King the Land (2023)

Such an unrealistic and frustrating kdrama

I absolutely love Lee Junho's acting ever since seeing him in Just Between Lovers (Rain or Shine), but even his acting couldn't save this show for me, especially since I didn't even love his acting in this lol Spoilers ahead, though not big ones...

I just could not with the way they handled the relationships in this show. They constantly show the FL having birthday parties and I get that it will mean something later, but it just makes me feel like all she has is birthdays and her friends are just set pieces, there to throw her a party constantly and talk about her hard life, while getting ignored themselves. It just doesn't feel like a friendship to me.

Then there's the ML and FL together and I need more info about the smiles and his issues because this drama moves molasses slow. It could not keep me interested. I wanted to get to the good stuff, but there was just so much pointless drivel getting in the way of anything meaningful.

I dropped the show the moment I saw a scene that asked for way too much bending of reality. I could not handle it. This woman falls off a freaking mountain ledge and lands like 15 feet down. She should be hurting bad, but it seems like a minor thing. She'll have to stay out on the mountain all the night in the cold mountain air and get hypothermia, but that's no biggie. She dropped her phone, so she's stranded. This guy manages to find her with her phone gps or something, but she's on a mountain guys, a mountain. Not gonna be that accurate nor, easy to find just where she is, but he does so easily, at night, in the rain, from a helicopter. Has them drop him, then proceeds to just jump off the side of the mountain she fell off of and land just fine beside her like 15-20 feet down. What?! Makes no sense! Anyways, I'm ranting quite a lot, but I could not take the stupidity of that scene and simple dropped it right then and there.

No idea where it goes from there, but, up until then it was so boring and unrealistic and they gave me no reason to care about the leads. The ML became pretty weak and wimpy looking in there several times and that's not my style, so I guess I was doomed to dislike this one anyways. Oh well, here's hoping the next Junho show will be great and he'll have a chance to play a character with depth again

Lire davantage

Falling For The Boss

Review:

Leads: Leads have chemistry maybe because of their collaborations over the years or that they both have always been entertainers. I also think they are the same age as well, which makes it even better.
Now, I can put them together in real life and not just as K-pop stars, actors, and etc. Just look up their performances from not long ago and I think one from almost a year ago. Credit-MBC World.

Actors: The support roles seem to have good stories going as well and they are not skip-worthy. One friend will experience new love. One friend is married to a bum. They all suffer at the hands of superiors or seniors at work. But, much later they will get their resolutions that will lead to their happy ending.

Story: This is a good story but I can say I am mainly here for the leads. It’s not the best story but it’s fair enough to continue.
It’s cute, funny, and adorable. The actors bring this story to life. Some stories could have C-list actors as leads but as long as the plot and execution were great, it would be a hit and the actors would become well-known. This is the polar opposite. It’s not the best story but the actors make it worthwhile. Hopefully, the later episodes change my views.

Added: This romcom is like any other romcom known to the audience that involves Kdrama writers. Let's not pretend that drastic changes in writing patterns are always welcomed. That could totally end up as a failure. Writers have tried time and time again to step out and experiment with their writing only to be told by the audience it sucks. I can’t blame them for being cautious.
Is there a family rival? Yes.
However the twist is in his mom’s death and that his half sister deemed her a nobody.
Is there a boss and subordinate relationship? Yes.
Is there a comparison with other Netflix dramas? NO. Well, aside from a hotel chain in my 19th Life, the buck stops there.
Is there a rich heir falling for someone of a lower class? Yes.
There will always be rivalry, antagonist, family drama and a couple falling in love Cinderella style in this style of writing. However, that’s why most of us love them. We don’t escape to entertainment involving romance to see harsh reality. We escape to be entertained and shift our hearts from the reality of the world. When you watch a horror do we say they always get killed and someone always murder the monster? No. We just watch the same style writing over and over because we enjoy it. There will always be an introduction, rising, climax, falling and resolution in writing. Those are the key components. Pride and Prejudice has the same style with the Cinderella falling in love with the rich heir but we love it just the same. Fifty shades of Grey had a rich heir. Memoirs of a Geisha had a rich man saving the damsel in distress sold off by her father to save the sick mother who passed anyway. We have seen it a thousand times but we love romance and understand.
JMO

Rewatch: I would watch again but as of now it wouldn’t be often.

OST: Seems fitting.

Elephant in the room:
South Korea has tried hard to pull away from those older production writing styles from decades ago. They are trying more modernized approaches and views for a global audience but it's sometimes a hit or miss. Episode 7-8 My takeaway was a spoiled rich kid who loved women and money. Half of the entertainment world portrays most of the rich in such a negative way. I will hand it to Koreans, you guys can laugh at yourselves and think that we all can and I wish that were the case.
I do appreciate that they are really trying to reach more audience members. If whatever country, race, or culture involved takes offense to something they deemed inappropriate, racist, or xenophobic, then they do have a right to that. Also I think Netflix has a streaming session for some of their movies, shows they create if not all. I’m sure it will be a learning experience for all involved.

Happy Viewing??

