Very fun
The writers flirted with using tropes we are super familiar with, but almost always twisted them a bit making them more enjoyable and less frustrating. It's not a perfect story, and my personal taste is that there be less "Villian" characters, but at least this one doesn't cause a lot of angst so that's better. The show is fun and Junho and Yoona are a great pair to watch together. There were a few characters that I found exceedingly annoying and wished were shown less, but they are mostly overshadowed by the other positives. Overall I really enjoyed this show.Was this review helpful to you?
Not the first time KDramas are culturally insensitive.
So for some reason in this show theres a character present for 2 whole episodes. A rich Arab prince with many white women around him who frequents bars. Okay, that alone is clearly sending signals of how they perceive Arabs, but even the prince's character throughout the two episodes is this very pushy man who is using his position and money to be weird and creepy to Sarang. Sarang clearly doesnt want to be with him and obviously finds him an inconvenience but they only tolerate him because he has a lot of money. Let me reiterate. Sarang is basically being harassed at her workplace by this rich man (who by no coincidence is made very clearly an Arab of high esteem in his land) who uses her power to try to get her to like him?! So not only are they making a joke out of workplace harassment but also making light of Arab people and their character.For those saying well it's not Muslim. First of all there is no Arab country in the world with a non Muslim royal family. Second of all, Arab Christians are just as conservative and good charactered people. They also do not go around flaunting women and harassing them.
The only reason people are defending yet another racist caricature by KDramas is because this is how they view us, Arabs, too. It is so normalised but its not how anyone would like their culture to be viewed. This happens time and time again to POC, like when Shooting Stars made it seem like Africa is one country and they are all poor and resourceless waiting for the first white man (or Korean) to save them (for publicity, too). Backstreet Rookie had a racist character playing an African man with dreads and quite literally had insects fly around the mans dreads. Implying Africans are dirty and that he can casually spray paint tan on his face to depict them.
DO BETTER.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Turned out to be the OPPOSITE of good.
Why did I pick this drama ?Because I've watched Rain or shine & The Red Sleeve, liked them both. I THOUGHT this one would be excellent. Turns out its not (and worse, far from good)
It was my first drama of Yoona as FL. A good plot and a good acting are two different things. I haven't really covered Acting, because I found the characters ridiculous (and acting was based on that. They did well)
(I loved Jun Ho's acting in The Red Sleeve, cant really comment on this one , coz I hate Gu Won).
I dont understand how and why people repeatedly compare this with business proposal. They're so freaking different. Business Proposal was damn good & King the Land is not even close.
I felt BP had a much better plot compared to this. Not just the ML &FL but SML &SFL we so worth watching. It was humorous, had depth in the story as well as the characters, also the romantic development was gradual (& made a lot more sense).
King the land has lots of cons. Still, I think why people like it so much is because it presents the story like a fairy tale. (Too shiny, but unrealistic )
There are dramas, that keep you awake all night, but this one turned out to be a sleeping pill for me. Initial couple of episodes were so boring, I literally fell asleep.
Who is Gu Won? Seriously, they glamourized him so much in the drama, that they forgot to show his character development. No matter what the situation, our prince charming solves the issues in a blink. The first episode did mention how he went back to europe , finished his education and came back years later, but still, the ease with which he does things is just so fancy and unreasonable. We almost never see him working . All he does whole day is, sitting in his comfortable chair and gawking at Sarang's photos and texts (or worse disturbing her at work ), and when reminded of his duties by manager No, drives him out of the office, throwing cushions aimed at him (& sadly, often misses the target) .
During the initial days of joining the hotel, the way Gu won behaved was utterly ridiculous. Him being a crybaby everytime someone smiled, or mentioned his mother was just too much. Given his status , educational background & the competitive environment at work, his character should be a lot more serious and mature.
Why does Sarang like Gu Won?
Why does Gu Won like Sarang? Their relationship lacks development. It shouldn't have been so spontaneous.
Some things just makes no sense at all (especially the employee trip (horrible plotline). There are just too many loopholes in the story.
In terms of comedy as well, its definately not on the same page with Business Proposal. It has humor, I agree on that. The plot has its share of hilarious moments ( my favorite being : This place looke familiar though(followed by an overcoat flick)) (The Red Sleeve reference) .
(But, the comedic elements in BP; much better).
Its an entertainer, agree. But, so not worth the hype. Truth be told, it wasn't surprising to watch the ratings stoop down from 8.8 to 8.4 (I think it'll go lower🤞🏻).
