronted Cho Sang Tae after 20 years of keeping her suffering and pain to herself – that scene went straight to my heart like a knife. What a great performance. The overall performances were charming, heartbreaking and always 100% perfect!

4) I enjoyed the overall final episode! Everyone got a good ending; it was a little sentimental yet happy. Everyone was able to go after their dreams without having to compromise for the other, and I really liked that.

5) The representation of grief. Sang Tae is definitely not a great character for the majority of the drama. However, he is a good example of how grief can make a good person bad. And how grief is really ugly sometimes. We see through Sam Dal and his own memory that he used to be a kind man, a man that took care of Sam Dal (and her sisters, I might assume) like an uncle and how he accepted her as his daughter. Because that is what the two Mi Ja’s of Samdal-ri decided: Yong Pil is also Ko Mi Ja’s son and her own daughters are Bu Mi Ja’s daughters. Sang Tae’s grief made him resentful, petty and selfish. It doesn’t erase the pain he caused his own son and Sam Dal’s family, but grief is never fun. And we can see at the end that he is working on his relationship with Sam Dal and her parents.

Overall, the drama was great and made me laugh, cry, giggle and kick my feet. I had a great time and will surely miss the Power Rangers!??

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Joyful to watch

I liked it, was joyful to watch and enjoy my time. would recommend this

Each life is very different, with different settings and length of episodes. Some of the lives only FL remembers her present self, others only ML, and we also have lives where they both remember so it gives a unique experience in each one.

I like the idea that they want to the moral tribulation with memory which is kind of unique.

In their fourth experience on the body swap, I liked the acting of the male lead when he acted and the facial expressions, and at the same time I felt the female lead acted as a normal female without the fake I am cute, way of experiencing and talking. Why do they like to be fake?

In their 5th experience, Also I liked how different acts of the male lead for the characters and the facial expressions.

'someone like in the novel, who is dedicated, righteous, handsome, brave, witty, young, promising, and romantically loyal.'

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Welcome to a little bit of everything

This is a sweet drama combining parts of Our Beloved Summer, Reply 1988 and with something more... i am not really sure what that is is could be hometown cha cha cha (without the leads regressing in character) it could be som idol drama... maybe parts of Our Blues. Whatever it is I am sure I have seen most of this drama before most of which was really enjoyable but highly predictable. Which was fine until the cringe came along with voices speaking together as one and some trope that jus got on my nerves lowering the score.

Both leads in this drama are absolutely phenomenal, I had forgotten how good Ji Chan Wook is at being sweet, and while it did feel a bit odd to see him as just a regular guy not trying to kill anyone and fully dressed all the time, he definitely has this amazing charm and is indeed capable of captivating the audience.

Shin Hye Sun was also very well casted as she is probably the queen of hot, cold and vulnerable all put in to one

The scenery here is lovely, and the drama is pretty much a commercial to visit Jeju Island while minding the crowds at the popular tourist spots. The use of water and umbrellas is great and I am pretty sure there is a referens in there to the umbrella scene in Something in the Rain with a twist. Other things that had me baffeld was the amount of alcohol the people in this dram could consume without ending up at a hospital or dead.

I love the friendships, the sisterhood, the kid, the families the blasts to the past and learning about the weather. I could do without the actual reasons for the drama in this show as they where not very relatable and lacked depth beyond the depth of the sea... Other things that bothered me where over the top characters with the typical over the top imbedded moments of not that again that many other drama watchers love but just get on my nerves. That said this is an enjoyable watch, an easy binge and couple that is a pure joy to watch.

Healing is kind of my nemesis I knew that going in to this so I will leave it at a it could have been a lot worse, but it was still there to take away from my personal experience. For those of you who love watching healing dramas and do not mind moments of over the top, maybe you even love the moment of over the top then this is defiantly a must watch. For those who can appreciate a mature romance this is also a pretty decent place to find. it.


P.s. this drama was probably also part of the find a deep connection challenge among the writers of Korea, and while it seems to have only lasted one life time I would say it may not be as twisted as some of the other drams with this theme it goes deeper under water than some of the multiple lifetime themed onec out there.