Lire davantage

Formulaic Love Story that Falls Flat

This floated up to the top in the Netflix global rankings so it got my interest, I also have seen the ML in Red Sleeve which he exceled in his role. If you want a light romance comedy that pretty much sticks to the typical tried and true KDrama formula of rich handsome chaebol and commoner but special girl who catches chaebol's attention, then this is it. Nothing about it stood out for me, it was just tried and true recycled themes assembled together in a new KDrama.

The ML is a rich chaebol heir who has a weird competitive relationship with his step mother and he hates fake smiles. Typical cold inaccessible chaebol KDrama male lead. The FL is innocent doe eyed multi-talented girl next door who gets hand picked for her job as a gym equipment butt sweat cleaner until she gets promoted to the hotel desk lobby and eventually by the side of Mr. Rich Hotel Chaebol. Their initial meeting is full of misunderstandings and for some reason she is sooooo NICE to everyone except him who she mixes up as a Pervert. The FL's personality not the actress herself isn't too interesting, she's just Nice.

I started to get bored by the fourth episode, they need to add some color and complexity to the characters and to the story line. Perhaps it might get better but don't think I will continue with this and will sit this out for later episodes.

Lire davantage

Good drama, but.....

I can see why this drama had mixed reviews. I'm enjoying it so far, but one thing I find frustrating is the class disparity in the workplace. The higher ups treat the subordinates as trash and give them Little respect. And this goes down the chain from the very top to the bottom. I was shocked when that head person drank up the coffee drink of the subordinate and then proceeded to do the same with the manager. And also made a snide remark about why she shouldn't be drinking it. I can see why the ML is frustrated by his half sister and the way she has little regard for the employees and everything is about making money. Even when the ML asks his father have you ever rescued just one person. And his father replied with something like people are preoccupied with making money as if to imply that making money takes priority over saving one individual's life. My question is does this really happen in Korea and is this drama based on reality in terms of how the workplace is run? Or is there is a bit of fiction here for drama's sake? At any rate, will continue watching it as I do like the two leads and I appreciate some of the side stories like the grandma.

Lire davantage

Não é nostálgico, é ultrapassado.

Depois de assistir "The Red Sleeve" e presenciar a interpretação indescritível do Lee Junho, eu fiquei ansiando por um romcom clássico CEO com ele, não sei porquê. Para minha surpresa, o desejo não demorou muito a ser cumprido, mas a sinopse já me deixou receosa, parecia boba demais, porém continuei firme. Entretanto, qualquer resquício da felicidade do anúncio se desfez logo após assistir o primeiro episódio. Ao ver o personagem Gu Won chegar, literalmente, de paraquedas no terraço da empresa, percebi a narrativa ia pro lado das patacoadas. Poderia ser só uma impressão momentânea, mas a cada episódio vários elementos confirmavam essa hipótese. Os efeitos sonoros, o humor pedante, cenas irrealistas, a falta de cuidado com plots secundários, o príncipe no cavalo branco salvando a princesa sempre no timing perfeito... O problema disso é: a estrutura se apegou tanto ao passado, que não sobrou nenhum frescor. Em uma história assim, ninguém espera algo inovador, mas a narrativa simplesmente parou no tempo. Diferente de kdramas como "Business Proposal" ou "Love To Hate You", que trazem de volta essa narrativa clássica, mas com toques inovadores e atuais, "King The Land" não tem nada a oferecer.

O excesso de fanservice atrapalhou demais o ritmo do drama. Eu ainda não me conformo com o quanto o episódio 10 não serviu para nada. É literalmente um filler. O foco nas cenas românticas do casal que não agregavam na narrativa atrapalhou em um melhor desenvolvimento de todos os outros plots. Um dos aspectos mais importantes da história e que moldou a personalidade de Gu Won foi o desaparecimento de sua mãe, porém toda a sua conclusão foi resolvida em meros 15min no penúltimo episódio. A mãe veio e foi embora num piscar de olhos.

Demoramos para descobrir o porquê da Sra Gu ter tanto ódio pelo irmão. No fim, descobrimos que era daddy issues, num desenvolvimento completamente incoerente e mal trabalhado. O jeito que seu conflito foi apresentado, com apenas uma cena do passado com o pai e a madrasta brincando com o Gu Won, é desproporcional com as consequências que vemos no presente. Não convence. E o final foi totalmente apressado, como se precisassem resolver logo essa parte da história pra mostrar as cenas do casamento dos protagonistas.

Há, também, os plots das amigas. Pyung Hwa é uma comissária que é intimidada por ser divorciada (casamento que ocorreu do modo mais ridículo possível, aliás). Não sei se é conflito cultural, mas não consigo ver como uma situação dessa é realista em pleno ano de 2023. E se forem fatos de uma realidade que está longe de mim, o drama ficou longe de evidenciar o quanto essa mentalidade é problemática e os meios necessários para solucioná-la. A outra amiga, Da Eul, é tratada como empregada pelo marido e pela família dele. Esse plot foi o que mais me revoltou, pois foi tratado unicamente em modo cômico. É um tipo de situação extremamente tóxica e degradante, mas trataram como se o problema é apenas o marido estar desempregado, terminando com ela invertendo os papéis dentro das tarefas da casa e os sogros (claramente um referência de onde veio a criação podre do marido) são isentos. Eu entendo perfeitamente que é um drama leve que não visa aprofundar assuntos sérios e problematizá-los, mas esses tipos de situações poderiam ter sido melhor trabalhadas e não banalizadas.

