''Welcome to Waikiki'' () is a 2018 youth South Korean television series starring Kim Jung-hyun,

Lee Yi-kyung Lee Yi-kyung (born January 8, 1989) is a South Korean actor. Career Lee made his acting debut in 2011, and first gained recognition from playing a rebellious student in the teen drama ''School 2013''. Thereafter, he played supporting roles in t ...

, and

Son Seung-won Son Seung-won (born June 29, 1990) is a South Korean actor. He is most active in musical theatre, and was the youngest Korean actor cast in the leading role in the Korean staging of '' Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' in 2013. He is known for his r ...

. It aired from February 5 to April 17, 2018 on

JTBC JTBC (shortened from ''Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company'' (; stylized as jtbc) is a South Korean nationwide pay television network. Its primary shareholder is JoongAng Holdings, with a 25% stake. It was launched on 1 December 2011. JTBC ...

's Mondays and Tuesdays at 23:00 ( KST) time slot. On June 6, 2018, it was renewed for a second season, which premiered on March 25, 2019.

Synopsis

Three very different young men – Dong Goo (

Kim Jung Hyun Kim or KIM may refer to: Names * Kim (given name) * Kim (surname) ** Kim (Korean surname) *** Kim family (disambiguation), several dynasties **** Kim family (North Korea), the rulers of North Korea since Kim Il-sung in 1948 ** Kim, Vietnamese f ...

), who dreams of becoming a film director, Joon Ki ( Lee Yi Kyung), an eccentric actor who performs to make a living, and Doo Shik ( Son Seung Won), a freelancer writer who fiddles around doing nothing most of the time - open a guest house named “Waikiki” in Itaewon, where many foreigners come to stay. Although they have no clue how to run it, they’re eager to earn money to pay for the production of their upcoming film. They are joined by Dong Goo’s younger sister, Seo Jin (go Won Hee), who actually manages the household in Waikiki, single mother Yoon Ah ( Jung In Sun), who has made an unexpected entrance at the guest house with her baby, and Dong Goo’s ex-girlfriend Soo Ah ( Lee Joo Woo).

Cast

Main

* Kim Jung-hyun as Kang Dong-gu : A short-tempered young man that resembles an "icon of misfortune" who dreams of becoming a movie director. Picking himself up after a painful breakup, he starts working again. He falls for Yoon-ah. *

as Lee Joon-ki : The son of an A-list actor who wants to follow the footsteps of his father but is stuck in minor roles. He is very determined to make it on his own and would go to great lengths in order to land better roles. He is allergic to walnut. He eventually sees Seo-jin as a woman. *

as Bong Doo-sik : A kind-hearted but timid freelance writer who barely receives work. He currently works in a convenience store and whiles his time away writing a web story. *

Jung In-sun Jung In-sun (born April 25, 1991) is a South Korean actress. Filmography Film Television series Web series Television show Music video appearance Ambassadorship * Public Relations Ambassador for the 41st International Contempo ...

as Han Yoon-ah : A single mother who ends up staying in the guesthouse with her daughter Sol in exchange for helping out. She makes the other residents uncomfortable with her quirky behavior and is prone to forgetting things and causing accidents. She initially wanted to be a rapper but later on studied in earnest to be a pastry chef. Afraid of trusting men again, she eventually agrees to be Dong-gu's girlfriend. *

Ko Won-hee Go Won-hee (born Kim Won-hee on September 12, 1994) is a South Korean actress. Go began her entertainment career as a commercial model in 2011, and became the youngest ever model for Asiana Airlines in 2012. She then began acting, and has since ...

as Kang Seo-jin : Dong-gu's sister who wants to be a journalist but had difficulty landing a job. Joon-ki calls her

Chewbacca Chewbacca ( ), nicknamed "Chewie", is a fictional character in the ''Star Wars'' franchise. He is a Wookiee, a tall, hirsute, bipedal, intelligent species originating from the fictional planet of Kashyyyk. Chewbacca is the loyal friend and firs ...

