Must-Watch Tonight on Netflix: This K-Drama is More than Just a Romantic Comedy!

Gu Won (Lee Jun-ho) is the heir to the King group, a luxury hotel conglomerate, who finds himself in the middle of an inheritance war for the group’s control. Although not very skilled at seduction, the young man is known for his intelligence and charm, and especially for his disdain for fake smiles.

On the other hand, Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah) has a bright personality and a perfect smile. She starts working at the King Hotel, which has been the backdrop for some of her most beautiful childhood memories. However, she must put her memories aside and quickly adapt to the challenges and prejudices she faces.

As Gu Won meets Sa-Rang, he becomes fascinated by her genuine smile. Between them, a friendship – and possibly more – is born around their common desire for true happiness.

In 2023, The Empire of Smiles (King The Land in its English title) stormed the Korean small screen. Aired on the JTBC channel and consisting of 16 episodes, it quickly won the hearts of local viewers, then international fans via Netflix, thanks to its simultaneously light and engaging tone.

The series stars Lee Jun-ho (Celebrity) and Im Yoon-ah (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty), also known as Yoona, a member of the iconic K-Pop group, Girls’ Generation (and its sub-group Girls’ Generation-Oh!GG). Together, their on-screen chemistry has been one of the highlights of the show.

The Empire of Smiles is more than just a simple romantic comedy. It offers a rich plot and thoughtful reflection on fundamental themes such as power relationships between employers and employees, patriarchy, family dynamics, and the contradictions of contemporary Korean society. All this is carried by a refreshing direction and well-balanced humor, making it a true feel-good series, both entertaining and relevant. The show also stands out for its complex characters, with multiple facets and developments.

Therefore, the critical and popular success of The Empire of Smiles was not long in coming. It won no less than 15 prestigious awards: 3 awards for the series itself, 7 for the outstanding performance of Lee Jun-ho, and 3 for that of Im Yoon-ah. Their duo was also crowned Best Couple at the APAN Star Awards 2023, attesting to the accuracy and complicity of their performance. Finally, Ahn Se-ha was praised for his supporting role at the Korea Drama Awards, adding an additional touch of recognition to the cast of this acclaimed series.

• Want to discover another must-watch K-Drama on Netflix? Here’s a series with love and inheritance business too, but with an added twist of fantasy!

Thanks to smart writing, a brilliant cast, and dynamic direction, plus a deep psychological and narrative depth, The Empire of Smiles, rated 4 out of 5 by AlloCiné viewers, manages to combine entertainment and social reflection. Its resounding success has made it one of the phenomenon series of 2023, a must-watch if you haven’t seen it yet.

The Empire of Smiles, created by Cheon Sung-il, starring Lee Jun-Ho, Im Yoon-ah, Ahn Se-ha…

1 season available on Netflix.