King the Lander (2023)

Review: Lee Junho Shines, But the Story Falls Flat

First and foremost, let me declare that Lee Junho has never appeared more dashing. From the moment he leaps from the helicopter, fans and even non-fans will undoubtedly swoon. His acting is impeccable throughout. However, this cannot mask the fact that the story lacks excitement and a compelling climax.

The drama aims to deliver a sweet romantic comedy, utilizing all the essential formulas while avoiding the typical pitfalls like childhood connections, unnecessary separations, or lurking killers. While I appreciate this attempt, it ultimately falls short. Around episodes 9 or 10, the drama begins to lose momentum, leaving me wondering, "Is this it?"

For instance, the synopsis presents Guwon, the male lead, as the third-generation heir of a hotel group, embroiled in an inheritance battle with his half-sister. Yet, there is hardly any screen time or intelligent strategy showing how he wins this battle. Throughout the drama, we rarely see him at work or displaying his professional acumen. We were eager to see how this Oxford/Cambridge graduate could lead and transform the hotel group, but that aspect is sorely underdeveloped. Even the subplot of his missing mother, which was supposed to significantly impact his upbringing, feels underutilized.

Every romcom has its sidekicks for both leads. Unfortunately, these characters aren't effective here. The comedy between No Sang Sik and Guwon feels forced, and the subplot involving Kang Da Eul and her husband/in-laws adds no value to the overall story.

As a Junho fan, I want to say this is a great drama, but sadly that is not the case. The first half was enjoyable, filled with charm and promise, but the second half fails to deliver on that initial potential. The plot becomes repetitive, and the lack of depth in both the main and supporting storylines leaves much to be desired. Ultimately, while Lee Junho's performance is a highlight, it is not enough to save a story that falls flat and struggles to maintain its momentum.

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A smile on a silver platter

King the Land is a wholesome delight.

It mainly follows the lives of Sa Rang and her three friends, along with Gu Won and his assistant. Honestly, there's nothing new to this story. It's your typical CEO and the beautiful woman that catches his attention and never lets it go kind of drama. King the Land is the tropiest of the tropes. If you don't want cliches and overused scenes (one even so closely recycled from another series I thought I was hallucinating) then give this drama a pass.

That being said, I really enjoyed this! The storyline is bland at best but the interactions, character growth, and and acting is fun to watch. There are hardly any drawn out misunderstandings and battles are won quickly, which was refreshing as I sometimes am looking for something a little less stressful. This drama is full of wholesomeness at every turn, healthy couples (even the one that wasn't) and supportive relationships. Any ounce of negativity is quickly demolished.

The last two episodes did drag a bit, especially since all the storylines had been tied up nicely by that point, but it was still easy to watch.

All in all, I would recommend if you're looking for something light, fun, and sweet to watch!

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An uncomplicated gem

Don’t miss this one! I see some reviews saying this show is loaded with tropes. It is and it executes them perfectly, so go ahead and eat it up. BUT there is so much more to this show that makes it worth watching! Underneath the typical chaebol and romance stuff is a look at workplace culture and ideas of prioritizing only profits versus caring for your employees and their well-being. I found the transformation that Won goes through as a result of meeting Sarang really beautiful. Both Junho and Yoona pull off their roles so well! Unlike so many dramas it never loses steam and the final episode is actually very satisfying. Overall I think the show is uncomplicated but very binge worthy.

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A swoony love story that will have you smiling like an idiot (in the best was possible)

You know what the insane thing about this drama was? The leads had such boundless, blinding chemistry, the whole time I felt like I was legitimately watching two people fall in love. Almost always, while watching k-dramas, I can't help but be aware that I'm watching actors pretend to fall in love with their co-stars. That wasn't the case here, Jun-Ho and Yoona were so natural and genuine together, I forgot they were supposed to be playing characters and actually felt like I was intruding in a couple's private moments by watching them. I almost was tempted to look away in embarrassment when they were being all lovey-dovey. When they looked at each other, even without saying anything, it felt like they were communicating solely by the subtle changes in their expressions. It was amazing.

Other than that, this show was so cute, fluffy and fun. I smiled my way straight though it—seriously, I don't think I've ever grinned while watching a show as much as I did with this one. Sa Rang was such a lovely person inside and out, and the relationship with her BFFs was actual goals. If you told me these actresses had been friends forever, I wouldn't have doubted it for a second. Won was also a slightly different take on the chaebol heir. Yes, he was a little emotionally stunted because of his childhood trauma, but it was nice how open, honest and sincere he was in his feelings for Sa Rang since the very first moment. He fell hard and fast and it was adorable. Also adorable? His interactions with Sa Rang's grandma—her getting all emotional and weepy when they announced they wanted to get married almost about killed me with how heartwarming it was.