, later on shortened to Bacca. Her facial hair is a source of embarrassment and she has to shave it regularly. She falls for and starts a relationship with Joon-ki in but hides it from her disapproving brother. *

Lee Joo-woo Lee Joo-woo (born September 3, 1990) is a South Korean actress. She is known for her supporting role A supporting character is a character in a narrative that is not the focus of the primary storyline, but is important to the plot/protag ...

as Min Soo-ah : Dong-gu's ex-girlfriend, a famous model, who suddenly broke up with him. She ends up staying in the guesthouse when her new boyfriend ran away with all her money. She tries to make a comeback with Doo-sik's help.

Supporting

Kang Kyung-joon Kang Kyung-joon (born February 11, 1983) is a South Korean actor. He made his acting debut in the fifth season of the sitcom '' Nonstop'' in 2004, and was the MC of '' Music Bank'' from November 6, 2005 to November 19, 2006. After a supporting ...

as Song Hyun-joon (Ep. 9–16) : Pastry chef, owner of bakery, instructor in Yoon-ah's school. In love with Yoon-ah. *

Lee Jung-hyuk Lee Jung-hyuk is a South Korean actor and model. He is known for his in dramas such as ''I Can Hear Your Voice'', ''On the Way to the Airport'' and he is also known for his roles in movies such as ''Fists of Legend ''Fists of Legend'' () is ...

as Kim Woo-sung *

Ryu Hye-rin Ryu Hye-rin is a South Korean actress and model. She is known for her roles in dramas ''How Are U Bread'', ''Two Cops (TV series), Two Cops'' and ''The Game: Towards Zero''. She also appeared in movies such as ''Sunny (2011 film), Sunny'', ''Bi ...

as Jin-joo *

Lee Ji-ha Lee Ji-ha (; born October 7, 1970) is a South Korean actress and model. She is known for her roles in dramas such as '' The Smile Has Left Your Eyes'', '' My Unfamiliar Family,'' '' Sweet Home'' and ''Squid Game,'' the latter gaining her intern ...

as Ji-soo's mother * Kim Ji-sung as Ah-young

Special appearances

Park Sung-woong Park Sung-woong (born January 9, 1973) is a South Korean actor. Following his acting debut in '' No. 3'' in 1997, Park has starred in several movies and television series, notably as a gangster in ''New World'' (2013) and a serial killer in '' T ...

as Park Sung-woong, actor (Ep. 1) *

Seol Jung-hwan Seol Jung-hwan (born November 5, 1985) is a South Korean actor and model. Filmography Television series Awards and nominations References External links Seol Jung-hwanat Hunus Entertainment * 1985 births Living people So ...

as Lee Yoon-suk, Soo-ah's boyfriend (con artist) (Ep. 1, 2, 10 & 11) *

Han Ji-sang Han Ji-sang (born July 25, 1982) is a South Korean actor. Han debuted as a stage actor in the musical ''Grease''. Han Ji Sang is also one of the top 5 most wanted actors in musicals. On July 25, 2014, Han successfully held his concert ''Han Ji ...

as Tae Hyun, Seo-jin's college senior and first boyfriend (Ep. 2 & 3) *

Go Min-si Go Min-si (born February 15, 1995) is a South Korean actress, model and director managed by Mystic Story Entertainment. She is known for her prominent roles in ''Sweet Home'', ''Love Alarm'', ''Youth of May,'' and '' The Witch''. She is also k ...

as Lee Min-ah, Doo-sik's co-worker (Ep. 3) * Choi Ri as Ji-min, Joon-ki's waxer (Ep. 3) * Kim Young-ok as Jang-gun's grandma (Ep. 4) *

