King the Land

Reallyyy cutee!

Two words: really cute! This drama is just cute. I can't say that is an amazing, fantastic kdrama because that isn't true, but at the same time I enjoyed it. The main problem for me is that it doesn't have a plot. All the 16 episodes are about the love story that I loveed but I wished there was something more. But if I have to be honest, I was a sucker for them. Their romance was on point and their chemistry was so good that I wouldn't be surprised if they are a couple in real life. It's definitely a good rom-com with really funny side characters and good romance.
Now, moving on the actors. So I personally lovee Junho, he's super handsome and an amazing actor. His first drama that I watched was The Red Sleeve and I fell in love with him so bad, so I was super happy to watched another project and also with Yoona. To be honest, I don't love Yoona as an actress. There's something in her acting that doesn't convince me. She's not be a bad actress but I don't love her acting performance. All the other actors where good; nothing special, just good.
So, I would definitely recommend this kdrama if you wanna start watching them and also if you are searching for a light rom-com that makes you smile like a stupid.

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Top 3 Kdrama ever. Total Comfort Watch

If you want to watch something where you love and care about every single character and by the end of the show you are just impossibly happy then this is the mfing show for you.
The main couple are SO healthy and unproblematic it’s simply impossible to not adore them.
This is one of maybe two dramas I’ve ever watched where I’ve truly cared about the secondary characters storylines equally to the main storyline. The six friends (siblings! closer than family😭) are the best friendship group ever.

The villain villains perfectly, she is absolutely detestable and to be honest I didn’t even forgive her one bit in the end!

I am sad this show is over because I just dont know how I can start something new after this and say goodbye to these amazing characters.

I wish I hadn’t watched this drama… because now I don’t know how I’ll ever watch another without comparing it to this masterpiece.
my face hurts from smiling.
Instantly become a comfort show that I will absolutely be rewatching at least once a year.

I have only rated this just short of 10 stars because I really wanted Da Eul to leave her awful husband, but he did seem mildly less terrible by the end so I can’t be too bitter!

This, Descendants of the Sun, and Strong Girl Do Bong Soon are my all time favourites. if you haven’t watched them, go no. Then watch this. No need to thank me! Just live your best life and always smile from your heart <3

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light-hearted, funny, with a well-known storyline

first of, it's nice to see a classic rom-com n the midst of all the bullying, torturing, high violence and crime dramas that were rather predominant in the past months.

This one seems rather a classic rom-com, with decent casting and actors, carefree music and a classic storyline too.
That said, - after watching the first two episodes - it is all pretty known concerning the story and the way it's constructed.
Although there were some rather funny scenes in yet both episodes, I did find myself thinking aw, they stole this part of the story here or there. The whole plot with her accidentally thinking he is a pervert? Saw that in 'suspicious partner'.
Her having this kind of girl clique where all is rosy all the time between three women? Saw that often elsewhere. And so on. So yeah, we all knw all the cliche K-drama scenes, and yes in this drama they used all of them once and again.

I was waiting for this drama mainly because of Lee Jun-ho, as I found him to be brilliant in 'the red sleeve' and really good in 'rain or shine' too. I get the idea of his role here is the brooding/sad and rather arrogant chaebol heir, and after a bit of a slow start concerning the actual acting, I do see the idea of his character after episode 4, and it's quite light-hearted and funny to watch him (and please don't beat me, I just think Lee Jun-ho is too thin now, he looks gaunt to me and not healthy. I know it's the trend for male Korean actors to achieve that but for me, at a certain point, it starts looking bothersome and I find myself thinking 'jeez he does not look healthy there' while watching).

The character of Yoon-ah is likeable and cute, and slowly getting a bit more substance after the first three episodes. The interaction between her and Lee Jun-ho is easy-going, it's nice seeing the characters bantering all the time and it's obvious both actors have known each other for a long time and probably like each others company.

The plot remains well-known from many other dramas (episode 4 just had the typical 'sad in the rain, he brings the umbrella'-scene) but it's enjoyable anyways, even if it's yet pretty clear what's probably coming next.
Right now I'm just enjoying that it is light-hearted, funny and carefree entertainment taking my mind off the day and any kind of worries. If you are looking for this kind of show, this one might suit you well!

EDIT I:

After having watched 10 episodes:
a big thanks to the creators of this drama for one specific thing: thank you for showing a young couple newly in love ACTING like couples do when they are head over heels. They gaze at each other, they want to touch each other and they want to kiss and seek every chance to spend time together. And I think it's a first that in a drama a couple kisses in a frequency that I'd consider normal at that stage. And even more, it's real kisses both want to share and it's shown like that.


EDIT II:

After episode 15:
how unnecessary was this episode ending? I guess I know what the writers are up to in the last episode (She meant quitting the hotel, not the relationship), but this last scene was sooo unrelatistic. She would never have just said these sentences without any context. She came to that restaurant that evening, even saying and remembering how they ate there for the first time on her birthday etc, seeing and knowing he planned something special for the night, him being nervous etc. So if she would really call it quits with him, totally out of the blue at that moment? She'd be a total psycho contradicting every single aspect of how her character was portrayed yet. So really, writers, was that necessary and in such bad style?
So, given I am right with my idea of what she actually wanted to say about quitting - her hotel job -realistically she would have said something like: 'I have to say something important too. I am very grateful I could work in such a high position in the hotel and I have given it a long and good thought. But I feel misplaced. I hope you understand and support me when I want to do something new.'


