Thanks @missvictrix. The last pic shows my favorite scene in the first episodes, like you said, a beautiful reunion.

I love it already! I am wondering what happened with the break-up. It seems like there were two different break ups, and each time a different person ended the relationship?

I liked these two eps, but I'm a bit anxious if this story will have enough stuff for all the episodes ahead.

I almost gave up on the drama--there was too much yelling, too much drinking (I am seriously concerned about the way Samdal drinks like when she was yelling for more alcohol after she was already seriously plastered), not enough charm. However, the drama kept me hooked in a totally silent moment when the door opened between Yong Pil and Samdal. The silent acting between them with the wide range of emotions that they were each feeling at that moment grabbed me, and I will stay for that.

Thanks for the recap, but recalling it all as I was reading through didn't make it seem any better. I also thought 'flat' and 'boring', and then 'unrealistic', followed by derivative, trite, unappealing, and then (unforgiveably) just plain stupid.

Once again, we have grown men and women behaving like silly teenagers, worse in fact - because teenagers tend to try and act older than they really are. Why does k-drama do this? Is there really no story, no humour, in adult behaviour? I actually didn't laugh once and that's a problem.

It's exasperatingly like a cheap silly version of the shows you mentioned plus elements of Our Blues - JCW even driving around in a poor man's version of Lee Byung-hun's blue van. I guess I am getting heartily sick of grown adults behaving like juveniles as I've been complaining a lot about it recently. The fault lies with the writers and the scripts.

When k-drama teenagers at school have more sense, courage and dignity, just what exactly is it that happens 10-15 years later when they have real life experience and careers? Did that knock all the common sense out of them, or are they like Benjamin Button and ageing backwards?

As Dickens characters frequently say ... bah humbug!

No, I didn't like it. At all. Although I'll watch next week and hope for the best. Maybe Lee Jae won and the perpetually bewildered Sazal Kim will raise a smile. We need him back as Aziz in Gauss Electronics. 😄

I'm going to continue to watch this, because I like all the actors involved but there is nothing I fell in love with here. Just because I'm a sourpuss, let me highlight what I didn't like about it so far.

1. The ML as country bumpkin. Look, I know Jeju is provincial compared to Seoul, but its also a major tourist hub. Plus he must have a college degree in order to be a highly recruited weather forecaster, looking at computer models (shows he's a true professional!) . So why is hedancing around and singing his childhood hit plus having his childhood star slogan on his car? What a loser! Are as his friends, as we once again have Kdrama's version of "bromance" a lot of drinking and shouting at each other.

2. The instant fall of the FL photographer. Here, I get that the show is contrasting cruel city Seoul with loving rural Jeju, in a very standard trope, but also, I think, pointing out the Internet creates a gossipy small town of the big city--so its the worst of both worlds. But still, would thousands get worked up, with dozens and dozens of articles about workplace bullying by a photographer?. Even in the kdrama world, where the 10s of thousands of Internet commentators are totally gullible and have endless time to spend obsessing over the brutal rejection of an anonymous city employee's love confession (Destined with you); or whether the wife of vice-chair of a chaebol firm threw herself at him (Perfect Marriage Revenge, in a somewhat jokey turn), its really unlikely that even schoolboys on a bus would be talking about this incident, let alone dozens of reporters massing in front of the house of ALL the sisters.

3. The way Jeju is being handled. Again, the I understand, its an Island. But its the 21st centur

I'm like 86% sure the jealous assistant manipulated the situation solely to ruin Sam Dal's career. Honestly, I don't believe she actually attempted suicide but on the off chance she did, that's why I gave it a 86% rather than say 96%?

People are so ugh. Not only do they turn on her but they bring her sisters into it and say the whole family is messed up. So it really doesn't matter if 100 people say "this person is a good employer who never verbal abused or took advantage of anyone", if *ONE* person says they did, with an out of context recording, no one else's testimonies matter? Sigh. It's just frustrating and if it's revealed the assistant got to take over her job and reap all the benefits from this sabotage, I might just rage quit.

