King the Lander (2023)

Overrated

I can honestly say that this drama is overrated. There are better options than this.

Same old same old. The ML is a rich boy with zero personality or character depth. The FL is okay, but just okay. Typical characters, zero innovation (or even one original thought) by the writers. Felt that this drama was made in a factory - along with its cast - with how overdone & robotic everything plays out. The comedy was forced and nothing was natural. They have background sounds to force it even more which was cringy.

They def copied many ideas from Business Proposal, yet nothing like it. Can't even compare. I am sure the high reviews are for SNSD's Yoona and 2PM's Junho. Not worth the chance I gave it.

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disrespectful for arabs

If you heard recently, there had been a controversy regarding this show, and you'd be right.

I have been a long-time fan of Korean show dramas, having been there before its peak in the middle east, during its peak and still there as the love for it had died down a bit, but as an Arab I have to stand for how the show had portrayed our culture.

It's unfair that the only type of representation we will ever get in media is either A) Religious Terrorists or B) Rich womanizers.

To think that this show had been the most popular TV show in Oman and Saudi Arabia then ranked second in Kuwait, UAE and Jordan.

Is heartbreaking knowing that Middle Eastern Arabs are the ones who were the most excited to watch your series only to be met with yet another stereotypical insensitive portrayal from one of our favorite shows.

You should honestly feel ashamed of yourselves for such portrayal, the Arabs have been nothing but supportive of your culture and using the excuse of "everything portrayed is a work of fiction" is just lazy writing.

We are not just a "trope" to be used in a comedy driven show, you do realize that you have not only ruined our reputation in South Korea but even further to the rest of the world who already views us as religious Terrorists?

This goes deeper than just "bad writing", South Korean shows are being shown to a whole new generation of people, every bit of media MATTERS more than you think it is. Sure, you're doing this with profit in mind but that does not mean you can use this as an opportunity to divide us instead of teach. You are not above us.

Having used Anupam Tripathi, an Indian actor, to portray prince Samir, an ARAB character, just drove the point home that yes, this was all done by uneducated people who simply viewed us not as people, but as a profitable joke to them.

Get a grip and educate yourselves, seriously, it's not rocket science.

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OST is soothing, Drama: Binge-Worthy office romcom in familiar territory

I watched on Netflix where only 8 episodes are available. This is an office romcom that seems to have drunk heavily from the K-drama wellsprings of 'Secretary Kim' and 'Business Proposal.' Despite being only half-released with 8 episodes available at the time of this review, the series manages to feel self-contained, offering viewers a taste of its world, but leaving one yearning for more flavor.

The narrative follows a conventional blueprint, tracing a predictable path through the tropes of its genre. While it can be reassuring to watch a series that adheres to the tried-and-true, this series tends to lack any surprising turns or events. The storyline is straightforward, easy to predict, and almost methodical in its execution, which might be a disappointment for viewers seeking some narrative creativity or unexpected plot twists.

The OST stands out in a pleasing way, although it does bear a striking resemblance to Christina Perri's 'Thousand Years.' It accompanies the scenes fittingly, adding a layer of emotional depth where the narrative may sometimes fall short.

The Instagrammability of the series is noteworthy. Despite being only 8 episodes in, you can already find the best scenes scattered across Instagram, an indication of its bite-sized appeal.

The true highlight of this drama a passionate kiss, is a significant moment that makes the viewing experience worth it - at least once. For fans like myself who typically enjoy office romcoms, this scene definitely offers a sense of satisfaction. However, with the lack of narrative complexity and surprise, the show doesn't offer much in terms of re-watch value.

The series attempts to diversify its storyline with the inclusion of an Arab character. However, this subplot feels exaggerated, almost as if it's trying too hard to inject novelty into the series. This could have been executed with more nuance and realism.

Despite its shortcomings, this k-drama its purpose as a mood-lifter. It's a light, enjoyable watch that doesn't require much emotional or intellectual investment. This could be a positive or a negative, depending on what you're looking for in your viewing experience.

The hope for the remaining 8 episodes is that they bring something different and exciting to the table. The series has laid a predictable yet solid foundation, and it's now up to the remaining half to build upon this and deliver a memorable viewing experience.

In conclusion, 'King The Land' is a drama that doesn't stray far from the conventional. But if you're in the mood for a light, easy watch, this series might just do the trick.

