Welcome to Samdal-ri Episode 12 Ending Explained, Spoilers, Recap, Release Date, Review, Cast, Plot, Streaming & Where To Watch?

Welcome to Samdal-ri Episode 12: Welcome to Samdal-ri is a popular Korean drama series that follows the lives of four childhood friends who reunite after 20 years in their hometown of Samdal-ri, a small village on Jeju Island. The series explores the themes of friendship, love, family, and nostalgia, as well as the challenges and joys of rural life.
The series has been praised for its heartwarming story, realistic characters, beautiful scenery, and catchy soundtrack. It has also received positive reviews from critics and viewers alike, earning high ratings and a loyal fan base.
The series premiered on December 2, 2023, and aired every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 PM KST on KBS2. The final episode, episode 12, aired on January 21, 2024, and marked the end of the series.
In this article, we will recap what happened in episode 12, explain the ending, review the series as a whole, and provide some additional information about the cast, plot, spoilers, streaming, schedule, and where to watch the series online.
Samdal-ri Episode List
Episode List | Title | Release Date | Time |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Tears of the Dragon | December 2, 2023 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
2 | The Soulmates’ History | December 9, 2023 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
3 | Like Wild Birds, Soaring Dreaming Descending | December 16, 2023 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
4 | The Festival of Love and Fireworks | December 23, 2023 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
5 | The City Girl and the Country Boy | December 30, 2023 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
6 | The Architect and the Photographer | January 1, 2024 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
7 | The Passion and the Pain | January 2, 2024 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
8 | The Island of Dreams and Nightmares | January 3, 2024 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
9 | The Secrets and the Lies | January 4, 2024 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
10 | The Assignment and the Ambition | January 5, 2024 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
11 | What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger | January 6, 2024 | 3:00 pm GMT / 10:00 am ET |
12 | Welcome Home | January 7, 2024 | 10:30 pm KST / 1:30 pm GMT / 8:30 am ET |

Welcome to Samdal-ri Episode 12 Recap
The episode begins with Cho Yong-pil (Ji Chang-wook), the famous photographer who returned to Samdal-ri after a scandal, confessing his feelings to Cho Sam-dal (Shin Hye-sun), the cheerful and hardworking owner of a guesthouse and cafe. He tells her that he loves her and wants to be with her, but she hesitates to accept his proposal, fearing that he might leave her again.
Meanwhile, Go Mi-Ja (Kim Mi-Kyung), the kind and wise grandmother of Sam-dal, decides to sell her land to a developer who plans to build a resort on the island. She hopes that the money will help her grandchildren and the villagers have a better future. However, her decision causes a rift between her and Cho Pan-sik (Seo Hyun-Chul), her eldest son and the mayor of Samdal-ri, who opposes the development project and wants to preserve the natural beauty and culture of the island.
At the same time, Cho Sang-tae (Yu Oh-seong), the second son of Mi-ja and the manager of a bookstore in Seoul, returns to Samdal-ri after finding out that his wife has been cheating on him. He reconnects with his old friends and tries to mend his relationship with his family. He also develops feelings for Cho Jin-dal (Shin Dong-mi), the youngest daughter of Mi-ja and the owner of a hair salon, who has been secretly in love with him since they were young.
The episode also shows the stories of the other characters, such as Kim Mi-Ja (Kim Ji-young), the quirky and optimistic friend of Sam-dal, who runs a flower shop and a bakery; Lee Seung-ho (Lee Sang-yi), the handsome and smart lawyer who works for the developer and falls in love with Mi-Ja; Park Ji-ho (Park Ji-ho), the cute and loyal friend of Yong-pil, who helps him with his photography and supports his romance with Sam-dal; and Choi Soo-jin (Choi Soo-jin), the beautiful and ambitious reporter who caused the scandal with Yong-pil and tries to win him back.
The episode ends with a happy and emotional reunion of the four friends, Yong-pil, Sam-dal, Sang-tae, and Jin-dal, who finally overcome their past and present obstacles and realize their true feelings for each other. They celebrate their friendship and love with a bonfire and a song, while Mi-ja watches them with a smile. The final scene shows Yong-pil and Sam-dal kissing under the stars, while the narrator says that they lived happily ever after in Samdal-ri.
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Episode 12 Ending Explained
The ending of episode 12 wraps up the main conflicts and romances of the series and gives a satisfying and hopeful conclusion to the characters and the viewers. The ending also implies that the development project was canceled and that Samdal-ri remained a peaceful and beautiful place for the people who live there.
The ending also shows that the characters have grown and changed throughout the series and that they have learned to appreciate and cherish the things that matter most in life, such as friendship, family, love, and happiness. The ending also reflects the message of the series, which is to embrace the present, remember the past, and look forward to the future.

