KBS2 miniseries ‘Simu-myeon Yeonriri’
‘Simu-myeon Yeonriri’ is drawing attention as a wholesome, down-to-earth healing drama with a clean, non-toxic vibe.
Airing every Thursday at 9:50 p.m. on KBS2, the miniseries ‘Simu-myeon Yeonriri’ (directed by Choi Yeon-su / written by Song Jeong-rim, Wang Hye-ji / produced by Sim Story) is a bumpy family reboot healing drama about the thoroughly urban Seong Tae-hun family, who are suddenly dropped into the pristine yet ‘savage(?)’ zone of Yeonriri and struggle to make a comeback to Seoul.
In earlier episodes, the challenge of cabbage farming taken on by Seong Tae-hun (played by Park Sung-woong), a former department head at the food conglomerate ‘Mat Story’ who was demoted to Yeonriri, unfolded. Despite opposition from village head Im Ju-hyeong (played by Lee Seo-hwan) and an absurd mission from his company, Seong did not give up and gradually adapted to life in Yeonriri. However, he faced a crisis due to a string of variables: the runaways of his second son Seong Ji-sang (Seo Yoon-hyeok) and youngest Seong Ji-gu (Yang Woo-hyeok), and his eldest Seong Ji-cheon (Lee Jin-woo) dropping out of medical school.
As the Seong Tae-hun family gradually blends into Yeonriri, their unpredictable adaptation adds realistic resonance, while the villagers’ warmth serves as a healing element and is gaining viewers’ support.
Im Ju-hyeong and the residents, the long-time locals who had been wary of outsider Seong Tae-hun, began to open their hearts as they saw his sincere commitment to farming. Residents prepared side dishes for him when he was unwell, and Im Ju-hyeong quietly lent a hand to the fields clumsily tended by the Seong household of fourmother and three sonsconveying the unassuming yet warm spirit of neighborliness and adding a gentle touch of emotion.
The pristine natural scenery is also another charm of ‘Simu-myeon Yeonriri’. Nature-friendly rural backdropsmountains, fields, and mural-lined alleywaysblend with direction that breathes slowly and leaves room, prompting responses such as “It feels like a ‘Little Forest’ in drama form” and “The setting alone is healing.” This has led to the assessment that, rather than resorting to sensational twists, staging that captures the warmth of everyday life offers viewers a comfortable rest.
Viewers have also said, “It is healing and seems to reflect reality well, so it is fun,” “My eyes and heart feel clearer,” “I want to live in Yeonriri,” “On Thursdays I am taking a short break from dopamine,” “The license fee does not feel wasted for a drama like this,” and “There are many sensational dramas these days, but perhaps because it is public broadcasting, this warm story is good for family viewing,” with favorable reactions further amplifying the show’s appeal.
Director Choi Yeon-su previously said, “It is not a provocative story, but in another sense it is a work with dopamine pumping,” adding, “Just as the characters each have their own colors, there is a hue and charm that only the region of Yeonriri and its people can show. The human warmth you feel here is the drama’s differentiator.” Expectations are focused on what stories will unfold next in Yeonriri, brimming with human warmth.
Episode 4 of the KBS2 miniseries ‘Simu-myeon Yeonriri’ will air at 9:50 p.m. on the 16th.