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Baby voice and scaredy cat

DISCLAIMER: This is my own opinion. No harm meant to the fans. The drama is bad NOT the actors!

If it had not been for the Watch Challenge this drama would have ended on my Not Interested list (where I put dropped dramas!) after the first episode. Since I promised to finish it, I used my time while watching to stop and rant which you can find below.

In short, this drama has not aged well and it is only 8 years old. The story idea is good, the acting is stellar, the production values are correct. And the writing is catastrophic: EVERY single character starts and ends as unlikeable (with the notable exception of three kitchen assistants), the WORST character ever in k dramas being the sous chef, a misogynist and sexist (he does not want to employ a married women with a kid! this was never ok or funny, as they used it here!) harasser. He might be a good cook but he is a despicable person. The main couple has no chemistry and the character development for the FL turns out to be the complete character change as in she takes all the traits of the ghost girl's personality together with the annoying baby cutesy voice!The plot is full of tropes, it is highly predictable (the murderer was obvious in ep 3). and therefore very boring.
I never watch anything in high speed so I only thought about ffw towards the end of ep. 15. Too late!

The music was correct, especially in the first half which was supposed to be a comedy and they used a lot of jazzy tunes.

THE RANT
I am spending more time ranting about this drama than watching it. I wanted to like it so much but, unfortunately, it is so bad. Ghost stories, possessions and romance are the tropes I like but here they completely ruined it with extreme characterization!
First of all, what is with this woke title on viki: Oh My Ghostess? I did not know the word existed!
4 episodes in and I am not really liking the drama: not a single likable character and everything seems to be set up as extremes. I guess they need to show the character growth but seems very predictable and cliché. I hope I am wrong....
One FL is a doormat, the other pushy harasser as a ghost but a cheerful optimistic girl in reality, the ML is arrogant, his mother annoying, the cop obviously a bad guy who killed the girl and no one knows how to say NO when even slightly pushed.
This drama is so full of tropes! I really hope it gets better!
Ep. 5 and the ML goes topless in order to put some skincare on his face! Nice; Good opportunity for the ghost girl to make a lot of lewd sexist remarks we are supposed to find funny and cute. Imagine if it were a man doing the same thing? Not funny at all! I can go with the idea that as a virgin ghost she needs to get rid of her virginity (how does that work, I wonder?) but does she really need to talk lasciviously?
Ep 7 we see the original, super shy, introverted and incompetent FL freed from the possession and the ML liking her more and more. Does she remind him of himself in high school when he was shy and bullied? But he likes the ghost as well because she's fun and extrovert, good cook and quick thinking!
A pet peeve of mine when I watch dramas set in restaurant kitchens is that almost always the female characters cook with their hair freely flying around: so un hygienic! I know, a FL with her hair tied or under a bonnet is not very appealing but still....when I see them like that, all I can think is "hair in my pasta" and not "how romantic, falling in love over a pan!"
I like the jazzy music on end credits: they should play it more!
Ep. 8 the wimpy FL asks for the ghost girl's help in seducing the chef. So many red flags rising! If she cannot muster up the courage to be more relaxed and brave, it is only cheating and this kind of cheating I hate, i.e. having someone else do your work for you and pretend it was you who did it all! NO NO NO & NOOOOOO!
Do writers & directors really think that women talking like babies are cute and seductive? The ghost is just being so utterly annoying with her cutesy voice and aggressive behaviour. This has not aged well! She can perfectly well stand up and walk but he insists on carrying her?!? Why do these men insist on treating the adult women as small, irresponsible and weak children? That ML is starting seriously to get on my nerves: it must be his caveman side - he likes the weak female more than an adult and competent one! He really needs to shed this macho mentality. He had a crush on the women for such a long time but never dared to say anything: now she's giving him strong signals to come and ask her on a date, he does not want to?!? What a cretin! Men are really afraid of independent women: how much low esteem does he have!
Please, can we get a likeable character in here?
