King the Land

The Good:
⌲ Yoona is very pretty
⌲ There are no love triangles.
⌲ There is a certain amount of enjoyable fluff.
⌲ The secondary fls and sismance (though it’s not exactly amazing)
⌲ The arab prince thing was amusing enough (I cannot imagine getting butthurt over something like this)
⌲ It’s at least a better drama than ‘Forecasting Love and Weather’.

The Neutral:
⌲ Jun Ho’s acting (I understand why he did not take this very seriously though, I do know he is a talented actor)
⌲ The romance in general (not bad, not great)
⌲ The father (He is bad, but in similar dramas I’ve seen far worse)
⌲ The chemistry between the leads
⌲ Of course it's a clichefest. (though It's not too bad in this regard)

The Bad:
⌲ The plot is just horrible (yes in romcoms it shouldn’t matter, but there are way too many offensive and intelligence insulting things, it’s like a Lakorn)
⌲ The dialog is pretty bad too at times. (and this is a big problem)
⌲ There is a lot of backward crap that is kind of like airing the nation’s dirty laundry, at least in Hollywood as bad as their shows are they are trying to move forward.
⌲ Outside of the leads & their friends almost everyone is a mean bully. (the corporate chain of abuse, see the prev. point)
⌲ The romantic plot itself flows rather strangely & completely falls apart in the final episodes.
⌲ The mother & her reason for leaving her son
⌲ The drama has an incredible amount of bad energy!
⌲ The ML sometimes appears to be mentally challenged, like Dali and the Cocky Prince's ML.
⌲ The fakest smiles you have ever seen
⌲ The older sister (her acts are too juvenile and dumb even for kdrama cheabol-land-u)
⌲ “Double the profits, hit the targets!”
⌲ One long helicopter ride should be something like sub-$10000 in Korea, it’s obviously far cheaper than dealing with the bad press, optics and liability over what happened and they talked about this so forking much.
⌲ .. there are many more things, but I tire of writing this review ..

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Nothing Burger!

Well I am surprising myself with this assessment. I was sincerely looking forward to this drama. Let us be honest, we have not had many great k-dramas in the past year or so. This seemed to have a great lineup and fairly upscale production. I was not anticipating a masterpiece, but a fun, light hearted romantic comedy.
But in reality the show turned out to be a whole lotta nothing burger. The set looked great, the visuals were great...but the magic was missing. I was hoping this to change as the story progressed...but the pace of the story remained the same. I finished watching the show purely out of loyalty to some of my favorite cast members, but they deserved better.

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King the Land

King the Land is how romantic comedies should be done. Of course, it was filled with all the usual K-Drama cliches that you can think of, and of course, there were corny + cheesy parts but it all worked for the most part.

Sarang is one of my favorite FLs. She was not immature or created misunderstandings out of thin air. Yoonah does a great job expressing her emotions. I love her relationship with her grandma & her friends. Her friends and she were always having the times of their lives in this show. I love a good sismance.

Jun Ho as Gu Won will go down as one of the greenest flags in all of K-Dramaland. I mean I cannot resist my toxic king obsessive CEO troupe... hehe, but he might be the healthiest CEO ever. Of course, he had the usual CEO trauma, but the way he allowed himself to heal did not affect his relationship with Sarang or his bestie, Sangsik. His smile was also so healing... I mean I love watching him be happy. This is my first Junho drama & my 2PM guy can ACT. I need to watch his other dramas.

THE RELATIONSHIP WAS SO HEALTHY. No unnecessary misunderstandings that drag on for eternity. Whenever something came up, the leads COMMUNICATED. It was so refreshing. I love how they always support one another & always down for one another no matter what hardships come our way.

Of course, the OST was elevating all the scenes... highly recommended for a light, fluffy healthy romantic comedy. 9/10

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Cliche or not, plot or not ... King the Land slayed anyways!

No drama needs a sophisticated plot, to be good enough. And I think we should literally stop with the cliche comments, cause this wasn't a space movie after all.

Now I don't want to repeat what many have already said but, personally, this drama didn't need a lot of twists or drama or plot to make me absolutely love it. I looked forward to it every weekend cause it really felt like my happy hour and put me in such a good mood.

