7.5/10288 votes#1 - Tears of the Dragon
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 12/2/2023
After harshly rebuking her assistant, Jo Samdal becomes embroiled in a scandal and faces severe blowback — forcing her to return to her hometown.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.0/10272 votes#2 - The Soulmates' History
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 12/3/2023
While moping over her career downfall, Samdal awkwardly encounters Jo Yongpil. She later runs into him again — where she must come to his rescue.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
7.9/10227 votes#3 - Like Wild Birds, Soaring, Dreaming, Descending
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 12/9/2023
Samdal avoids being seen in public as more people find out about her arrival. But she overhears a hurtful conversation, causing her to break down.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
7.9/10228 votes#4 - The Rotten Apple of My Eye
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 12/10/2023
As the townspeople talk, Samdal sets the record straight to her community. Ashamed by the truth, Samdal lies to Yongpil about her love life.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.1/10212 votes#5 - I See You
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 12/16/2023
As Yongpil shows concern for Samdal, she confronts him about his insistence. When a reporter shows up to Samdal's town, her friends go to bat for her.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.3/10212 votes#6 - "The Dreams" by Jo Yongpil
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 12/17/2023
Yongpil finds competition in Bu Sangdo for Samdal's love. Samdal finds out about Park Eunjoo's scheme and heads to Seoul to find out the truth.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.1/10201 votes#7 - Breaking Up, With Love
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 12/23/2023
Sangdo confronts Yongpil about their shared feelings for Samdal. Samdal's mother begins to suspect something is happening between Samdal and Yongpil.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.5/10212 votes#8 - The Bracken Rain of Jeju
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 12/24/2023
Go Mija experiences a frightening moment during a dive amid lingering health problems. After much encouragement, Samdal enters a photo competition.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.5/10189 votes#9 - The Story of the Two Mijas
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/30/2023
As Mija's condition remains dire, Samdal learns she's been unaware about her mother's health — and that Yongpil's been more present than she'd known.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.3/10191 votes#10 - The Variables We Couldn't Predict
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/31/2023
After a drunken night, Samdal agonizes over a tender moment with Yongpil. But they soon are forced to take a trip around Jeju for the photo contest.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.3/10181 votes#11 - What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1/6/2024
A man from Jo Jindal's past angers her family with an ill-advised announcement. Samdal continues to agonize over her feelings toward Yongpil.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.8/10196 votes#12 - Welcome Home
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/7/2024
Samdal worries about her mother's perception as her relationship with Yongpil's grows. After uploading a video of Samdal, Eunjoo comes to Samdal-ri.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.6/10186 votes#13 - That Damn One-sided Love
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/13/2024
Just as Yongpil and Samdal get closer, his father harshly rebukes them. Amid the tension, Mija finally stands up for herself — and the past.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.5/10180 votes#14 - When Your Tears Dry Out
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1/14/2024
After becoming official, Samdal and Yongpil go off on a shoot — but they're joined by guests. Samdal later attempts to win over Yongpil's father.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.7/10172 votes#15 - It Takes a Village to Raise a Dragon
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/20/2024
Eunjoo plants a story about Samdal, complicating her role in the photo contest. But Samdal's community bands together to aid in her exhibition.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
8.4/10186 votes#16 - Welcome to Samdal-ri
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1/21/2024
As Eunjoo's lies catch up to her, Samdal hosts her exhibition. She later finds out about Yongpil's secret dream — and his hesitation about pursuing it.
Director: Cha Yeong-hun
Writer: Kwon Hye-ju
The Best Episodes of Welcome to Samdal-ri Season 1
Every episode of Welcome to Samdal-ri Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Welcome to Samdal-ri Season 1!
After suffering a fall from grace, a photographer returns to her hometown and bumps into her childhood friend — rekindling an unfinished romance.
Genre:Drama
Network:JTBC
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Tears of the Dragon" is the best rated episode of "Welcome to Samdal-ri" season 1. It scored 7.5/10 based on 288 votes. Directed by Cha Yeong-hun and written by Kwon Hye-ju, it aired on 12/2/2023. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "The Soulmates' History".