Lee Deok-hwa Lee Deok-hwa (born May 8, 1952) is a South Korean actor. Career Lee Deok-hwa studied theater and film at Dongguk University, and made his acting debut in 1972. He and his father, movie star Lee Ye-chun starred together in the 1975 horror film '' ...

as Lee Deok-hwa, actor, father of Joon-ki (Ep. 4) * Jason Scott Nelson as Hostel Guest (Ep. 4) *

Kim Seo-hyung Kim Seo-hyung (born October 28, 1973) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her portrayal as the evil mistress Shin Ae-ri in the SBS revenge drama '' Temptation of Wife'' (2008) and as Coach Kim in the JTBC television series ''Sky Ca ...

as Kim Hee-Ja, actress (Ep. 4) *

Jo Woo-ri Jo Woo-ri (born March 29, 1992) is a South Korean actress. She starred in television series such as ''Medical Top Team'' (2013), '' Modern Farmer'' (2014), '' A Daughter Just Like You'' (2015), '' Descendants of the Sun'' (2016) and ''Gangnam ...

as Sun-woo, daughter of Doo-sik's boss (Ep. 5) *

Jin Ye-sol Jin Ye-sol (born September 24, 1985) is a South Korean actress. She's also the Brand Ambassador for My Cherie Closet (MCC). Filmography Television series Music video appearances Awards and nominations References External links * at Hun ...

as Kwon Hye-jin, script writer who wanted to date Joon-ki (Ep. 5) *

Jeon Soo-kyung Jeon Soo-kyeong (born July 12, 1966) is a South Korean actress. She is best known in musical theatre, and has starred in Korean productions of ''Mamma Mia!'', ''Chicago'', '' The Life'', ''Guys and Dolls'', ''Menopause'', and ''Kiss Me, Kate''. ...

as owner of Waikiki Guesthouse (Ep. 6) *

Wheesung Choi Whee-sung (; born February 5, 1982), known professionally as Wheesung or by the stage name Realslow, is a South Korean R&B singer, record producer, and musical theatre actor. Career 1982: Early life and education Wheesung was born on ...

as Wheesung, singer at wedding (Ep. 6) *

Han Bo-bae Han Bo-bae (; born March 4, 1994) is a South Korean actress. Han began her career as a child actress, and has starred in films and television series such as ''The World of Silence'' (2006), ''A Company Man ''A Company Man'' () is a 2012 Sout ...

as Yoon Mal-geum/Cherry, Doo-sik's first love, adult's movies' actress (Ep. 7–9) *

Kang Kyun-sung Kang Kyun-sung () (born 1981) is a South Korean singer and television personality. He is a member of the boy band Noel and is a cast member in the variety show ''Off to School''. He also appears in the music videos for Sistar's "Shake It" and ...

as Kang Kyun-sung, actor playing masked octopus (Ep. 10) *

Shin Seung-hwan Shin Seung-hwan is a South Korean actor. Filmography Film Television series Web series Television show Web shows References External links * * * Shin Seung-hwanat Daum Shin Seung-hwanat Naver Naver (Hangul: 네이버) is ...

as Min Soo-bong, Soo-ah's brother,

UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

fighter (Ep. 11) *

Tae In-ho Tae In-ho (born Park Sang-yeon; May 2, 1980) is a South Korean actor. He starred in television series such as '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' (2014) and '' Descendants of the Sun'' (2016). Filmography Films Television series Web series ...

as Kim Jae-woo, a producer at JBC (Ep. 11-12) *

Kim Byung-se Kim Byung-se (born September 26, 1962) is a South Korean actor. Kim attended California State University Long Beach. Kim is an avid golfer and can be often seen golfing on his Instagram. Him and his wife have two dogs. Filmography Film ...

as Park Chang-ho, announcer (Ep. 12) *

Yoon Se-ah Yoon Se-ah (born January 2, 1978) is a South Korean actress best known for her roles in '' The City Hall'', ''Wife Returns'', '' A Gentleman's Dignity'', '' Stranger'', ''Sky Castle'', and ''Snowdrop''. Yoon was paired with Korean-French-Canadian ...

