King the Land

King the Land (Korean: 킹더랜드) is a 2023 South Korean television series starring Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah. It aired on JTBC from June 17 to August 6, 2023, every Saturday and Sunday at 22:30 (KST) for 16 episodes.^[6] It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea and on Netflix in selected regions.^[7][8]

King the Land
Promotional poster
Hangul	킹더랜드
Revised Romanization	Kingdeoraendeu
McCune–Reischauer	K'ingdŏraendŭ
Genre	Romantic comedy[1]
Created by	Cheon Sung-il[2]
Written by	Choi Rom[3]
Directed by	Im Hyun-wook[3]
Starring	Lee Jun-ho Im Yoon-ah
Music by	Moon Seong-nam[4]
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	16
Production
Production locations	South Korea Thailand[5]
Production companies	Npio Entertainment[2] By4m Studio[2] SLL[3]
Original release
Network	JTBC
Release	June 17 (2023-06-17) – August 6, 2023 (2023-08-06)

Synopsis

King the Land tells the story of Gu Won who is the heir of The King Group, a luxury hotel conglomerate, who was thrown into an inheritance war, and Cheon Sa-rang, a hotelier who always has a smile on her face till she meets Gu Won.

Cast

Main

• Lee Jun-ho as Gu Won^[9]

The heir and head general manager of King Hotel.

• Im Yoon-ah as Cheon Sa-rang^[9]

A hotelier and the "smile queen" of the King Hotel.

Supporting

People around Gu Won

• Son Byong-ho as Gu Il-hoon^[10]

Gu Won's father who is the chairman of King Group.

• Kim Seon-young as Gu Hwa-ran^[11]

Gu Won's older half-sister and the eldest daughter of King Group.

• Kim Dong-ha as Yoon Ji-hoo^[12]

Hwa-ran's son.

• Ahn Se-ha as Noh Sang-sik^[13]

Gu Won's friend and secretary.

People around Cheon Sa-rang

• Go Won-hee as Oh Pyung-hwa^[14]

Sa-rang's best friend who is a flight attendant of King Air.

• Kim Ga-eun as Kang Da-eul^[15]

Sa-rang's friend and a working mother who is a "sales king" of Alanga, a duty-free store affiliated with King Group.

• Kim Young-ok as Cha Soon-hee^[16]

Sa-rang's grandmother.

Employees at King Group

• Kim Jae-won as Lee Ro-woon^[13]

A flight attendant of King Air who has a crush on Pyeong-Hwa.

• Gong Ye-ji as Kim Soo-mi^[17]

The manager of King Hotel. She took a disliking to Sa-rang because of her talents and her status.

• Kim Jung-min as Jeon Min-seo^[17]

The general manager of King the Land, King Hotel's VVIP Lounge.

• Choi Ji-hyun as Ha-na^[17]

A member of King the Land's team.

• Kim Chae-yun as Doo-ri^[17]

A member of King the Land's team.

• Lee Ho-seok as Se-ho^[17]

A member of King the Land's team.

• Lee Ji-hye as Do Ra-hee^[17]

A supervisor of Alanga, King Group Fashion.

Others

• Choi Tae-hwan as Seo Chung-jae^[12]

Da-eul's husband.

• Lee Ye-joo as Seo Cho-rong^[12]

Da-eul's only daughter.

• Jo Won-jo as Professor Yoon^[12]

Hwa-ran's husband.

Special appearances

• Nam Gi-ae as Han Mi-so (Ep. 14–16)^[10]

Gu Won's mother.

• Ahn Woo-yeon as Gong Yoo-nam (Ep. 1–5)^[18]

Sa-rang's ex-boyfriend.

• Kim Sung-eun as a senior flight attendant of King Air (Ep. 1)^[19]
• Lee Hye-sung as an interviewee for new hotelier (Ep. 1)^[20]
• Kang Ki-doong as Choi Tae-man (Ep. 1)^[21]
• Jin Seon-kyu as a policeman (Ep. 4)^[22]
• Anupam Tripathi as Prince Samir (Ep. 7–8)^[23]

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Released on June 18, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Yellow Light"	Humbler Kim Ah-hyun Lee Chang-woo	Humbler Kim Ah-hyun Lee Chang-woo	Gaho	3:30
2.	"Yellow Light" (Inst.)		Humbler Kim Ah-hyun Lee Chang-woo		3:30
Total length:					7:00

Part 2

Released on June 25, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Confess To You"	Park Jeong-jun Naiv	Park Jeong-jun Naiv	Lim Kim	3:08
2.	"Confess To You" (Inst.)		Park Jeong-jun Naiv		3:08
Total length:					6:16

