I can’t say this drama has been quietly airing or under the radar because it has big name leads and a prime weekend time slot of a big cable network. But online chatter it definitely isn’t as buzzy but who cares as domestic ratings are rolling in. jTBC new Sat-Sun drama Welcome to Samdalri premiered around 5% and in the most recent episode 6 it broke 8%. Starring Shin Hye Sun and Ji Chang Wook, the drama is set in the bucholic seaside small town with a big supporting cast of quirky locals and the leads working through their own issues. I plan to watch when I have time but I’m glad this kind of slice-of-life family oriented heartwarming drama still gets viewers and support. It’s going up against Maestra on tvN which just hit 6% ratings for episode 4 and could go toe-to-toe soon.
Welcome to Samdalri is a jtbc drama and not tvn. The one in tvn is Maestra.
It looked like I made a dumb comment but for context, the article was previously mentioned as tvn drama and was compared to Castaway diva and arthdal. It was just edited now and corrected the article.
Also, Samdal-ri airs at 10:30-12:00, while Maestra airs at 9:20-10:30. They’re not really rivals in that sense. Maestra is up against Goryeo-Khitan War (9:20-10:20) and the upcoming My Happy Ending (9:10-10:40), as well as the first half of Park’s Contract Marriage (9:50-11:10) and My Demon (10:00-11:10). Samdal-ri overlaps more with the last two.
I feel like we finally picked up the pace of the story in episode 6. Its finally getting interesting.
The leads are carrying this. JCW is great as a noisy unhinged character, like he does in backstreet rookie and lovestruck in the city – I find very amusing and fun to watch.
Interesting leading couple. I’ll definitely check it out. I’m pretty bored of My Demon and Park’s Marriage Contract, both of which I’ve been slowly chugging along. LOL
Shin Hye Sun is really the shining star of this show (though the rest of the cast do their job well too). I’d say she is the best actress of her generation (1987-1991 born)
After 6 episodes nothing really happens… The FL spent her time to pity herself and drink. I didn’t want a love triangle neither… The ML’s mother death is like dark cloud above their family too.
I just watch for the actors now.
I like it . It’s a warm slice of life , family, friends, a little community , Jeju,… It’s pleasant . I’m still watching My demon and Park’s marriage contract but i’m losing interest .
For the people who are watching this, is this similar to Hometown Cha Cha Cha? I’m asking because it’s kinda giving me HTCCC vibes judging from the pics
Not really because the leads are ex, so they know each other.
It’s different, because both are natives of Jeju, they know each other since birth, they used to date, they are part of the same group of friends ( as in the Reply series) , the drama use a lot of flashbacks , the character of Shin Hye Sun is more introspective .She had to come back after being unfairly accused of abuse of power ( which shows how nowadays presumption of innocence doesn’t exist anymore and all is about media play ) Her mother has a past with the late mother of Ji Chang Wook …
I see. I didn’t Thank you both for your answers!
I’ll say it’s pleasant to watch, but the plot is slow moving and the writing is a bit weak at times. There were nice moments but some of the characters’ conversations made me wonder what exactly the writer was trying to say. It’s on episode 6 and it feels like things are finally just getting started. The story revolves around the FL and SHS is doing a good job as usual even if her character has some unlikable traits, but JCW’s character feels like he’s just… there.
I’m loving it so far. The cast look great.
At first i did’nt find the story interesting enough but then as the story unfolds it caught my curiousity and just hope it will make us awe not only because of tne lead actors themselves but also as to how well our imagination will take us until the drama is done
I thoroughly enjoyed the first five episodes I watched. Shin Hye Sun is always a joy to watch. Before starting the drama, I was worried about her chemistry with Ji Chang Wook, but I shouldn’t have bothered, she’s the chemistry queen and their chemistry is on point.
I’m actually enjoying Ji Chang Wook in this drama, quite surprisingly, because the last drama I enjoyed of his, was Healer. Hoping this drama carries its momentum all the way to the end. I have a particular soft spot for Kdramas shot in rural areas. Considering that most of their population is on exodus to Seoul or the cities. I’m hoping that dramas shot in less densely populated areas like Jeju will spark an interest or at least a discussion for people to return to the towns and villages.
@xoxo , i remember watching about 10 years ago a drama called “Modern Farmer” with Honey Lee , it was a comedy a little weird in a rural area . It was funny.