I think the weakest part of the show was the relationship between Sa Rang's flight attendant friend and her co-worker. The spark between them was sorely lacking (especially when compared with the main couple). Also, the guy was a bit one-note with his expressions. Little emoting to be found with him.

In any case, was this drama super predictable? Yes. Was it still lovely and a great time? Also 100% yes.

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The plot is tissue paper thin but let's be real, no one is watching for the plot.

The writers took one look at the current kdrama landscape filled with shorter shows with better pacing and tighter scripts and said absolutely not, we are going to create the first 16 episode drama that is made up of ONLY filler episodes. This is less of a drama and more of a very extended commercial for luxury hotels, 3 piece suits, duty free, Audi cars, Thailand tourism, and Danish butter cookies for some reason (I'll admit I was utterly delighted every time they opened the tin and there were actual cookies and not sewing supplies inside, if you know you know). Watching this show felt like taking a vacation and it was fun to leave reality behind and step into a world even more magical than Daeho - a world where rich bosses actually care about their employees' well-being (can someone force Bezos to watch this?).

There's a tiny nugget of a succession storyline buried beneath layers and layers of fluff, and if you squint, there are hints of a genuinely compelling and thought-provoking message about how capitalism favors profits over people and the value of labor, making it clear that the writers did actually put some thought into this before eschewing any sort of broader message in favor of putting Yoona and Junho in increasingly ludicrous situations to fill the time. As someone who likes to multitask but doesn't speak Korean, it was honestly great to watch a kdrama and only half pay attention and still not miss any important info and that's not entirely a criticism.

This drama is akin one of those insane milkshakes that used to be all over Instagram. It's not going to be for everyone but it also doesn't pretend to be something it's not. This isn't for people who want a deep, thoughtful meditation on life and love. It's for us simple bitches who want to look at pretty people doing fun, lavish things and not have to think too hard. Are there better dramas out there? Absolutely. But Yoona is a delight and Junho is always great at playing the rich, slightly pathetic failboy (see: Good Manager) and together, they are two dumbasses in love and I love that for them.

With the last 4 episodes, the drama seems to have taken a turn towards the melo, which I'm not overly fond of (if you've been personally traumatized by Moon Lovers, raise your hand) so I will probably skip or fast forward through the end, but again, that's not really a criticism.

I probably won't remember this show a year from now but I had fun watching it, which is all I can really ask for, and what I will remember is this absolute banger of a quote: "I just chased happiness and ended up here." May we all be so lucky.

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Where’s the twist?

This is my first review on rom com drama. I’ve watched a lot of dramas, not to mention other genres too. And I can say that this drama gives me a plain and boring vibes. I know that this drama is romance but surely, it’s not romance all along though? There must have to be some twist to make the story remarkable but this drama does not build up the plot. I love the lead’s chemistry but I don’t think it gives the strong reason to watch because until the episode that I’ve watched, there is no direction where the plot is going. The trauma, the backstory of the characters didn’t reveal up till now which make it seems like this drama will not be wrapped in a good way.
This drama could have done better with the plot and the cast but they wasted it.

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Cheesiest kdrama I’ve ever watched to date

King the land and I have had quite the interesting journey together. I started off really disliking the drama because it felt shallow and extremely overrated. The romance was boring and nothing new, and the story of poor woman and hot chaebol has been beaten to death at this point. I put down the drama for maybe 3ish months because of college and ended up coming back and finishing off the second half in about 3 days during a family road trip. After coming back to the drama, I learned to appreciate how cheesy and cliche king the land is, and as the episodes went on, I began to see it for its own merits and uniqueness. I ended up falling in love with the main couple and the side characters, and I will honestly say I will miss king the land since it was a heck of a ride. There's not much of a plot and they do end up hitting on every cliche under the sun, but my goodness was it fun and cute and made me tear up many a time. If this genre is your cup of tea, you can't miss king the land!

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this drama makes u feel happy,joyful with a beautiful love stry like we dream about our love life

some people really acted like silly and giving bad comment ...when this dramas plot r made for love and fun...all things are their is fictional...so we don't have to be serious bt enjoy it and get entertainment...tbh...I loved it very much...lee jun hui and I'm Yoon ah companionship is very beautiful...they were so natural that's make me feel it's real...all comedy scenes specially Arab prince scene was horrible..I laughed so much...and other scene were amazing 😍...and this drama s ost also good to listen...over all it's the best romcom drama of 2k23 that gave us the vibe of 2016..

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Perfect classic romantic drama

9.5/10 is my rating. This is a 2023 South Korean romantic comedy series with 16, 60-77 minute episodes.

First I provide a unique Synopsis then reviiew.