And that ghost in ep 9? She is beyond annoying? Could not the writers find a middle ground where the fls are concerned and not make them complete opposites? And the ml falling for this behaviour: blowing hot and cold, shy and pushy? Did he really fall for someone with apparently split personality or is he just an idiot? My two cents worth of psychology would say he is still deeply insecure about his own qualities, he never managed to completely get rid of low self-esteem which made him a bullying target in his teens. He still seems to be that shy teen hiding not very deep inside the successful adult!
The extremely annoying ghost is still trying to get into the ML's pants, "seducing" him with baby voice and buckling his seat belt: this is the first time I've seen this in an asian drama. Usually it is the opposite: the macho man reaches over to take the girl's seatbelt as if she is not capable to do it herself (or it is the ml who tries to show his caring macho side).
I am watching ep 9 in short instalments: it is so hard to watch to the point of being unwatchable. The FL has definitely better chemistry with Cordon than with the ML.
So she goes drinking with the kitchen staff and ends up falling asleep in a motel room around 2AM. He gets all panicky and goes to get her, sobers her up and then they go home together I guess around 4AM. And his mother visits at that moment?!? Really?!? Ridiculous!
Ep 11 so the ghost is dating the chef and realized she is in love with him. He used to refuse her demands for sleeping together but now that he is ready to go further she is refusing. She'd turned from an aggressive female to a shirking violet, jumping as if electrocuted at the slightest touch! This dynamic is reminding me of Doom At Your Service which was the same: the FL stopped being forward once she fell in love! Another annoying trope!
I am only curious now to find out how the writers are going to sort this love triangle mess. Who is he really in love with the shy girl or the ghost? But by the end of the episode, the girl has realized that the one the chef likes is the ghost not her and told him that! Finally, some honesty! This is getting interesting....By the way, what happened to the nice jazzy music? Now that the things are getting serious, we are on to the soppy pop music?
So right at the moment when I thought they could not go any lower, the sleezy, creepy sous chef interviews candidates for a kitchen aid position. This is the pinnacle of sexism: do you have a boyfriend etc. and then he dismisses a candidate who is married with a kid! Not funny or cute just humiliating.
No, this is definitely not getting any better: just the opposite!
Ep 14 and the "pearls of logic"just keep coming: the ghost girl possessed the shaman lady but she is still incapable of turning pages and looking at her own diary? !? What is the point of possession? Just to talk?
Ep 15 Surprise surprise!!! The bad guy became evil because he was not loved by his parents! Boohoo! Give me a break! You are really going down that path, Writers, poor little unloved boy?!?!? His deeply buried resentment made it easy for the evil spirit to possess him?
And of course, the girl cannot tell the chef the news over the phone, that would be too simple! They need to see each other which will of course give the bad guy enough time to kidnap her or whatever so she would not tell anyone and bring out the ghost girl! I want to drop this so much! The last time a drama annoyed me so much was And I Married My Antifan!
And of course, the bad guy seems dead by the end of the episode! Why would he stay alive and face the consequences of his actions? Too complicated, right? How about he survives but with amnesia?
Finally, the last episode i.e. the wrap up or "they lived happily ever after" and the ghost girl is gone but she left most of her character traits with the other girl who is now cheerful, confident and speaking with the baby voice. At least the brilliant jazzy music is back.
The most repulsive and disgusting character is that sous chef: harassing the people working under him all the time. I don't understand why no one says anything? Still the hierarchy in the korean society? A person older than you is allowed to insult you and harass you as much as they want?

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Pleasantly warming and inspiring, like a cup of tea that you may enjoy sip by sip

Once again a wonderfully authentic KDrama with amiable characters, who are living a live just like any South Korean life could be. The KDrama is neither captivatingly suspenseful nor does it urge to be devoured in one go. Instead, it's rather pleasantly warming and inspiring, like a cup of tea that you may enjoy sip by sip. The story could always go on as everyday life is - in Jejudo and elsewhere (in the province).

