Even though I believe most of us agree that we just sat through an episode on Saturday with very little of anything whatsoever and then an extended PPL for Thailand on Sunday, there were two scenes from this week’s King of the Hill that I simply adored.

—I was absolutely charmed by the way that Gu Won kept failing the “future grandson-in-law” tests set by Halmeoni’s gossipy “friends.” Her face spoke such disappointed volumes…because clearly she’s completely smitten by him and wants to brag. And then the scene in the bank!!! And that he just let her give him that money to open his Housing Savings Account!!! That was the cherry on top of a fantastic cream puff of a plot point.

—The way that, as a fellow flight attendant, Pyung-hwa knew Jae-won would have to get up super-early to get to work, and then clearly went the extra mile to be up even earlier and make sure he had food for breakfast was simply the bee’s knees in my book. She had, for reasons I feel I completely understand (and that I think go beyond her noble idiocy about whatever relationship she had with smarmy pilot dude), been putting Prince Flight Attendant off and putting him off—but this act really got to me. It was quite simply beautifully done, heart-warming, and just a little surprising. I was so happy to see how thrilled it made him too…

Ok, I’m finally ready to admit it: there was basically no plot progression in episode 10. Was there a ton of relationship progression? Yes. Was I still having fun? Absolutely. But Beanies who have been miffed about the pace of the plot were/are totally correct this time. No way around it. I want to see Won do more than say he’s going to take responsibility for things. He obviously sees the issues, but we’ve done enough to establish that, and now I want him to really take charge and do a good job and beat his sister because he’s smart and listens to his employees and isn’t terrible. And I want Sa-rang to help him get there. I do want that. But we still have time.

I really loved watching our leads get closer though. They had real conversations about things that bothered them, they made their feelings really clear, they shared personal things about themselves, they aren’t one of those weird couples who never kiss again after they get together (by a long shot!). I think what I really loved and thought was so adorable were all the little moments of them just being giddy to be together, like neither of them could quite believe it. It felt so authentically like two people in a new relationship (and one they aren’t totally ready to share with everyone yet) that I couldn’t help but giggle along with them.

Other loves: the three friends’ easy and close relationship, Won earning Halmoni’s approval, Ro-un showing up to crash their vacation party (and Pyung-hwa getting up early to leave breakfast out for him!), Won’s absolute commitment to wearing white while in Thailand.

Pyung-hwa has a hoobae at the airline, LEE RO-WOON (Kim Jae-won), who’s got a clear crush on her and this week we finally get enough movement for me to introduce him.

How sad is it that we're on Episodes 9-10, and this is the first time that Ro-woon is being introduced in the recaps? Pyung-hwa and Ro-woon's story is literally like watching a web drama that has eight 10-minute episodes (and even that is more than the screen time they get).

I screamed when Ro-woon said that he had plans tonight, "Is their plane in Thailand?!" When Pyung-hwa was on her phone all during dinner, I thought that she was texting with him, so I screamed when Ro-woon walked up from behind her like straight out of a fantasy. I was hoping that she would make him breakfast before he left, so her note and his reaction to it were adorable. I wished that their team had flown back on his flight, so the ungrateful purser could serve Pyung-hwa and get jealous of Ro-woon making heart eyes at her.

After the offensive Arab prince last week, the least the show could do is bless us with a handsome Thai Prince this week.

This incentive trip should've only been taken by Sa-rang, Da-eul, and Pyung-hwa. Won did not deserve to go. He's not a best employee; he's barely even an employee. We never see him work. Pyung-hwa I understand because she was first in sales after selling illegally at the jjimjilbang, but all of the Alanga team had contributed to their sales goal and all were cheated out of their trip to Bali, not just Da-eul. Won would've never sent the three of them on a trip to Thailand if they weren't Sa-rang's friends, just like he would've never taken the company helicopter to rescue a random employee. It's annoying that everything he does is because of Sa-rang or love or getting Sa-rang to love him.

