Popular K-drama Welcome to Samdalri aired its final episode 16 on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. KST on JTBC. The episode was later available to stream on Netflix. The series follows the story of two childhood best friends—Cho Yong-Phil (Ji Chang-Wook) and Cho Sam-Dal (Shin Hye-Sun)—who turned ex-lovers. The duo gets reunited after their split eight years ago, only to rekindle their romance and support each other throughout their journeys.
Episode 16 of Welcome to Samdalri documented a happy ending for Cho Yong-Phil and Cho Sam-Dal’s love story. The duo advanced not only in their personal lives but also in their respective professional careers as a weather forecaster and a photographer. Meanwhile, all the other supporting characters also received closure, giving the series a wholesome end.
Welcome to Samdalri ending explained: Ji Chang-Wook & Shin Hye-Sun get their happy ending in episode 16
The final episode of Welcome to Samdalri began with Cho Yong-Phil and Cho Sam-Dal planning the latter’s exhibition without the reporters’ knowledge. As the reporters waited to hear the news of the exhibition at KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration), the Hanyeo squad arrived in time to distract them. While this happened, Yong-Phil and Sam-Dal snuck around from behind and retrieved her photographs.
However, a reporter who had been tracking Sam-Dal’s controversy witnessed the coup and followed them. Meanwhile, the KMA office announced that the exhibition had been canceled, much to the reporters’ dismay. Bu Sang-Do and the rest of the squad arrived to capture Cheon Chung-Gi at his hotel. The latter revealed about Eun-Ju, which is recorded by a lawyer. Ultimately, Chung-Gi had to share all of their plans against Sam-Dal.
Eventually, Eun-Ju’s actions became public, and news about her pursuing illegal sponsorships reached everyone, including her. Meanwhile, Sam-Dal received words of comfort and encouragement in text messages from the same people who doubted her. However, this only made her feel bitter. The gang then began preparing for the exhibition, and Yong-Phil caught the reporter making his way in. However, he only asks the reporter to report the real Sam-Dal.
The reporter witnessed Sam-Dal in action and true to her profession. She thoroughly documented her town, including the weather and the community. Reporter An wrote a positive piece on the exhibition, giving her professional journey the perfect push.
Cho Hae-Dal and Cho Jin-Dal, Sam-Dal’s sisters, also received closure in their respective journeys. Hae-Dal and Gong Ji-Chan decided to give each other a chance. Moreover, she decided to pursue a career in swimming and become a hanyeo. Meanwhile, Jin-Dal also reunited with Jeon Dae-Gyeong and began their journey afresh.
Sam-Dal thanked her squad for supporting her when she discovered Yong-Phil’s offer to work at the WMO in Switzerland. She had previously seen his acceptance letter and decided to confront him. Yong-Phil continued to refuse to go to Switzerland only because he wanted to spend time with Sam-Dal. However, she encouraged him to follow his dreams just like he helped her recognize hers.
Two years later, the gang, except Yong-Phil, gathered in Seoul. They pursued their own dreams. Sang-Do opened his restaurant and tried to move on from Sam-Dal. Hae-Dal and her daughter Ha-Yul stayed in town to pursue her swimming career. Jin-Dal worked as an airline staff member at her boyfriend’s company. Sam-Dal continued to flourish in her photography career and even pursued a famous model (Kim Tae-Hee) to help with one of her projects.
Sam-Dal decided to visit Yong-Phil in a month. However, she was concerned as he wasn’t replying to her messages. Turns out that Yong-Phil decided to come over to Seoul to meet her. Initially, Sam-Dal was shocked, but she ran over to embrace him. Both their fathers also resolved their differences and shared a drink together.
With all characters receiving the closure, Welcome to Samdalri came to a meaningful end. All episodes of the series are currently available to stream on Netflix.