Welcome to Samdalri K Drama 2023 Episode 3 with Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun

Episode 3 of Welcome to Samdal-ri starts at Jeju Airport in 2005. Yong-pil and Sam-dal are on the verge of leaving and have their tickets. When someone rocks up next to them, Yong-oil tackles them to the ground. It’s just his friends… and they’re also tagging along it seems! Gyeong-tae intends to go to Seoul and open a new shop, and he happens to have a whole pack full of money, something he’s “borrowed” from his mum.

Eun-u has his own dreams but they’re missing one of their “power rangers”, Sang-do. He can’t afford a plane ticket apparently, but he wants to stay on Jeju Island. The mood is positive and upbeat for when they show up… but Seoul is very different for what they originally thought. Each of them eke out a living in different menial jobs, and their dreams seem to be taking longer than they thought.

Fast forward through the years and our “migratory birds” continue to try and pursue their dreams. But they always end up back at Jeju Island, no matter what happens. And that brings us along nicely to the present, where Yong-pil falls in the water. Sam-dal drags him out but he curls up into a ball on the shore and tells her to head home. He can’t open his eyes…because he’s so embarrassed right now.

Just like Yong-pil did for her, Sam-dal gives the ol’ finger guns when he awakens and rises to his knees. She can’t stop laughing. However, Yong-pil does walk her back home and after some banter, asks nicely if she’s okay. Of course, we know Sam-dal is far from it. Her life has turned upside down and she’s lost everything she’s worked for. She struggles to hold back tears and shrugs it off, claiming it’s nothing… and hurrying inside.

It’s hard not to feel bad for her, and in some ways Sam-dal knows that Yong-pil is aware of her struggles. Interestingly though, her mother is also struggling to sleep, stewing over what she learned the previous night from her friends about her daughter. In the morning, the crowd in town are shocked to see her onboard with the “long john marathon”. She’s on a mission and this is something we’ve heard about in episode 2. Hell hath no fury like a mother wearing pyjamas jogging up the street!

Meanwhile, Yong-pil is not happy over the public perception online toward Sam-dal. He’s worried for her and can’t believe what some people are saying about her. Over in Seoul, Sam-dal’s team try to stick up for her and speak t one of the reporters but unfortunately, he jumps all over them admitting she can seem “intimidating”. They do ring her after and offer encouragement. But what of Eun-ju? Well, she’s left a message saying “maybe” but isn’t picking up her phone.

Yomg-pil shows up outside calling for Sam-dal though, which shocks the sisters. As they head outside, he takes her up the street, which is probably a mercy because her mum, Mi-ja, shows up on just after she leaves. Sam-dal hides among the rubbish when Gyeong-tae shows up looking for her but her hiding spot is given away and she ends up running away. Yong-pil plays dumb and claims he had no idea she was back.

Mi-ja reads all the news online about Eun-ju’s “abuse” and holds her heart, concerned for her mother. As for the other women, they ride the bus and talk amongst themselves (while their dad drives the bus) about the scandal and how back it’s been tough for them all. They also point out how reporters spin stories to their liking, including Jin-dal being a gold digger.

Sam-dal is still worried with her mum and decides she needs to face the music sooner or later. She heads over to see her but Mi-ja instead deflects and tells her daughter to hang the washing up. Unfortunately, she refuses to converse.

When Sam-dal tries to go outside, she finds Eun-u and Gyeong-tae spying, waiting to catch a glimpse of her after 8 years. She doesn’t come out though, so the pair leave. Sang-do though rocks up in his flash sports car but it’s only a brief moment, as he ends up speeding around the streets again.

However, his destination happens to be Sam-dal’s place, and he shows up to see her. He gives her a warm welcome before catching up with the boys. Gyeong-tae wants to see her though so Yong-pil heads off to encourage Sam-dal to join them for a drink.

Yong-pil tells Sam-dal that it’s maybe not a good idea to be stuck with her own thoughts. He doesn’t want her to “do something foolish”, insinuating that she may want to commit suicide. However, she points out that she was just drunk and besides, she’s a good swimmer. On the way, Yong-il admits that he’s glad to see her as he was curious as to how she’s been getting on. He once again asks her how she is but it’s all a bit awkward given what they’ve been through together.

When they show up, Gyeong-tae puts his foot in it when he badmouths Sam-dal, saying he’s glad he failed. She retorts back that she hasn’t failed and is only here for a bit. However, the damage is done because Sam-dal decides to walk away. When she does, Yong-pil chases after her and Sam-dal finally opens up in front of all her friends. She starts crying on the ground, saying that she’s innocent and what they’re saying isn’t right.

In the middle of the night, Ko Mi-Ja awakens and discusses the current situation involving Sam-dal with her husband. She admits that she’s been worried to ask Sam-dal the truth. After all, she’s not seen her for 18 years so there’s some definite healing to be done.

During the epilogue, we cut back to see Eun-u making his noodles with mackerel. However, he’s not alone as the gang show up and celebrate his birthday with some seaweed and cake. In fact, Sang-do even sends over some mackerel too!

The Episode Review

Welcome to Sam-dalri is really starting to deliver some excellent drama and there’s a noticeable amount of influences in this one to previous K-dramas. There’s a bit of Hometown Cha Cha Cha, a bit of Twenty Five Twenty One, as well as a dollop of Reply 1988 for good measure, especially when it comes to the comradery between the main group.

Our two leads, Yong-pil and Sam-dal have such great chemistry and although they have a lot of history between them, it’s clear that this situation is going to heal over time and potentially result in some romance for them.

However, there’s more healing and potential familial drama with the sisters and their mother, Mi-ja, and hopefully we get some heart-warming drama there in the future too. For now though, this weekend drama is really starting to become a must-watch!