Which popular South Korean romantic comedy series, starring Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah, is set in a prestigious luxury hotel and follows the unlikely romance between a chaebol heir and a cheerful employee?

King the Land (Review) is indeed the popular South Korean romantic comedy series that fits the description. The show centers on Gu Won, a chaebol heir who is intelligent and elegant but struggles with dating and dislikes fake smiles. He finds himself embroiled in an inheritance battle for the King Group, which includes the prestigious King Hotel.

The series truly takes off when Gu Won encounters Cheon Sa-rang, a cheerful and hardworking employee at the King Hotel, where she has many happy childhood memories. Despite their initial clashes—Gu Won can't stand her professional smile, and she finds him ill-mannered—an unlikely romance blossoms between the two as they navigate their professional lives and personal aspirations within the luxurious hotel setting.

Starring K-pop idols-turned-actors Lee Jun-ho (of 2PM) as Gu Won and Im Yoon-ah (of Girls' Generation) as Cheon Sa-rang, "King the Land" garnered significant attention even before its release due to the highly anticipated pairing of its lead actors. The show, which aired in 2023, became one of the most-watched non-English series on Netflix, captivating audiences with its charming leads and classic romantic comedy tropes, despite some initial reviews calling its plot predictable. Its blend of humor, heartwarming moments, and the undeniable chemistry between Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah contributed to its global popularity.