“King the Land” is a South Korean TV series that aired in 2023, featuring Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah. Broadcasted on JTBC from June 17 to August 6, 2023, the show aired every Saturday and Sunday at 22:30 (KST) across 16 episodes. Viewers can also stream it on TVING in South Korea and on Netflix in certain regions.
The storyline of “King the Land” revolves around Gu Won (played by Lee Jun-ho), the heir to The King Group, a prestigious hotel conglomerate, who finds himself entangled in an intense inheritance battle. Alongside him is Cheon Sa-rang (portrayed by Im Yoon-ah), a cheerful hotelier whose demeanor changes upon encountering Gu Won.
CHARACTERS
- Lee Jun-ho stars as Gu Won, the heir and head general manager of King Hotel.
- Im Yoon-ah portrays Cheon Sa-rang, a hotelier known as the “smile queen” of the King Hotel.
- Son Byong-ho plays Gu Il-hoon, Gu Won’s father and the chairman of King Group.
- Kim Seon-young takes on the role of Gu Hwa-ran, Gu Won’s older half-sister and the eldest daughter of King Group.
- Kim Dong-ha appears as Yoon Ji-hoo, Hwa-ran’s son.
- Ahn Se-ha is cast as Noh Sang-sik, Gu Won’s friend and secretary.
- Go Won-hee depicts Oh Pyung-hwa, Sa-rang’s best friend and a flight attendant of King Air.
- Kim Ga-eun portrays Kang Da-eul, Sa-rang’s friend and a working mother known as the “sales king” of Alanga, a duty-free store affiliated with King Group.
- Kim Young-ok plays Cha Soon-hee, Sa-rang’s grandmother.
- Kim Jae-won appears as Lee Ro-woon, a flight attendant of King Air who has a crush on Pyung-Hwa.
- Gong Ye-ji is Kim Soo-mi, the manager of King Hotel who dislikes Sa-rang due to her talents and status.
- Kim Jung-min portrays Jeon Min-seo, the general manager of King the Land, King Hotel’s VVIP Lounge.
- Choi Ji-hyun plays Ha-na, a member of King the Land’s team.
- Kim Chae-yun appears as Doo-ri, also a member of King the Land’s team.
- Lee Ho-seok takes on the role of Se-ho, another member of King the Land’s team.
- Lee Ji-hye is cast as Do Ra-hee, a supervisor of Alanga, King Group Fashion.
- Choi Tae-hwan plays Seo Chung-jae, Da-eul’s husband.
- Lee Ye-joo depicts Seo Cho-rong, Da-eul’s only daughter.
- Jo Won-jo portrays Professor Yoon, Hwa-ran’s husband.
STORYLINE
“King the Land” intricately explores power dynamics, love, and familial relationships within the esteemed King Group conglomerate. At its core is Gu Won, the ambitious heir and head general manager of King Hotel, embroiled in a fierce struggle for inheritance. Amidst shifting alliances and mounting pressure, Gu Won must skillfully navigate internal and external challenges to safeguard his position within the company.
In the midst of corporate upheaval, Gu Won encounters Cheon Sa-rang, a cheerful and skilled hotelier renowned as the “smile queen” of King Hotel. Their initial meeting sparks a series of events testing loyalty and trust. Despite their disparate backgrounds, Gu Won and Sa-rang are drawn together, forging a profound connection amidst the chaos of corporate machinations and personal aspirations.
As Gu Won and Sa-rang explore the complexities of their burgeoning relationship, they confront the schemes of those around them. Gu Won faces obstacles from his own family, including his father Gu Il-hoon and older half-sister Gu Hwa-ran, while Sa-rang contends with resistance within the hotel hierarchy, notably from Kim Soo-mi, the manager of King Hotel, who harbors animosity towards her.
The drama delves into the lives of other King Group affiliates, such as Sa-rang’s best friend Oh Pyung-hwa and Kang Da-eul, providing depth to the narrative. These characters navigate their own challenges, contributing to the intricate tapestry of life within the King Group universe.
Set against a backdrop of corporate rivalry and personal dilemmas, “King the Land” delivers a captivating narrative with its nuanced character development and intricate plot twists. Through Gu Won and Sa-rang’s journey, viewers are immersed in a world of ambition, betrayal, and redemption, exploring timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of success amidst adversity.
