This review may contain spoilers
Hang on it gets better
* Minor Spoilers"King the Land" was highly anticipated after watching the trailer. Since I watch genres by mood, I was pretty much in the mood for an upbeat Rom Com.
Gu Won (Lee Jun Ho) is a handsome and successful manager for the King Group. On the surface, he seems to have everything in life with little trouble. Aside from a few company problems, there are also family and personal issues, past and present.
In and around the King Hotel, Cheon Rang (Im Yoon Ah) has fond memories as a child. She has the sweet girl next door looks and a heart to match. She is bright, smart, and has an endearing smile. The King Group is not an easy company to work for, especially if you are a low-level employee. Despite not having a formal education, Cheon Rang excels in crisis management, language skills, and interpersonal relations. Despite circumstances that work against her, she benefits from this.
My first impression of the lead characters was that they were likable. However, to me, the first 4 episodes seemed to be a series of color by number circumstances. This caused a slow feeling of dislike for the series. As time went on, I became more and more disinterested in the show, sometimes even skipping it temporarily for another series. That is until about episode 7.
As things started to pick up, things got better. While the acting was still solid, the relationships, characters, and situations were becoming more clear and relatable. Despite being wrong, I'm glad I didn't drop the series. It was well worth giving the show a chance. Thus far, this couple has been my second most-loved. (#1 belongs to the Crash Landing leads) Although the story was initially appeared painted, everything began to make sense to me once it took shape. Things no longer appeared forced. The ML couple became more adorable and so fun to watch.
Im Yoon and Lee Ho seem to be a perfect match for each other in context of the story.
For lack of a better cliche, I get impatient if the ML couple don't have "chemistry" or are constantly in each other's faces. The two of them in this case had me smiling. I wanted them to be together more.
"King the Land" was well shot from a cinematic perspective, however the set design wasn't all that spectacular for the big hotel. It was pretty and elegant, but nothing regal. The show really didn't portray the elegance much. (wasn't a deal breaker) Overall, I give "King the Land" a positive rating. As it wasn't flawless, it worked for me.
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Steamy Comedy Romance
This drama is so steamy it not even funny! The two main leads are on fire with their romantic scenes, they don't even look like thier acting.. Camera man where? Camera man who? Yeah these kiss scnes are long and off the hearts steamy.. They made such a lovely couple and the storyline was lovely as well...It's a comedy romance and it definitely should be on your watchlist... this has very high rewatch value...
I've done it multiple times.. Its just soo good 🤍
Fun Fact... The main leads are friends in real life and honestly I feel like their on screen chemistry could be a reflection of what potentially goes on behind the scenes because their kiss scenes was as if they've done this before.... many times.... they were so extremely comfortable and omggg I cannot begin the describe how steamy their romantic scenes are.. Lord have mercy!
Happy watching guys! Thank me later 🤍🤍🤭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Ordinary
In my opinion, King the Land was a very ordinary drama. While many loved the main couple, they just didn't click for me, and I found the female lead’s role felt a bit too much like a 'maid for the rich.' However, the supporting cast saved it! I actually preferred the second lead characters—the friends were hilarious, and the assistant provided some of the best laughs. I also really enjoyed the romance between the flight attendants. Watch it for the side characters, but the main story felt a bit underwhelmingWas this review helpful to you?
All the ingredients of the recipe, but the whole remains bland
Highly anticipated romantic series starring Jun Ho in ML (excellent as usual) and Yoona ((who lacks expressions, apart from his smile)) in FL.Classic plot of the meeting between an heir of a large group, including a palace (with serious family and inheritance problems) and a FL working at the hotel, poor, hardworking, warmhearted.
What I liked :
+ Thanks to the cast, it's quite well done in the romantic comedy style. There are many kissing scenes (1 or even 2-3 per episode, passionate, almost too many.... Just fan service ??).
+ the working conditions of subordinates are accurately mentioned for Korean society: weight of hierarchy, nepotism, etc. Same thing for the pressure put on the shouder of working women (work + children + household chores, etc.)
+ no break up :) in the CL.
+ The narration is fast and the OSTs are very suitable.
BUT :
- some characters are caricatures: the assistant (idiot, with inappropriate behavior), the Arab prince (caricature who speaks fluent Korean), the Duty Free store's manager, the hateful sister, etc. I know it's for the touch of humor, but the dose is too strong to be acceptable!
- the recurring message “to protect those you love, you have to be strong & have power” is so neo-capitalist. There are other ways to protect workers...
- the product placements (numerous) are too obvious and clumsy.
- 2aire characters (including the CL2 romance) are not developed. The entire storyline remains centered on the CL.
=> Fun to watch but never to be remembered.
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Série romantique très attendue avec Jun Ho en ML (excellent, comme d'habitude) et Yoona en FL ((qui manque d'expressions, à part son sourire).
Plot classique de la rencontre entre un héritier de grand groupe, dont un palace (avec lourds problèmes de famille et de succession) et une FL travaillant à l’hôtel, pauvre, travailleuse, chaleureuse.
+ Grâce au cast, c'est assez bien fait dans le style comédie romantique. Il y a de nombreuses scènes de kisses (1 voire 2-3 par épisodes, passionnés, presque trop).
