A lot went refreshingly sweet and amusing in the opening week of Welcome To Samdalri.
If you like small-town stories that guarantee healing, humor and romance; JTBC’s latest weekend drama aims to seal the network’s yearlong awesome run.
abbyinhallyuland watches Welcome To Samdalri on Netflix
Opening Week Rating: 
Welcome To Samdalri Opening Week Highlights
Living the life she dreamed of, Cho Sam-dal left Jeju to pursue a career in Seoul. She became a famous photographer respected and admired not just in Korea but overseas.
However, her success hits a roadblock when she discovers her lover’s infidelity. To make the situation worse, her assistant who has been harboring spite for being on the sidelines confessed to being the woman her boyfriend is having an affair with. She also gripes about how she is not given an opportunity after being an assistant for five years.
Explaining she’s not fully prepared yet to carry out a project, the assistant refused her reasoning. Unfortunately, their conversation was recorded by the assistant and was tweaked and released to defame Samdal of workplace power abuse.
Hounded by news reporters, Samdal and her two sisters plus her niece who lives with her fled to Seoul to seek refuge at her parents’ house. Vowing not to return to her hometown, she reunites with Yong-pil, her long-time friend and former boyfriend with whom she lost connection.
Surprised to see their daughters, Cho sisters confessed to their father about what happened but their mom was not aware of it. She learns it later from fellow ajumma divers.
Yong-pil who is close to Sam-dal’s mom also discovers his old friend and ex-lover’s return. At night, feeling depressed, Sam-dal wallows in alcohol. Thinking of jumping into the waters, she was halted by Young-pil who fell instead. Not knowing how to swim, she rushes to dive into the water and saves him.
Welcome To Samdalri Opening Week Musings
Hilariously addicting and sweet, Welcome To Samdalri follows the K-Drama tradition of endearing small-town stories. While we have seen a few in the past, the committed portrayals of the actors so far make a weekly visit to this drama worth it.
Going in a healing direction, viewers can also anticipate rediscovering and reigniting old flames. Featuring well-sketched characters, the side stories along the way warrant a delightful sprinkle of comic relief and meaningful messages.
For avid Ji Chang Wook fans, we’ve waited for this drama for a long time for him. We can vouch that all those prayers for a project he deserves are now answered. Likewise, Shin Hye Sun is proving her artistry by tapping into her wide range as an actress. In every drama she has so far portrayed, she incorporated distinct flavors that made all her characters different from each other.
Moving forward, we can see the story flowing to how Sam-dal resolves the predicament she’s in and whether she will continue chasing her Seoul dream or stay in her hometown with Yong-pil.
Reconnect with your inner strength with Sam-dal and Yong-pil in Welcome To Samdalri every weekend! International fans can watch it on Netflix!
Photos: JTBC Drama