I don't know what I would've done in Sam Dal's situation because the assistant set her up and seduced her boyfriend yet it was a blow to her pride to admit it publicly but then netizens and the media are ripping her to shreds when she's the wronged party in all this.

I guess image is gonna be a big thing in this because even when comfronting the cheating boyfriend, she said it was better for him to be dumped this way vs revealed as a cheater.

I don’t think I am connecting to this story. Sigh. I don’t get the healing part. I am also not really on board with the village humor. I want her to go back and fight, not hide. May be it’s temporary and the story will go back to the city. I don’t want the message that village life is superior to city life. Time and again shows tell us that people in village are happy, more social, more carefree etc but I always feel like they tell only one side of the story. It’s just too poetic for me to take it seriously.

It’s one thing if she came back because she didn’t fit in or struggled or she snapped. But she was thriving. Yeah, her love life wasn’t great but she wasn’t broken. What happened to her was wrong. Terribly wrong. It’s hard for me to think of this as her healing when I feel she is so wronged.

But the interaction between leads in the second episode made me hopeful. The PJ rope and his finger snap was hilarious. So, I will continue and hope the interaction between leads will make this more interesting for me.

Welcome to Samdal-Ri Ep 1 and 2.
I was soo looking forward to this. Two amazing leads in Ji Chang-Wook and Shin Hae-Sun. A marketed story of healing, redemption and romance.
Sign me up!
I initially thought that this would seriously draw me in while My Demon would be there to kill some time. My expectations were so wrong....again. My Demon is was much better than expected and Welcome to Samdal-Ri is losing my interest.

Yong-Pil is super annoying. The way the writer/director/actor portrayed this character at work is cringeworthy. He acts like a 5 year old that doesn't get his way. He has the uncompromising "need to be right" at all times. Likeable character? - no way. There is a small moment at the end where he shows compassion for the FL, but it's a bit late.

I'm a huge fan of Shin Hae-Sun, but I'm not liking her character Sam-Dal at all. Her treatment of her assistant was equally cringeworthy. Her assistant is despondent enough to attempt suicide. So what does Sam-Dal do? She runs over to the hospital to scream at the suicide victim "How can you do this to me???". WTF? Who does that to someone who just attempted suicide. Yes, her assistant did seduce her boyfriend, but it's clear the abuse started earlier than that. And the beer...sooo much beeeeer. I'll need that much beer to stay entertained watching this.

If there was ever a show to pile on a record amount dung on the main character in the first episode, this was has to be close. This is really a high octane show. Shin Hae-Sun really pulls out no stops in her range of serious to comedic skills. The script set her up as being the best photographer in Korea, the top of her profession, then just as quickly, tear her down with a cheating boyfriend, and the lying betrayal by her assistant. Her career is vanquished by a false rumor. But the highlight of the episode was her sisters (divorced and widowed?) and niece (another great and sassy child actor). The Cho family dynamic seems to have the elements of some real fun interactions. Also, since OUR BLUES the celebrity of Jeju Haenyeo has boosted their pay grade for all of them to have new ATVs.

Episode 2 was back story; stuffing a lot into an hour. Even little lies hurt (like who dumped whom). I really don’t get mid-30 Korean men and women have the emotional/dating skills of 15 year olds. I get it that friends-to-dating bust is extremely awkward and destructive. Just like Sam-dal’s scandal is overblown, so is the Three Terrible Sisters village mantra.

The show started off at a sprinter’s pace for a marathon. Let’s see what happens.

This show... Idk.

1. Sam Dam. I liked the first introduction to the characters. They had opposite perspectives, that's fun.

We see everyone shopping Yong Pil why he doesn't want to go to Seoul. And we also see Yong Pil asking Sam Dal if she needs to go to Seoul, like what's so fun about it.

I started thinking that was the reason they broke up. They're different lifestyles. But apparently not? Because later we found out that Yong Pil actually moved to Seoul for her. I guess the guy didn't hate Seoul that much.

