King the Land (2023)

Fun story fun characters fun show

TLDR: Popcorn fun with cute moments and great chemistry

Disclaimer: Average for me is a 5 so everything above that is pretty good to perfect and everything below that is pretty bad to horrendous. I know nothing about film making so couldn't tell you anything about how well the technical aspects of the show were executed, but I can give my opinion on how much I enjoyed it relative to other things I've watched.

Overall: If I could describe this show in one word it would be refreshing. Simple story with enjoyable characters trying to be their best selves. Everything adds up to be one of the most fun shows I've watched recently

Story: I liked the story a lot more than a summary would suggest. Its not super complex, there isn't a masterfully crafted plot that will keep you glued to your seat, but I think that is what made it so enjoyable for me. The main focus of the story is the romance, friendships and the politics/inheritance. The romance had its ups and downs but overall it was a fantastic watch. I will I admit I almost dropped this at episode 5/6 when the obligatory major accident happens that forces a lead to realize their feelings, but thankfully that was the only instance of eye rolling cliche that really got to me. The rest of it was a fun ride watching the leads get together and just enjoy life. Maybe this comes down to preference but I am a huge fan of just letting things happen organically. If there is no reason for a couple to break up then forcing it for the extra drama only detracts from the show. If two grown ass adults know they both have feelings for each other it makes no sense to complicate things unless there is a legitimate reason outside of "we needed to fill 2 more episodes". The show even pokes fun at this trope in the latter half of the show. This drama creates a great balance of having outside pressures in the relationship, but also realizing that talking to your partner and open communication can in fact solve many problems. Can't tell you how much of a breath of fresh air it is to not see a couple who supposedly love each other break up at the drop of a hat all while pining for each other. Like no, you can be together, you are in fact 30 years old, be an adult.

The politics were ok. There wasn't a whole lot of drama and the outcome was pretty clear from the outset even without knowing all the tropes, but I thought it served the show well. Sometimes there don't need to be all these unnecessary obstacles just for the sake of artificial drama and this show understood that. The office drama I thought was handled very well. Sometimes it was a bit over the top but relative to what some other dramas bring to the table this was downright tame. I often get annoyed when the villains/antagonists/bullies in a show are super aggressive and openly antagonistic because I feel that realistic bullying looks much more subtle. The off hand remarks, office gossip, and tensions between co workers were subtle enough while also showing how oppressive the tiny things can be. The way the characters handle these things is also well done and had a mature flair to it that isn't often seen. The multiple perspectives from the friend group also allowed them to explore how different people can successfully navigate these situations while still being an adult. Whether it is the snarkiness/sarcasm of the department store worker or the kill them with kindness attitude of the lead, there are different ways to handle this without exploding. (Not that one way is better than the other, and sometimes a good explosive scene is just what the doctor ordered, but in dramas it has become the norm and hence much less enjoyable to watch)

I'll give the show credit for balancing the multiple story threads well. I was invested in all three of the friend group's lives and wanted them all to succeed. Sometimes this idea can be hard to do well because certain parts of individual stories are going to be more interesting than others which makes it very easy for me to dislike a character just because they aren't part of the more interesting plotline. But as I was watching their lives play out I was genuinely interested in every characters life. Nobody overstayed their welcome or made me wish I was watching a different character. I think Kang Da Eul's story was the only one I was sort of mixed on. Her home situation wasn't meant to be taken as seriously as the others given the shows portrayal but I kind of wish they did. Instead of the uno reverse they did which I think was supposed to be funny I wish there were some scenes where she gave some serious thought about what she wanted and the pros/cons of staying or leaving.

