7 Seaside Based K-Dramas That Heal And Entertain

If you’re ever broken or tired, just feel the waves—the ocean has healing power. Likewise, very often our world-weary characters choose to leave the bright lights of a big city to get a dose of “vitamin sea.” From dealing with burnout to heartbreak or just wanting time out, these K-drama leads have sought the sun, sand, and sea to seek healing. Here are seven K-dramas where the coastal towns emerged as a central character in the narratives.

“Welcome to Samdalri”

Cho Sam Dal (Shin Hye Sun) is a hot-shot fashion photographer in Seoul. She never wanted to be a “big dragon in a small stream,” in 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 people who once celebrated her, she loses everything she has built over the years. Her pride in shambles, she returns home, the very place she avoided for eight years mainly to not encounter the one person who was her best friend and the only man she has ever loved, Cho Yong Pil (Ji Chang Wook). Yong Pil’s patience and understanding are akin to the shore as well as an anchor in Sam Dal’s turbulent life,

“Welcome to Samdalri ” ticks all the boxes. It’s a simple yet poignant narrative, and its warmth embraces you at so many levels. As it deals with grief, grudges, and heartbreak, its message is simple: to live in the moment and always be the best version of yourself. Shin Hye Sun and Ji Chang Wook not only endear as their characters, but there’s a sheer effortlessness with which the two actors portray Sam Dal and Yong Pil. The chemistry between the two is playful yet mature, and the story, location, and awesome ensemble cast also make this drama a wholesome watch.

“Chocolate”

This drama is a bittersweet love story between neurosurgeon Lee Kang (Yoon Kye Sang) and chef Moon Cha Young (Ha Ji Won), both entwined by an incident of the past which has a strong bearing on their adult life. Lee Kang carries deep emotional scars of loss and betrayal, while Cha Young, also dealing with grief, has a slightly more optimistic outlook toward life. Bound by their tragic pasts, these two encounter each other at a hospice by the sea and not only learn poignant lessons to savor life and cherish the ones you love but also heal themselves along the way.

The drama was shot across South Korea as well as Nafplio in Greece, and the magnificent scenery is like a healing potion as the characters deal with loss, grief, and heartbreak. “Chocolate” blends in food and life lessons, giving us a warm fare for the soul.

“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha”

Hye Jin (Shin Min Ah) decides to move bags and baggage to Gongjin, a seaside town which holds a special place in her heart. She wants to start afresh, but her rather inflexible and reactive attitude rubs people the long way. Hong Doo Shik (Kim Seon Ho) is the town’s chief handyman and most popular person. He is easygoing and helpful and keeps an amiable relationship with everyone. But underneath his cheerful demeanor, he is hurting and carries deep emotional scars. Though it’s friction at first sight for the two, Doo Shik makes Hye Jin realize that life cannot be controlled by a remote. “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 stop clinging on to things.

“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” is a comforting and wholesome watch. And apart from the endearing lead couple and their cute dimples, the ensemble cast also makes it a show for all seasons.

“Warm and Cozy”

Lee Jung Joo (Kang Sora) moves to Jeju Island to start her life over after she has not only lost her job and her home but has also been dumped by her boyfriend. She runs into the wealthy and easygoing Baek Gun Woo (Yoo Yeon Seok), the owner of the restaurant Warm and Cozy. Gun Woo is a talented chef, but he is a silver-tongued charmer who makes Jung Joo weary of him and his motives.

Gun Woo is so laid back and whimsical about work, but when he is in the kitchen, he can create magic with his culinary skills. As Jung Joo’s and Gun Woo’s personalities clash, she gets bugged by his immature nature, and he thinks she is way too complicated. The famous K-drama trope of having a past between the two leads simmers to the surface, and the two find a connection.

“Warm and Cozy” can feel stretched at times, but Yoo Yeon Seok’s cocky charm and the chemistry between the leads keep this one afloat. Jeju Island plays a key character in the narrative. Picturesque and inviting, “Warm and Cozy” is a no-fuss watch.

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“Our Blues”

“Our Blues” is a bittersweet anthology which follows the people of Jeju Island as they navigate through love, heartbreak, loss, and everything in between. One chapter deals with Min Seon Ah (Shin Min Ah), who returns home after her marriage falls apart and she loses custody of her son. Depressed, she encounters Dong Suk (Lee Byung Hun), the man whom she had abandoned but who seems to be the only person who can help her heal. There is also Young Ok (Han Ji Min), who is weighed down with feelings of guilt for abandoning her sister. She finds her rock of support in Jung Joon (Kim Woo Bin), who patiently handles her as well as the challenges in her life.

From stories of friendship, fractured relationships, and heartbreak, the stories strike an emotional chord. One can easily find resonance with either one of the many characters or their situations, which are real and relatable. The amazing ensemble cast and their nuanced performances make this one a winner.

“Top Star U-Back”

Kim Ji Suk plays the titular U-Back, an A-list star who can be pretty obnoxious. A brutally honest yet self-centered person, he lands himself into trouble thanks to his motormouth. He moves to a remote island without so much as a Wi-Fi connection as he decides to take stock of his life. He meets Oh Kang Soon (Jun So Min), an unsophisticated islander who has indomitable strength but with whom he has little in common. However, she, like the rest of the town folk, manages to win the heart of this grouchy superstar, and before he knows it, he has fallen in love and found the place that could well be home.

A romantic comedy, “Top Star U-Back” is an underrated gem. It’s fresh, funny, and charming in its treatment. The characters are delightfully endearing and will draw you into the simple yet engaging storyline.

“Summer Strike”

Lee Yeo Reum (Seolhyun) has not had it easy, personally or professionally. The death of her mother makes her reassess her life. She decides to leave Seoul and heads to a small coastal town to rest and recharge. She meets Ahn Dae Bum (Im Siwan), an introverted librarian who keeps to himself and is weighed under the burden of his traumatic past. Dae Bum feels himself drawn to Yeo Reum and she to him. They realize they are in sync with each other and understand each other. It’s Yeo Reum who helps Dae Bum break down the walls he has created around him.

“Summer Strike” is a sweet slice-of-life drama, and the slow burn love story between the two characters is heartwarming.

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Hey Soompiers, which one of these is your favorite drama? Let us know in the comments below!

Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Yang Yang and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.

Currently watching: “Amidst a Snowstorm of Love.“