And at this point it's when I start having a problem with the show.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe the show will take another direction. But for me it felt like they just RUINED Sam Dal's dream to make her have some romance with her EX, in the island she HATES, for no damn reason.

The show could've happen in Seoul. They literally had an excuse to make Yong Pil go to Seoul: a better job waiting for him. The show made it seem like Yong Pil would actually take the job of it wasn't for Sam Dal. So they could've invented any excuse to make him go.

And if the really wanted the show to happen in the country side, why didn't they just find another way?

The only thing Sam Dal talks about it does during those two episodes is her dream. As a kid, or adult, it doesn't matter. All she wants it's to be this successful Seoul girl. And what's wrong with that? What's with the hanyeo quote about greed? Sam Dal didn't do anything wrong. She even apologizes to the horrible woman that ruined her career, "stole" her boyfriend, and was completely unapologetic about it. Saint much?

So I just don't see the point of making Sam Dal suffer. For what? The romance? Or to teach her a lesson? I don't understand.

And if they even try to make her life in Seoul look all cold and lonely, like that scene at the bar where she didn't have anyone to call I'm gonna scream.
One of Yong Pil's friends said something like "Omo, men and women can't be friends", that means Sam Dal doesn't have a single friend in that island either. All the characters we've seen of her age are men. There's a reason why they don't even have her phone number.

She probably didn't have friends in Seoul because she was a workaholic. All she need to do was take one step back and change a little habits to improve her health and relationships.

She LOVED her job, she was respected in her field, and she was a great sunbae/coworker. So WHY?

2. The sisters. Trouble girls? Yes, focus on the divorce instead of the "taking down the bad guys" part. And yes, focus on her being a single mother instead of the "her husband died" part. Women in this show can't win ONCE.

Why do the three of them have to die or hide in shame? They did NOTHING wrong.

If the show instead of changing the way people talk about them and the way people sees them, they just try to "improve" their lives by getting every single one of them a new boyfriend/husband, I'm...

Two wonderfully chaotic first episodes. I hope it stays that way.
They remind me of a mix of Our Beloved Summer and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

And I'm glad that JCW seems to have gotten rid of some of the mannerisms that bothered me in many dramas after Healer. At least I haven't noticed them so far.

I seem to be among the few who liked it, I enjoyed the heck out of the two episodes.

It's funny, I kinda felt the opposite. I like the FL as a photographer, she was professionnal, she knew that her assistant wasn't ready, she was polite. I didn't like how she treated her ex, he's a jerk but public scenes are kinda petty. But I didn't understand why she acted by hidding like this at Jeju. She did nothing wrong, I mean it looks like she didn't handle the situation very well, seeing the assistant like that was stupid, but it wouldn't have been worse if her exhibition had been torn down by the critics. I hope she will stop the selfpity fast.

The 3 sisters seem crazy... But the first one is the strongest but she can't handle a wheelbarrow?

The ML seems to be the heart of this part of the island by caring about people, loving his job, helping, etc.

The big mystery is their relationship! I'm very curious about.

I'm really glad I'm not the only one who was feeling a bit like they couldn't find proper a proper connection to the drama! I really wanted to like it because JCW and SHS but I felt like I was pushing myself to get through and not zone out, especially with the first episode. I'm not sure if it's the characterisations being a bit 'flat', similar to what you raised in the recap missvictrix, and/or if the initial plot just felt a bit like it was lacking something but yeah I just couldn't find a foothold as strong as I wanted to.

That said, this isn't a drop for me or anything just yet! I chalked down my ambivalence to the fact that to some dramas need time to set up and draw audience in and I hope that's what it is. Like many here, I did find episode 2 much more interesting and fun so here's to hoping that's an upward trajectory.