+ les conditions de travail des subordonnés sont évoquées avec justesse. pour la société coréenne : poids de la hiérarchie, népotisme, etc. Même chose pour la pression mise sur les femmes actives (travail + enfants + taches ménagères,...)
+ pas de break up :)
+ La narration est rapide et les OST sont très adaptés.
MAIS :
- certains personnages sont caricaturaux : l'assistant (idiot, avec comportement déplacé), le prince arabe (caricature qui parle coréen), la chef du magasin Duty Free, etc. Je sais que c'est pour la touche d'humour, mais la dose est trop forte pour être acceptable !
- le message récurent "pour protéger ceux qu'on aime, il faut être fort & avoir du pouvoir" est si néo-capitaliste. Pour protéger les travailleurs, il y a d'autres moyens...
- les placements de produits (nombreux) sont trop évidents et maladroits.
- les personnages 2aires (y compris la romance du CL2) ne sont pas développés. Toute la storyline reste centrée sur le CL.
=> Tous les ingrédients sont là, mais l'ensemble reste fade. Un divertissement agréable à regarder mais qui ne restera pas dans les mémoires.
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Typical Rich man poor girl Romcom in all Asian dramas. Predictable
"King the Land" is a Korean RomCom drama about a rich guy and poor girl from a different background. This story has played out in many Asian dramas, especially Cdrama, so nothing special.I usually don't watch many Kdramas because I multi-task while I am watching; hence don't like reading subtitles.
The Synopsis: Heir Goo Won cannot stand fake smiles. When he meets Cheon Sa Rang, her sincere smile is at the ready. The pair seek to create happy moments where they can smile brightly at each other. King of the Land is a VVIP business lounge, a paradise catering to wealthy hoteliers. It is owned by The King Group, with hotels, distribution companies, and an airline in its portfolio. Now Goo Won has been thrown into an inheritance tug-of-war. With his brilliant mind, innate grace, and captivating charm, he has everything but lacks common sense when dating. Cheon Sa Rang makes the world brighter with just her smile. She is thrilled to land a job at the King Hotel, where she had some of her happiest times as a child. She must now put those sweet memories away and mature quickly to face the frequent workplace prejudices and misunderstandings that come her way.
Because the story is not special and the characters are not complex, I fast-forward many scenes and only focus on the main CP. Their onscreen chemistry is cute, and I have to credit Kdrama because their kissing scenes are more passionate and sensual than Cdramas, where there were no passionate or sensual kissing scenes for the romantic genre.
Overall is an okay drama, and I give it a 7.0 rating
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This review may contain spoilers
Not for everyone
But for me ✨️yes✨️I enjoyed this one so much. I can say that it was a dose of peace,a happy place after a long day.
The chemistry>>>
It was simple,no plot twist ,and when it comes to obstacles,these two knew very well how to not make them important...Just two people who wants to be together,to matter what.
I'm crazy to see a fantasy ? It was a romcom , some people might call it boring,but for me was pure,they knew how to communicate and did not end up with an absurd break-up. Let's be real,if there's a word that can describe very well that situation ,it would be "rare".
That's all I can think when it's about King the land,no stress,Just a love story that everyone would like to be part of.
Hermès❤️
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king of sweet
super sweet love story with a main couple so cuteIm Yoon Ah and Lee Jun Ho are perfect in their role
a mature relationship with great chemistry (some kiss scenes are so good)
no break up, no misunderstanding , no triangle love
and sweet happy ending
a perfect rom-com rich guy/girl story
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Definite must watch
I loved it. I smiled. I laughed. I loved how they displayed emphasis on the service industry and how hard these people have to work to keep a job in addition the little politics at play. It was a good balance of everything. I enjoyed the relationship between the leads. They had really great chemistry and the acting of the grandma was so amazing. No excessive drama. No psycho people. No stupid love triangle’s. No ridiculous break ups.The cast did an amazing job. I honestly liked them all. Of course there was an antagonist but you’ll get a clear idea why. Yes there was a little plotting but I can finally say in this series that the little traps, mishaps passed like wind.
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Accept it's a fluffy rom-com, not RL, and it'll be a fun watch
Aug 2023A great big squishy ball of fluff, in the traditionally wonderful vain of many successful rom-com K-dramas.
You get the flashy backdrop of a wealthy family run conglomerate; the main story centres around the successful 5 Star hotel, while also featured are the company's Airline and a high end clothing branch, where each of the FL's 2 besties work.
Within these settings are power struggles, prejudices over education, divorce and social standing, with a smattering of greasy palms, connections and the usual jealousy, spite, bitching and abuse of the have nots/underlings. Some characters are wonderfully nasty and underhand... I was having a right go at the TV on many occasions! ;-D
Then, of course, there is the most important, most focussed on, romance between our drop dead gorgeous ML and effervescently can-do, pretty FL, who when at work speaks in the same way UK announcers did in the 50s ;-D and smiles through 99% of everything that a busy day as Hotel Concierge can throw at her.
