Ever since Lee Jun-ho and YoonA captivated audiences with their Senorita performance, fans have eagerly anticipated a K-drama featuring this dream pair. Their wish has finally been fulfilled with the arrival of “King The Land,” a silly romantic drama that has already aired its first two episodes. In this review, we’ll explore whether the show lives up to expectations and if it manages to make hearts flutter or falls short.
Plot and Characters:
“King The Land” revolves around two individuals who exist on opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. Gu Won (played by Jun-ho) is a chaebol heir with an aversion to people and their smiles. He carries himself with impudence, and his only close friend describes him as such. However, beneath Gu Won’s exterior lies a complex character with his own share of emotional scars. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Sa-Rang, portrayed by YoonA, who has dreamed of working at a hotel since childhood. Through her perseverance, she becomes the best employee at The KING Hotel. Despite any situation, she cannot help but flash a smile. While these two characters seem vastly different at first glance, their emotional journeys are intricately connected to their respective family concerns.
Acting and Chemistry:
One of the highlights of “King The Land” is the chemistry between Lee Jun-ho and YoonA, along with the captivating visuals they bring to the screen. Jun-ho effortlessly embodies the role of a chaebol son, persistently annoying people. His almost straight-faced persona as Gu Won is a departure from his real-life personality, but he convincingly portrays the character. Whether it’s in “The Red Sleeve” or now in “King The Land,” Jun-ho has a unique ability to make any character his own, bringing a sense of comfort to his performances. YoonA, on the other hand, showcases a great sense of comic timing and matches the pace and energy of her character, Sa-Rang. She flawlessly balances the different moods of Sa-Rang, portraying vulnerability and frustration with equal finesse. Scenes featuring both actors together are a riot, and their chemistry is off to a promising start.
Writing and Execution:
“King The Land” commits to the classic hate-to-love trope without over-intellectualizing the storyline. The writing is light and devoid of unnecessary burdens, creating an easy and breezy love story. While the show possesses emotional depth to hook viewers, it avoids becoming overly sappy or melodramatic. Instead, it aims to be a delightful and entertaining romantic tale. The audience can look forward to witnessing the evolving dynamics between the characters in the upcoming episodes.
Technical Aspects:
While the background score is yet to be fully introduced, a glimpse of it in the end of episode two promises an exciting auditory experience ahead. The visuals in the show are impressive, with the camera intentionally highlighting the enchanting visuals of the lead actors.
Potential Areas of Improvement:
The concept of portraying guests as kings in the hotel setting may seem outdated and potentially offensive to those working in the hospitality industry. However, it appears that the show cleverly incorporates these situations into the subtext to explore character development further.
“King The Land” with Lee Jun-ho and YoonA in the lead roles delivers a delightful and lighthearted cliché romance. The chemistry between the two actors is commendable, and their performances are both entertaining and engaging. While the show follows a familiar trope, it offers a refreshing and enjoyable experience. With its promising start, “King The Land” has captivated viewers, leaving them eager to see how the dynamics between the characters evolve in the upcoming episodes.