I have only two pressing questions
1. Are those abs for real?????
2. What did he mean when he said ‘you have seen it before’? Did I miss a bbmaking scene?

So proud of Go-Won that he finally did work after 7 months in a job! He has come a long way. My heart leaped with joy when I saw him working.

That who dream team was yuck. I mean, how do people consider it a promotion?

I haven't watched ep 12 yet, but the ending of ep 11 with the key note speaker was actually quite sweet and made me remember, "oh yeah, this drama actually has some really good moments." Also, I was right that Gu Won would pull off the anniversary dinner despite us not seeing him make any real preparations for it until the very last minute.

I like how the dad is trying to get Gu Won to work with his sister, just like the rest of us seem to want.

Also, there is so much PPL that I am officially starting to be unable to tell where the PPL begins and where it ends.

I’ve given up on doing anything but rolling my eyes at King the Hands, but the most eye-rolling moment yet for me was Sarang’s friends screaming open-mouthed as if they’d just seen a murderer jumping out of the bushes with a knife instead of two adults kissing - right after they’d talked about the possibility of the two dating. And the subsequent interrogation panel of friends with the couple kneeling before them is one of my least favorite tropes.

Does the show have to make Unpleasant Noona quite so unpleasant? In fact, every female antagonist is 100% nasty and exploitative and it’s starting to feel more than a little misogynistic that women must be either unblemished angels or unredeemed bitches.

@mayhemf, so I’m not the only one who thought the Dream Team was extra-squicky. Yes, the highest aspiration of everyone in a service industry is to mutely wait hand and foot on quixotic rich people while wearing an outfit associated with a particularly exploited form of domestic labor/sexytime cosplay. 🙄

On the positive side, I was glad to see that despite losing quite a bit of weight, Junho hasn’t lost his, uh, charms.

(it’s too ridiculous to get into)

A summary worthy of the whole drama, @dramaddictally, the whole drama.

I’m still here, but man, they’re pushing it!

Archaic divorce laws strike again! I knew that divorce was stigmatized but I didn’t realize it was to this extent. Is this normal or (like most other things in the show) exaggerated? It was a bit of a ridiculous situation, but it seems wild a. that she couldn’t get it annulled, and b. that it somehow is public knowledge and/or anyone’s business at all. Maybe her crappy ex goes around telling people and sabotaging her career? Ro-un was a standout this week, from his casual acknowledgement of his crush and his rescuing Pyung-hwa from that terrible after-work drink situation, to being the most normal around Won after they found out who he really is.

Without anyone meaning to do it, she’s just been put in her place by having to serve Won and the woman his father deems good enough for him to marry

I don’t know if this is accurate, honestly. I sort of think when the evil sister started to suspect that Won thinks of Sa-rang as more than an employee, she might have orchestrated the whole thing to make sure Sa-rang would overhear Chairman’s plans for his son. Hwa-ran has already proven herself incredibly classist, so it would make sense to me that she would want to put Sa-rang down and hurt Won in the process. The situation didn't make me lose faith in Won though. I think his arranged marriage had probably always seemed so abstract and like it would never actually happen, especially when he and Yu-ri are very up front about how disinterested they are in each other. So I don't really blame him for not considering it a barrier, and not even realizing he should mention it to Sa-rang. The whole situation does suck though.

I don’t believe for one second that Sang-shik will actually betray Won. If anything, they will do a little fake-out and it will look like he has, before they pull back the curtain the whole way on a previous conversation where they arrange the whole thing together. He's not my favorite character ever, but if he was going to betray Won I can't help but think he would have done it way earlier and not put up with his grumpiness for so long. Especially not when things are actually starting to move.

@dramaddictally thank you for the weecap. The part that had me in stitches was the slow realisation that Won had been treated like one of the gang but he us actually the chairman’s son. The reminder of the exclamation mark get to the back quote was just too funny.

The hug in the street following the roasting from Daeul suggests that Won and Sangshik are friends and the cold shoulder in the office is just show. Sangshik is too clever and loyal to fall for Hwaran’s plan so it’s good that she has revealed her plot so he can play double agent and help Won stay one step ahead.

I think the whole meal re the future M&A marriage arrangement was a fake out as Won and Yuri had already spoken about Yuri finding a man she actually liked. So my theory is they are going along with it to help both family businesses grow and then break it off at an agreed time to keep the parents off their backs and it shuts the sister up too.

I also think Sarang would have held it together in that situation and not dropped the plate as she is very professional when it comes to her job and has put up with a lot. She would have broken down afterwards.

The scene with Hwaran and her son was the worst of the worst I don’t get why he would not be choosing quality time with his dad over his mum as she doesn’t appear to have been nice to him at any point in their interactions on the phone or in person. I almost feel he was conceived out of necessity to secure the inheritance as the oldest and only grandson of the conglomerate. I wonder if either parent is interested and who his guardian is whilst he lives abroad? He was able to slip away unsupervised and travel half way across the world without being missed and his parents were not alerted before he turned up in person.