Eusha eusha! Sang-sik was the MVP of this episode. I cracked up when he said, "If you want to sabai, you can go home and do it on your own."

I’m happy Pyung-hwa, Da-eul, and Sang-shik get this holiday, however wrong it is for Won to arrange it (using company’s money?). Holiday for company workers are scarce and there is no way they can’t afford the accommodation by themselves.

Junho in white pants are divine. His white coat should also make longer appearance.

Are there any other shawols here?
Did you have a SHINee moment and immediately think of SHINee's new song "Hard" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrDeQ4sF0zo) as the characters kept repeating  "We go hard" in regards to their trip.  We go hard like criminal,  Hard like the beat, Hard like my flow..😊

I don’t want to Yuck anyone’s Yum. So please feel free to skip this rant:

I don’t like Won, there I said it. If this character wasn’t played by Junho and instead by a certain Hallyu actor Lee, I think the more grating flaws would be evident. Look I usually like flawed characters, but these episodes just solidified why I can’t stand him. All he does is pine after Sa-rang, anything he learns is from HER, he is incompetent AF. Yes the sister is awful and I’m not gonna defend her, but I can’t take this rivalry seriously when Hwa-ran’s been working there for god knows how long and Won literally just started working there for the past six months!

I don’t want to say it’s sexist but it’s sexist. Look I wouldn’t complain if he came from he studies and started fighting for worker’s rights that he learnt from his expensive ass education. (Go full Marx on me bro!) However, this isn’t the case. Won is just as arrogant as his sister.

He learns about Sa-rang’s friends being conned and what does he do? He literally ONLY takes them on a vacation?? Let’s not forget Da-eul’s WHOLE TEAM were incentivised to work their asses off to meet some ridiculous sales quota so they can get a vacation in Bali. Turns out it was lie, so where’s their Thailand vacation Won?? (I get the show has a budget, but I dunno use some AI to insert them in or something)

As other beanies have pointed out, if it wasn’t Sa-rang in danger, would he care at all about the safety of a random employee?? Get them a helicopter?? I honestly don’t think so.

So why am I still watching? It’s the cute Noona romance between Pyeong-Hwa & Ro-woon, they get so little screen time but are always the highlight of each episode.

And my absolute favourite is the Da-eul’s relationship with her daughter! Asdfghjkl! Their FaceTime chat was the most wholesome, heart tugging scene, and for the first time in is this drama, I rewinded the scene to rewatch it again!

But yeah time to use the FF button for the rest of the show I guess…

Showing the whole first kiss again at the beginning of episode 9 provided confirmation that Junho breathing hard between kisses is as hot as any lip action. Halmeoni opening a savings account for Won - and how wordlessly stunned and touched he was - were lovely. Junho competed in an extended wet t-shirt contest that unsurprisingly Junho won. Nothing else happened. We all have different takes, but I found Sang-shik’s “we go hard!” self-appointed tour guide act as difficult to watch as if I were the one being dragged around without a break; it seems like every drama has to have a sidekick whose main characteristic is categorical refusal to read the room.

I wonder if they took the hyperspace elevator from Good Job and it made a stop at the basement level in that show’s batcave/wardrobe, because nothing else could account for the sudden appearance of black tie and evening dress on the rooftop. Also, yes, Junho and his stylist are conspiring to commit mass murder.

Plot? What plot? I thought we were just here for the kisses, lol!

I have to say I can't disagree with some of the criticisms of this show. Won definitely still has some growing to do. He's talking the talk, but now he needs to make it happen. I'm hoping this is where the show is going for the rest of the episodes.

That being said, I do love the relationship progress, although I did think the "I love you"s came pretty quickly. There's some solid relationship building happening, and I appreciate seeing them comunicate with each other and really get comfortable with each other.

My favorite non-kissing scenes this week were Won & Halmeoni. So, so sweet and touching!

What do I even say when nothing happened.

For starters, I think Jun Ho has nice arms.
He looks much better in the relaxed attire.