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Un final un poco malo pero igual se disfruta

La verdad es que me gustó mucho pero siento que pudo ser mucho mejor, y no era necesario tener tantos capítulos dado a que (yo creo) que con 12 capítulos se hubiera podido resolver todo.
Lo que menos me gustó fue como dejaron aparte algunas tramas que siento que debieron de darle más profundización, por ejemplo me hubiera gustado mucho ver la trama de la madre de Won,
Ya que simplemente explicaron por encima lo que pasó pero no muy profundamente y la razón por la cual la madre dejó a su hijo fue demasiado mala igualmente le doy un 8.5 a este K drama Por qué me gustaron las escenas de romance y la química de los actores igualmente la trama podría parecer un poco sosa pero la serie tampoco es mala así que mi puntuación final es 8.5

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all we need is a dose of heart-fluttering romance and eye candy

"King The Land" had me counting down the days for its release, thanks to the presence of the charismatic Lee Jun Ho. His charm and screen presence were undeniable, and they were the driving force behind my excitement. While the drama may not have been a groundbreaking masterpiece, it certainly delivered a heartwarming and delightful experience.

The plot may have followed a predictable path, laden with romantic escapades and sweet moments, but it was the chemistry between the leads that truly carried the show. Lee Jun Ho and Im Yoon Ah performances were stellar, injecting life into their characters and adding depth to an otherwise straightforward narrative.

The story revolved around the blossoming love between a dedicated career woman and a hotel heir seeking change within his family's business. While the lack of intense business conflicts and dramatic twists might seem mundane, there's a certain charm in the simplicity of their journey. This drama offered a pleasant respite from the intense narratives we often encounter in the world of K-dramas.

The drama's focus on the romance was unabashedly evident, with adorable moments and captivating kisses that kept the audience engaged. In an era where complex storylines often dominate, this drama served as a reminder that sometimes, all we need is a dose of heart-fluttering romance and eye candy.

In a landscape of heart-wrenching dramas, this series provided a soothing balm for viewers seeking light-hearted enjoyment. It embraced the idea that not every story needs to be layered with intricate plots or tumultuous conflicts to be entertaining. The absence of unnecessary drama and the steady progression of the leads' relationship were like a breath of fresh air.

In the end, it might not have pushed the boundaries of storytelling, but it achieved what it set out to do - bring joy and happiness to its audience. Its success lay in the smiles it elicited and the warm, fuzzy feelings it left behind. Sometimes, a drama's true value lies in the sheer pleasure it provides, and on that count, this drama undoubtedly succeeded.

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My rating seemed to change with each episode

First, I'll just admit I'm a total romance fan. I like lighthearted, fun, easy to watch romances with good kisses and a happy ending. At the beginning of this series, my rating was probably close to a 10. It was funny, with quirky characters. Then we hit the midway point - it felt like they threw the standard tropes in just to move the show along. Arranged marriage, evil controlling family, jealous co-workers, it had it all, but each difficulty was so short-lived and easily resolved, that they just seemed pointless. As I watched, I could feel my rating lowering. Then came the last two episodes. These episodes had a lot of heart and I'll address some of them below.
LOVED:
1) Lee Jun Ho. Call me superficial, but man, he is a beautiful hunk of eye candy. Seriously, I think he could probably have chemistry with a rock. Watching him relate to the FL was such a treat. And my romance meter was on high alert through all the stares, I laughed as he tried to figure out how to date, and those kisses? Yes, thank you. That's what they should look like! His character arc was such that he moved from cold, impersonal and not caring about anyone to thinking highly of his employees. I loved that. He and the FL were absolutely adorable together...lots of sweetness to go around.
2) Two of my favorite actresses, Kim Young Ok as FL's grandmother, and Han Mi So as ML's mother.
3) No evil ex-girlfriend or wanna be girlfriend to muddy the waters.
4) Did I mention the kisses?
5) Kim Sun Young as ML's older sister. Loved to hate her. Early on, I kind of wished that a white truck of doom would make an appearance, but in the last few episodes I just felt for her so much. I wish that someone would have told her that she was allowed to let others in.
6) The "six siblings". Friends that you want to have. I also liked the storyline of the two flight attendants. Cute.
7) A non-rushed happy ending with a wedding. Thank you very much!!! I get so tired of watching a show that's billed as a romance where the couple spends more time apart than together and the ending is rushed in the last 10 minutes. That was a beautiful wedding venue!
8) No time skip.
9) Breaking the fourth wall at the end.
10) Loved the nods to The Red Sleeve and Squid Game.
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
1) Im Yoon Ah as the FL. There was something off about her to me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. She was beautiful, to be sure. The couple was cute together, but there was just something missing from her. One thing, her character was just TOO perfect, she kept getting ahead no matter what people threw at her. Her facial expressions often seemed "off" to me. I understand that the "fake smile" was a plot device, so I had to let that go, but she looked terrified during the wedding scenes, which made no sense whatsoever. I felt a lack of energy in her acting, that's the only way I can describe it.
2) Da Eul's husband - that was a waste of storyline.
3) This show had more product placement than I have ever seen in any other show, and it was extremely irritating.
4) When she was in the countryside, she mentioned that she had sent him pictures of the food when she initially went to the restaurant. How could she have? He didn't know she was in the countryside.
5) Who thought that Love Hotel was a good name for her hotel? I think maybe it's because I'm American, but unfortunately that name makes me think of places you rent by the hour.