I'm still wondering. Is it really worth my 6.5 rating 🤔?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
An expensive production with a whole lot of nothing
I was really looking forward to this drama solely for Lee Jun Ho because I loved him in the Red Sleeve. But, the show is so utterly underwhelming and shallow, there is nothing to look forward to. The characters only exist to pine after each other without trying to accomplish anything in life making for a very boring and uninspiring story.This is a cliche rom-com where a rich guy falls for a working class employee. It would've been interesting if the writers treated the characters like adults, instead of high school students, and gave them mature interactions and meaningful conversations. Instead, they proceed to bore us with every single overused cliche known to k-drama making the plot extremely predictable. Gu Won has no personality outside his crush on Sarang. At the beginning, he is shown as a sophisticated and rich bad-boy skydiving in a suit and landing on a helicopter pad James Bond style. Later, we find out that he is nothing more than a nepotism baby with no social awareness, no competence, no charisma and exists solely to pine after Sarang. Even his feud with his sister is superficial because he doesn't do anything other than pursue his love interest. He finished an MBA at the beginning of the show, which could've been a nice plot device for him to start serious work in the hotel and eventually become the owner. No, he is a director in name only and doesn't do anything or show any particular interest in work. Even his employees have to tell him that he needs influence and support in order to succeed, instead of spending so much time obsessing over FL.
Some story arcs are completely asinine. The Arab prince is reduced to a total simp for Sarang competing for her affection with Gu Won. God knows why we need another atrocious love rival trope where everyone falls in love with the heroine because she is so precious. And the arc with the flight attendant friend isn't interesting enough for me to care about because she is such a minor character.
Overall, the show felt like a high school drama filled with overused cliches. Characters have no motivation and there is no real plot. Pass.
Was this review helpful to you?
GRUMPHY AND SUNSHINE??? [BOUND TO FALL IN LOVE]
A CLASSIC ROMANTIC COMEDY.Do you all remember the old kdrama??? The 2016 kdrama era??? When kdrama use to be fluffy without unnecessary murder mystery, bully and revenge trope.
This is THAT kind of drama. The Nostalgia i felt watching this.
It will make you laugh till you have tears in your eyes with its humour. It will make your blush like a teenager with its romance. It will make you wanna hide with the second hand embarrassment. It will make you want to crave more.
The drama is amazing. Its definitely is the romcom of 2023 just like business proposal was of 2022.
Light, fluffy and ridiculous. The romance is swoon worthy. The humour is amazing. The plot may be a little old fashionable and cringy but don't we all crave it once in a while!?
And the way he look at her. Cares for her. Looks after her. IS CHEFS KISS.
There may be instant care and attraction but their love grows slowly. Its not instant. It grows from a bud to a flower that blooms. Yes, it can BE EXTRA sometimes but who doesn't like a CEO spending all his love, attention and money on a girl like a love sick puppy??? LIKE who doesn't like that!?
ACTORS/CHEMISTRY
The cast is perfect. Not just that mainleads but even every single side character. And the chemistry between the main leads is absolutely EXPLOSIVE.
Like you can feel the connection and chemistry between them from episode 1. The way they look at each other, ahhhhh!!
Overall, JUST WATCH IT. People are over analysis a drama they shouldn't. Even with the massive post hype i will say it lives upto the expectations.
Was this review helpful to you?
All over the place.
I have a confession, I've forwarded past most of the episodes. Don't even ask me what's going on in the plane with the flight attendants or the shop. It's not the best drama. There I said it. The story is so slooooow. The only thing going for it is the kiss. But take that away and there's not much left. Also maybe the sister. It had so much potential. Even without the cultural issues prince episode, the story arc made little contribution to the story. And what was with that fake wedding. I don't know. It's just too much. I stuck around for the love story between the leads but I'm not sure that's enough to keep me around anymore.Was this review helpful to you?
No story to back the sizzling chemistry.
Despite being a huge fan of Junho and Yoona couple (I really loved them when the performed señorita together ) , I am writing this review , as the story is just pathetic.There was no element except romance till episode 9 . Nothing that will hook you to the screen . There was nothing to act as well , for such power packed performers , except smile , fake smile and real smile (duhhh). I liked the girl friend bond , but I think they kept the story revelation to the last part of the show (I hope , if at all) , but they should understand , who is going to watch it without any element. At least they could have shown any 1 of the friends' story anything for that matter . Junho totally forgets why he joined the hotel . And female lead character is the worst , this is common to all chaebol K-dramas though , they would act nonchalant in front of the boss , while are submissive with others. Here also the female lead is impudent even when she had done wrong to him . (Calling him a pervert , then using his washroom etc) , although she is easily told off by rest of the employees. If she wasn't favoured by Junho's sister , she would have still been wiping the sweat off .
Anyways had to drop off the show , Cant waste my time over something as rubbish as this one.
I wish such talented actors choose good scripts ahead.