I do like that they are enjoying the secret dating. Their interactions were natural and they both wanted to hug, kiss, touch which was refreshing.

Rowoon is 😍😍😍
Just give him more screen time please.

List of things to do when I Thailand - do the food street tour, tuk tuk toir, visit the temples and go to Vertigo and Moon bar for a night drink and great view.

The Secretary is super annoying. I just don’t find him funny.

So these episodes had me weak for various reasons...

Weak with worry: Hwa-Ran is plotting hard with all her might, ignoring her child even. And what is Won doing ? Worrying about Sa-rang and going on vacation after a major power move. Wonnie you have to work, hunny. You can't fail at the 100th anniversary party. Select the guest list, pick the table settings, pick a font for the invitation, do something!

Weak with the feels: Halmeoni is everything! She was the highlight of ep 9. Her teaching Gu Won how to love was in such contrast to his Dad scolding him earlier that love is not for him. And then when she opened the account for him, my eyes welled up.

I just love how Won is finding a family of his own apart from his biological family.

Da-eul with her daughter reminding her to take care of herself was also incredibly sweet. Wives and moms tend to put themselves last but it was such a poignant reminder that you can't care for others if you don't take care of yourself as well.

Weak with laughter: The number of times I covered my mouth to keep my self from screaming laughing 🤣. That group, they are too ridiculous. Sang-sik and Won are so extra! I love them. And Rowoon just joined the hijinks so seamlessly. I agree script wise the actors don't have the world's best dialogue to work with but it's the little details that strike me still. For e.g. when Rowoon gets up to get ready for his flight and Won and Sang-sik roll over to cuddle each other. I almost died laughing. The whole Thailand episode felt like the director said, "Guys you be you and we'll just record some of it."

Weak in the knees: Akkkk, guys Rowoon may be Pyeong-hwa's junior but he has such swagger. I love his confidence. He knows who he wants and not afraid to let her know it. 💕 And yes, as others shared, she is reciprocating. Eep!!!!!! I can't even capture my excitement in actual words.

As I mention swagger, let's reflect Won escorting Sa-rang to King the Land. I am proud of her for only falling apart after he left, because in that moment when he leaned forward my heart stopped. He drips charisma when he is ready. The pool scene was another example.

I do agree the love confession on the roof top was a bit early but overall these episodes were my weekly doses of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin all rolled into one.

Expecting some more drama to kick in next week guys so hold strong...this week was the frosting but we're getting to the cake below

Plot progression? Who cares about that when we get two episodes of fluffy cuteness with JUNHO and Yoona plus grandma? I even loved the Thailand TRAVEL shots, too (who cares when/how they changed to evening formal wear?) My screen just lit up with pure pretty through 9-10 and I loved it.

But now I'm already stressed about the turmoil that is surely coming at the episode 11-12 point. Such is life in the Kdrama zone...

I dropped KTL at episode 3 so I didn’t dare to jump in any discussion about this show. However, I still go through the recap every week. As far as I remember, Junho’s character hates the service smile on the employees and he asked Yoona’s character to stop showing that in front of him. So in the recaps, I sort of look for screenshots of Sarang with other expressions rather than THAT smile but funnily enough, she doesn’t seem to have any other happy face rather than that smile even when she’s with Won. To be fair, I don’t see Won has any other expression than the smitten look either 😅 I love Junho but I’ll be (patiently) waiting for his next project then.

Like I said on my fan wall the other day - ‘it is all fluff and no substance’

At this point in time I want some shizz to hit the fan to keep me engaged.

Did anything really happen in ep 10 aside from an ad for Thailand? Side note: I am not tempted to go to Thailand, but I am now craving Thai food.

I really want to like Won, but he's making it very difficult for me. He's putting zero work into his job. Maybe it will be a plot point that the awards banquet will crash and burn, but part of me is worried that he's magically going to pull it off and I'm just gonna have to accept that. If anything, the drama has convinced me that he and the sister should work together, he can care about the employees and she can handle the actual operations and, y'know, making money.