I wasn't here for the plot, I was here for the healing love stories, for the charming Gu Won and Ro Woon, for the green flags all the main characters were, for the life lessons, for the so amazingly strong chemistry between the leads, for the mind blowing kiss scenes (thank God they weren't cringe like most the dramas out there). I was here for the princess halmeoni that makes me cry in every drama in a way or another. I was here for the family Sarang, Pyung Hwa and Da Eul had built, for all the times Gu Won violently kicked No Sang Sik out of the office. I was here for the family Gu Won and Sarang found, and I felt part of all of this. And sorry if I didn't mind the plot or whatever you couldn't find in this drama.
I was here for the people and the feelings they intended to give to me as a watcher and guys, you did it beautifully.

Let's please thank all of the crew for their amazing job cause they might feel bad with the fans splitting into two opposite love-hate directions, let alone the offended watchers that pretty sure messed up the rating.

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disappointing ...

I will start this review by saying that I am a regular rom-com enthusiast. I absolutely loved Business Proposal but King The Land failed to achieve anything that Business Proposal did in the span of 12 episodes.
King the Land had a flimsy, basically non-existent, plot and absolutely no proper conflicts or red thread to carry on the drama. I am not saying that shallow romcoms can't be good but jeesus fucking christ there was NOTHING to wait for. Maybe this drama was great for those who just wanted to watch Yoona and Junho but I couldn't manage the last 4 episodes without skipping maybe 50-70%. And don't get me wrong, I do think they make a beautiful couple but this drama was borderline garbage. I have never been this bothered by product placements in my 7+ years of watching kdramas. The plot and the characters were such shallow cardboard cut-out humans that I couldn't even enjoy the romance by the end.
Were we supposed to act like the sister was in any way a proper villain. She seemed like a child who needed attention and craved for love but decided to be a bitch in her 40s. I just felt mildly annoyed by every scene she was in. She just kept being like "I want the hotel -_- humbh you have no right to the hotel". Like I don't care?
The business talks were the most ridiculous bs I've ever seen. I don't know anything about business but those scenes were so romanticised that I felt like slamming my head through a wall. Just shut up. When did Gu Won ever even work (literally in like one scene)?
Also the other friend in a sh*t marriage and all that was played out for a few laughs and cute bossy kid moments?? Am I supposed to feel okay that at least now she is the head of the household? Like ummm okay ... what a creative way to promote staying in loveless marriages I guess?

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Let King the Land take you on holiday prepare to laugh cry and enjoy superb.

I’ve just finished king the Land and I am a total mess. If your life isn’t great at the moment, if everything you do goes wrong. Just sit down relax and be pampered. Set in beautiful locations, it’s absolutely superb sets, the clothes, the tiniest details have not been missed. I’ll probably never ever get the chance to stay at such a grand hotel. However the drama opens the doors, takes you by the hand and says welcome. The drama brings you in to these peoples lives, you are wanting praying everything will work out. It keeps you centre stage with them. Clear story lines, brilliant wonderful chemistry between the whole cast. I would love for this to win awards. That would shut the haters up. Why can’t people be kind. The whole premise is to smile proper smiles. Thank you for letting us join in their lives just for awhile. Totally awesome. 10 out of 10 everyone concerned. I was laughing crying and clapping right at the end. I was not disappointed in anyway. Totally lifted my world. Thank you King the land. Best drama by far this year. Will be hard to top it.

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Maybe being so focused on success, King-The-Land almost lost track of the core of a KDrama´s heart

As far as I am concerned, "King the Land" triggers extremely ambivalent feelings. I'm still undecided whether to classify this KDrama as a Trojan horse or as a successful prototype AI product. In other words: is it deliberately engineered brainwashing (that at times comes very close to even insulting the human intellect), or is it the result of an AI (programmed for max audience share) as showrunner in its first, but surprisingly successful test run?

"King the Land" is a Rom+Com. A fairy tale we have known and loved for generations. The unthinkable becomes possible: the hard-working girl next door finds Knight in Shining Armor - a Jaebeol offspring who can afford the luxury of not even being interested in the rich heritage of the conglomerate. Well, if you feel like something like that, you get a highly polished version of a cheerful, trivial (and conservative) love story that opens up clichéd insights into the upper segment of the shamelessly high-end luxury world.

Here my criticism. My irritation. Even annoyances.

