Welcome to Waikiki

7.8
20181h 5m

Kang Dong-Goo dreams of becoming a movie director, but he is cynical due to bad luck. Cheon Joon-Ki wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become an actor, but he is now just a minor actor. Bong-Doo-Sik came to Seoul to become a scenario writer, but things have not been easy for him.

Production

Logo for CJeS Studios
Logo for JTBC Studios

Seasons

20 Episodes • Premiered 2018

To finance their own film project, an aspiring director, actor and screenwriter run a Seoul guesthouse that brings antics and romance into their lives.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 1: Episode 1

1. Episode 1

8.0

Three young men running a guesthouse make a shocking discovery in one of their rooms. Later, one of them, a newbie actor, begins filming with his idol.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 2: Episode 2

2. Episode 2

8.0

Han Yun-a's attempt to prove her worth to the household backfires. A filming delay forces Lee Jun-ki to live in scary costume makeup for 24 hours.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 3: Episode 3

3. Episode 3

9.0

Kang Seo-jin learns that her crush is just as imperfect as she is. Jun-ki makes a painful sacrifice for a movie role. Yun-a reveals her life's dream.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 4: Episode 4

4. Episode 4

9.0

An embarrassing photo of Jun-ki goes viral, but leads to an opportunity. Yun-a tells her housemates about her past. Seo-jin interviews for a job.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 5: Episode 5

5. Episode 5

9.0

A text message mishap threatens Bong Du-sik's chances with a new crush. Yun-a and Kang Dong-gu get the flu and are quarantined in a tent.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 6: Episode 6

6. Episode 6

10.0

A fellow culinary student takes an interest in Yun-a. To buy more time to pay the rent, Jun-ki tells a lie that snowballs into a sudden engagement.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 7: Episode 7

7. Episode 7

9.0

Misfortune brings Min Su-a to the guesthouse. Du-sik runs into his first love. Desperate to pay back the landlady, Jun-ki accepts a questionable job.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 8: Episode 8

8. Episode 8

10.0

As Du-sik tries to express his feelings to Yun Mal-geum, Dong-gu struggles to hide his from Yun-a. To earn cash, Jun-ki tries his hand at meokbang.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 9: Episode 9

9. Episode 9

9.0

Dong-gu runs into problems while babysitting Han Sol. After hurting Seo-jin's chance at getting a journalism job, Jun-ki sets out to make things right.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 10: Episode 10

10. Episode 10

9.0

Seo-jin and Jun-ki agonize over what happened the previous evening -- but for totally different reasons. Dong-gu comes to a realization about Yun-a.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 11: Episode 11

11. Episode 11

10.0

Yun-a leaves Dong-gu with more questions than answers. Jun-ki hides from a UFC fighter whose girlfriend he stole. Su-a's undercover work pays off.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 12: Episode 12

12. Episode 12

9.0

Jun-ki tries to view Seo-jin as a woman, but memories of her as a girl get in the way. A jealous Dong-gu challenges Song Hyeon-jun to a duel of sorts.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 13: Episode 13

13. Episode 13

8.0

Su-a ropes Du-sik into helping her launch an online shopping mall. From a distance, Dong-gu spots his sister kissing a man, and demands to meet him.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 14: Episode 14

14. Episode 14

9.0

Jun-ki and a co-worker compete to star in a commercial. Du-sik helps Su-a practice her driving skills. Dong-gu gets a lunch date with Yun-a.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 15: Episode 15

15. Episode 15

While Seo-jin and Jun-ki secretly go on a weekend getaway together, the rest of the Waikiki crew visit another guesthouse to get ideas for their own.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 16: Episode 16

16. Episode 16

When Dong-gu refuses to speak to his sister, she declares she's going on a shaving strike until he does. Hyeon-jun has something to tell Yun-a.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 17: Episode 17

17. Episode 17

Dong-gu and Yun-a go on their first official date. A romantic declaration that Du-sik makes to a new Ukrainian houseguest gets lost in translation.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 18: Episode 18

18. Episode 18

An obsessed fan begins to stalk Jun-ki. Dong-gu and Yun-a struggle to have their first kiss. Su-a gives Du-sik good -- and bad -- dating advice.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 19: Episode 19

19. Episode 19

Su-a starts her own fashion line. Jun-ki is given a publicity stunt to perform -- involving a pole dance. Yun-a meets her idol, a rapper.

Still image for Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 20: Episode 20

20. Episode 20

Sol's father begs Yun-a to forgive him. Seo-jin asks Jun-ki for time to reconsider their relationship. Su-a makes a confession to Du-sik.

Cast

Photo of Shin Hyun-soo

Shin Hyun-soo

Kook Ki-Bong

Photo of Mun Ka-young

Mun Ka-young

Han Soo-Yeon

Photo of Lee Yi-kyung

Lee Yi-kyung

Lee Joon-Ki

Photo of An So-hee

An So-hee

Kim Jung-Eun

Photo of Kim Seon-ho

Kim Seon-ho

Cha Woo-Sik

Photo of Kim Ye-won

Kim Ye-won

Cha Yoo-Ri

Photo of Bret Allan Lindquist

Bret Allan Lindquist

[Foreign guest]

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Reviews

P

ParkMin

8/10

Season 1
The drama did a great job in blending humor and heart, creating an enjoyable mix with a lively dynamic, for the most part. The comedy was sharp and varied, ranging from slapstick to witty banter, however, this didn't apply for every segment and joke. Some of these went on for too long or weren't interesting in the slightest, these were also more present in the 2nd half than the first one. Nonetheless, not only the drama had great humor but also had a progressing story that fit right in. The dynamic chemistry among the cast enhanced the comedic timing, while the well-paced storyline balanced these moments with memorable scenes. Speaking of dynamics, Doo Shik remained a sidekick and a third wheel in every situation and scene, he was never a lead and always the weakest link, even the actor himself. The drama should've wrote him better to fit the dynamic rather than having a wasted slot. Anyway, it's an enjoyable fun watch for what it had to offer. However, I highly advise against watching season 2.

Season 2
In comparison, season 2 was a complete utter failure in all regards, however, as a stand alone drama, it was a passable cheap inoffensive forgettable watch, for the most part. It failed miserably to capture the same magic that made the first season so endearing. The second season felt like a pale imitation, struggling to find its footing. One major issue was the lack of continuity in the cast, with many beloved characters and dynamics from the first season absent with no worthy replacements. This shift disrupted the chemistry and dynamic that were crucial to the show's initial charm. The new characters, while sometimes amusing, didn't bring the same level of depth, humor and relatability, resulting in a series of forced and often flat comedic moments. Speaking of comedy, the writing in season 2 leaned heavily on repetitive gags and clichéd scenarios, lacking the creativity and originality that kept the first season fresh and engaging. Not to mention its poor job in recycling some of the gags and scenarios, as well as most of the romances and its archetypes from season 1. Seriously shameful! The brief storylines were disjointed, and the emotional moments that once balanced the humor now came across as contrived and artificial. The romantic relationships, while they never were the main focus, were really stupid and tasteless. The pacing also suffered, with episodes dragging without the slightest engaging interplay of humor and character moments that previously defined the show. Second season tried to replicate the success of its predecessor but fell quite short, the charm, wit, and warmth that made the first season a hit were noticeably missing. I highly advise watching S1 and ignoring S2. Season 2 gets 4/10.

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