I feel ridiculous saying this because I usually criticize romance dramas for having too little focus on the actual romance. I'm frustrated with See You in My 19th Life for having too much plot at the expense of the romance, but this isn't the solution for me either. I was getting so bored during the last few eps. Is there any balance that can be found?

Also, I felt like it was WAY too early in the relationship for them to say they love each other.

Your recap is so much more entertaining the actual episodes @dramaddictally! Thank you.

Vacous is the word.

For me, episode 10 was a little too much of a good thing. Fine, make progress on the romance side. But leaving for a vacation while he's supposed to be in charge of a big event? Seems like a non-sensical dereliction of duty. Surely they could have kissed many times while working together to plan for the big event? (And it's possible that we'll see that in the next episodes.) I suppose the money from the Thailand Tourism Bureau was too good to pass up.

We have just crossed the mid-season threshold, we have the happy couple, cuteness dialed up to 11.

For me, that means it's time to ask what is coming next.

Obviously, we are at the point where the excrement is going to interact with the oscillating air circulation device. Gu Won has declared war on his sister a few episodes ago, so we are more than due for that to take center stage. Get ready for a very different Won at this point.

This is almost certainly going to be the root of the inevitable "breakup." How do you know it's going to happen? It's a K-drama. My bet that in this case, though, it's going to be from Won's effort to protect Sa-Rang, not so much the result of a fight.

Sa-Rang has a natural gift where hospitality is concerned. I'd like to see what she ends up doing to make the 100 year celebration a success.

To that point, I'm betting on a part of that being a menu that gets back to the root of traditional Korean cuisine. There has been a consistent focus on how wonderful those foods are with Won trying so many dishes for the first time. I just can't see that not being followed up. Anticipate Grandmother being at the heart of the catering.

The reveal of Gu Won's real identity. Soon-He is already being hard on him to make sure he's good enough for her granddaughter. That's not going to change. In fact, if nothing, she will set an even higher bar for her approval. And it won't have anything to do with money. It will be about love and priority. Her besties? That will be the trope shock, of course.

I'm not going be surprised if Sa-Rang is running the hotel by the time we reach the end, while Won has taken over the entire family business, letting his father retire. In fact, I'm beginning to suspect that this is his father's intent but that he wants Won to earn it.

I have no idea how the mother drama for both will work out.

So far, what I'm liking most of this drama is the lighter tone. I've been in need of cheese, camp, and fun and this one fits the bill. Love To Hate You did a good job of that earlier this year and been one of my favorite romantic comedy stories in a very long time. This one is going to obviously turn into a real power struggle, but I hope the writers manage to do that in a way that doesn't abandon the fun we've had up to this point.

Hey, Dramaddictally. You missed calling out one the the most charming parts in the episode 11 escape.

Yoon-ah did wonderful channeling her inner Audrey Hepburn. Between the pink dress and the LBD later that night with her hair up, she was beyond adorable.

not done with ep10 yet. just had to stop to lodge my complaint.

who the hell goes into a pool in long pants???? dumb.

@dramaddictally thank you for the weecap this week. I loved the extended Thailand PPL I don’t get how they managed to pull that off without it being a massive pain for the tourists but they have their own film industry so will have ways and means. The accommodation was gorgeous and it was funny seeing the three men having their buddy chat and later cuddle. I look forward to seeing the three female friends and their respective partners on a couples trip when things are out in the open. I need it to be an appropriately funded trip this time and I need to see the husband berated and shamed by the other two men for taking his wife for granted.

I am struggling with the company paid extended jolly with his girlfriend while back at the ranch Won has shown no signs of setting the wheels in motion for a huge event. Unless Won is making it look like he doesn’t care to distract his sister and has it all in hand for a big reveal later, he is way too blasé. I don’t see how this is going to end well when time was so limited and he is not on site to head off the expected friendly fire.