Due to a childhood trauma, our ML hates what he sees as the false smiles automatically plastered on the faces of a large percentage of the hotel's staff and refuses to either conform, or acknowledge them.
With our FL gaining success with her attitude and having more and more dealings with our ML, it's very much an enemies to tolerated colleagues, to friends, to lovers.
There is almost every cliché in the book, from one falling into/onto the other, a bike ride, fairground visit and sudden overnight stay, to money getting offered to get rid of people.
There are also the trials and tribulations of the FL's 2 best friends sewn into the story and plenty of light moments with the ML and his dork of an assistant.
This fit absolutely perfectly with what I wanted to watch. There are imperfections (I never really understood why someone who disappeared, did) and realism is often overlooked to make things and people beautiful, and the story work... but the drama is a rom-com and from the very amusing first arrival of our ML, does not set itself up to be anything remotely true to life, so no disappointment in that respect, for me.
There was one scene near the end, with the FL's grandmother (played by a favourite senior actress, Kim Young-ok) that was so touching, I needed tissues.
The music I did find exceedingly odd at times, especially when a group of them visited Thailand... it was almost hilarious, with what sounded like bangra, and Ska!!! I've heard traditional and modern Thai music and it didn't sound like that!
It's no more than a bit of fun, and a great feel-good drama. I quickly ate up every second of it!
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the couple oozes chemistry, I loved it
Watching the Kdrama “The King Land,” my experience was simply captivating in every aspect. Every meticulously crafted scene kept me hooked from the very first episode. The gripping plot, coupled with exceptionally well-chosen actors, elevated this drama to a new level of excellence.In particular, I must highlight the phenomenal acting of Lee Junho and Lim Yoona. Their impeccable talents brought depth and authenticity to the characters they played. The way they portrayed their emotions, challenges, and growth throughout the story was simply impressive. Every scene they shared on screen was brimming with chemistry and skill, adding rich layers to the narrative.
Lee Junho once again proved himself to be a versatile and charismatic actor, masterfully capturing the essence of his character. His ability to immerse himself in the emotions of the role is undeniable, and he truly embodied the spirit of the character, making him memorable and endearing.
Lim Yoona likewise delivered a remarkable performance, displaying talent beyond her years. Her captivating and genuine performance brought a unique vitality to the character she portrayed. Her presence on screen was magnetic, and she excelled in every moment she shared with the cast.
In addition to the performances, the direction and cinematography deserve applause. Every frame was carefully composed, taking advantage of stunning settings and visually appealing aesthetics. The soundtrack also perfectly complemented the tone and pace of the drama, adding an emotional atmosphere to the more intense scenes.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling journey and full immersion in a world rich with emotion and meaning.
Congratulations to the production team, cast, and everyone involved in creating this incredible Kdrama.
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Not Just Another Chaebol
Are you shocked? I'm a bit shocked at how high I've rated this drama!I put off watching this drama for so long because I was expecting just another rich guy/poor girl dynamic with the classic sub plots and a bit of a thriller element (why do they so often add a thriller element to a romcom?). But I was genuinely happily surprised with this show.
It's been a while since I've been able to watch a show from start to finish without really skipping through parts that dragged on. You might be wondering, what is so special about this show compared to others in the same genre?
It's honestly the writing. Not only did they do a fantastic job in writing the plot but also they wrote the most attractive man in kdrama history, in my opinion.
One of the biggest critiques I've had recently with dramas is that they keep trying to be something they're not or add elements for dramatic effect that just don't make sense or aren't thought out properly. I didn't feel like this drama had that at all. I love that the writers focused on one plot and built on that over the 16 episodes and didn't add anything that they couldn't tie off at the end. The writers went back to the roots and I love them for it.
Now on to Gu Won. I need this kind of a man as the lead in more shows. He may have been cold at the start but it's not a surprise when he started to soften. We see the soft side of him already in the 'prologue' when he hires Mr. No and stands up to the toxic management. I saw another review that said that Won's feelings came out of nowhere for Sa-Rang but I strongly disagree. He was obviously traumatised from people smiling around him in his darkest times and so hated to see people smiling but you actually see the moment when he starts to appreciate a smile with Sa-Rang. And the love this man has for her, as a viewer, gives you butterflies. He is the peak male archetype. When they share their first kiss after he cooks her dinner, you can actually see how hard he's breathing and the NEED in this man's eyes. I just think overall, this man was perfect in every way. And the way he responded when he was about to propose but then she said she wanted to quit and go find her dream. WOW. Just WOW. What a man.
I will be watching every drama with this man in it going forward.
If you want a drama with twists and turns and all that crazy stuff, this is not for you. But if you're like me and can appreciate a well written man and a genuine plot that stays true to itself, please give this a go.
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First time watching a kdrama where the couple doesn't break up
I've watched plenty of Kdramas where the leading couples always break up for whatever reason, so when they never did I was surprised which made me love this more!I didn't expect this pairing but they were actually really good.
I love the OST as well. Definitely on my comfort shows list, planning to rewatch again.
Aside from the main couple, I loved the second couple and they surprisingly looked good together and have such a great chemistry!
Some people said it's boring but I guess it's just not their cup of tea.
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