I am here for JCW and left puzzled after watching these episodes why he picked this show as his character and the show seems somewhat caricature, the cringe factor is high.
Maybe the target audience is Korean and it just doesn't translate well to an international audience?
Although The Worst of Evil was not everyones cup of tea, JCW stole the show with his acting, he was phenomenal. It was such a pleasure to watch him be the master of his craft and yet this show, so far, is just... .
I'm surprised that the female lead didn't stand up for herself in regards to the assistant and ensuing drama as she seems a strong character but I guess if she did we wouldn't have a show.
One of my pet peeves is child characters who are portrayed to be more mature than the adults in conversation and mannerisms, I don't find it cute.
It's only the first couple of episodes and from watching kdramas they often can be more crazy than later episodes. Hopefully the overall tone settles down so I will watch the next couple to see how it goes.

I have to confess that I kept thinking that Samdalri was both her name and the town/neighbourhood’s! Haha.

I have to admit I was on the fence on starting this drama as I'm not a huge fan of JCW but I caved for the ever versatile Shin Hye Sun. I agree that the first ep wasn't all that but the second ep made up for it, especially the build up to when our leads finally meet again as you can see all the emotions come crashing down on them.

Due to the seaside town, it gave me strong Homcha vibes but thankfully the plot here is different with the second chance romance trope.

I'm looking forward to the next few eps and the dynamic between our two leads.

Ah! ‘Tis Christmas time and time for a Korean Hallmark movie as told in 16 parts, 90 minutes each.

Big City girl with a career in shambles (bonus if she’s super-accomplished and confident but also suddenly confused and lost)? Check.
Big City evil metrosexual ex-boyfriend? Check.
Small City distant ex with a heart of gold and underutilized great talent? Check.
Have a checkered lumberjack-y shirt made its appearance yet? I don’t know. But I’m sure the flower-patterned pants already did.
And what about a Small City manly growl with an accent? No appearance just yet?

Anyway, never mind me, I’m right here, fast-forwarding with one hand and hot cinnamon chocolate in another. Wish me Merry Christmas, y’all!

First episode was hard to take. As a city girl, I always feel a bit offended when they try to do the "cities are mean and the country is better!" And I didn't like the whole assistant being a jealous female employee and having the sisters be forced to go into hiding. I had to pause a few times, but Shin Hye-sun put on a charismatic, hilarious, and emotionally-charged performance that keeps me going.

Second episode was much better and even funnier. I pretty much like everyone in it. I love how the girls pull their dad into their secret. I'm surprised that Sam-dal wanted to turn the tv on. I would take the oppportunity to break the tv in hopes my mom wouldn't see any news about my scandal. I liked how even though the suicide attempt reeked of manipulation to the audience, Sam-dal wonders if the harsh words she said really drove that assistant to suicide.

The episode went by so quickly.

I enjoy how there is a Cho Yong-pil in the village (Same name as the famous singer) and a Cha Eun-woo (same name as the idol/actor). Any other celeb names for the other characters?

The first episode had me a little worried, especially ML being a weather forecaster, but episode 2 sold it. There is none of the cheesiness of Hometown Chacha, but all the warmth of a small community.

I simply loved Kim Mi-kyung as the mother who is less than pleased to see her three daughters back again - with large suitcases. An empty nest can be very comfortable and having the hungry chicks back not a reason to be joyful even if you love your children very much.

SAMDAL-RI aside. From when I first read that JCW’s character was going to be a young, never back down know-it-all meteorologist, I was going to compare his performance with Song Kang’s performance as a young, never back down know-it-all meteorologist in another JTBC drama FORECASTING LOVE AND WEATHER (2022).
Well, the OTT win goes to JCW. His meteorologist Jo Yong-pil makes SK’s meteorologist Lee Shi-woo look like a shrinking violet.

Thanks @missvictrix. I was going to skip this but maybe it’s worth a watch

I liked this enough to keep watching for now.

Based purely on my kdrama intuition, and nothing from the actual episodes, I'm predicting a romance between the security guard friend and one of Sam dal's sisters. I would be delighted with a chaotic noona romance or else a single mother one, like When the Camellia's Bloom.