Part 3

Released on July 2, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Get To You" (너에게 닿을게)	Kim Ah-hyun Humbler	Humbler	Jung Seung-hwan	3:27
2.	"Get To You" (너에게 닿을게; Inst.)		Humbler		3:27
Total length:					6:54

Part 4

Released on July 8, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Dive"	LuckyClover (Avec)	LuckyClover (Avec)	Kim Woo-jin	3:39
2.	"Dive" (Inst.)		LuckyClover (Avec)		3:39
Total length:					7:18

Part 5

Released on July 9, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Keep Me Busy"	Sarah.J Glody	Sarah.J Kim Min-cheol Earn Glody	Punch	3:32
2.	"Keep Me Busy" (Inst.)		Sarah.J Kim Min-cheol Earn Glody		3:32
Total length:					7:04

Part 6

Released on July 15, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"You Are My" (그대는 나의)	Lee Da-hee	Lee Da-hee	Hynn	3:02
2.	"You Are My" (그대는 나의; Inst.)		Lee Da-hee		3:02
Total length:					6:04

Part 7

Released on July 16, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Fall in Love"	Yoda Charles	Kim Se-jin Hyunki	Jeong Se-woon	3:28
2.	"Fall in Love" (Inst.)		Kim Se-jin Hyunki		3:28
Total length:					6:56

Part 8

Released on July 23, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Perhaps Love" (사랑인걸까)	Kim Yeong-seong Seo Jae-ha	Kim Yeong-seong Seo Jae-ha	Minseo	3:54
2.	"Perhaps Love" (사랑인걸까; Inst.)		Kim Yeong-seong Seo Jae-ha		3:54
Total length:					7:48

Part 9

Released on July 30, 2023

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Artist	Length
1.	"Everyday With You"	Park Ho-kyung	Park Ho-kyung Baek Chang-jae	KyoungSeo	2:50
2.	"Everyday With You" (Inst.)		Park Ho-kyung Baek Chang-jae		2:50
Total length:					5:40

Reception

Viewership

Season		Episode number																Average
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
	1	1.119	1.835	2.039	2.331	2.273	2.909	2.521	2.985	2.571	2.616	2.179	2.588	2.318	2.496	2.777	3.404	2.435

King the Land : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)

Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.^[24]

Average TV viewership ratings

Ep.	Original broadcast date	Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)[24]
		Nationwide	Seoul
1	June 17, 2023	5.075% (1st)	5.344% (1st)
2	June 18, 2023	7.544% (1st)	8.255% (1st)
3	June 24, 2023	9.145% (1st)	10.671% (1st)
4	June 25, 2023	9.645% (1st)	10.003% (1st)
5	July 1, 2023	9.672% (1st)	10.590% (1st)
6	July 2, 2023	12.017% (1st)	12.607% (1st)
7	July 8, 2023	10.607% (1st)	11.496% (1st)
8	July 9, 2023	12.317% (1st)	13.427% (1st)
9	July 15, 2023	10.196% (1st)	11.174% (1st)
10	July 16, 2023	11.303% (1st)	12.351% (1st)
11	July 22, 2023	9.003% (1st)	10.062% (1st)
12	July 23, 2023	10.977% (1st)	11.552% (1st)
13	July 29, 2023	9.388% (1st)	9.506% (1st)
14	July 30, 2023	10.651% (1st)	10.965% (1st)
15	August 5, 2023	11.943% (1st)	13.583% (1st)
16	August 6, 2023	13.789% (1st)	14.534% (1st)
Average		10.205%	11.008%
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination

Award ceremony	Year	Category	Nominee / Work	Result	Ref.
Asia Artist Awards	2023	Grand Prize (Daesang) – Actor of the Year	Lee Jun-ho	Won	[25]
		Popularity Award (Actor)		Won
APAN Star Awards	2023	Best Character		Won	[26]
		Best Couple	Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah	Won
		Grand Prize (Daesang)	Lee Jun-ho	Won
		Popularity Award (Actor)		Won
		Popularity Award (Actress)	Im Yoon-ah	Won
Consumer Rights Day KCA Culture & Entertainment Awards	2023	Viewer's Choice – Actor of the Year		Won	[27]
		Viewer's Choice – Drama of the Year	King the Land	Won
Fundex Awards		Grand Prize (Daesang)	Lee Jun-ho	Won	[28]
		Top Excellence Actress (Drama)	Im Yoon-ah	Won
Korea Communications Commission Broadcasting Awards	2024	Grand Prize	King the Land	Won	[29]
Korea Drama Awards	2023	Best Supporting Actor	Ahn Se-ha	Won	[30]

