If you’re ever damaged or drained, simply really feel the waves—the ocean has therapeutic energy. Likewise, fairly often our world-weary characters select to depart the brilliant lights of a giant metropolis to get a dose of “vitamin sea.” From coping with burnout to heartbreak or simply wanting day trip, these Okay-drama leads have sought the solar, sand, and sea to hunt therapeutic. Here are seven Okay-dramas the place the coastal cities emerged as a central character within the narratives.

“Welcome to Samdalri”

Cho Sam Dal (Shin Hye Sun) is a hot-shot vogue photographer in Seoul. She by no means wished to be a “big dragon in a small stream,” on this case, her hometown Samdalri. But the Seoul dream comes crashing down when she is wrongly accused of bullying her assistant. Canceled by the very individuals who as soon as celebrated her, she loses every thing she has constructed over time. Her delight in shambles, she returns dwelling, the very place she averted for eight years primarily to not encounter the one one that was her finest good friend and the one man she has ever liked, Cho Yong Pil (Ji Chang Wook). Yong Pil’s endurance and understanding are akin to the shore in addition to an anchor in Sam Dal’s turbulent life,

“Welcome to Samdalri ” ticks all of the bins. It’s a easy but poignant narrative, and its heat embraces you at so many ranges. As it offers with grief, grudges, and heartbreak, its message is easy: to reside within the second and at all times be the perfect model of your self. Shin Hye Sun and Ji Chang Wook not solely endear as their characters, however there’s a sheer effortlessness with which the 2 actors painting Sam Dal and Yong Pil. The chemistry between the 2 is playful but mature, and the story, location, and superior ensemble forged additionally make this drama a healthful watch.

“Chocolate”

This drama is a bittersweet love story between neurosurgeon Lee Kang (Yoon Kye Sang) and chef Moon Cha Young (Ha Ji Won), each entwined by an incident of the previous which has a robust bearing on their grownup life. Lee Kang carries deep emotional scars of loss and betrayal, whereas Cha Young, additionally coping with grief, has a barely extra optimistic outlook towards life. Bound by their tragic pasts, these two encounter one another at a hospice by the ocean and never solely study poignant classes to savor life and cherish those you like but in addition heal themselves alongside the way in which.

The drama was shot throughout South Korea in addition to Nafplio in Greece, and the magnificent surroundings is sort of a therapeutic potion because the characters cope with loss, grief, and heartbreak. “Chocolate” blends in meals and life classes, giving us a heat fare for the soul.

“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha”

Hye Jin (Shin Min Ah) decides to maneuver luggage and baggage to Gongjin, a seaside city which holds a particular place in her coronary heart. She needs to begin afresh, however her relatively rigid and reactive angle rubs folks the great distance. Hong Doo Shik (Kim Seon Ho) is the city’s chief handyman and hottest individual. He is easygoing and useful and retains an amiable relationship with everybody. But beneath his cheerful demeanor, he’s hurting and carries deep emotional scars. Though it’s friction at first sight for the 2, Doo Shik makes Hye Jin understand that life can’t be managed by a distant. “The sea won’t always be this gentle though. We will be met with wind and waves, and even typhoons will come our way,” he says as he tells her to cease clinging on to issues.

“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” is a comforting and healthful watch. And other than the endearing lead couple and their cute dimples, the ensemble forged additionally makes it a present for all seasons.

“Warm and Cozy”

Lee Jung Joo (Kang Sora) strikes to Jeju Island to begin her life over after she has not solely misplaced her job and her dwelling however has additionally been dumped by her boyfriend. She runs into the rich and easygoing Baek Gun Woo (Yoo Yeon Seok), the proprietor of the restaurant Warm and Cozy. Gun Woo is a gifted chef, however he’s a silver-tongued charmer who makes Jung Joo weary of him and his motives.

Gun Woo is so laid again and kooky about work, however when he’s within the kitchen, he can create magic along with his culinary expertise. As Jung Joo’s and Gun Woo’s personalities conflict, she will get bugged by his immature nature, and he thinks she is manner too difficult. The well-known Okay-drama trope of getting a previous between the 2 leads simmers to the floor, and the 2 discover a connection.

“Warm and Cozy” can really feel stretched at instances, however Yoo Yeon Seok’s cocky attraction and the chemistry between the leads maintain this one afloat. Jeju Island performs a key character within the narrative. Picturesque and welcoming, “Warm and Cozy” is a no-fuss watch.

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“Our Blues”

“Our Blues” is a bittersweet anthology which follows the folks of Jeju Island as they navigate by means of love, heartbreak, loss, and every thing in between. One chapter offers with Min Seon Ah (Shin Min Ah), who returns dwelling after her marriage falls aside and he or she loses custody of her son. Depressed, she encounters Dong Suk (Lee Byung Hun), the person whom she had deserted however who appears to be the one one that might help her heal. There can also be Young Ok (Han Ji Min), who’s weighed down with emotions of guilt for abandoning her sister. She finds her rock of help in Jung Joon (Kim Woo Bin), who patiently handles her in addition to the challenges in her life.

From tales of friendship, fractured relationships, and heartbreak, the tales strike an emotional chord. One can simply discover resonance with both one of many many characters or their conditions, that are actual and relatable. The wonderful ensemble forged and their nuanced performances make this one a winner.

“Top Star U-Back”

Kim Ji Suk performs the titular U-Back, an A-list star who could be fairly obnoxious. A brutally trustworthy but self-centered individual, he lands himself into hassle because of his motormouth. He strikes to a distant island with out a lot as a Wi-Fi connection as he decides to take inventory of his life. He meets Oh Kang Soon (Jun So Min), an unsophisticated islander who has indomitable energy however with whom he has little in widespread. However, she, like the remainder of the city people, manages to win the center of this grouchy celebrity, and earlier than he is aware of it, he has fallen in love and located the place that might effectively be dwelling.

A romantic comedy, “Top Star U-Back” is an underrated gem. It’s recent, humorous, and charming in its remedy. The characters are delightfully endearing and can draw you into the straightforward but partaking storyline.

“Summer Strike”

Lee Yeo Reum (Seolhyun) has not had it simple, personally or professionally. The demise of her mom makes her reassess her life. She decides to depart Seoul and heads to a small coastal city to relaxation and recharge. She meets Ahn Dae Bum (Im Siwan), an introverted librarian who retains to himself and is weighed underneath the burden of his traumatic previous. Dae Bum feels himself drawn to Yeo Reum and he or she to him. They understand they’re in sync with one another and perceive one another. It’s Yeo Reum who helps Dae Bum break down the partitions he has created round him.

“Summer Strike” is a candy slice-of-life drama, and the sluggish burn love story between the 2 characters is heartwarming.

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Hey Soompiers, which considered one of these is your favourite drama? Let us know within the feedback beneath!

Puja Talwar is a Soompi author with a robust Yang Yang and Lee Junho bias. A very long time Okay-drama fan, she loves devising alternate situations to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to call just a few. You can observe her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.

Currently watching: “Amidst a Snowstorm of Love.“

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