--> These days, we can (and obviously have to) get used to product placement. That´s nothing new. However, "King the Land" undauntedly puts an almost obscene shovel on top of that. It goes so far that at times I felt like I was stranded in a 16-episode commercial, which I consider quite intrusive. Shameless. Apparently it can always be worse.
I rarely fast forward. But rarely have I fast-forwarded as much as in "King the Land". Usually, I'm ready to get involved in moments - looks, gestures, stand still, in my opinion all of that can be part of the dramaturgy. But here the long takes far too often serve a product placement or a Lifestyle-Statement being deliberately staged on the occasion, or some triviality that may or may not be considered nice, yet without any impact for the story. Just for fun, so to speak, because it is (supposedly?) so pretty. Most of the time it's about a haunting, almost mean display of a lifestyle in the highest-priced luxury segment, which will probably never play a role for the vast majority of the audience. Then I get angry. Not because the story is set in an exclusive social class, but because it is staged in such an oversized manner, while giving it a lot more screentime than would be necessary or coherent for the feeling and understanding of the story.
My understanding goes like this: The high-gloss, stylized luxury lifestyle of the absolutist elite hides a message between the lines that is addressed to all classes below: “”” You'll never get there! Forget it. Enjoy what you have. Make an effort, then it could even be a little more. Yet, be aware: WE play in another galaxy, light years away from you. Give up. Surrender. Let us do it all. Then it shall not be to your harm.”””

---> Additionally: The KDrama chooses a nasty mixture of proven dramaturgical elements and links them with another hidden, questionable message that might be hardly noticeable, yet effective.
There is the world of the employed, that so many people in the country (and elsewhere in other countries) share. In particular in South Korea this is often enough about an authoritarian hierarchy within a corporate structure. This includes almost as a matter of course: bossing around, exploiting, abusing, and some more exploiting. This goes through all instances. It is nothing new. This is everyday life for many.
Thus, a rebellious protest is always welcome in KDrama. “King the Land” also grabs into this box - courageously and with some humor as the hero immediately counters the frustration that nothing ever changes. He rebels. Dares to speak back. Pushes through, with vigorous means when necessary. And keeps the upper hand. How wonderful! … It's just too bad that he happens to be the chairman's son and can afford to do that... Here, and there, and almost everywhere...
So, the positive, rebellious (democratically inspired?) message turns into the (autocratic) opposite: “””Only those who swing the scepter of (monetary) power can change something, because they are the ones, who actually have something to say. The ones at the top. An this is, because they are at the top for a good reason, because they have the background, the stamina and the right genes to de facto be responsible for the rest.”””
“King the Land” never tires of throwing this message into the audience's eyes and ears - in all its possible epic breadth. In particular, embodied by the protagonist's stepsister and antagonist, but even by the protagonist's trusted secretary. Sure, our hero ticks differently, but (this is the harmless insight to take home with us): “””It's not the evil chairmen, but there is an economic reality with which all people who think and act halfway responsibly have to put up with. Period! These are given contexts that one cannot escape from when in such a responsible position. Ergo: THOSE up there are no worse than we down here. On the contrary: THOSE up there bear responsibility, we down there don't. And THOSE up there actually mean well with us. We can actually be happy: we are doing well after all...”””
Yes, it may be true, that many are better off than others, that they lead a more comfortable life than their parents or grandparents did. Nevertheless, I feel this message (that so often resonates in this KDrama) as one that basically wants to keep people little and hold their potential down. I personally don't like that.

Therefore: Is “King the Land” trotting along as a Trojan horse of the autocratic backroom masterminds, selling their notion for a modern absolutistic society?

Or - with a wink:-) - another assumption: Is "King the Land" an AI product? An AI, which with all its algorithms, its heuristic search for solutions and its logical conclusions, yet blind for socio-political nuances, reaches into the colorful pot of success guaranteed dramaturgical determinants, inflates those for even more success and breathes life into it with popular (success-guaranteeing?) mimes, music and light. However, one can sometimes get the impression that the heartbeat is missing. Its rather forced here and there. (Some even reproach the KDrama for lacking any cross-cultural sensitivity.)

In my opinion, the 'done with love' of this KDrama bobs back and forth between 'yes' and 'no'. A pretty face has to be enough, a harmonious tune, a touching gesture, a look, a kiss at the right time to make amends for the rest. Towards the end, the KDrama tries hard again, the amorous and yet tricky relationship dynamic emotionally comes to the fore a little more (e.g. as a relationship that isn't appropriate for the Heir), and some processes come across quite promising, to the extent that maybe something actually might possibly change about the cemented corporate culture of King Group. Nevertheless, being embedded within the absolutist brainwashing of the overall scenario, it loses some of its charm. (For me) A bland taste remains.


--> However, the good news at last:
I cannot say I totally wasted my time. If in between I was able to ignore all of the above-mentioned allegation (which was actually possible!), then the KDrama also delivered: a nice, clichéd love story in the Jaebeol milieu, with some cat-and-mouse games, without much depth, but with extra (!) cream. Simple as that. (By the way, some are already treating "King the Land" as the KDrama with the best kissing scene...)