Characters/acting: I loved the leads but the FL was always going to be the standout from episode 1. It was great to see a FL that was competent and independent without needing the ML to simply exist. She was consistent throughout the show and stuck to her guns even when things didn't go her way. She had a direction and goal in life and just happened to meet someone that she wanted to share that with rather than being directionless before running into her other half. The performance was excellent, though I don't think the role demanded too much from the actress, she did a fantastic job with what she needed to do. The ML was good as well. I think the story failed his character early on, the whole petty act during episode 5 was the only real point where he acted out of character but everything else was good. If he had stayed a 30 something year old adult throughout the show I would've put him squarely in great but for those 2 episodes he turns into a middle schooler who is afraid to admit he has a crush. Spoiler but in an alternate universe not too different from the show the FL dies because the ML was petty which is something that was kind of hard for me to get over but I eventually did. That aside the performance was good with some great chemistry between the leads. I liked that the ML stayed out of the way of the FL and didn't start to dominate her life in the way that is all too common in the office romance shows. I loved their cute vibe and wish I could've seen more of it.

The second leads were also good. My personal favorite was Kang Da Eul. The performance was fantastic and I loved the sarcastic energy she brought to the table. Sort of mixed feelings on her story but I thought the character added a lot of fun to the group that would've otherwise been missing. Her relationship was kind of played for laughs with some mini revenge/comeuppance which was kind of sad to see as I wish she did find someone better for her but can't complain too much. Oh Pyeung Hwa was also good. I thought her storyline was a bit more basic than the other two on both the office and romantic side but I think she served as the baseline which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I still enjoyed her character and her relationship but don't think the chemistry was as strong as some of the others in the show. The standout though was always going to be how the 3 bounced off of each other because they were the definition of the sum is greater than the parts. Their friendship felt real and I enjoyed all their scenes together. The dialogue felt smooth and real while also showing how the personalities of the characters mix together.

For the side characters No Sang Sik is the MVP. He was over the top and goofy in a way that the show desperately needed and he never felt overbearing. When he slid those glasses down in the airport I was like, yes. I'm glad they didn't give him too much of a romantic side story because his character really shined in not taking him super seriously. The actress for Lee Ye Jeo was also amazing and I loved the performance despite the little screen time. The rest of the side characters were good in their roles but nothing too amazing for me to comment on.

Music: Not much to say, I watch in 1.5x speed and didn't really go back for any of the songs but they weren't bad either.

Rewatch: Rewatch value is the most subjective category for me because there are some fantastic shows that I know I will never rewatch while some objectively worse dramas I'll watch 5 times over. The story is good but not great, the leads are fun but not my favorite, and none of the side characters would crack my top ten list, but gun to my head this is the first drama I'd watch again if I had to choose one. Maybe everything just combined well together to create the perfect version of popcorn fun or maybe this just fits my guilty pleasure but I already know I'm going to be watching this one again regardless.

Lire davantage

If you like dreaming about something good this drama is for you.

I wouldn't recommend this drama to people who want something new and original. But instead you can watch this drama and forget about hard life and darkness in the world just to dream about something peaceful.
Honestly, I felt relaxed while watching it. And actors are pretty good and appealing. If you pay attention to details you would like the vibes and colors. You would see that this drama can give you power to search for your dream job or any activity you want to try. There are four characters with different stories about the role of "mom" in a life of a child.
So to all haters I would say, just think of something original by yourself ☺️

Lire davantage

Ill-defined and unfunny

I could stare at Lee Jun Ho all day long cos that man is both gorgeous and a talented actor which is why I hope he fires whoever told him to choose King the Land as a follow-up to the enrapturing drama that was The Red Sleeve. I tried so hard to care but I was bored of the excessive and sometimes vulgar display of wealth, likewise the ingrained classism that continues to permeate most K dramas. In addition, there was something so uncomfortably trite about yet another subservient female lead and her equally poor female friends. Like, aren't these showrunners tired of this formula? I certainly am.

This is deserving of a 1.5-star rating, however, the site moderators are a bit overwhelmed with the Arab Prince controversy and have been deleting anything below 3.5 stars, so that's what I'll have to rate it.

Lire davantage

Sloppy Show

Story was tolerable but it could have been much much better. The directing was terrible, they were too lazy, they did not care how the show turned out. Very disappointed.

The cast were good. I know the ML and FL and other cast members are good, however they can only do so much. The acting team could not show case the full potential due to the laziness of the production team.

