After two back-to-back K-drama sensations, Healer and The K2, Ji Chang Wook took a break from action dramas because the stunts he does on a regular basis were taking a toll on his body. Nonetheless, the actor thrived in romance dramas such as Suspicious Partner, Lovestruck in the City, and The Sound of Magic.

While the past few years have been eventful for the actor, fans are looking forward to what he has in store for them this year. That being said, prior to Welcome to Samdalri, Ji Chang Wook appeared in another drama named The Worst of Evil. It has garnered glowing reviews from viewers, but fans are more interested in the latter because it is a feel-good romance drama. With that in mind, here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming K-drama Welcome to Samdalri.

Welcome to Samdalri: The Plot
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Welcome to Samdalri has yet to release an official trailer, but the details concerning its plot have already been revealed. Jo Yong Pil (Ji Chang Wook) had a cheerful childhood with a diver mother who harvests aquatic life, but his happiness was cut short by a dreadful tragedy. Because of a false weather report, his mother died while working, and he has been determined to become a weather forecaster to ensure that such a cruel destiny does not repeat itself. Due to his stubborn nature, he earns a reputation as a troublemaker, but he is adored by all the elders of Samdalri as he always looks after them.

On the other hand, Jo Sam Dal (Shin Hye Sun), who grew up in Samdalri alongside Jo Yong Pil, has always wanted to pursue her passion in fashion photography and eventually moved to Seoul. Despite reaching the pinnacle of her field, everything she’s worked for comes crashing down in the blink of an eye, forcing her to move back to her hometown. The once inseparable best friends have reconnected after a long time, but what does fate have in store for both of them?

While the premise looks quite promising, if you’ve seen the drama Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, it feels like a ripoff with a few modifications to the storyline. For example, the characters of Jo Yong Pil and Jo Sam Dal have a lot in common with Hong Doo Shik (Kim Seon Ho) and Yoo Hye Jin (Shin Min Ah).

The main male leads in both dramas are affected by some sort of tragedy and live in a seaside hometown to help older adults who raised them, whereas the female leads suffer a career backlash in Seoul and move to the same town to find their purpose. Nonetheless, Welcome to Samdalri appears to be bringing a more complex romance narrative to the table, so fans may expect another beautiful Korean drama once it is released.

Related: 17 Most Romantic Korean Dramas to Watch Next

Welcome to Samdalri: The Cast & Crew
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The popularity of Welcome to Samdalri is mainly due to its star-studded ensemble. Ji Chang Wook, who plays the role of Jo Yong Pil, the main male lead, needs no introduction because he is among the most popular South Korean actors who have also worked in Chinese dramas.

The actor is best known for his appearances as Ta Hwan in Empress Ki, Seo Jung Hoo in Healer, Kim Je Ha in The K2, and Noh Ji Wook in Suspicious Partner. His main draw is being an actor who excels in both action and romantic roles, which only a few stars in the entire K-drama industry are capable of. Meanwhile, Shin Hye Sun plays Cho Sam Dal, the female leading role.

The actress has appeared in a number of prominent Korean dramas, having previously played supporting roles in earlier sensations such as The Legend of the Blue Sea and Oh My Ghost. However, her best works may be considered to be among Stranger, Five Enough, The Hymn of Death, See You in My 19th Life, and Mr. Queen. The supporting cast members of the series include Kang Mi Na, Shin Dong Mi, Kim Mi Kyung, Kang Young Seok, Kim Ah Young, and Yoon Jin Seong.

Welcome to Samdalri is directed by Cha Young Hoon, the man behind some of the best K-dramas in the industry. Dramas such as Are You Human Too? transcend the level of storytelling that only a few series are capable of achieving, and it was brilliantly helmed by Cha Young Hoon. His other best works include Uncontrollably Fond, The Bridal Mask, and When the Camelia Blooms.

The drama is written by Kwon Hye Joo, who, despite only penning scripts for three dramas prior to Welcome to Samdalri, has established himself as one of the industry’s prominent screenwriters. His previous works include The Sound of Your Heart, Go Back Couple, and Hi Bye, Mama! Apart from the director and screenwriter, the drama has kept most of the staff details under wraps, so we can only wait for more information to be revealed shortly.

Related: The 20 Most Rewatchable Korean Dramas

Welcome to Samdalri: Release Date
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Welcome to Samdalri, the upcoming romance Korean drama starring Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun, will premiere on Netflix on December 2, 2023, and the episodes will air on a weekly basis.