Was this review helpful to you?
brought back the golden era of kdramas
idk what others are on about. yall are so used to conflicting plots, unecessary drama and toxicity that yall find a lighthearted, healthy romance ‘cringey’? that's ridiculous. the entire point of a romcom is to be cheesy and sweet. anyways, imo it was a wonderful watch. the acting was amazing, the visuals were amazing, and the story never felt lacking even though it was 16 episodes of fluff. the ml was the greenest flag ever and the fl was so witty and charming as well her professional skills made her so much more attractive omg. the chemistry was off the charts! so adorable, so ideal. the drama overall was refreshing, not in the sense it brought something new, instead it brought back the 201-ish comfort of watching kdramas. just say you don't know how love works in real life if you're gonna call this drama cringey lmao your love life must be tragic.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Story
King the Land (2023) is a South Korean romantic comedy that takes viewers on a whirlwind journey through the luxurious world of hospitality. Starring Lee Jun-ho as the arrogant heir Gu Won and Im Yoon-ah as the ever-smiling hotelier Cheon Sa-rang, the series offers a delightful blend of enemies-to-lovers romance, corporate intrigue, and heartwarming moments.Here's a breakdown of the key aspects of the film:
Plot: Gu Won, thrust into an inheritance battle within his family's hotel empire, clashes with the dedicated Sa-rang, whose infectious smile he finds irritating. As they navigate their opposing personalities and work together, their initial animosity gradually melts away, paving the way for romance and personal growth.
Characters: Lee Jun-ho delivers a charismatic performance as the initially cold and aloof Gu Won, showcasing his character's vulnerability and hidden warmth as the story progresses. Im Yoon-ah shines as the optimistic and resilient Sa-rang, bringing depth and emotional weight to her portrayal. The supporting cast also adds layers to the narrative, providing humor and intrigue.
Romance: The enemies-to-lovers trope is executed well, with the initial bickering and misunderstandings leading to a natural and believable romantic development. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, making their emotional journey all the more engaging.
Humor: The series balances its romantic elements with witty dialogue and comedic situations. Gu Won's uptight demeanor often clashes with Sa-rang's sunny disposition, creating humorous moments that lighten the mood.
Heartwarming Moments: Despite its comedic elements, King the Land also packs an emotional punch. The characters face personal challenges and learn valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of human connection.
Overall: King the Land is a charming and entertaining rom-com that offers more than just lighthearted fun. With its engaging characters, well-developed romance, and blend of humor and heart, the series is sure to leave viewers feeling warm and satisfied.
Was this review helpful to you?
Some good, a lot of bleh
This is one of those shows that hook you in the beginning, only to end of nowhere with the story. I'm not gonna lie, the last 6 episodes I only had on in the background as white noise, just so I could say that I finished it. Which is a shame because I genuinely really liked the first couple of episodes. The characters seemed interesting, they had good chemistry and it just seemed like a simple and fun k-drama. However about half way through, the plot takes a bit of a turn and just turned into a boring nothing story. It seemed so forced and like the writers didn't have any idea how to make the story interesting anymore. I wished that they had instead focused more on Yoon Ahs character and built the relationship more slowly, instead of rushing it.Don't get me wrong though, I mostly enjoyed the drama and could see the appeal for it. If you just wanna see pretty people fall in love in a simple, light-hearted k-drama you will probably enjoy it. I though the cast did a serviceable job with the relatively flat storyline they had to work with.
Was this review helpful to you?
Just your regular romcom but better
King the land is a genuinely good drama.It doesn't have a very out of the box storyline or unexpected twists and turns but it delivers what it promised.
The story is pretty ordinary and cliche but at the same time, like, set in a hotel, that makes it different??? idk.
Tbh it's a light and fluffy drama with very minor ups and downs. I don't get why so many people did not like it.
Honestly I would have absolutely loved it if it was a bit shorter (like 12 episodes or smthn) because the communication between the main leads was strong and they didn't really have any obstacles or anything to figure out or smthn so it did feel a little dragged at the end.
It was literally perfect till like the 12th 13th episode but after that I did skip through the episodes ngl.
But still it's a nice watch for something sweet and cute. Plus we get jun ho and yoona as eye candies ( I think that's also a great reason to watch it hehe)
All in all really did enjoy this one.
P.S.: Okay but the friendships here-----to die for istg >>
Was this review helpful to you?
Respect Your Employee And Customer
In this K-Drama series, we can learn how to respect our colleagues, employees, and customers when we have or are working in the company. In this story, 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. The main character who didn't know anything had to learn from the low-level employee. On the first day, He see how his underling are playing their role. No one in there knows who is when first came into the office. After seeing his underling have a bad attitude, He shows his true identity and everyone is shocked. But in the middle of the journey, there is a backstory where He's traumatized with the fake smile which the hotel rules are they must serve everyone with a smile. Then there is a female lead who's a hard worker and has a bright smile. She has a dream of working on the King Hotel. Then She's getting hired and working at the King Hotel. Then when they meet together, that's where their journey begins.Was this review helpful to you?