Remake

On February 14, 2024, it was reported that King the Land would be reproduced as a Turkish television drama.^[31]

References

1. Lim, Jeong-won (June 15, 2023). "Chemistry and comedy make 'King the Land' a must watch". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
2. Ahn, Yoon-ji (April 20, 2022). '킹더랜드(가제)' 이준호x임윤아 출연 확정..올 가을 촬영[공식] ['King the Land (working title)' Junho Lee x Yoona Lim confirmed to appear..Filming this fall [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022 – via Naver.
3. Park, Soo-in (September 27, 2022). '킹더랜드' 웃음 경멸하는 남자 이준호-스마일 퀸 임윤아 만났다 ['King the Land' Lee Jun-ho, a man who despises laughter, met Im Yoon-ah, the smile queen] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022 – via Naver.
4. Kim, Min-ji (June 16, 2023). '음원 강자' 가호, '킹더랜드' OST '옐로 라이트' 가창...18일 발매 [Gaho, the 'powerful music player', sings 'Yellow Light' in the 'King the Land' OST...released on the 18th] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023 – via Naver.
5. Kim, Hyun-woo (February 17, 2023). 이준호, 킹더랜드 촬영 마치고 입국...댄디한 공항패션 [Lee Jun-ho returns to Korea after filming King the Land...Dandy airport fashion] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023 – via Naver.
6. Kim, Yu-jin (May 4, 2023). '킹더랜드' 티저 공개...이준호·임윤아, 최고의 비주얼 합 '설레는 눈맞춤' ['King the Land' teaser released...Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah, the best visual combination 'exciting eye contact'] (in Korean). X-ports News. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Naver.
7. @tvingdotcom (March 12, 2023). <킹더랜드> 이준호X임윤아 달콤 투샷 공개💞 [<King the Land> Lee Jun-ho X Im Yoon-ah sweet two-shot revealed💞] (Tweet) (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023 – via Twitter.
8. "All of the Korean Movies and Shows Coming to Netflix in 2023". Netflix. January 17, 2023. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
9. Kim, Na-yul (April 20, 2022). '킹더랜드' 이준호X임윤아, 캐스팅 확정..설렘 폭발 로코 케미[공식] ['King the Land' Lee Jun-ho X Lim Yoon-ah, casting confirmed..Excitement explosion Rocco Chemie [Official]] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022 – via Naver.
10. 등장인물소개 – 구원 가족들 [Introduction of characters – Family of Gu Won]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
11. Ha, Su-jeong (June 6, 2023). 김선영, 이준호 누나된다..'킹더랜드' 첫 드라마 도전 [공식] [Kim Seon-young becomes Lee Jun-ho's older sister..'King the Land' first drama challenge [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023 – via Naver.
12. 등장인물소개 – 그 외 인물들 [Introduction of characters – Other characters]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
13. Ha, Su-jeong (September 21, 2022). [단독] '킹더랜드' 안세하, 이준호 비서된다..'우블' 김재원도 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] 'King the Land' Ahn Se-ha becomes Lee Jun-ho's secretary..'Wooble' Kim Jae-won is also cast] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022 – via Naver.
14. Park, Jin-young (September 22, 2022). [단독] '10월 결혼' 고원희, '킹더랜드'로 열일...이준호·임윤아 호흡 [[Exclusive] 'October Marriage' Ko Won-hee, working hard with 'King the Land'...Lee Jun-ho·Im Yoon-ah breathing]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
15. Hwang, So-young (September 27, 2022). 김가은, JTBC '킹더랜드'도 출연 확정..임윤아와 절친 호흡 [Kim Ga-eun confirmed to appear in JTBC's 'King the Land' as Im Yoon-ah best friend] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022 – via Naver.
16. 등장인물소개 – 사랑의 가족들 [Introduction of characters – Family of Cheon Sa-rang]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
17. 등장인물소개 – 킹그룹 직원들 [Introduction of characters – King Group employes]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
18. Ha, Ji-won (June 16, 2023). 안우연 '킹더랜드' 출연, 철부지 현실 남친 활약 [공식] [Ahn Woo-yeon's appearance in 'King the Land', acting as an immature real boyfriend [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023 – via Naver.
19. Ha, Su-jeong (June 18, 2023). 김성은, '킹더랜드' 까탈스런 승무원 변신..특별출연의 좋은 예 [Kim Sung-eun, 'King the Land's picky flight attendant transformation..A good example of a special appearance] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Naver.
20. Park, Seo-yeon (June 18, 2023). 이혜성, 프리 4년만 배우 데뷔? '킹더랜드'서 수준급 영어 연기 [MD포커스] [Lee Hye-sung, free debut as an actor in 4 years? Excellent English acting in 'King the Land' [MD Focus]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Naver.
21. Son, Jin-ah (June 18, 2023). 강기둥, '킹더랜드' 특별출연...'꼰대리' 최태만에 완벽 동화 [Kang Ki-doong, special appearance in 'King the Land'...'Kkondaeri' Choi Tae-man's perfect fairy tale] (in Korean). MK Sports. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Naver.
22. Lee, Min-ji (May 18, 2023). '킹더랜드' 청약+웃음+연애세포 없는 이준호 사랑 도전기 ['King the Land' Subscription + Laughter + Lee Jun-ho Love Challenge without Love Cells] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023 – via Naver.
23. Choi, Na-young (July 9, 2023). 이준호, '옷소매' 이어 '킹더랜드' 픽 이유..'사극→현대 로맨스 킹' [Lee Jun-ho, the reason for picking 'King the Land' after 'Clothes Sleeve'..'Sage drama → Modern Romance King'] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023 – via Naver.
24. Nielsen Korea ratings:

