King The Land Review: A Drama Filled with Warmth and Smiles

Title: King The Land

Episodes: 16

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Main Cast: Im Yoon-ah, Lee Jun-ho, Kim Go-eun, Go Won-hee, Ahn Se-ha, Kim Jae-won

Streaming Platforms: Netflix 

Image Credit: IMDb

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Have you ever wanted a K-drama that feels light, comforting, and full of warm romance? King The Land is exactly that. With Junho bringing an icy yet endearing chaebol charm and Yoona lighting up the screen with her bright, cheerful energy, this drama creates a delightful blend of sweetness and laughter. As the story unfolds in the luxurious world of hotel life, their slow-burning chemistry and heartwarming moments make this series an easy and enjoyable watch for any rom-com lover.

“King The Land” is a South Korean television series aired on JTBC from June 17, 2023, to August 6, 2023. Written by Choi Rom and directed by Im Hyun-wook, this romantic comedy series is available to watch on Netflix.

Plot Summary 

Cheon Sa-rang is a hotelier at King Hotel who loves her job, earning her the best employee award for two years in a row. She started at a low rank but quickly rose through the ranks based on her sheer talent and hard work. 

Sa-rang lives with her two best friends, Kang Da-eul and Oh Pyung-hwa. Da-eul works at Alanga, a duty-free store of the King Group, and single-handedly manages her household, which includes her lazy husband, sweet daughter, and her in-laws. 

Pyung-hwa is a flight attendant at King Air and struggles to get promoted due to the politics played by her colleagues. She receives support from her junior, Lee Ro-woon, who has a crush on her. 

Gu Won, the heir of King Group, gets appointed as the head manager of King Hotel. He has only one friend, Noh Sang-sik, who also works as his secretary. 

The King Group is managed by Gu Hwa-ran, the half sister of Gu Won and the eldest daughter of the King Group. The chairman, Gu Il-hoon, wants to pick the successor of King Group between Won and Hwa-ran, which commences the inheritance war between them. 

Won clashes with Sa-rang, who is known as the Smile Queen of King Hotel, and calls her smile fake, while Sa-rang finds Won's aloof personality annoying. 

But as they spend more time together, Won falls for Sa-rang, and eventually Sa-rang also reciprocates his feelings. A passionate romance develops between them as they try to keep their relationship secret. 

Initially, Won doesn't seem much interested in the succession dispute; rather, he focuses on finding his mother, who suddenly disappeared when he was a child. While hanging out with Sa-rang and her friends, Won realizes the hardships faced by employees and decides to win the legacy battle against his sister. 

Won vows to bring change in the King Group by focusing on employee well-being and building genuine relationships that are free from fake smiles.

My Thoughts 

The writer has created a beautiful love story between a charming hotel heir and a diligent hotelier. It features the familiar themes of the enemies-to-lovers trope, employee-boss dynamics, and class differences between the rich and the poor. 

The cinematography of the show beautifully showcases luxurious hotels and malls while also providing a glimpse into the lives of everyday employees who are dedicated to their employer's success. The bright and cheerful tone complements the stunning locations and highlights the rich, classy themes throughout. 

The entire cast delivered outstanding performances, with special mentions for Im Yoon-ah and Lee Jun-ho, who brought an iconic couple to life. The heart-fluttering chemistry between Won and Sa-rang is the highlight of the show, while the charming love story of Pyung-hwa and Ro-woon is equally delightful! 

The trio of Sa-rang, Da-eul, and Pyung-hwa exemplifies friendship goals through their unwavering support for one another. I really enjoyed their trip to Thailand, where Won introduces Sang-sik as the department manager, who takes his role too seriously. This makes it difficult for Sa-rang and Won to spend time together, which is absolutely hilarious! 

Despite its predictable plot, the show provides strong chemistry while balancing romance, comedy, and drama. It showcased the challenges and mistreatment faced by employees in different industries while also providing the approach management should take to enhance their employee well-being. 

The series concludes on a positive note, leaving the audience in a cheerful mood. Its light-hearted nature makes it easy to binge-watch, and I truly enjoyed it. If you like classic romantic comedies, this drama is a must-see. 

King the Land doesn’t try to be complicated; it simply delivers joy. Whether you’re here for the sweet romance, the lighthearted humor, or the charismatic performances, this drama leaves you smiling long after the final episode. If you love comforting rom-coms with a magical vibe, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your watchlist. 

What’s your take on King The Land? Comment down your favorite character and scene. I’d love to hear your ideas! Share any suggestions or topics you’d like me to cover.

Want my recommendation on romcom? Read my review of My Dearest Nemesis. 

My Rating: 7/10 

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