So, overall, I was treated to the romance that seems to be so sorely missing from the "romance" shows. I just wish they hadn't tried to make it more melodramatic in the middle. I'm certainly glad I watched it, and I can recommend it. It's not one of the best I've ever seen, but it's definitely re-watchable to see Jun Ho fall in love.

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CHEON SARANG and GU WON are the plot!

To put it simply, this is as pure as a romcom gets. There are some complaints about how the story has no plot, but, the plot itself *is* the romantic relationship between the two main leads.

Usually, the male lead would take some time before falling for the female lead (maybe in say, episode 6-8). But in this drama, the male lead falls for the female lead early in the drama and from there, their relationship only grows stronger and eventually they get together. Then, the drama ends with their wedding. Literally as perfect as it can be.

Yeah sure, the characters might be a bit too perfect or idealistic, Some scenes might be exaggerated. Some dialogues might be cringey. But who cares? It's funny, and the main leads have amazing chemistry (both on screen and off screen). Both the "rom" and "com" in this show is well executed.

As a lighthearted, romcom kdrama, this is a 10/10. Absolutely worth watching it. Would definitely re-watch it in the future.

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WHERE IS MY GU WON?!?

fricking hate this show for making me realize I'm never gonna experience this shit cause men like gu won are bloody fictional!
IT WAS SO GOOD THAT IT GOT ME GIGGLING AND ROLLING AROUND MY BED!!!
I'M DONE! like I was sitting there enjoying every bit of crumb that I was fed.
the only issue I had was with the Thailand eps cause I felt like they were filled eps but it didn't matter in the long run cause who doesn't like seeing the it couple be lovey dovey huh?
the sister infuriated me and I didn't really buy her character arc, the dad was kinda nice but I'm biased cause he didn't really intend anything bad for my boy gu won
IDC ABOUT ANY OF THAT
I JUST WANT WHAT THEY HAVE

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Smile or else!?

I'm going to be honest. I watched this show because I was curious why it's so hyped. Now, I understand it. It's all about the chemistry between the two lead actor! Overall the show was great, the acting, the whole production was top-notch, also I loved the OST too. I only gave 8/10 because the actors did a great job and the overall feeling of the show was good. It is a typical cliché KDrama for sure, BUT I was honestly surprised that there wasn't a HUGE problem with the whole "poor" girl dating with the billionaire guy. Usually they're stretching this type of story for 10+ episodes, but huge props to the writers not doing that on this show. It was refreshing that most of the characters felt real and they weren't overdramatic. I watched 'King the Land' right before 'A Business Proposal' so most of the storyline felt the same honestly, but this is just a minor issue. My biggest problem was the whole sister vs brother story. It was totally unnecessary, at least the way they did it. Also, they should've done more with the mother story too, but that's all, basically. One thing's for sure, Yoon Ah and Jun Ho set the show on fire.😅 I know they finished the story well, but I would love to see a 2nd season. Lastly, my favorite part of the show is the friendship between the girls and Da Eul's daughter, she was a little savage.🤣 The main Supporting Cast were fantastic.