There are several instances you could see that there was no effort to make a better show. Let us do the minimum and get by was the goal. If the production team is reading this review, I humbly request you to stop creating these types of shows and switch your career to something you would put some effort.

Lire davantage

It's alright

I didn't watch the whole thing cause I got bored, and also I have a big issue with watching ongoing dramas, I began watching it when it was ongoing so I had to wait for every episode to come out, and when that happens I drop the show so fast cause if I don't binge watch the whole thing in less than two weeks I will get bored (unless I'm really REALLY invested I guess). But that's my problem, so I'm not sure if I just got bored from waiting for episodes to drop or if the drama was really that boring. Okay maybe it wasn't boring, I really enjoyed the first few episodes (1-6), they had really good chemistry and I was laughing the whole time, but to me personally it felt like they were losing the tension and chemistry so that definitely didn't help my case. At all. I don't really know what to say other than that. So for now I am dropping it (I dropped it a long time ago but anywayd), but maybe I'll continue watching it soon.

Man to just put it simply, it's a big huge Meh from me. Had some potential, but lost it after 6-7 episodes. Idk, it just wasn't doing it for me.

PS: I don't pay attention to the music and OSTs and whatever, so I won't remember them unless I really REALLY liked them. So my rating on music isn't that valid tbh.

Lire davantage

if you cant fall asleep at night

…this drama is the perfect remedy. I seriously tried to take this drama seriously, but it’s literally so boring. the leads have no chemistry. the ML is obsessed with himself, actually believes there’s no one good enough for him, and gets off on that! his narcissism is on another level, and it’s so pathetic watching. also, why is a grown man embarrassing the FL for fun in front of her superiors? it’s so childish, not cute or endearing in the slightest, and I’m over it. I’m dropping this after 5eps. I know that I should've taken more time to watch and let the leads get closer, but even a blind person can tell when somethings stupid. i'm tired, and this drama isn't anything special.

Lire davantage

Overrated

I can honestly say that this drama is overrated. There are better options than this.

Same old same old. The ML is a rich boy with zero personality or character depth. The FL is okay, but just okay. Typical characters, zero innovation (or even one original thought) by the writers. Felt that this drama was made in a factory - along with its cast - with how overdone & robotic everything plays out. The comedy was forced and nothing was natural. They have background sounds to force it even more which was cringy.

They def copied many ideas from Business Proposal, yet nothing like it. Can't even compare. I am sure the high reviews are for SNSD's Yoona and 2PM's Junho. Not worth the chance I gave it.

Lire davantage

disrespectful for arabs

If you heard recently, there had been a controversy regarding this show, and you'd be right.

I have been a long-time fan of Korean show dramas, having been there before its peak in the middle east, during its peak and still there as the love for it had died down a bit, but as an Arab I have to stand for how the show had portrayed our culture.

It's unfair that the only type of representation we will ever get in media is either A) Religious Terrorists or B) Rich womanizers.

To think that this show had been the most popular TV show in Oman and Saudi Arabia then ranked second in Kuwait, UAE and Jordan.

Is heartbreaking knowing that Middle Eastern Arabs are the ones who were the most excited to watch your series only to be met with yet another stereotypical insensitive portrayal from one of our favorite shows.

You should honestly feel ashamed of yourselves for such portrayal, the Arabs have been nothing but supportive of your culture and using the excuse of "everything portrayed is a work of fiction" is just lazy writing.

We are not just a "trope" to be used in a comedy driven show, you do realize that you have not only ruined our reputation in South Korea but even further to the rest of the world who already views us as religious Terrorists?

This goes deeper than just "bad writing", South Korean shows are being shown to a whole new generation of people, every bit of media MATTERS more than you think it is. Sure, you're doing this with profit in mind but that does not mean you can use this as an opportunity to divide us instead of teach. You are not above us.

Having used Anupam Tripathi, an Indian actor, to portray prince Samir, an ARAB character, just drove the point home that yes, this was all done by uneducated people who simply viewed us not as people, but as a profitable joke to them.

Get a grip and educate yourselves, seriously, it's not rocket science.

Lire davantage