At first glance, “Welcome to Samdal-ri” is a sweet Rom+Com and, in passing, it is also a declaration of love for Jejudo, the largest South Korean island. At second glance, however, the KDrama also delivers a lovingly drawn and yet time-critical image of society, in particular of a generation that is struggling to balance between archaic roots and home on the one hand as well as global, urban & digital lifestyle values on the other.

In general, lifelong friendship can be considered the overarching theme. The peer group as a family of choice in the sense of a community of fate, whose commitment has been growing from the inevitable spatial proximity of a village community - here: Samdal-ri.
Specifically, the story is about such a lifelong friendship between two friends, who at some point naturally became a love for life, yet without automatically being able to be lived as such.
As so often, it´s about family with its particular momentum, mingling as centrifugal and as pulling force, too.
Refreshing, soft and tangible: Shin Hye-sun and Ji Chang-wook. But overall, "Welcome to Samdal-ri" offers great casting in all positions.

Enjoy your tea time...










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SIDE NOTE...
...on "Welcome to Samdal-ri" offering a felicitous, good-humoured and optimistic time-critical image of society

On the one hand, the monotonous everyday life in the provinces just glides along. In “Welcome to Samdal-ri” the social tightness of the village structure is intensified by the island situation on Jeju-do. Binding village life in its everyday occurrences may be boring for some, while reliably familiar and pleasantly manageable for others. Rhythm, rules, community - everything is well-arranged. You can count on being safely caught by a social net that is protecting, warming. However, it comes with a price: a naturally intrusive social environment that would like to have a say everywhere...
On the other hand, the shimmering metropolis of distant Seoul is attracting the young with its wide world full of fashion, culture and lifestyle, promising individual fulfillment in a varied, anonymous, fast-paced, entertaining, colorfully inspiring, glittering city life that bears the stamp "successful". But this has its price, too, as the KDrama clearly shows with various examples. Fast-paced, cool big city life is mostly superficial, curt, nonbinding, aloof and mercilessly leaving you out in the cold.

Gossip apparently seems to be for us humans naturally coming with our anthropological cradle… Whether city or countryside, whether Seoul oder Samdal-ri, it is everywhere - the KDrama is cleverly using this as a dramaturgical bridge between the two worlds...
In a village with an intrusively curious neighborhood like Samdal-ri, where almost nothing can be kept secret, gossip adds spice to an otherwise uniform everyday life. However, it turns out, globalization and digitalization have by now raised village gossip to an unimagined, even more threatening (since anonymous) level. Rumors multiply virally in the form of social media posts shared at lightning speed, thus turning Seoul into just another (digital) village, yet on a global scale - with the effect that the brutal force of the impact far dwarfs that of a rural, analogue village. Once a rumor like this has started, it's hard to stop it and it's practically impossible to undo it. The anonymity of a viral rumor mill also invites hateful comments, the existential consequences of which no one seems to have to take responsibility for. Never mind whether there really is something to it or not… no one is interested anyway.
In the worst case, self-imposed exile from the analogue village offers an opportunity to escape social pressure at least. The digital village of the globalized new world, however, no longer shows any mercy. It's everywhere... there's no escape...

The uncontrollable social media with its enormous power as well as the largely non-binding, superficial encounters of an anonymous urbanity are juxtaposed with the archaic themes that continue to shape life on Jeju-do today - and thus the roots and grounding of its people. Eventually, "Welcome to Samdal-ri" tells of the dominance of tides and weather shaping everyday life; of the power of the sea, which continually takes its toll; of the lives of the Haenyeos diving for abalone and more - day after day, year after year; of the Haenyeo families, following the mother as the strong head of the family; and even of bloodguilt that turns friends into enemies, urging to pass this feud on from generation to generation.