as Dong-gu's university club senior (Ep. 12) *

Jung Soo-young Jung Soo-young is a South Korean actress and model. She is best known for her role in drama ''Second to Last Love (South Korean TV series), Second to Last Love'' as Go Sang-hee. Personal life Jung is married to Shim Jae-rim who is also an actor ...

as Department store person *

Kim Ki-hyeon Kim Ki-hyeon (; born June 24, 1945) is a South Korean voice actor. He joined the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's voice acting division in 1965. Roles Broadcast TV * 24 (television) (replacing Tobin Bell by Season 2, Korea TV Edition, MBC) * ...

as Min Ki-young, actor (Ep. 13) *

Seo Yu-ri Seo Yu-ri (born February 8, 1985) is a South Korean daewon broadcasting voice actress, actress, cosplayer and VJ. She is well known for a cast member on the TV show ''Saturday Night Live Korea'', ''My Little Television'', '' Code: Secret Room'' an ...

as Radio DJ Seo Yu-ri (Ep. 13) *

Kang Hong-seok Kang Hong-seok (; born February 11, 1986) is a South Korean actor. Personal life Kang married musical actress, Kim Ye-eun on 26 September 2016. Their daughter was born on 11 February 2019. Filmography Television series Film Variety show ...

as Hong-suk (Ep. 13) *

Shin Hyun-soo Shin Hyun-soo (born July 8, 1989) is a South Korean actor. He began his career in acting through musicals before starring in television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television s ...

as Philip, model (Ep. 16) *

Lee Ha-yool Lee Ha-yool (born Lee Jong-ho on May 20, 1987) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Television series Films Music video Awards and nominations References External links * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Ha-yool 1987 births Living people Pe ...

as Seo Jin-woo, actor (Ep. 16) *

HALO Halo, halos or haloes usually refer to: * Halo (optical phenomenon) * Halo (religious iconography), a ring of light around the image of a head HALO, halo, halos or haloes may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Video games * ''Halo'' (franch ...

as ASTAR, an idol group (Ep. 18) *

Kim Kiri Kim Kiri (, sometimes romanized as Kim Kilee or Kim Giri) is a South Korean comedian best known from his appearances on the comedy sketch show '' Gag Concert'' aired by KBS2. Filmography Television show Drama Voice artist Gag Concert Seg ...

as MC Dacopy, rapper (Ep. 19) * Kim Jin-woo as Sol's father (Ep. 20) * Kim Ho Chang as Lee Sang Heon (Ep. 6)

Production

Ryu Hwa-young Ryu Hwa-young (born April 22, 1993), better known by the mononym Hwayoung, is a South Korean actress and singer. She is a former member of South Korean girl group T-ara. Biography Ryu Hwa-young was born on April 22, 1993 in Gwangju, South Kor ...

was first offered a major role, but declined. * The first script reading of the cast was held on December 18, 2017 at JTBC building in

Sangam-dong Sangam-dong is a legal '' dong'' (neighborhood) of the Mapo District in Seoul, South Korea. In the wake of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, a large apartment complex and DMC business district have been created and developed into the center of western Seou ...

. * On March 6, JTBC extended the show for four more episodes and aired two commentary specials in preparation for the extension.

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Viewership

Remake

A Vietnamese remake titled ' aired in 2020 on

VTV3 VTV3 is a Vietnamese television channel operated and owned by government-owned Vietnam Television. Launched on 31 March 1996 as the country's first sports and entertainment integrated channel, its programs contained sporting events and entertain ...

References

External links

* * on JTBC Worldwide * * {{IMDb title, tt7890304 Korean-language television shows JTBC television dramas 2018 South Korean television series debuts 2018 South Korean television series endings South Korean comedy television series Television series by C-JeS Entertainment Television series by Drama House