No mais, é sempre um sabor ver o Lee Junho em tela. Sua voz e seu sorriso esmaece qualquer crítica. A proximidade dele com a Yoona transparece na química incrível que os dois têm em tela.

Lire davantage

Racism

All i need to say that any director or show who thinks they can make fun of us you are wrong , we are not a subject to make fun of and make such a controversial characters and scenes about us as a Muslim and an arab this is such an obvious offensive thing especially that it’s directed to Saudi people so my message try to fix your problem instead of trying to create one in our community and culture respect us and you will get respected don’t u ever try to represent us in such an offensive way if it ever happens to black peoples or anyone else you would apologize in such fast statement even if you didn’t mean it but with us you use our language and our culture in such time when you can just search up if it offends anyone and you still used it so mind it if it ever happened again we will take care of it for u

Lire davantage

Biasa aja untuk jalan ceritanya ? kurang ada chemistry di antara si aktris nya. Ngga tau kenapa bisa dapat rating tinggi disini. Overall banyak drama lain yang lebih bagus dari ini menurut gw. Untuk joke nya kurang natural dan terasa di paksain aja sih . Baru nonton 4 episode tapi udah bosen aja gitu kurang greget ,
Biasa aja untuk jalan ceritanya ? kurang ada chemistry di antara si aktris nya. Ngga tau kenapa bisa dapat rating tinggi disini. Overall banyak drama lain yang lebih bagus dari ini menurut gw. Untuk joke nya kurang natural dan terasa di paksain aja sih . Baru nonton 4 episode tapi udah bosen aja gitu kurang greget ,

Sorry ??

Lire davantage

Their chemistry

I wasn’t so sure if I wanted to watch this drama at first but I gave it a chance and definitely don’t regret it! The acting from both leads and supporting actors is so good. Junho and Yoona’s chemistry is literally phenomenal and ep8 definitely proved it. Their kiss was chef kiss ? It wasn’t awkward like so many kisses in kdramas, if anything it was one of the best kiss scenes I’ve seen in a kdrama before. Each episode never fails to make laugh. One of my favorite scenes was with the cop who gave Guwon (Junho) relationship advice. I look forward for the next episodes to come, Saturday and Sunday please come already ?‼️

Lire davantage

just not for me

Since this show was really talked about and had really good reviews. People raved about the chemistry between the leads so I decided to tune it. However, it didn't keep me engaged, so i stopped watching it. I planned on giving this show another chance but then the racist and offensive part became news and i found out about it and just made me lose my interest. Huge fan of Junho but I'm not vibing with Yoona's acting. Love her but girly acting is just not for me. I just don't think this show will be my cup of tea, I've seen quite a few other clips but it was just not dragging me in.

Lire davantage

Had to stop watching because I didn’t want to end up disliking Jun Ho. Junho is a phenomenal actor, and I was really looking forward to the light romance, especially because his last project was so emotionally draining, but King The Land was a major disappointment. The plot, the acting by the rest of the cast, the superficial characters and the bland premise and plot line. A lot of the story was just scene that were forced in for the viewer to simply admire. The visuals alone weren’t enough for me. The female friendships that should have been a strong point of the story were meh too. It felt like I was watching a drama that was decades older and hadn’t really kept up with time. I get that it was a romcom but please, have some respect for the viewers and give us something actually cute and heartwarming instead of this brain cells killing drama.

I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone,

Lire davantage

uhmm not for me

To be honest, the first episode of this drama was nearly unbearable to watch. It felt incredibly awkward, with attempts at humor that ultimately fell flat. The comedic scenes came off as forced, and I found myself cringing more than laughing. I mean, that awkward silence during Cheon Sa Rang’s interview? It lingered so long that I honestly thought my Wi-Fi was acting up!

The second episode was an improvement over the first, but I still didn’t develop any strong feelings about it. While the pacing picked up slightly, the issues persisted, especially with the forced comedy.

One of my biggest pet peeves is how the main leads always seemed to “accidentally” end up in the same place at the same time. For instance, in one scene, they stood just two meters apart in a hotel lobby, only to walk away simultaneously for the sake of a slow-motion effect. Then there was that moment in the park, where they were once again only a few meters apart, gazing at the same city skyline. Why that park? Is it supposed to hold some significance? There are plenty of other vantage points to enjoy the skyline! And let’s not forget the balcony scene where they were miraculously standing outside their hotel rooms at the same time.

This kind of plot device feels incredibly outdated. I could tolerate it if it happened occasionally, but not every episode.

As for the characters, I can’t offer much insight since I only watched three episodes. However, based on what I’ve seen so far, they haven’t left a lasting impression on me.

Sadly, this drama just doesn’t work for me. But if you find enjoyment in it, I’m genuinely happy for you!

Lire davantage