--> Conclusion:
Maybe being so focused on success , “King of the Land” almost lost track of the core of a KDrama´s heart. However, at least a few within the production team obviously tried to put quite some effort into emotional finetuning, too.
So, I'm ambivalent. In spite even the unabashed style I criticized, I watched to the end. Not only out of professional curiosity. Despite all the indignation that inevitably spread through me again and again, at times I eventually enjoyed it, too. (Otherwise I would have dropped it - and then quite early.)
For all that, that's KDrama, too...

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Definition of Chemistry will never be the same

I have not one complaint about this show. I can't even believe I'm saying that.

Look, it's not Dr. Zhivago, Gone with the Wind, or the Godfather. It's a rom-com that hits every point for me. Sometimes you don't want a full, heavy meal. You just want something light to eat and relax. Is the plot thin? Well, KTL is a magazine, not a novel. And magazines have their place too. KTL is light, funny, sexy, romantic and sweet, with two stars that know how to play off each other. It's perfect escapism. And it avoids all the Kdrama tropes: No birth secrets, no secret adoptions, no amnesia, no White Truck of Doom, no relative killing another's family member, etc.

Product placement? In spades. Find me a Kdrama (especially on KBS) that doesn't. But it's beautifully lit, staged, filmed, and the locations are surreal - think how beautiful the Thailand and England scenes were. And Yoona & Junho have re-written the concept of chemistry. We know their history IRL, which makes it even more special. Their scenes are so electric at times it could power Downtown Seoul. For me, nothing will ever come close to them as a couple. They are the new Gold Standard.

There's just enough villain to go around, but, and this is something that the current KBS series could learn from (I'm looking at you, TRHC & AOME writers) the biggest point to me is how well our leads COMMUNICATE. No deep secrets held for long, they talk out their problems, and nothing is held back.

This series is my Happy Place I've run to during the angst of TRHC. I can't even count how many times I've seen the last 2 episodes. It's ENTERTAINMENT, folks. That's all. And it's 10/10 on that aspect for me.

Count me in on those wanting a Season 2. I want to see how these 2 and their supporting cast tackle the challenges ahead (her running Hotel Amor while balancing being his wife, future family life, etc). I think they can come up with one more season of things for all of them to do. Hell, I could watch them playing Monopoly, frankly, and be pleased.

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Cliche rom-com, but the chemistry is Amazing!

This drama is the exact definition of drama Cliche; a cold, handsome, wealthy boss and a poor, beautiful, loving girl. That sums it all. They fall in love despite bickering with each other from the beginning, but their love blossoms into something profound.

The whole drama is set in various hotels and you see cute and breathtaking sceneries. The story is quite simple but there are mishaps along the way for the leads too. Don't expect to see the logic behind anything that happens, as it is the nature of this drama to be funny and romantic. The leads are just made for each other.

overall, a feel-good drama with cute skinship and chemistry between the leads.

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King of Cringe and Kisses

This is one of those dramas that is so hard to rate as some parts are so annoying and cringey they made me want to cover my eyes, skip, throw up, yell oh come on this is just stupid... While at the same time offering me some of dreamlands hottest kissing scenes, fun references to dramas passed and well Junho entering in slow mo wearing a suit, by suites I mean a lot of suits and a lot of scenes making me wonder if the makers of this drama where trying to check how many slow mo shots of Junho in a suit are to many... And well they tried their best but nee I am sure they could have fit in more of them and it would have only made this better.

In between the awful and the amazing there was a decent cliche story done mostly good, with mostly predictable twists a slight attempt to talk about some issues without really exploring the issues... All kind of meeh. But then agin we were offered some pretty amazing shots, nice music and mostly lovable leads with friends to die for (even if there stories and characters where annoying and over the top at times all characters had their moments of decency and greatness.

For some reason I find myself comparing this drama to Hometown Cha Cha Cha, and while it does have moments as cringy as the ones in there not a single one of the characters is as annoying as the people in Cha Cha. And while the FL in Cha Cha takes a turn to the annoying this one is mostly good from start to finish. what Cha Cha had that this one did not have was a beautiful bromance. But while Cha Cha truly took a dive from fun to oh my let this embarrassment end , this dramas journey of annoying cringe and greatness was more of a roller coaster type thing.

So if you love watching Junho in slow mo in a suit, steamy wet kissing scenes and can handle some cringe and annoying elements this is a really good watch.

P.S there was also a small referens to pretty women hidden in there....

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