I just finished the first 2 episodes of this drama because I have been busy watching 6 on air dramas at the same time.. lol. I thought I was the only one who thought the first episode fell flat and the second one picked up only after the two leads met. I am very surprised that my thoughts match 100% with @missvictrix and like you, I am also hoping we have more quiet moments and heartfelt scenes between the leads.

I didn't like the too much drinking too, and the slapstick comedy and her loud tantrum. I obviously didn't like the assistant, but I also didn't like how her character is written, very one dimensional. If I had an assistant showing so much hatred towards me openly, I'd dismiss her the next moment.

Like another commentator here mentioned, I am not getting the healing vibes yet. I feel to get healing vibes you need an earnest drama, let's hope this is one.

Hope that the drama settles down well the next week and we see our OTP shine, they're both good actors and we can already see the chemistry, so it's all up to the writers and characters now. I still have hope.

Finally finished the first 2 episodes and what struck me was why the ML pulled a “grab you and put myself in front of you to save you from the bullet/arrow etc” move when she looked like she was going to fall into the water resulting in him falling instead. Seems like if you don’t know how to swim and think someone is about to fall in you brace yourself and pull them backwards. It’s as mysterious as why people don’t shove their love interest away to protect them from incoming projectiles instead of grabbing them and stepping in front. I guess it’s not as swoony.

Getting hints of Mr. Queen exaggerated personality when they were describing her as crazy and how she whined like a kid about wanting alcohol and was frustrated at people accusing her of bullying without knowing the facts.

The show is fine, although there is nothing grandeur or fresh about it. The actors are all well known, so despite the flaws in their character writing (drinking, shouting and all of which I detest) they are all likeable. Like others, I want Sam Dal to take charge of her career after recuperating in Jeju.

Ji Chang-wook was hilarious where he goes overboard with weather or where he is yelling at Kyung-tae. He does comedy well, at least for me.
Honestly I didn’t like episode 1 with all the negativity. I did like how Sam Dal handles her problems.
I am seeing a lot of familiar faces - the delightful Kim Mi Kyung and jazz bar ahjussi from MLL among others.
I am definitely looking forward to the FL’s family learning to co-exist. I ff-d through all the negativity and will likely keep doing that.

I really felt for Samdal in the first episode, 15 years of hard work undone is less than a day has got to be crushing and as someone commented the portraits symbolises her situation, all her friends and colleagues are turning their back on her distancing themselves her and want nothing to do with her. I totally feel for her, her career and everything she built just collapsed in less than a day and all she can do is watch, that’s got to be heartbreaking.

That feeling she had in Jeju of hiding from everyone not wanting to be seen because she at her lowest point. It was really sad to see Samdal lose everything she worked for because of something she didn’t even do. I started watching the drama expecting it would be like Hometown Cha Cha Cha but didn’t think this Bang Eun ju situation would be in the first episode itself and certainly didn’t expect my blood pressure to spike every time Bang Eun ju appeared on the screen.

The funny parts that made up for the blood pressure rising moments were, I love how Cha Ha yul is the emotionally and mentally mature than her mother and aunts. I liked the scene where she was lecturing her mother about staying out later only to get distracted and calmed down when her mother gave her chocolates like any child would. Then Cho Yong pil whining and throwing tantrums about the specifics of the weather forecast with headquarters because when they get the forecast wrong he’s the one that gets cursed out by the villagers. I loved Cha Jin dal's character her no-nonsense charge head-first and figure-out-later attitude was really entertaining to watch especially the flashback of the Three Terrible Sisters.

The best part has to be the meeting of Samdal and Yong pil, imagine getting mistaken for a thief in your own house by none other than your ex, the finger guns and the ensuing embarrassment and regret later really takes the cake.

I'm in the middle of watching episode 1 and I ran here to check if the recap or any of the reviews could make me look forward to more of this show. Right now I'm reluctant to pick up where I left off on episode 1 because as missvictrix said, it's looking like a mute offspring of those 2 shows that I didn't enjoy much either. Still, I think I'd hold on until the end of episode 2 before deciding whether to drop it or not.