King the Land: Where Hotels Become the Stage
King the Land (2023, JTBC) tells the romance between Gu Won (Lee Junho), heir to the King Group conglomerate, and Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoona), a hardworking hotelier known as the "Smile Queen." Streamed globally on Netflix, the drama became an international hit thanks to its charming leads and stunning luxury hotel settings.
The fictional "King Hotel" was actually a composite of several real hotels: Grand Hyatt Seoul for the exterior (with CG-enhanced upper floors), Parnas Hotel Jeju for the lobby and interiors, Josun Palace Gangnam for Gu Won's suite, and Mondrian Seoul for the fitness center.
Jeju and Bangkok: Where Romance Blossoms
The drama's most memorable scenes were born outside Seoul. In Episode 3, Gu Won and Sa-rang get stranded on Gapado, a tiny island off Jeju's coast, leading to the signature bicycle date scene in floral ajumma clothing. The Episode 10 Thailand arc peaks at Banyan Tree Bangkok's 61st-floor rooftop bar "Vertigo & Moon Bar," where the couple shares their most romantic moment — dancing under the Bangkok night sky.