Synopsis

Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah) has finally landed her dream job as a concierge at the King Hotel. She has a smile that was made for the role and her beauty and above average capability has her climbing the ranks at the hotel rapidly. Although her aspirations and goals are on path, Sa-rang often finds herself squarely in the cross hairs of Goo Won (Lee Jun-ho) the handsome chaebol who is set to inherit the conglomerate.

At first the two only find the other annoying. But they soon realize there is way more common ground in common as they each pursue their dreams in the hotel world.

Review

This was very good and perfect for anyone that likes a slow build, well developed, heartwarming and enduring romance. The lead couple had perfect chemistry to the point if you discovered they were dating in real life it would not be a surprise. It has a happy ending and all major plot points are resolved.

Spoilers*
Lee Jun ho plays a chaebol that is sensitive and caring and very sweet. He has a gruff exterior but it is a very thin veil for a vulnerable but very kind person. Once he fell for her he did not change his feelings or interest from that point despite family and social pressure.

Even those who tried not to like Sa-rang were unsuccessful. Her amazing competence and unflappable concern for the customers and all those her around her won over virtually everyone.

I loved that she reached the dream team level and realized that it was not all about providing an experience and making people happy. From the classic maid uniform to the tone of that highest privileged experience of serving the Chairman and his guests, it was clear that it was about the elites flashing their elevated status by having the best wait staff at their beck and call. It paid extremely well but she did not think it was worth prostrating your pride on the alter of social narcissism. It was disillusioning for her. So when she decided to quit the King Hotel and create her own experience it made sense. But I was not a fan of the cliff hangar where it made the viewer think she was going to break up with him for his or her own good. I hate that trope and it just so happened that was the episode I was ending on for that night. It was a good and surprising twist but not one I was fond of.

I loved Sa-rang’s grandmother, Cha Soon-hee (Kim Young-ok) is a character that is always in lead girl’s camp, strongly supporting her in all she does. Soon-hee plays the elder in many dramas but thus very cantankerous exterior was a new twist on her usual much more amiable roles. Social status did not intimidate her or overly impress her and she felt her granddaughter was invaluable and not someone to be won with mere money and social status. Her relationship with Won was endearing. Although she made it hard to win her favor, once she decided he was the one she was proud and happy to have him as her grandson in law. It was cute he tried so hard but also that he seemed to genuinely care for her and felt like her trials were reasonable as he understood it reflected the deep caring and love she had for her grandchild.

I did not feel like the story between Won’s parents made a lot of sense. She was supposedly his great love where he was willing to buck social traditions, and be with her, but the minute she did something his father seriously disapproved of not only did he abandon their relationship, but he stole her son and cast her out. They never showed who the wife of his daughter was (his other wife and someone that was socially acceptable) and that might’ve helped explain how that whole situation went down. It just did not make sense that somebody who loved another enough to go against society would so easily give up on them. Later when she comes back, he doesn’t seem to have any remorse over what happened in the past, and instead sort of doubles down on the way he is with his son until the very end when he does have a slight reversal. On has a brief touching encounter with his mom but, other than her attendance at the wedding, we do not get to see the mother and son grow closer. Overall the way that played out did not do justice to the build up to that point. .

The other minor plot flaw was how much it showed her roommate and friends unfair treatment at work without significant satisfaction is seeing them flip the script. I mean the airline stewardess revealed who the ex was and kicked him in his sensitive parts (which he well deserved) but you never saw her make that next level. There was significant screen time devoted to jer desire to become purser and how she was continually passed over unfairly. The romance with her friend and fellow flight attendant was bonus level but it would have been good to see some positive resolve to her unfair work situation. Her other friend had a dead beat husband who she got back at but it never seemed like she had the relationship with him she deserved.

When Won’s sister gets in a verbal altercation with her soon to be ex husband and he slaps her, I was shocked and not okay with that scene. It played through like she had it coming but I personally do not think partners should be physically violent with each other, She slaps him back and that was slightly satisfying but still, men should not hit women in general. Now if it is some psycho woman who started things, and he has no choice, then defending himself is acceptable. But that was not the case, he was angry she bought his girlfriend off and slapped her. Men are built more robustly than women and have greater muscle mass so they should protect not harm.

#KingtheLand
#ImYoonAh
#LeeJunHo

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So Basic ( Romance KDrama 101)

If you love rom-coms with cute couples with cute chemistry and need a filler drama to watch I recommend "King the Land". This drama is every KDrama cliché ever in cute repackaging. Do you like reluctant Cinderellas and brooding Chaebols? Check. Do you like families fighting for succession, meddling parents, childhood trauma, ridiculous misunderstandings, damsels in distress, and plenty of product placement? Check! Do you swoon over a "trip and dip", or the umbrella savior swooping in, do you cheer for mild stalking, makeovers, being forced to stay overnight in a remote town/island, men cooking enthusiastically, and other assorted food porn, bonding while drunk, or lots of lingering stares? Big checks for all of the above. Don't worry about these being spoilers either, the story is so standard it can't really be spoiled.

