Ep 7. Episode 7

Welcome to Waikiki is a South Korean television series that follows the daily lives of three men who run a guesthouse called Waikiki in Itaewon, Seoul. In season 1 episode 7, the three friends continue to navigate their individual struggles while attempting to keep the guesthouse afloat.

The episode begins with Dong-gu (played by Kim Jung-hyun) struggling to balance his dream of becoming a film director with his responsibilities as a single father. His daughter, Sol, continues to be a challenge as she frequently interrupts his attempts to work on his screenplay. One particular morning, Dong-gu loses his temper with Sol when she spills juice on his laptop, and he takes out his frustrations on Joon-ki (played by Lee Yi-kyung) and Doo-sik (played by Son Seung-won) by forcing them to watch his short film and provide feedback. However, their brutal honesty only fuels his self-doubt and sends him into a downward spiral of self-pity.

Meanwhile, Joon-ki receives an unexpected visit from his older sister, who he hasn't seen in years. He's excited to catch up with her, but their reunion takes a turn when she reveals that she's going through a divorce and needs to crash at Waikiki for a while. Joon-ki is forced to face the reality of his own failed acting career and stalled personal life. He begins to question whether he's made the right choices and starts to doubt his ability to make it as an actor.

Doo-sik, on the other hand, is excited about the prospect of a new guest at the house, especially one who happens to be a famous actress. He immediately sets to work trying to impress her and make a good impression, but his efforts fall flat. Undeterred, he enlists the help of Dong-gu and Joon-ki to help him come up with a better plan to win her over.

As the episode progresses, the three friends continue to grapple with their individual problems. Dong-gu finally confronts his feelings of inadequacy and realizes that his dream of becoming a director is not enough to sustain him emotionally. He seeks solace in his friends, and they came through for him in a way that helps him recognize the value of their friendship.

Elsewhere, Joon-ki is forced to confront his sister's critical opinions of his career and lifestyle choices. He becomes defensive and lashes out at her in anger but later comes to the realization that he needs to trust himself and the choices he's made.

Doo-sik, still determined to impress the actress, finally succeeds with his plan, and they spend the evening bonding over their shared interests. However, the night ends on a bittersweet note when she reveals that she's leaving soon and won't be staying at Waikiki any longer. Doo-sik is left feeling disappointed but nonetheless grateful for the experience.

Overall, Welcome to Waikiki season 1 episode 7 is a poignant and relatable exploration of the struggles of young adulthood. Through the characters' hardships, the show touches on important themes of friendship, self-discovery, family, and resilience. Fans of the show will undoubtedly appreciate this episode's heartfelt storytelling and well-crafted humor.