Welcome to Samdal-ri: A Korean Drama About Rekindled First Love in Jeju Island

Introducing "Welcome to Samdal-ri," a Korean drama that depicts a romance set in Jeju Island.

The Korean drama "Welcome to Samdal-ri" is set in Jeju Island, South Korea. Jo Samdal, the main character, was born in Jeju Island but always dreamt of escaping the island and living in Seoul. She successfully becomes a fashion photographer and begins her dream life in Seoul. While living a busy life as a fashion photographer, she gets entangled in an unexpected incident, which forces her to abandon her Seoul life and return to her hometown, Jeju Island, where she reunites with her ex-boyfriend, Jo Yongpil.

Actress Shin Hye-sun plays the role of Jo Samdal. Since her debut in 2012, Shin Hye-sun has gained recognition through supporting roles in dramas such as "Oh My Ghost" and "She Was Pretty." She continued her drama career with roles in dramas like "The Legend of the Blue Sea" and "Stranger," eventually establishing herself as a leading actress. She is known for her impeccable pronunciation and ability to seamlessly portray various characters, earning her recognition for her acting skills. In this drama, "Welcome to Samdal-ri," she plays a character with a complex inner world, appearing outwardly strong but harboring a hidden emotional turmoil after experiencing life's ups and downs and escaping to her hometown.

Jo Yongpil, Jo Samdal's childhood friend and former lover, reunites with her upon her return to their hometown. Actor Ji Chang-wook plays this role. Ji Chang-wook gained popularity through dramas such as "Sons of Sol Pharmacy" and "Smile, Donghae." He has since starred in various historical dramas like "Empress Ki" and "A Warrior, Baek Dong-Su," as well as modern dramas like "THE K2," "Suspicious Partner," and "The Sound of Magic." In this drama, Ji Chang-wook portrays Jo Yongpil, a weather forecaster at the Jeju Meteorological Agency. Unlike Jo Samdal, who yearned to leave Jeju Island, Jo Yongpil chooses to stay and protect his beloved island. Whether Jo Yongpil, who still harbors feelings for his first love, Jo Samdal, can rekindle their romance is a key question in the drama.

"Welcome to Samdal-ri" is set in Jeju Island. Jeju Island, the largest island in South Korea, is a popular tourist destination. The mothers of the characters in the drama work as haenyeo (female divers). Haenyeo refers to the culture where women dive into the sea without oxygen masks, reaching depths of up to 10 meters to collect various seafood for their livelihood. Jeju Haenyeo culture was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. Through "Welcome to Samdal-ri," viewers can also gain insights into the Jeju Haenyeo culture.

Seoul is known for its high population density. South Korea faces a social issue where the population is concentrated in the metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, while other regions are marginalized. This is why many people dream of escaping the crowded and bustling Seoul and living a simpler life in the countryside. This desire is often reflected in dramas and other forms of media. The recent popularity of dramas depicting life in the countryside, such as "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" and "Our Blues," may be attributed to this trend.

You can watch the drama "Welcome to Samdal-ri" on Netflix and TVING.