It is no secret that Korean dramas have been gaining in popularity worldwide and the latest jewel in this crown is King the Land. In its first days of broadcasting, this Netflix production managed to accumulate more than 65 million hours of viewing, positioning itself with great audience favorites such as The Witcher and Lincoln Lawyer.
But why does King the Land stand out from the rest of the K-dramas?
Described as a “classic romantic comedy”, King the Land has become the successor to memorable Korean fiction such as What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim and Business Proposal, both Netflix originals.
Broadly speaking, King the Land is the tale of an enterprising and modest woman who ends up marrying a member of aristocratic society. Apparently, screenwriter Choi Rom has been inspired by the narrative schemes of classics such as Cinderella and Pride and Prejudice.
At the center of this love story are Goo Won and Cheon Sa-rang, played by Lee Jun-ho (member of K-pop band 2PM), and Im Yoon-ah, aka Yoona, (member of K-pop band Girls’ Generation).
The story
Goo Won, is the newly appointed manager of the King Hotel. This rich and lonely heir repudiates fake smiles and is overwhelmed by the obscure disappearance of his mother. On the other hand, we have Cheon Sa-rang, known as the “smile queen”. This energetic employee dreams of making the King Hotel a truly happy place. She is a noble and witty young woman with an optimistic outlook on life and love.
From the beginning of the show, we see the disparity of social classes and power imbalances between the protagonists.
Through the eyes of Goo Won, the heir to a powerful luxury hotel and airline conglomerate, the romantic drama offers a portrait of the extravagant lifestyle and power struggles experienced by some of South Korea’s wealthiest and most influential families.
Meanwhile, through Cheon Sa-rang’s eyes, the audience is immersed in the demanding and fast-paced world of hospitality. It is refreshing to see a talented, competent protagonist who does not need to be rescued. Cheon Sa-rang loves her life just the way it is.
Following the tradition of Korean romance series, King the Land makes use of some classic clichés such as “rich guy falls in love with poor girl”, “office romance”, “colleagues who hate each other before they fall in love”, and “love that transcends social status”. The series is at its best when it explores the contrast between the heir to a dynasty and a simple woman.
Although the protagonists get off on the wrong foot, it doesn’t take long for Goo Won to develop feelings for Cheon Sa-rang. And the fact is, the young woman’s kind heart and fervent vocation of service gradually break down the businessman’s emotional walls, leading to an unexpected connection and many special moments.
With great on-screen chemistry, both actors manage to portray a heartfelt, hilarious and tenderly warm romance.
King the Land is notable for its insight in quickly establishing the good nature of its male protagonist. Goo Won may have grown up in an environment of wealth and privilege, but it becomes very clear that the young man is not elitist, nor is he unhealthily capricious. His sometimes arrogant facade hides the sad bitterness of one who has been abandoned.
As Goo Won’s life intertwines with Cheon Sa-rang’s, his view of the Hotel’s corporate culture becomes even more conscious and empathetic. The King Group heir seeks to direct his attention to his employees and devotes significant resources to shaping a positive and humane work environment.
In this sense, the Netflix series takes time to examine business issues such as transparent leadership, workers’ rights, the harmful effects of overwork and systemic injustices. The show’s director, Im Hyun-wook, painstakingly depicts the relentless behind-the-scenes workings of a luxury hotel.
It is noteworthy that, although Goo Won and Cheon Sa-rang occupy the heart of King the Land, the K-drama makes use of an interesting group of supporting characters, who add dimension and looseness to the plot. From flight attendant Oh Pyung-hwa (Go Won-hee), versatile sales manager Kang Da-eul (Kim Ga-eun), to Goo Won’s friend and assistant, Noh Sang-sik (Ahn Se-ha).
All of them, with their peculiar charms, accentuate the comic tone of the fiction and enrich the story.
As in any romantic comedy, the plot of King the Land is full of obstacles that stand in the way of the protagonists’ happiness. The script veers between the search for true love and the fulfillment of family duty, between free choice and prescribed roles, between systemic injustices and labor rights.
Is the first season of King the Land worth watching?
If you’re a die-hard romantic, an enthusiastic dreamer, or if you’re simply looking for some form of catharsis, King the Land won’t disappoint.
This Korean series is light-hearted, sensitive, and topical and recaptures the traditional outline of the genre. It will not be for everyone, as its formula resorts to some common and predictable tropes. However, as we know “classics never die”, and perhaps this is the key to its success.
While King the Land is not perfect fiction, it is fair to say that it is a luminous, classic comedy with enormous potential. It has a captivating and well-woven plot, engaging characters, and a glamorous production that doesn’t skimp on the details.
Im Hyun-wook’s K-drama stands out aesthetically due to the opulent sets and eye-catching installations.
With something of “fairy tale” and “modern Cinderella”, King the Land makes us laugh and tear up as we watch the most adorable and cheesy couple face all kinds of challenges.
Our verdict: get comfortable, the marathon is worth it.