I am calling it that when child Sarang originally went to the hotel with her mum she met child Won and his mum. I hope that we find out what happened with his mum and it is not another one of those stories where she was allowed to stay to wean him but then was removed from his life because he was an heir but she was disposable. It would be great if she has a prominent role in the rival hotel so is doing ok but sad that she has maintained no contact even now that he is an adult. I wonder what kind of contract she was forced to sign that cuts her out for ever. I wonder is Sarang and the soon to be found mother in law will be similar in personality and commitment to the job so they all end up running the King business or their own family business. I hope we see Won’s mum has been watching him from afar all this time, although I have a bad feeling she might have died and the dad covered it up to save Won from the pain.

Am I the only one surprised that no one in the company has seen Won so no one recognises who he is.

Well this is a first time that I gave zero damn that there was literally no plot in two whole eps of a drama. Because Junho's face and swoonyness overload. And don't even get me started on the hoobae. Prrrrr...

I think I won't like Won as a character. After 10 episodes, he didn't show any growth as a worker. He can't make a difference between his working place and his dating life. In an office romance, at least the 2 characters are working and it's better when one of them is not the big CEO. So the writer will make him a great manager because he can do everything and he's the ML without any development like for the food.

I like the 3 girls together, they're fun to watch and I really like their friendship. I need more development for them too!

The romance and chemistry between the leads is fantastic and I wish the writers had stuck with that and did a tight 10 or 12 episode romantic drama. I believe this drama would have been better following the example of Love to Hate You…just tell a love story without the cliche backstories.

I frankly do not care about any of the subplots. The obligatory childhood trauma with the ML’s mother seems so haphazardly done. We don’t need some ridiculous trauma story from childhood to like the character. The best friends stories seem thrown together and are not fully fleshed out. We are introduced to a poor excuse for a husband but it’s all surface level and then he disappears from the story.

Now onto my biggest pet peeve…the ML’s character….I don’t love it. I love Junho but not the character. It is written so superficially. He is looking to oust his sister in running the hotel but apart from bringing the prince has done precious little. He has to organize the biggest event for the hotel ever and his response thus far has been to chase after the FL at work (extremely unprofessional) and then look a fun trip on the company. Is his sister a nice person…no…but she clearly seems to be the better manager. After all, she recognized the FL’s talent and promoted her on merit and not seniority.

Many of you will know this but I didn’t. That brute, Junho, once broke OTY’s arm!
https://twitter.com/Koreaboo/status/1678827764177334273

KING THE LAND (Ep. 9-10) In Episode 9, I realized that Gu Won is really not good at his job. He has done no planning for the big event but decided to take over all hotel operations. He sits back at his desk only thinking about Sa-Rang. Instead of working, he goes to see Grandma. He wastes time going around with Grandma (who is showing him off to her friends for their reaction of this “candidate.”) Instead of working, he goes on an expensive incentive trip with Sa-Rang’s friends. Again, he shows no boundaries for his position or for Sa-Rang. For a person who acknowledging rewards for hard work, he has not put in any effort on his own work. I can see another Gu Won “snap of the finger” miraculous perfect anniversary bash conclusion. His sister is the one actually focused on her job (see did not take an emergency call from her son.)

Sa-Rang is smitten by Won’s attention which she did not get from her ex. But is that enough to have a healthy relationship?

The Thailand trip was mostly filler. But is not their secret relationship now out of the bag? Perhaps Won gets in trouble and loses his position with this latest stunt. This will have to cause problems for Sa-Rang at work and her personal life (from Golden Employee to Golddigger.) What was that formal clothing change at the end? To show that Sa-Rang fits into the upper class? Also, what is the deal the OTP can only kiss if they are being drenched with water.

Agree with many of the comments from other Beanies.

I love romcoms — the tropes, the sugar, the fluff, the I'm-so-giddy-I-can't-wipe-this-silly-smile-off-my-face moments, but too much of a good thing can still be bad, and I think I hit my limit at Episode 10. Even the squeals of delight from our three best friends while on their trip were grating on me.

So Episode 10 was the first time I set Netflix to play at 1.25x speed (except for the convo Won and Sa-rang had about his mother, which I watched at normal speed).

