King the Land 킹더랜드 [2023]

[mademoiselle]

Episode 7

 

Guys, I really want to like this drama but I'm having trouble with the looooong-ass focus on Gu Won and Sarang just staring at each other. That so-called "I'll teach you how to spread out the table cloth" scene kills me. That scene was such a waste of time. Jun Ho looks gorgeous there but it was just not enough to make me moon over him.

 

Gu Won's "戀愛腦" (literal translation: romance brain) is frustrating me at the moment. I was actually looking forward to him spending some time (even if it has to be with Sarang), but at least together work out a plan on how to get the Arabic prince over to King Hotel. As predictably as it can be, Gu Won got him because he happens to know the prince. Is it askng too much that I wish to see Gu Won work hard at achieving some thing by putting some effort into it?

 

I did laugh out loud when Manager Noh did the simulation with him and once again Gu Won chased him out of the office. I don't know, maybe the theme of the drama is not really for us to take everything so seriously. I wish to see Gu Won grow up, you know? I really like what Manager Noh says to him about building his own power. What's the point of saying all of those to Gun Won (and to us audiences, which I wholeheartedly agree) if Gu Won is never going to act on it?

 

The Prince is just as bratty as Gu Won. Maybe that's why they don't see eye to eye on the get-go. Gu Won isn't providing him a good service and there's no reason why the Prince needs to be mistreated when he pays for everything. The only reason I could explain it away is that perhaps he puts up with Gu Won is because Gu Won always acted honestly towards him and doesn't fear/grovel at him like others do. There's nothing Gu Won covet from him and he feels "comfortable" with Gu Won.

 

 

Episode 8 Pre-release

 

Edited July 9, 2023 by mademoiselle

[abs-oluteM]

@mademoiselle I would be most okay with this drama being all fluffy if it wasn't 16episodes long. Because with nothing truly going on plot wise, what will happen to the story once the leads get together?  I don't mind the leads' interactions but they really do need to cut down on all those scripted skinship romantic moments that feels so terribly out of place in 2023. Classic tropes are fine but make it fresh. The ones here are just so elementarily written. The whole Arab prince thing again felt like a mere plot device for the romance to happen. It is already eps 7 our ML seems to be headed no where in terms of personal growth. Like GuWon still seems clueless about his place in this empire. I feel the frustration of his PA who clearly needs him to have some ambition. 

Spoiler

Like for example Business Proposal was also a very typical rom-com but it worked and there was some character development / plot for all concerned. I enjoyed that one so much more. 

 

But maybe it's just us or me who is not so hot about the non-existent plot. The locals seem to love it what with solid double digit ratings beating its Sat-Sunday predecessors. Go figure. 

[mademoiselle]

@abs-oluteM I feel just as frustrated as Manager Noh right at this very moment. The more I think about what we have seen for the last 7 episodes, the more my blood pressure rises with the lack of development in the story. LOL!

 

I don't think I even have much expectation from this drama in the first place. I just thought, hey, I love Lee Jun Ho in The Red Sleeve and I like rom-com too. It seems funny enough from the previews, but I never expected a drama can be so lacking in its storyline and be soooo bad in writing. It pains me more since The Red Sleeve was such a good show and Yi San was an awesome character portrayed by Jun Ho. Obviously, I look forward to see him play another character that is as equally as amazing as Yi San. Gu Won, as a character, right now is just disappointing.

 

Nahhh, the double digit ratings can be inaccurate. Time and time we've seen this happened to dramas we don't think were superb but they just somehow loved by the people. Star power, maybe.

 

New Stills

 

Spoiler

 

Ok, I complain... but I'll still continue to watch because of the above scene

Edited July 9, 2023 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

OST 5

 

[mademoiselle]

Netflix Promotional Stills

Spoiler

 

 

 

Behind the Scenes

 

[gilaswan]

@mademoiselle@abs-oluteM
I know the plot (what plot?) is slow in developing, but I have to say I like the mindlessness of it. It's the sort of show that doesn't take much energy to process - there's no real tension or anxiety for anyone anywhere. And yes, it doesn't take much grey matter to process. It is for these reasons that I am enjoying this show and can see why it's getting good ratings in SK too. Afterall, there are enough heartaches going around in the world today. I'm all for some good, mindless distraction. 

 

We're at mid-point of the show though, and as minute as things may appear, something is developing. I know it seemed like Gu Won managed to get the Arab prince's business a little too easily, but I have to say I was expecting it and it was nice to see that Gu Won actually has some connections of his own that his sister wasn't even aware of. And yes, as much as he said they weren't friends, they really were. The sort of friend you would have a love-hate relationship - clearly, Gu Won loved to gate him. Hahaha...

