Welcome to Waikiki is a South Korean television series that first aired on JTBC in early 2018. It was later released on Netflix in late 2018 and early 2019. The show stars Yi-Kyeong Lee, Kim Jung-hyun, In-sun Jung, and others. The show is a romantic comedy and revolves around the lives of a group of young adults.
The show is set in a guesthouse called Waikiki in Itaewon, South Korea. The guesthouse is run by three friends, Lee Joon-ki (Lee Yi-Kyeong), Cha Woo-sik (Kim Jung-hyun), and Kook Ki-bong (Son Seung-won). Lee Joon-ki is a struggling actor who cannot get a break, while Cha Woo-sik is an aspiring singer who is not very good. Kook Ki-bong is a cartoonist who is trying to get his work published.
Apart from these three friends, the guesthouse is occupied by various other characters. Kang Seo-jin (In-sun Jung) is a single mom who wants to be an actress. Seo-jin's baby daddy is Min Soo-ah (Lee Joo-woo), who is an idol star with an obnoxious personality. Han Yoon-ah (Mun Ka-young) is a student who falls for Joon-ki. Joon-ki's younger sister, Lee Yoo-mi (Lee Joo-woo), comes to stay at the guesthouse, and there is also an intern named Seo Hyeon (Jung Soo-jung).
The show is a classic romantic comedy with a lot of slapstick humor. There are several subplots running through the show, but the central theme is the love lives of the characters. Joon-ki is in love with his ex-girlfriend, who is now married. He is also trying to get his acting career off the ground. Woo-sik is in love with Yoo-mi and is trying to become a successful singer. Ki-bong is focused on his cartooning and trying to get his work published.
The show is very funny, and the cast has great chemistry. The humor is sometimes silly and over the top, but it never feels forced. There are many laugh-out-loud moments throughout the show. The romantic moments are also well-done, and the relationships between the characters feel genuine.
One of the things that sets Welcome to Waikiki apart from other romantic comedies is its focus on the struggles of young adults. Most of the characters are in their mid-twenties and are trying to find their way in the world. They are dealing with issues like unemployment, failed relationships, and family problems. The show does not shy away from these issues, and it adds a layer of depth to the comedy.
The guesthouse setting is also well-done. The Waikiki guesthouse is a character in itself, and it has a lot of personality. The various guests who come to stay at the guesthouse add to the show's humor and bring a lot of variety to the plots.
Overall, Welcome to Waikiki is a great romantic comedy that is well worth watching. The show is funny, charming, and heartfelt, and it has a great cast of characters. The show's focus on the struggles of young adults adds a layer of depth to the comedy, and the guesthouse setting is well-done. If you are looking for a romantic comedy that will make you laugh and feel good, then Welcome to Waikiki is definitely worth checking out.
Welcome to Waikiki is a series that ran for 1 seasons (20 episodes) between April 1, 2022 and on Netflix