Hopefully, we get some plot progression next week. I wish Won would get a crash course on life and responsibilities and accountability and actually grows up! ( Like, dude! Openly flirting with an employee in a hotel that no doubt has cameras in hallways and elevators is no bueno! Plus, if they get caught, Sa-rang will be painted as the employee who's sleeping her way to advance herself. He should care about the negative consequences on her professional reputation more than he does right now, especially considering how devoted she is to her career and job.)

Here's hoping that the still-unresolved plot points are given enough airtime in the remaining episodes to unfold with dramatic impact, rather than getting crammed into the last 10 mins.

I have a premonition that Won is not too worried about the anniversary celebration and the invitations because he's not going to invite "important" people, he's going to have a party for the employees. That will round off the focus on the workers as valued individuals and not disposable property. It will also be consistent with what Won has learned from Sa-rang about the people in his company with all its subsidiaries.

I just can't! not watch this! This is just what I need for a pick me up. I watch each episode twice just to relive the fun! there are a few dramas that I save and savor and wait to watch each episode cause I don't want it to end and this is the one this year. Yoona is adorable and spunky and Junho is, well Junho at his sexy smoldering funny best. Take me away King the Land! I love the other actors also and it is just my delight each week. And I need the break from life.

won does not deserve to go on that trip ngl he has done nothing to deserve it. he didnt work his way upto the position he was given and threw a fit when he spent a day in their lives.. hopefully he does something about this in the next ep.

not saying this show needs a third act serial killer or stalker but this show needs some interesting conflict i really dont need fluff for the next six episodes. that being said.. yoona oh man what a cutie i can almost forgive this shows transgressions when she does aegyo on screen.

I like the show for its light-heartedness. For sure it doesn't hold me in like intense stories ( when I say that usually I am thinking of uncontrollably fond). But its an easy on the heart and head drama. The sub-plots are a bit extended here and could have been richer. The light feel of the drama takes me back to watching Business Proposal, but BP for me was undoubtedly funnier with excellent comic timings. I liked the way the relationship is moving but each time I feel Won will finally take charge on the professional front something misses the mark. Sometimes he says he will do it but then spends a lot of time on misc matters. Just an observation though, not a criticism. I guess there are hits and misses everywhere and the chemistry is charming enough for me to see this drama through. Good for a light drama watching

I'm commenting as I watch, so even though the drama has ended it's fun to read all of the comments here of your thoughts while you were all watching live!

I'm enjoying this one so far, and accepting it as a light fluff watch so I can ignore most of the incongruous plot points. Love the scenes with Halmeoni, the three friends and the airline couple. (The bank account!! 🥹) Kim Ga Eun also played one of a friendship trio in Because This Life is our First and I liked her there too.

Junho does smoulder scenes very well. The wet restaurant kiss scene with his intense looks and breathing - and asking permission! - were ooooh la la! He's still not Gong Yoo level for me, though! 😄 To each their own...

I loved the silhouette scene in Halmeoni's restaurant!! Awesome! The physical comedy made me chuckle, and the almost kiss gave me Sound of Music vibes. I bet the actors had a lot of fun filming this one.

I'm thinking either Won is going to pull off the 100 anniversary party at the last minute like he did the prince visit, or he'll fail and this will be the middle of drama trouble part but he'll succeed by the conclusion. The best idea was from @dramalover4ever with the employee party.

It's funny to read comments from Mother Bean @reply1988 because I often have the same practical thoughts! The car keys in the water, so expensive! The logistics of filming in crowds in Thailand. Why no one recognizes Won as who he is given he's the recently returned son of the chairman, isn't he pictured on the website or in the news?! And I also wonder about a childhood connection during Sa Rang's visit to King hotel. Great minds and all that! 😁

Loved the Thailand trip though it was not well done of Won to use company money for a date. And I can't recall the first name he has given himself as Mr. No, but if it's Won, then he's No Won.... Hehe.