EDIT III

After the final episode:
ok, that last episode was like pure sugar coating, nothing but sugar, I even found myself laughing out loud. =D
I think this was the most unrealistic positive drama I have watched yet, everything that happened in this episode has absolutely nothing to do with reality - but that was the whole idea of this drama, and if you want TOTAL reality escape with everything fluffy and nice - that's what you should watch on steady repeat =D

I don't know where to start: apart from the MANY product placements, even in slow motion (common, the chaebol heir wears Dior 'sauvage'? Never would someone like that wear a cheap drugstore perfume - just as an example...) - sadly, people are not like that (or maybe my rather longer lifetime taught me otherwise;). That bitchy sister of Gu Won? She would never change. People who are that evil and nasty, remain that way, and when they get older it gets worse, never better. His father? Would have NEVER accepted his choice of a wife, ever. In reality the son would have probably lost his heir status, he would have never gotten the leading position in that hotel. And his father would not have shown up at the wedding and wished him well.
His mother would probably not haven shown up again in his lifetime... and so on, and so on. In the real world, most people are selfish, nasty, and they do not change. So, this drama really over-egged the puddig concerning unrealistic, but I enjoyed it exactly because of this =)

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King the land for Advertising

I don't understand if the story was really good or not .
but there is a lot of advertising for clothes and for the places they travel to...for makeup and for drinks....is the series a romantic story or is it a story to pass advertisements for clothes, watches, drinks and shoes.... and to confirm my words.
Lee Jun Ho in this drama was a men who fall in love but he makes advertisements for clothes, some facial makeup, and other frivolous things. this is too much in every episode
I apologize if no one likes my opinion, but unfortunately this is the reality of this romantic drama.

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Lack of creativity

If you're looking for a genuinely engaging and unique romantic comedy experience, it's best to look elsewhere.
If not, repare for a cringe-worthy journey through the land of overdone tropes and predictable plotlines in the romantic comedy "King the Land".
This show had nothing new to show us. You start watching it and find yourself drowning in a sea of familiar storylines and eye-rolling situations.
ugh.

Rich male lead running after a hardworking (and obviously not rich) female lead? How original! If you're looking for complex characters, this drama is not for you. Our leads are perfect examples of romcom stereotypes.
At first, there was some chemistry... but then I don't know what happened. Their interactions often felt forced, and their emotional connection seems... again, forced and fake. This makes it difficult to invest in their relationship or root for their happy ending.

King the Land serves as a great example of everything that's wrong with the romantic comedy genre. It leans too heavily on clichés. While it might offer a something for those seeking mindless entertainment, it mostly just leaves a bitter aftertaste due to its lack of originality.

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the sadness of my life is that I will never find a Gu :'(

I found it really enjoyable to follow the couple's development. There were moments that I found tiring and irrelevant to the story and the drama could have had fewer episodes. I loved the friendships that already existed and were built along the way, my dream was to find friends like them who were more like family. It would be very pleasant to see Mr. Gu appear and humiliate Pyung's service staff, they were terrible and the only one who saved them was her boyfriend, those snakes deserved to suffer some of the consequences of their actions. And speaking of Pyung, I burst into tears when she went to visit her mother-in-law, that really hit me.
Many times I shipped Da-eul with Mr. No, and almost at the end I still had hope that she would leave her stupid husband and stay with him.
I almost freaked out at the end of the penultimate episode, when she said she wanted to leave, I thought she was also talking about her relationship with Gu and that made my heart stop, I almost freaked out. And one thing I didn't understand was why she chose to open a hotel right away, that didn't make sense to me.
I felt very angry with Gu's sister, the only good thing she did was not letting her little son go away again; no matter how much she suffered everything she suffered, didn't justify all her ridiculous and despicable activities, in the end she only thought about herself and played very dirty to get things (I still really thought she kept the stores and the airline, if I were their father I would leave it with just one department and look there).
And about their father, I thought he was an asshole when he sent Sa-rang away, nothing justified, especially after they had done the same to Gu's mother, and knew the trauma it caused him. In the end, I didn't really understand how Gu and his mother's situation turned out, but I hope they got closer.

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Very simple review

I love them, they’re adorable, junho is just so hot he makes my heart flutter and his acting is on point, also his character development was great, love all of his kdramas he never misses. It’ a bit too unrealistic but that’s fine. The story was fun, the acting was good, yuna lacked a bit. Osts are good. It's a new story which i likes. A light kdrama to watch whenever your in a good mood. I loved the friendship aspect of the three girls, and junho's assistant, them traveling together was very fun and cute. I liked how their relationship wasn't fast, it had a good pace.
Overall 9/10.