Although life in the provinces may seem archaic, tight and boring, not everything automatically has to be wrong or bad. Nevertheless, young people increasingly and understandably prefer to go to Seoul. They want to leave the dusty roots and rigid structures behind. They prefer to live at the center of the vibrant new South Korean world instead.
But even if they leave their village home for individual fulfilment, psychologically they are still far from finding their way back to themselves. And even if Seoul has such a promising, almost magnetic, electrifying, cosmopolitan charisma, the capital, along with the temptations of big city life, also harbors a fatal seed, that many have not expected: Betrayal! Betrayal of oneself (and/or eventually betrayal of others...) For most people sooner or later this seed will be sprouting, if they lose their grounding along the way - if they simply radically cut off their roots instead of finding ways to continue to nourish them...

As such I appreciate "Welcome to Samdal-ri" offering way more than a Rom+Com - e.g. a felicitous, good-humoured and optimistic time-critical outlook on contemporary issues within modern society.

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Not too good

Well the story is really ordinary there are few interesting twists ,the starting was good but then it became boring for me and I skipped most of the drama from ep 8 till 17 and then only watched few important scene the revelation one was my favourite where she reveals her secret love other than that it was ok for me and nothing good ...plus the acting was fine for me ,the good looks of the main lead was great but I wish if it had more twists and turns
This drama had a lot of hype but still it couldn't catch much attention to me because of the boring job of the main lead and also her friends were not that good or interesting as well
And the age gap was not too much I don't know why it was made such a deal

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the kind of show that makes you want to call home

This heartwarming and uplifting show will take you on a fun and chaotic ride back home and the people that know you best. The story follows three sisters as they return home to their small town in Jeju as they try to run from troubles and end up finding themselves again in the people they left behind.

Their hometown is full of chaotic and sometimes frustrating people but they are also the ones that know them best. The togetherness and small town family is heartwarming to watch. You watch as the girls are forced to confront the problems they were trying to run away from and find their way back to themselves and happiness. The acting from the entire cast is superb. This show also showcases a bunch of green flag men in these women's lives which is so fun to watch. I especially love the friendship of the 5 best friends that grew up together.

I did find certain parts frustrating to watch, primarily the story line about Yoong-sil's father but I could also sympathize and see in his character a realistic portrayal of grief. I do wish there had been more of an ending for the main perpetrator of the series but you were still shown that her acts were exposed so I guess that is enough.

All in all this is a fun watch that had me laughing and smiling and ultimately wanting to make a trip back home.

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old but still okay

i saw the Thai F4 first and I must say I like the Thai version alot more then this one. I may be because it's an old show or it just got annoying at a point and made me bored.

it's dragged out alot and felt abit hollow in the end, like you worker your self through so many episodes and the it's just meh in the end.

but I did still enjoy it, but it didnt capture my focus to binge it. it's more been a backgrounds show when I did other stuff.

the acting was alitke cringe attime, the female lead got me annoyed alot of the times, and was just too much

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Having a place to return to is an incredible relief

Originally I was not going to watch this series. I had put it on my not interested list and kind of forgot about it. On the day that it began airing, I was talking to my friend and they asked if I was going to watch it. I decided to give episode 1 a try and see how it was going to go and I am so happy that I did. The number of life lessons and eye opening moments I observed, learned, or took to heart throughout this series... I love the message behind the series and just how much it related to me, my situation, and where I am going in life is shocking. "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."

This kdrama is honestly probably one of my most favorite I have seen, but it is not perfect. I loved so much about it and how I don’t feel as if there were any holes in the plot. Whenever I had a question, it would be answered at some point. There isn’t a difficult to understand premise and it is a super easy watch. The only aspect of the show that really made me feel uneasy and upset was the amount of alcohol consumption. I have watched hundreds of kdrama but I do not think I have seen one with this amount of beer or soju. It seemed at some points all they did in their spare time was consume alcohol.

My favorite character of the series is the Jeju Dolphin Center’s very own Gong Jichan, played by Kim Minchul. I loved the side story with him and learning more about Haeyul and Haedal. If there was a series just for these three, I would watch it.

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A Slice of Korean Countryside Brilliance

Welcome to Samdalri, a 2023 K-drama that landed on my screen like a breath of fresh air, instantly weaving its way into my heart. It's more than just a romance; it's a love letter to family, community, and rediscovering oneself amidst the breathtaking beauty of Jeju Island. So, buckle up, drama lovers, because I'm here to gush about everything that makes this show a must-watch!