I know there are people who afraid of the hype, but I'm probably one of the biggest critic when it comes to overhyped shows or movies. So, trust me, this is a fun ride for sure. Not perfect, but to be honest, there's not a lot of perfect show, especially in KDrama world. Not to mention, that seeing Yoon Ah's smile worth every minute you will spend on this show. No wonder, she's the "IT GIRL" of this generation.

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Sweet RomCom with great chemistry

I loved it. It was entertaining and funny, but also had some moments of reflection and sadness. The story is nothing new but the execution was great. Junho is an amazing actor, in tragic as in funny scenes, those who have also seen him in ‚Just between lovers‘ or TRS know what I mean. He is terrific and very expressive and looks smashing in his array of suits and coloured shirts. Lim YoonA is not a favorite actress of mine, I used to think she is somewhat…bland, although she is very funny in interviews. But her chemistry with LJH was very natural and she did a great job. My favourite apart from Junho was his secretary and the whole six-siblings-bunch. And of course Sarangs Granny, who was great. I loved how the comedic moments were, apart from the ending of the first episode, not overdone. Gu Won fainting was never not funny to me. So, I don’t think too much about it, I was looking forward to well acted fun and it delivered. Half a point off for the horrendous Product Placement. And for the title which I still don’t comprehend. #ThankYouKingTheLand

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A sprinkle of sugar

The drama story wasn't that great but i believe a drama/series shouldn't be judge by only its story but also about what it brings to its viewers.
Some dramas makes you immersed in its story, some makes you love the characters. Every watcher has its point of view.

I would say that this drama bring you joy, so if you are tired of thriller dramas or want to chill and have a good time laughing and being in a good mood without thinking much. This drama is definitely it. So if a dramas can bring its watchers joy, i would say its a 10/10. Happiness is all that matters.

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It's not entirely good and not entirely bad. I personally enjoyed it.