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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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clichés are cute but no character development for FL, no-brainer watch

I am an avid romcom watcher and I love my clichés but after seeing this, I don't think it was worth the 16 hours I spent in the span of the 2 months it aired. I came here after seeing their cover of Señorita and their chemistry there was oozing! If only they had a more mature concept cuz they are grown late 20s/early 30s. The build up of the kissing scenes were just meh. It's not explosive and steamy. It's a good watch for children.
The last episodes were hasty. The sister was always fighting over the inheritance with ML and he expressed he didn't care about it but in order to be able to protect someone, he must have power. This seemed like it was just handed to him by his father because from the get-go, the father didn't want the sister to become the president of King Hotel.
Honestly, if they dug deeper in the sister Hwa-ran's story it would be more interesting how she became a "villain." She witnesses her father remarry and have a family with ML and his mom. Only for the ML's mom to disappear into thin air. It would be so cool to know their background and dynamics. If Hwa-ran was just pettily fighting her stepmother.
But no, they focused on Cheon Sa-rang who aside from dating a jerk before Gu-won, pretty much is a really good person. There's nothing to work with because she seems PERFECT. Nothing to nitpick in terms of character development because she seems to have it put together. In the end, she gets her grandmother's savings and starts a hotel of her own in 1 episode.
The OST was cute but once you play it too many times, it gets tiring.
If they did a historical fantasy, I would have dug that. If they did a modern day romance it would be so cool if they did 2 idols dating e/o. I was expecting something like W:Two Worlds were they didn't shy away from skinships as it felt more intense and "age-appropriate" for the actors. They also had to do the fiancee cliche with the girl saying she'll do anything to have Gu-won. I was actually sad she gave up too easily.
In real life, people just don't give up like that with one conversation. Same is true for Hwa-ran.
The actors HAVE talent but the script is so meh. If you want a no-brainer stress free watch go for it.
People compare it to Business Proposal and What's Wrong with Secretary Kim? but those 2 executed it better. This one not so much.

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Mediocre and problematic with a big shiny budget

This is my first ever review but this series rubbed me in all the wrong ways and i had to ramble a little to get the bad taste of it out of my mouth. Sorry in advance if it’s a long one.
KTL started sweet and refreshingly enough albeit a cliche and it was comforting food for the soul but then it seriously downhill for me for a multitude of reasons and i’m not even gonna get into the whole Arab prince debacle which was done very badly and offended a lot of people.

Before getting to the thick of it i have to give some points for the production value, cinematography and OST but with a lack of solid script it didn’t achieve much.
The camaraderie in the friend group and the support they had for each other was one of the few redeeming things about this show.
It also realistically depicted the service industry and the abuse workers have to endure on a daily basis.
The intimate scenes were done well but steam even a lot of it does not a worthwhile series make.

One of my main issues is like literally how is the sister the bad guy?
What is it with kdramas and misogyny?
Women can be good and competent but not in real positions of power?
How many successful female CEOs have you seen in any kdrama that wasn’t a scheming evil rival of the protagonist who probably had a nervous breakdown by the end of the series and got what was coming for her?
The sister has worked hard all her life and is managing a big company with different departments, is successful and smart, rightly has acknowledged Sarang’s worth and good work since the beginning and justly promoted her multiple times but then because of her spoiled brother who by the way I haven’t seen any sign of actually working or appreciating his status, is not worthy of becoming the CEO of the company she has worked her whole life for?
Guwon gets a seat at the table out of nowhere just because of his father and gets opportunities at every turn again because of his father but his sister has to fight for her position and honestly her decisions are consistent with that of a true leader not a do gooder.
I don’t care about her rotten personality, her beef with her brother or anything that’s not business wise cause in that regard she’s more than capable and qualified as hell and Guwon certainly is not and this show is questioning her management skills solely on the basis of her personal life. It wouldn’t be a classic kdrama if we don’t have an evil female antagonist.

And for a show which was supposed to be anti nepotism, it did a very poor job. How many times has Sarang enjoyed privileges not provided to any of her coworkers because of her relationship with Guwon? It’s really awful and it cheapens her good work ethics specially the amazing thailand trip courtesy of the company owner’s son attended by said undeserving son.
I understand that Sarang’s character is supposed to be gentle and calming but this paradox of an independent modern working woman and a damsel in distress in constant need of saving from the hero was ridiculous.
She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body and treats everyone nice and fair.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Grow a backbone sister it’s 2023.

And let’s be honest, when has working in the service industry been about dreams of making people happy and smile?
Ep 11 felt like a very long sermon by a preacher preaching the many benefits of working your ass off helping others as a noble and good deed which reality check reconfirms is only about cashing your paycheck at the end of the month and making ends meet since literally in the history of time no one has served anyone for the sheer joy of it.
Any improvement in Guwon personality and perspective comes directly from his interactions with Sarang and it’s like he had never seen or comprehend before that there were people who worked in the service industry and got things done for him.
He treats these so called new discoveries as groundbreaking like how blind and clueless were you before true love found you?
With a big budget and enormous sponsors (the very unsubtle product placements get a lot of screen time and oohs and awws) they could’ve done a much better job but alas it was mediocre and repetitive.

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