Whatever you think is going to happen is going to happen.

I admit I was on board for all of the above and then some. I would definitely classify this as a fan service drama for that reason. I was entertained consistently until things started turning more and more into a Tourism Ad and the obvious product placement became too overwhelming. It all leads to a decent ending, with some satisfying character conclusions, but if you told me this entire script was written by ChatGPT compiling successful romantic KDramas of the past I would believe you!

"King the Land" is not original. It's as basic as basic gets, but not bland. That may be the appeal for a lot of viewers. It felt kind of relaxing guessing exactly what was going to happen next. I thought the main couple was cute without being too cheesy. Im Yoon Ah is great as the confidently quirky and optimistic Cheon Sa Rang. She balances out the moody charm of Lee Jun Ho as Gu Won. I've definitely liked Jun Ho in other dramas and he owns the leading man role swag in this. The rest of the supporting cast of BBFs , Co-Workers, and Ahn Se Ha as No Sang Sik are great too. My only character complaint is that the sister role was so one-note it made her character less interesting in spite of her performance.

Would I watch this again? Maybe, once it slips my mind, and it will slip my mind. I do feel like this drama loses its momentum about halfway through, which makes committing to rewatching this harder, but the cuteness and well-executed tropes may be enough to convince me to rewatch. Sometimes junk food dramas are exactly what I crave. It's escapism that you can rely on. This drama is very self-aware of its cuteness and tropes and attractive leads and milks it.

This is a Cozy drama for sure! It's also a love letter to the service industry. What it's not is plot twists and clever dialogue. It's also lighter on the drama that I'm used to for a hotel-centered drama, so It doesn't even stand out in that genre, but once I watched episode 1 I knew what to expect and knew I was committed because it was exactly what I was in the mood for. This is the kind of drama you can leave playing in the background and just catch all the smile-worthy moments whether that is couples flirting or friendship and comradery. I loved watching the characters rely on each other and have each other's back even if the actual situations weren't always funny or interesting, and If you skipped from ep 10 to ep 16 you probably wouldn't miss much.

Overall, "King the Land" gives me an old-school KDrama rom-com feel without feeling dated. I wish it were shorter because their cuteness couldn't always carry the boring and repetitive plot. Maybe enjoying this drama is an exercise in appreciating the simple things once in a while. A drama doesn't have to be a 5-star masterpiece to be enjoyable. Sometimes a few Squid Game references are enough to amuse you. The one real mystery in the plot is resolved in the most anticlimactic way, however, even this simple plot generated a genuine smile from me many times, a major theme in this drama (that I liked a lot). So "Hermès" to that!

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Cliche, but romantic

This drama was a great rom-com to pass time and give you a little bit of happiness and fun while escaping from your daily lives. There were cliches and cheesy moments sprinkled throughout the drama, but at its core I believe this drama is meant to be light-hearted so you can easily disregard all those cliches and just enjoy the beautiful couple GuWon and Sarang and their romantic love.

If you're here for romance, you'll 100% have a great time. Although I say the drama is cliché, this is more about the main character's roles (chaebol ML and kind "lower class" FL), side characters and their story lines, and to an extent, the overarching plot line of this drama - chaebol family dynamic (within a hotel management setting). For the romance enthusiasts out there, GW and SR's love story was cheesy but quite refreshing, despite the overused chaebol-regular kind girl dynamic we've seen MULTIPLE times before. What was refreshing to me was the fact that the couple actually stood by each other despite their "class difference" (as their society would put it); and even more importantly, I loved that SR had a lot of self-respect for not just her position in her relationship with GW, but also in her life in general. However, I did feel like JunHo and YoonA were acting like they were in love a lot of times, so the chemistry didn't 100% click for me, but you'll get lost in their visuals and JH's intense gazes so most people will probably not notice the unnatural acting.

So, for people looking for romance specifically, you will have a great time (9-10 stars). I care a little bit more about the plot line so some aspects of this drama - mainly the unreasonable obsession GW's sister had against him, the unprofessional nature in which coworkers treated each other, and GW's questionable management style made this drama difficult to watch. Latter one is not as serious, I just didn't necessarily believe GW to be a really competent hotel manager. His whole methods to managing the hotel were nice to see but really only seemed feasible in an "in-a-perfect-world" situation, and it felt more like he was just solving whatever issues his girlfriend had mentioned about the hotel rather than actually working on his own to look into the hotel and finding what needs to be improved. Anyway this was more of a nit-picky observation.

Overall, I don't think this drama is meant to be deep or realistic, so as long as you can watch it light-heartedly and want to be swept into the world of a visually appealing couple being sweet and in-love together, then you'll have a good time.

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