A Story That Resonates:

At its core lies Jo Sam-Dal (Shin Hye-sun), a once-celebrated photographer disillusioned by the cutthroat world of Seoul. Returning to her childhood home in Samdalri, she seeks solace in the familiar embrace of her family and the island's natural splendor. There, she reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, Han Kang-woo (Ji Chang-wook), a man as grounded as the earth he farms.

Their rekindled romance is a slow burn, simmering with unspoken affection and shared memories. It's not just about grand gestures; it's in the quiet moments, the knowing glances, and the unwavering support they offer each other. Their journey resonates with anyone who's ever questioned their path or sought refuge in the comfort of home.

A Celebration of Community:

Samdalri isn't just a backdrop; it's a living, breathing character. The vibrant community pulsates with warmth and humor, each resident adding their own unique flavor to the tapestry. From the haenyeo divers, strong and independent women who defy age and societal expectations, to the quirky yet endearing townsfolk, every interaction feels genuine and heartwarming.

A Feast for the Senses:

The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. Jeju Island comes alive in every frame, from the golden sunrises over the ocean to the lush green fields swaying in the breeze. The soundtrack seamlessly blends traditional Korean melodies with contemporary tunes, perfectly complementing the on-screen emotions.

Actors Who Shine:

Shin Hye-sun delivers a nuanced performance, capturing Sam-Dal's vulnerability and resilience with equal aplomb. Ji Chang-wook is equally charming as the stoic yet gentle Kang-woo. Their chemistry is palpable, making their every interaction a delight to watch.

More Than Just Romance:

While the central romance is undeniably sweet, Welcome to Samdalri tackles deeper themes. It explores family dynamics, societal pressures, and the importance of staying true to oneself. It reminds us that happiness isn't always found in the bright lights of the city but sometimes in the quiet whispers of the heart, amidst the familiar faces and comforting rhythms of home.

So, if you're looking for a K-drama that will make you laugh, cry, and leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, Welcome to Samdalri is your answer. It's a show that celebrates the simple joys of life, the power of community, and the enduring strength of love. It's a reminder that sometimes the greatest adventures are found not in faraway lands but in returning to the roots that nourish our souls.

Final Verdict: A must-watch for fans of heartwarming romances, slice-of-life dramas, and anyone seeking a feel-good escape. Just be prepared to fall in love with Samdalri, its people, and the beautiful story it unfolds.

I hope this review has piqued your interest in Welcome to Samdalri. Trust me, this show is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. So, grab your favorite snacks, settle in, and prepare to be swept away to the enchanting world of Samdalri!

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A wholesome sometimes chaotic drama that shows the values of having family and friends

A good wholesome heartwarming story that shows you can withstand everything when your family is by your side.
A girl who loses everything in an instant unwillingly goes back to her hometown and slowly gains back her confidence and rises up again to face the world. In the process old scars are healed, broken relationships are fixed, the love that was once lost blooms up again.

Shin Hye Sun nails it again just like she has done in every drama she has starred in. Be it portraying a strong and ambitious photographer Eun Hye or the girl behind that strong persona who is just trying to run away from her painful past. She manages to show all the emotions spot on.

Ji Chang Wook is one hell of a versatile actor. From portraying a monstrous grey character in "The Worst Of Evil" to the sweet yet chaotic guy next door in this show, he shines brightly. Him as Yong Pil is one big green flag of a guy who is always there for his loved ones and is ready to sacrifice anytime for their happiness.

The chemistry between the leads as two childhood sweethearts turned ex is amazing. Be it their childish banter or making up for regrets, everything is done beautifully. It isn't just the leads but also the side characters that make it even more fun to watch. Each and every character is placed well in the story and are quite enjoyable to watch.

The show has plenty of cute, funny, chaotic, emotional and uplifting moments making it a really good watch and worth your time.

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