A young woman left the confines of Jeju Island to become a fashion designer in Seoul.  And her career has been extremely success, shooting many famous actors and musicians.  But when a jealous assistant leaks fake information about the photographer bullying her staff, her career and supporters suddenly disappear.  Due to constant media harassment, the woman and her sisters, who she lives with, decide to return to their family home on Jeju until things die down.  But much of her old life is waiting for her, unchanged in her hometown.  Including a childhood best friend, who she had dated and broken up with, but never got over.  And as she tries to put her life back together, she will find there are many elements from her past that are worth revisiting.  

Shin Hye Sun as Cho Sam Dal / Cho Eun Hye

Cho Eun Hye is a successful fashion photographer who takes pictures for some of the most famous faces in Korea.  But when her boyfriend cheats on her and her assistant publically accuses her of bullying, she decides to go home to Jeju Island and stay with her parents until the media storm blows over.  Back home, among the friends and family that she grew up with, she is known as Cho Sam Dal.  And everyone is thrilled to have Sam Dal back in their lives.  But being home with the childhood best friend she has spent years trying to forget is not easy.  And as the couple fall into old patterns, Sam Dal isn’t sure she can go on without him.  

Cho Sam Dal is bold and confident.  She has always had big dreams and stops at nothing to achieve them.  But after her breakup with Yong Pil, Sam Dal becomes a workaholic whose single-minded ambition takes the place of balance and happiness.  And after 4 failed relationships, she is no closer to getting over Yong Pil.  I love Shin Hye Sun as an actress, and although I found Sam Dal’s immaturity to be a bit irritating at times, I feel like Shin Hye Sun played the role the way it needed to be played.  There were times when I felt like the writing for this character could have been better, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying her performance over all.

Jo Yoon Seo as Bang Eun Joo

Bang Eun Joo is Cho Eun Hye’s assistant.  She is the one who Eun Hye’s boyfriend cheated with and she is also the source of the rumors that brought down Eun Hye’s career.  Eun Joo is greedy and mean-spirited.  And although Eun Hye has always tried to mentor her, Eun Joo is too proud to take any of her advice seriously or learn anything from Eun Hye’s natural talents. 

 ♥ Jeju Setting

I really love dramas set on Jeju.  First of all, the peaceful blues of sky and sea give these slow burn dramas just the right amount of calming energy.  And second, the traditions of things like the haenyeo are fascinating as a backdrop.  This is the kind of setting that drops me into my own private little bubble, as I watch the story slowly unfold.  I know that mood and tempo is not for everyone, but I enjoy it. 

♥ Yong Pil and Mi Ja

The relationship between Yong Pil and Mi Ja was all the more sweet based on their common past and the fact that he is not her biological son.  It must have been a great comfort to them both.  And the idea that Yong Pil gave up the two things he wanted most in life to protect and take care of Mi Ja was heartwarming.  They did a nice job of showing how natural and easy their relationship is.  And Mi Ja was able to keep her promise to watch over her best friend’s son and always love him like her own.  

Focus on Friends

One of the weirdest things for me about this drama is that they built great backstories for each of the sister’s and then barely gave them any development.  Meanwhile, they spent plenty of time on the “Power Rangers”, who I loved, but they didn’t really have their own stories.  Honestly I loved Mr. Dolphin Dad, Gong Ji Chan, and I really wanted more screen time for them as a sweet new family.  So maybe I’m just biased.  But I felt like, if they were going to spend so much time on the friend group, then they needed to have more individual stories.

Too Innocent

I’ve made mention of this a couple times already, but I didn’t understand the complete naivete of Sam Dal.  I mean, Yong Pil hasn’t dated anyone since Sam Dal, so him acting like an innocent school boy at least makes some sense.  But after years of living and working in the city and 4 other romantic relationships, whether they were successful or not, you would think that Sam Dal wouldn’t blush every time there is the slightest skinship or mention of skinship.  I really thought they overplayed that element of her personality.  Even if they had just toned it down a bit, I think fans would have been more receptive to Sam Dal’s character.  

“Welcome to Samdal-ri” gives us a nice happily ever after.  With a little help from her friends, both from Seoul and Jeju, the truth is finally revealed about Eun Joo.  And Eun Hye’s name is cleared so she can return to the work she loves.  But she won’t be going alone, since everyone except Yong Pil has decided to go with her.  Yong Pil’s father finally forgives Sam Dal and her mom, clearing the way for them to date officially.  Sam Dal finds out that Yong Pil is going to turn down his dream job and encourages him to go.  The sisters both get a second chance at love with their guy.  And Hae Dal decides to become a haenyo and watch over their mom.  Two years later, the friends have all established lives in the city.  Including a girlfriend for Kyung Tae.  The ending scene shows them gathered together before Sam Dal walks home  in the snow, thinking about Yong Pil.  And suddenly he is standing in front of her.  The couple share a sweet reunion and seem truly grateful to be together again.  And back in Jeju, the father’s sit down to share a drink and finally lay aside their grudges.