Series Review
Welcome to Samdal-ri is a delightful and heartwarming series that captivates the viewers with its engaging and relatable story, charming and realistic characters, stunning and scenic setting, and catchy and nostalgic soundtrack. The series is a perfect blend of comedy, drama, romance, and slice-of-life, that balances humor and emotion and delivers a meaningful and memorable experience.
The series also showcases the talent and chemistry of the cast, who portray their roles with sincerity and passion and make the viewers laugh, cry, and swoon with their performances. The series also features some cameo appearances from famous actors and singers, such as Kim Soo-Hyun, IU, Park Bo-gum, and Lee Seung-gi, who add more fun and excitement to the story.
The series also highlights the beauty and culture of Jeju Island and the lifestyle and values of the people who live there. The series also pays tribute to the legendary singer Cho Yong-pil, whose songs are used as the soundtrack and the inspiration for the main character’s name. The series also incorporates some historical and social issues, such as the Korean War, the Jeju Uprising, the urban-rural divide, and environmental protection, and shows how they affect the lives and choices of the characters and the villagers.
The series is a refreshing and uplifting watch that will make the viewers smile, cry, and feel good. It is a series that celebrates life, love, and friendship and reminds the viewers of the importance and joy of these things. It is a series that will stay in the hearts and minds of the viewers for a long time.
Cast
Name | Role | Description |
---|---|---|
Cho Yong-Pil | Cho Yong-pil | A famous photographer who returns to Samdal-ri after a scandal |
Shin Hye-sun | Cho Sam-dal | A cheerful and hardworking owner of a guesthouse and cafe |
Ji Chang-Wook | Go Mi-ja | The kind and wise grandmother of Sam-dal |
Kim Mi-Kyung | Cho Pan-sik | The eldest son of Mi-ja and the mayor of Samdal-ri |
Seo Hyun-Chul | Yu Oh-Seong | The second son of Mi-ja and the manager of a bookstore in Seoul |
Shin Dong-mi | Cho Jin-dal | The youngest daughter of Mi-ja and the owner of a hair salon |
Kim Ji-young | Kim Mi-ja | The quirky and optimistic friend of Sam-dal, who runs a flower shop and a bakery |
Lee Sang-yi | Lee Seung-ho | Cho Sang-Tae |
Park Ji-ho | Park Ji-ho | The cute and loyal friend of Yong-pil, who helps him with his photography and supports his romance with Sam-dal |
Choi Soo-jin | Choi Soo-jin | The beautiful and ambitious reporter who caused the scandal with Yong-pil and tries to win him back |
Plot
The plot of the series revolves around four childhood friends, Yong-pil, Sam-dal, Sang-tae, and Jin-dal, who reunite after 20 years in their hometown of Samdal-ri, a small village on Jeju Island. They have different reasons for coming back, such as escaping from their problems, finding their roots, or fulfilling their dreams. They also have different feelings for each other, such as friendship, love, or resentment.
As they spend time together, they recall their memories, face their present challenges, and discover their future possibilities. They also interact with other characters, such as their families, friends, and enemies, who add more drama, comedy, and romance to their lives. They also learn more about the history, culture, and nature of Samdal-ri and the lifestyle and values of the people who live there.
The plot of the series is a mix of comedy, drama, romance, and slice-of-life, that explores the themes of friendship, love, family, and nostalgia, as well as the challenges and joys of rural life. The plot of the series is also influenced by the songs of the legendary singer Cho Yong-pil, whose name is shared by the main character, and whose music is used as the soundtrack and the inspiration for the story.
Spoilers
Some of the spoilers for the series are:
- Yong-pil and Sam-dal were childhood sweethearts, but they broke up when Yong-pil left Samdal-ri to pursue his career as a photographer. They meet again when Yong-pil returns to Samdal-ri after a scandal involving a reporter named Soo-jin, who claims to be his girlfriend and exposes his affair with a married actress. Yong-pil tries to clear his name and win back Sam-dal’s trust and love, but he faces many obstacles, such as Soo-jin’s persistence, Sam-dal’s hesitation, and the opposition of Sam-dal’s family and the villagers.
- Sang-tae and Jin-dal were also childhood friends, but they drifted apart when Sang-tae moved to Seoul to study and work. They meet again when Shin Hye-sun returns to Samdal-ri and invites them to join her for a family dinner. There, they catch up on their lives and reminisce about their past. Sang-tae is still bitter about his divorce from Jin-dal’s sister, Hae-dal, and blames her for ruining his life. Jin-dal is still loyal to her husband, Dae-young, who is struggling with his business and reputation.
- They both have different opinions on how to deal with the problems in their families and communities. However, they also realize that they still care for each other as friends and that they have grown up a lot since their childhood. They decide to support each other and help each other find happiness in their ways
The twelfth episode concludes the series with an emotional finale that wraps up all the loose ends and resolves all the conflicts between the main characters.
Where to Watch
Here is a table that shows where to watch Welcome to Samdal-ri online:
Streaming Service | Availability | Price |
---|---|---|
Netflix | Selected regions | Varies by region |
TVING | South Korea | Varies by subscription |
JustWatch | Worldwide | Varies by service |