I am getting my hackles up about Dramabean commentators' attacks on this underrated, plucky little rom-com that is struggling to survive despite constant PPLs, so I am going to defend two things in these episodes.

1. I think Junho and and Yoonah are really good together, have great chemistry, and I want to credit Yoonah's acting as well as Junho's. I especially appreciate Yoonah's response to Junho's ardency, which she has portrayed as having a hint of caution to it. Yoonah's slightly disbelieving air even when she proclaims herself incredibly happy is quite realistic and sets up her betrayal at the end of episode 12 quite well. The lack of development of her character's backstory in comparison to Junho is a MAJOR flaw in this drama, but that is not either of the actors' fault. Still, I'll even give the writing a little credit. because episode 12 was pretty good, and you began to get the accurate feeling that this romance between the idle rich son and the service worker is truly ill-fated, and even the scene starring Junho's abs inspired a little unease, since it hinted that there will be understandable accusations of sexual harrassment by a manager of his employee.

2. The off-again, on-again theme of the exploitation of female workers was on full display in episode 12, and Sa-rang's forced recruitment to the "elite" staff of maids and butler providing personal service to the hotel owners (presumably at the behest of the sister, who is aware of Junho's feelings) was a good scene of just how deep the patronizing contempt of the family for their workers goes. Now, I kind of doubt Junho can overcome that without temporarily letting go of Sa-rang. Either that, or he has to give up his quest to get the workers respect from management, quit the family, marry Sa-rang and take over the grandma's restaurant business. That could happen, but it will be interesting to see what course the show decides to take on this issue.

Just given the uneven quality of the writing, I think probably the Mom will somehow return to make the Dad see the light and so we'll be spared any sort of agonizing soul-searching on the part of Junho, even agonized, shirtless soul-searching, but you never know!

Gu Won actually working on the anniversary event?! I thought they spliced in scenes from GOOD MANAGER/CHIEF KIM. Then he goes to shower gifts on Grandma right before the big event? Who puts an icepack over their suit coat?! It is the little details that show big inconsistencies that sidetracks my viewing concentration.

There is a stark contrast between Hwa-Ran’s competency/business savvy, Gu Won’s naivety, and the Chairman’s sudden sentimentality. Korean corporations are well known for interlocking directors and powerful political allies who need to be honored and appreciated as much as a toddler needing attention. Gu-Won’s event program was a worker’s rights and morality rally but a potential business disaster. Gu Won’s ego and lack of common sense (or ability to listen to his sister’s suggestions) has to be his downfall. He got away with his event planning way too easy.

But most viewers are just in for the OTP fan service, including the GETTING CAUGHT cliffhanger in Episode 11. Again, the expanded friend group does not get caught up with the obvious relationship baggage to have a true heart-to-heart. Gu Won’s next mine field is a plan to increase revenue without cutting costs. Instead of working diligently on the project, he takes Sa-Rang to the sea. It must be nice to snap a finger and all things work out perfectly. But the Dream Team assignment turns into a nightmare for Sa-Rang, both professionally and personally. In the show’s exploration of class distinction, Sa-Rang got a jolt of reality. But this being old school, it will all be a “misunderstanding” and assumptions of him being a playboy will evaporate because Gu Won is the golden boy -- nothing bad happens to him. I think his Superman persona is actually hurting the plot.

Others pointed out that in the old rom-com playbook there has to be a break-up, angst, and reconciliation arc. But the chairman was the one pushing the wedding date so we get the possibility of Gu Won giving up his inheritance for Sa-Rang?

Brutally honest here.
This drama suuc..kss . (The abs saved this episode). Glad its on Netflix and I can fast foward and skip boring parts which is most like everything.

So, I’ve been slow to admit it, but I have to now: King the Land is annoying me more than it’s entertaining me.

I consider Junho a true star. Love his acting, love his passion to excel, love the way he energises a set. He dresses up really well in anything; he makes me want to try whatever he’s eating. But this drama is becoming less and less subtle in its mission to make this a 16+hour eulogization of him. The ratio of plot to let’s-film-Junho-in-slo-mo-again has reached levels that I am struggling to tolerate. I appreciate the need to nod to his fans (of which I am one) but seriously? It’s beginning to feel like an extended casting video to highlight his range of “stunning chaebol looks”. It’s got to the point where I am, uncharacteristically, beginning to feel sorry for Yoona because she is becoming simply a faceless ornament to allow Junho’s adoring PD and team to indulge themselves.

