
Welcome to Samdal-ri
Taste attributes: dramacomedyromanceslowwholesomelightrealisticsimplelinearglossyenclosedemotive & stirringcomplex relationshiplove conquers allunlikely connections
"The moment when we start to catch our breath."
Boxlist takeAn emotional, accessible drama series, wholesome rather than dark. Best if you like stories that hit hard.
Taste details
Pace: slow · Originality: balanced · Tone: wholesome · Weight: light · Realism: true to life · Story: simple · Structure: linear · Look: glossy · Scale: confined · Emotional punch: very stirringHow we score
Quality rating
8.3 /10
TMDB · 90 votes
Where to watch
Streaming data: JustWatch
Season
Season 1
· 2023 · 16 episodesAfter a scandal shakes her world, a hot shot photographer takes an unexpected detour from the demanding life in Seoul and makes a spontaneous return to her long-avoided Jeju Island hometown.
Episodes (16)
1Tears of the Dragon2 Dec 2023
After harshly rebuking her assistant, Jo Samdal becomes embroiled in a scandal and faces severe blowback — forcing her to return to her hometown.
2The Soulmates' History3 Dec 2023
While moping over her career downfall, Samdal awkwardly encounters Jo Yongpil. She later runs into him again — where she must come to his rescue.
3Like Wild Birds, Soaring, Dreaming, Descending9 Dec 2023
Samdal avoids being seen in public as more people find out about her arrival. But she overhears a hurtful conversation, causing her to break down.
4The Rotten Apple of My Eye10 Dec 2023
As the townspeople talk, Samdal sets the record straight to her community. Ashamed by the truth, Samdal lies to Yongpil about her love life.
5I See You16 Dec 2023
As Yongpil shows concern for Samdal, she confronts him about his insistence. When a reporter shows up to Samdal's town, her friends go to bat for her.
6"The Dreams" by Jo Yongpil17 Dec 2023
Yongpil finds competition in Bu Sangdo for Samdal's love. Samdal finds out about Park Eunjoo's scheme and heads to Seoul to find out the truth.
7Breaking Up, With Love23 Dec 2023
Sangdo confronts Yongpil about their shared feelings for Samdal. Samdal's mother begins to suspect something is happening between Samdal and Yongpil.
8The Bracken Rain of Jeju24 Dec 2023
Go Mija experiences a frightening moment during a dive amid lingering health problems. After much encouragement, Samdal enters a photo competition.
9The Story of the Two Mijas30 Dec 2023
As Mija's condition remains dire, Samdal learns she's been unaware about her mother's health — and that Yongpil's been more present than she'd known.
10The Variables We Couldn't Predict31 Dec 2023
After a drunken night, Samdal agonizes over a tender moment with Yongpil. But they soon are forced to take a trip around Jeju for the photo contest.
11What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger6 Jan 2024
A man from Jo Jindal's past angers her family with an ill-advised announcement. Samdal continues to agonize over her feelings toward Yongpil.
12Welcome Home7 Jan 2024
Samdal worries about her mother's perception as her relationship with Yongpil's grows. After uploading a video of Samdal, Eunjoo comes to Samdal-ri.
13That Damn One-sided Love13 Jan 2024
Just as Yongpil and Samdal get closer, his father harshly rebukes them. Amid the tension, Mija finally stands up for herself — and the past.
14When Your Tears Dry Out14 Jan 2024
After becoming official, Samdal and Yongpil go off on a shoot — but they're joined by guests. Samdal later attempts to win over Yongpil's father.
15It Takes a Village to Raise a Dragon20 Jan 2024
Eunjoo plants a story about Samdal, complicating her role in the photo contest. But Samdal's community bands together to aid in her exhibition.
16Welcome to Samdal-ri21 Jan 2024
As Eunjoo's lies catch up to her, Samdal hosts her exhibition. She later finds out about Yongpil's secret dream — and his hesitation about pursuing it.
StrongsampleWhy this match?ShowHide
What lines up
- Pace: Slow, just how this profile likes it
- Emotional punch: Emotive / stirring, just how this profile likes it
- Setting / scale: Small / confined, just how this profile likes it
What might not click
- Intricacy: Basic story, where this profile leans smart / intricate
- Weightiness: Light / accessible, where this profile leans weighty / heavy
This is a sample for Hard Hitter. Take the taste test to see your own match for Welcome to Samdal-ri.
Synopsis
After suffering a fall from grace, a photographer returns to her hometown and bumps into her childhood friend — rekindling an unfinished romance.
Synopsis: TMDB
Taste Attributes
Characteristics
Where this title sits on each taste spectrum
Cast
- Ji Chang-wook
- Shin Hye-sun
- Yu Oh-seong
- Kim Mi-kyeong
- Seo Hyun-chul
Details
- Genre
- Drama
- Year
- 2023
- Episode length
- 69 min
- Status
- Ended
- Studio
- MI
- Taste scores
- How we score
Similar in feel
Matched on pace, tone, themes and style, not just genre.