    • "Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). June 17, 2023. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
    • "Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). June 18, 2023. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
    • "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). June 24, 2023. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
    • "Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). June 25, 2023. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
    • "Ep. 5". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 1, 2023. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    • "Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 2, 2023. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
    • "Ep. 7". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 8, 2023. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
    • "Ep. 8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 9, 2023. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
    • "Ep. 9". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 15, 2023. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
    • "Ep. 10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 16, 2023. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
    • "Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 22, 2023. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
    • "Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 23, 2023. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
    • "Ep. 13". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 29, 2023. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
    • "Ep. 14". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). July 30, 2023. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
    • "Ep. 15". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). August 5, 2023. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
    • "Ep. 16". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). August 6, 2023. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
25. Yoon, Ki-baek (December 14, 2023). 뉴진스·세븐틴·스키즈→임영웅·이준호, '2023 AAA' 대상 [종합] [NewJeans, Seventeen, Stray Kids → Lim Young-woong and Lee Jun-ho, '2023 AAA' Grand Prize [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). E-daily. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023 – via Naver.
26. Ha, Ji-won (December 31, 2023). 이준호, 대상 등 5관왕 영예...뜨거웠던 '2023 APAN 스타 어워즈' 성료 [Lee Jun-ho, honored with 5 awards including the grand prize...The hot '2023 APAN Star Awards' concluded successfully] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024 – via Naver.
27. Park, Jun-sik (December 22, 2023). KCA한국소비자평가, '제28회 소비자의 날 KCA 문화연예 시상식' 성료 [KCA Korea Consumer Rating, '28th Consumer Day KCA Culture and Entertainment Awards Ceremony' completed successfully] (in Korean). The Korea Economic Daily. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024 – via Naver.
28. Hwang, So-young (December 1, 2023). 이준호·유재석·'무빙'·'나솔' '2023 펀덱스 어워드' 대상 [Lee Jun-ho, Yoo Jae-seok, 'Moving', 'Nasol' Grand Prize at '2023 Fundex Awards'] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2023 – via Naver.
29. Noh, Jin-ho. "JTBC '킹더랜드', 방송대상 최우수상 수상...JTBC 2년 연속 최우수상" [JTBC's 'King the Land' wins the grand prize at the Broadcast Awards... JTBC Grand Prize for 2 consecutive years] (in Korean). JTBC. Retrieved November 12, 2024 – via Naver.
30. Kim, Yang-soo (October 14, 2023). [종합] '코리아드라마어워즈' 이성민 대상...오정세x김선아 최우수상 [[Overall] 'Korea Drama Awards' Lee Sung-min Grand Prize...Oh Jung-seh x Kim Sun-ah Best Actress] (in Korean). Joy News 24. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023 – via Naver.
31. Chakraborty, Moumita (February 14, 2024). "King the Land, Reborn Rich, Strong Woman Bong Soon and more SLL K-dramas to be remade in various languages". Pinkvilla. Retrieved February 23, 2024.

External links

• Official website (in Korean)
• Production website at Npio Entertainment (in Korean)
• Production website at SLL (in Korean and English)
• King the Land at IMDb 
• King the Land at HanCinema