I better start from good points before I will shiver from the WORKPLACE FLASHBACKS. Important, I started watching this drama without reading synopsis or watching anything, so there were moments fo surprise.
• Acting
Let's admit, acting is not bad. On the contrary I found it prety good. If you feel good about main leads and feel their chemistry (especially in small things I find their chemistry is insane) and if you feel like you want to crush the head of the main villain sister or you want to smash faces of all those who step on the heads of the underpayed and underappreciated workers, then I think actors did a great job. No mater how cliche it sounds or looks, at least I wanted to slap few faces, I bet you'd like to join. Tbh I really liked the chemistry of Junho and YoonAh, we're skipping all the standard rom-com falling into the hero's embrace, being protected etc. stories are full of these, deal with it, yet I truly felt good about the two and it lasted till the end. The play of Ahn SeHa is remarkable as a support to me, steady stream of humor. The same goes for the friends.
• Music
I liked the soundtrack, especially those two songs, confess to you and is it love? Although in dramas it is inevitable that same songs will be used countless times, if I was a weekly viewer and not binging maybe I wouldn't mind that much, but otherwise.
• Storyline
Ok, hear me out, it was hysterical to me, because before that I watched Secretary Kim and Business Proposal and you can guess it, all three dramas have a male lead with a trauma. I know it should be sad, but I laughed. As for the storyline tbh to me it was a bit sporadic and sometimes unexpected, doesn't mean in a good way, maybe the flow would not be so disrupted if not the PP and also because it doesn't entirely concetrate on romance or the heir fight or anything else, small bits and pieces. I was very surprised that at the very beginning our heroes get separated by several years, one is studying and the other one is working and years later he comes back, after all he is the chairman's son and she is no longer a newbie. The way they got acquainted I found weird, after all two men, even wearing same t-shirt, don't look the same. But whatever. Although I find the toilet humor not the best, but the situation of her searching for a free bathroom felt real. Yet imagine, since they will surely get together, imagine them having kids and kids ask - mom, where you and dad met? What should mom say then? As time progresses the main storyline of two opposite sides fighting for the right to be a heir takes form. Junho's side is inconvenient, since he did not come back for years, while his half-sister was ruling, but at least he did what he thought was right and humane, unlike his sister who only saw wealth and power and never minded stepping on corpses of the employees, while placing her cronies. Though from my experience, the sister type survives more in the business world, it's hard to do many things with conscience. Along with the main fight for the rights storyline, the romantic line develops, yet we also have a glimpse at the lives of YoonAh's friends, which is not all sunshine.
• Product Placement
Really disrupted the flow of the story many times for me, since you can't watch with a blank mind, all those close up shots got in the way of watching. In earlier years (and I don't mean Kdramas exclusively) PP was more sohisticated, somewhere in the background. Thus the joyride, the morning routine etc. are nothing more but Audi or skin care ads.
• Workplace FLASHBACKS
Nothing more but a horror of everyday life, especially if you have managers like in this drama. And don't think it's exaggerated. Maybe sometimes, but in general there's enough b*tches like that in rl. I have a story like that too. We had the manager being changed and when I arrived after vocation I knew, I'm working my last days here. Why? Because the new manager wanted to bring his own cronies to this workplace. In the end three people did part of my job. He also was thinking too highly of himself, although the company was working for some times and was on the right track, so all this was not done by him, but he had to collect us all every morning and mainly repeated same shit. Because those are factory premises we had a small office within, he chased us all out and the next day I got sick, it was winter and this part of the building always faces north. He also cut half my salary just because. Heh, don't think I didn't do anything in return, just remember, small person is not afraid of wearing small shoes. This is why I truly felt cringe when it was time for Pyung Hwa or Da Eul to come in. In many cases what we see is nothing more than cronyism or corruption. In Pyung Hwa's case she wasn't promoted for the longest of times. Why? Mainly because the one above didn't like her and openly accepted gifts or help by a junior. In my eyes this is nothing but bribes. But I suppose there are people who like their asses to be kissed so hard and thoroughly, so they would shine like a mirror. In case of Da Eul again it's nothing more than a head manager who does nothing, but points fingers, if something isn't right then it's the fault of people below, she is also the crony of half-sister, so I'm not that surprised. This is why sometimes I ask myself, if at least partially what they show is what happens, because often times it's baffling how toxic the working place is in Korea.
• Friends
I had my blood boiling at some scenes, but this is only because our cultures are either different or they overdramatise it. First of all Pyung Hwa, she is supposed to be a divorced woman, but honestly I partially understand that the badness comes from her being a flight attendant (although who cares who is divorced or not imo). But in life we have a completely different outlook on divorced people and being divorced = bad thing is outdated. A lot of youngsters here get married and get divorced, so it's not a big thing to me. What was disgusting is how their pilot was basically harassing her and except for one person everyone is selectvely blind. As for Da Eul..well, here it would be embarrassing for parents to mooch off their children and point fingers. So the entire filial piety is very strange to me. It's not that we don't understand hospitality, but it's almost outrageous to act like Da Eul husband's family. First of all it's shameful to live with your parents (unless it's a force majeure) and even parents should call their children to know if their children are available to accept their visit. Hospitality is present, but no one tells you what to cook, unless your children ask what would you like to eat specifically. If that aunt who went through Da Eul's wardrobe did the same thing here, the wife would go all ballista on her, no one would say - you should share - because what she did was nothing more than being a thief, the same with leaving her child without asking. I haven't finished watching, but if Da Eul goes nuts I will support her for 100%. At least for me, although it wasn't that much, but the story of SaRang's friends brought something. They're simple people, their life isn't going to be a tale of a Cinderella, but it's good when friends stay friends for years.
• Small thoughts
It was my first time seeing a female lead having natural brows :'D okay, I know they have make-up, but it's very light and not overdrawn to death.. not that I watched many dramas though.
Other find it cringe, but to me it's hysterical how stereotypical male leads are (childhood trauma, never tried basic food etc.).
Why does YoonAh give me warm housewife feel I don't know, but she does.
Junho feels like a pro of kissing scenes ahaha, but the overall intimacy was great, both didn't feel awkward during them being close, it was cute.
Why everyone has chapped lips I wonder.
Actually children of wealthy usually don't look that good, unfortunately, Junho looks really handsome, while average wealthy kid looks like IT programmer with a wife and a 1-year old kid.

Although I may not re-watch, but I can't say like others that it was unbearable, especially if you watch it in good humor and specifically chose it for it being a rom-com. Because when your expectation are low, the viewing experience will be much more enjoyable. After all I don't really understand people who blame tropes and routines. Hello? Those are everywhere, especially in such genre. I laugh when I see those routines on the screen, after all I'm here to have a light watch and don't have unrealistic dreams that every drama will be impeccable.

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