I like it that through Sarang, Gu Won's starting to think about the lives of those around him a bit more. It's taking him off his chaebol pedestal of unreal existence. Mgr No wasn't enough. He needed to encounter more everyday people. Her friends - helping them make illegal sales in the sauna and learning why they were doing it - are bringing a new reality to him. And I don't think he's finally wanting to amass power just to protect Sarang. I do think he is starting to appreciate his everyday employees too. 

 

I am liking this show. Simple plot, simple story, but a happy one. Fairy tales are nice to watch. Easy on the heart. 

[mademoiselle]

Episode 8

 

Ok, Gu Won finally says it himself that he'll make a change to the hotel. Yay!

 

... though I wish he doesn't announce it directly to his dear sister whom we know will not be playing fair. Nonetheless, it's some progress we've been waiting for. Now, let's not just do the talk. Let's also walk the walk. You've got the girl, it's time to put your "career brain" in action! Half of the drama is spent on mooning over Sarang. Time to fight for the throne, with your girl by your side. Episode 9 seems like another episode Gu Won will spend on love (approval from Halmoni) rather than career.

 

Anyway, my fave bit had to be Jun Ho/Gun Won's "WHAT THE F**K!" Hahahahahaha! I saw a cut last night and the F word was censored. I was surprised to find out it wasn't on Netflix. The effect was especially so much more worth it without censored. I honestly thought it was some outrageous Arabic servant costume or something he was made to wear, but a sommeliar's attire is not that bad. He looks good in it too.

 

I know this drama is all play-fun, not to be taken seriously; however, I think the role of an hotelier had been misrepresented here because most of the time Sarang is serving customers like a waitress rather than managing the operation of the hotel, and worse, with the Arab Prince, she's acting like an escort.

[Mizv]

lawdy. This kiss was toooo hot! The lip bite… hmmm. Junho shame on you for opening more images in my brain 

[peperomia]

Hi ladies!~ I hope you all have been well. I am mainly watching for Jun Ho. I read that he and Yoona signed up for this because they wanted to work on a lighter project, but I am surprised by how the plotline is almost nonexistent. Good to know SK viewers are enjoying it though. Now that the show has reached its midpoint, I hope Gu Won's family storyline will pick up. I want to know more about his mom. It would be fantastic if she shows up and shakes things up. 

[Mizv]

@peperomia suspecting maybe his mother was an employee at hotel?  The person that has been erased from records and has no existence.   

[ktcjdrama]

On 7/10/2023 at 2:53 PM, gilaswan said:

I know the plot (what plot?) is slow in developing, but I have to say I like the mindlessness of it. It's the sort of show that doesn't take much energy to process - there's no real tension or anxiety for anyone anywhere. And yes, it doesn't take much grey matter to process. It is for these reasons that I am enjoying this show and can see why it's getting good ratings in SK too. Afterall, there are enough heartaches going around in the world today. I'm all for some good, mindless distraction. 

I agree with you. I personally am enjoying the drama a lot despite the cliches and cheesy scenes. I think all tropes of a rom-com is gonna be used by this drama. Laughed so much for ep.7-8, but yeah @mademoiselle that table cloth scenes was a tad too long, like shooting a commercial. How difficult is it to set the table cloth that it needs to be smooth out so many times?? And what was she trying to blow off the supposedly clean table cloth? 🤣🤣🤣 but I just laughed at it.
 

Had a chance to spend some time last week with a friend who is watching this too, so we watched ep.5-6 together and laughed so much. It was nice that for once I had company watching kdramas 😄

 

That kiss though, was really well done. For once, the ML asked for permission to kiss the FL 😃 Best hot kiss since AOS for me. 

[mademoiselle]

BTS

 

@ktcjdrama Exactly. The table cloths look pretty smooth and iron out for me already to need so much attention from two people, LOL! A commercial is 15s and 30s, I'm pretty sure this scene lasted more than 1 min! 😆 I need some @Chocolate flavoured humour to keep me going... 😉

Edited July 12, 2023 by mademoiselle

[Chocolate]

4 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

I need some @Chocolate flavoured humour to keep me going... 😉

 

I haven't watched Sunday's episode yet but gather that the kiss was the highlight of the episode.

 

Looking at where Junho's left hand was at, at one point of the kiss, thumb just under her armpit, I would give it 50% for the rumours that they are a real couple! 🤣🤣🤣 🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂

 

[mademoiselle]

6 minutes ago, Chocolate said:

 

I haven't watched Sunday's episode yet but gather that the kiss was the highlight of the episode.