On top of that, Sa-rang’s character is becoming irritatingly inconsistent for me. Her reaction to half-unshirted Won just didn’t make sense: at the end of episode 11, she was ready for sex; suddenly, ep12, she rushes off and giggles like a 5-year-old seeing his chest for the first time. What now? If it was not the time and place to carry on where they left off in ep11, at least her reaction should have been mentally fanning herself and telling her mind to behave. And then he offers himself on a plate to her and she doesn’t get her hands all over him??? I get that they’re going to tease us till ep 14/15 but, please, not at the expense of just making your female lead look like an idiot. Furthermore, dropping the plate at the end of ep12. What now? The drama has shown us that Sa-rang is a consummate professional, even highlighting this seconds before the drop through her polite and assured greeting to Won’s father’s guest. She and Won have been making out regularly for the last however many weeks; Won’s already explained how potential-fiancee fits into the picture. So why would she be shaken enough to make this error? Such a blatant “plot” (and I use that term loosely…) device at the expense of consistent character had me grinding my teeth.

My favourite bits of ep12 came in the first 10 minutes and, once again, centred round Ro-un. His comment on meeting Won as a drinking buddy to drown their unrequited love sorrows gave me a pang (they didn’t even need his glance in the mirror; KJW’s delivery of the line was done so well) and then his quick acceptance of Won as Won with a “hyung-nim” was pure delight. Get over the hang-up with your divorce, Pyeong-hwa, cos he’s not going to care anyway, and he’s a star!

Could the last scene just be Sa-rang's wild dream, please? Say she fell asleep in the van on the way there and her dream decides to take a wild ride and she woke up when the plate on her dream shattered.

I like the real-life struggles of the working-class shown in the drama so far, but the maid situation (with her literally wearing a maid uniform) is uncomfortable to watch😢.

I'm enjoying this series and look forward to it every weekend.

The chemistry b/w the ML and FL is wonderful.

Yoona has a beautiful smile.

I'm liking the Bangok crew.

I'm interested in Sa-rang's two friends storylines.
-Da-eul needs to stand up to her husband and his family, or she needs to send them packing.
-Pyeong needs to go after her junior - Ro-woon. I could do without the divorce to her storyline.

The scene when the relationship of Won and Sa-rang is revealed was great. Scene was very well written by writers and very well executed by actors. Very funny scene.

Thank you as always @dramaddictally for an awesome weecap that entertains me as much as the show. For a lot of your commentary I thought, same sis same 🤣.

Some of my takeaways were:

Rowoon is amazing. As someone who will subject herself to discomfort to do the socially correct thing like Pyeong-hwa, my heart nearly burst with admiration when he rescued her from that team dinner. Prince Flight Attendant indeed! And then my heart skipped ten beats when he told her I am going to follow my heart. Gaaaahhhh! His composure and confidence without being overbearing...dreamy sigh.

Sang sik will never betray Won. He's only pretending to play for Hwa Ran's team for Won's benefit.

I am ready for Da-Eul to take her daughter and leave her husband and his family. I dunno how her story will end but I will fling a pillow at him on the tv eventually.

I couldn't help but think the best approach for the company is a balance of both Won and Hwa-Ran's approaches. Hwa Ran is the head and Won is the heart. The reality is you do have to keep and eye on the numbers, the external environment and make strategic connections but you also have to make your employees feel safe and valued so they can give the best to the customers, especially in hospitality. A failure to stay on top of any of those factors will undermine your business.

Most of time, I think Junho layers his performance better than Yoona, but in these episodes she demonstrated a lot depth of expression. More humorously is when the other four of the six siblings caught Won and Sarang, the emotions that ran across her face in a matter of seconds. More seriously is when she overhead the Chairman speak about the arranged marriage in the last scene. Her acting hit home for me more in these episodes. I felt shattered at the end of episode 12 for her which is strange for me because KTL usually ends with me laughing or on a cotton candy high.

Finally, I said earlier it is the Junho show and I am here for it. He can walk down long corridors dramatically for me anytime. Also, "Won comes to the living room in bare feet and an open dress shirt and it’s the moment I’ve they’ve been waiting for" - Same sis, same.🤣

Thanks so much for the lovely recap. It was hilarious (it's too ridiculous to get into absolutely cracked me up). Thanks for the laugh. I decided to drop it last week and nothing that I read this week is making me miss it. I see enough snippets on Insta of Junho slo moing it so I get my fix haha!

You know I found the whole "Dream team" to be super uncomfortable and just plain ???

What happened to conducting duties within the contract?? Unless you tell me serving the chairman in his own house dressed as a freaking maid was a part of the contract then fine.
But no one else thought it was super weird?? I mean I know they're rich and all but omg hire assistants outside your company please?????? God not them congratulating her like she won a nobel prize when she got picked.

Aside from that, my cynical ass was so happy to finally get some conflict cuz everything was too smooth sailing and I was getting real suspicious. I actually liked where it went. It was completely unexpected and out of the blue so I'm pumped to see what's next.

I keep feeling sorry for the two actors at how much kissing they are having to do, from this angle and that, from the top, from the side and from around the back! It’s more lip locking than maybe all the kdramas I’ve seen combined. It must take forever to block out all those scenes. Poor Yoona even looks like she has chapped lips!