 

Looking at where Junho's left hand was at, at one point of the kiss, thumb just under her armpit, I would give it 50% for the rumours that they are a real couple! 🤣🤣🤣 🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂

 

Take it with 10 bottles of 🧂?

[Chocolate]

1 minute ago, mademoiselle said:

Take it with 10 bottles of 🧂?

 

A pinch is not enough lol.

[ktcjdrama]

3 hours ago, Chocolate said:

Looking at where Junho's left hand was at, at one point of the kiss, thumb just under her armpit, I would give it 50% for the rumours that they are a real couple!

I love seeing both of them together, but Yoona is on my other ship 😫 Ottoke?

[gilaswan]

On 7/12/2023 at 7:50 PM, Chocolate said:

Looking at where Junho's left hand was at, at one point of the kiss, thumb just under her armpit, I would give it 50% for the rumours that they are a real couple! 🤣🤣🤣 🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂🧂

 

Loving those bottles of salt! Hahaha...

[mademoiselle]

Behind the Scenes - Kiss!

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2023 by mademoiselle

[mademoiselle]

Episode 9 Pre-release

 

OST 6

 

Edited July 15, 2023 by mademoiselle

[abs-oluteM]

On 7/12/2023 at 11:22 PM, ktcjdrama said:

I love seeing both of them together, but Yoona is on my other ship 😫 Ottoke?

Which one ? The one with Hong Jong Hyun ?   
 

Spoiler

Talking about HJH ,I watched both his recent dramas & loved them - Stockstruck & Race. He’s choosing some good stuff but such underrated shows that  doesn’t make the buzz . 

——

The kiss was well orchestrated but I thought it a little bit weird to put her on the table next to the pan that caught fire even if the sprinklers were on . Shouldn’t natural reaction is to move away from danger 😆? 
Anyway nice to see GuWon smiling & no longer grumpy in the pre-released.

[ktcjdrama]

On 7/14/2023 at 3:50 PM, mademoiselle said:

 

Behind the Scenes - Kiss!

 

Poor Junho, he was shaking in cold while Yoona has no problem with the cold water... 💪🏻

 

4 hours ago, abs-oluteM said:

Which one ? The one with Hong Jong Hyun ?   

Yup yup yup 😃 When are you going to watch that drama? 😄 I am still curious which you think is the true pairing. 

 

4 hours ago, abs-oluteM said:

I thought it a little bit weird to put her on the table next to the pan that caught fire even if the sprinklers were on . Shouldn’t natural reaction is to move away from danger

🤔 I guess pieces of broken glass on the floor is more dangerous than fire... even though she was still wearing her heels 😆 
 

A lot of things don’t make sense in this drama, but here we are still watching it. We checked our brains at the door, only bringing the heart-eyes watching it mindlessly 😍😄

[ktcjdrama]

Had fun watching ep.9, but it worries me what the evil sister will do once she found out that GW used company’s fund to go on vacation with the girls... Very subjective decision made by a high ranking person, no? Sigh, how is GW going to fight for and secure his position in the organization when this is revealed by the sister? I wish he wasn’t written to be so unwise with the company’s operations/policy. 
 

[mademoiselle]

OST 7

 

Episode 10 Pre-release

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by mademoiselle

[peperomia]

Okay, still not much going on plot-wise, but the romance is certainly on fire - that pool kiss!   Junho and Yoona are visually stunning together on-screen. I can understand why the dating rumors now. LOL.

Edited July 17, 2023 by peperomia

[mademoiselle]

Behind the Scenes

 

 

Episode 9-10

 

Romance is full steam ahead. Plot is moving at snail pace with minimal development, but we have a little, so in summary:

 

• Gu Won asked Dad to let him take over King Hotel. But Dad wants to see how he performs for the 100th anniversary first. At least he has asked...

 

• Gu Won clocked an old man (bell boy?) who has worked at King Hotel for 30 years. Most likely this man will provide him some crucial information about his mother.

 

• Gu Won received Halmoni's blessing. I thought it was cute that Halmoni took him to the market and showed off to her friends.

 

• As expected, both bosses of Sarang's friends screwed them over. I now can only hope the Supervisor doesn't dob her in on the illegal sale she made when she was the one who suggested it. Where to for flight attendant friend because she said this would be the last chance she'll ever be promoted.

 

• Gu Won takes the girls on a trip without half-sister's approval. She found out, not sure how she'll use this to her advantage and I'm seriously at awe because for someone who wants to keep her brother at bay still hasn't realised he's romancing Sarang when they are super obvious! I'd have planted a spy from the moment he steps foot in the hotel.

 

Edited July 19, 2023 by mademoiselle