King The Land is currently #1 on the Top 10 List of Netflix Philippines today, and the incredible chemistry between its co-leads 2PM's Lee Junho and Girls' Generation's YoonA is only one of the many reasons why you need to watch this K-drama. It may start off as a typical rom-com with your usual enemies-to-lovers, cold employer versus bright and bubbly employee trope, but what's not to love about a cliche?
Only 10 out of 16 episodes have been released so far (with new eps dropping every Saturday and Sunday), but reserved chaebol heir Gu Won (Junho) and cheerful hotel staff Cheon Sarang (YoonA) eventually overcome their personality differences and learn to appreciate each other. Viewers get their first (of many!) kisses in episode 8, and since then it's been full steam ahead in the romance department!
Here is a roundup of all the onscreen kisses we've seen so far in King The Land:
1. Episode 8, in the kitchen under the rain sprinklers
Egged on by her friends to confess his feelings, Gu Won asks Sarang out on a date. He invites her to dinner and impresses her by cooking every dish, but while cooking steak he gets a little carried away when showing off "the highlight" of the night — playing with fire. Unfortunately, the King Group heir put too much oil and the pan is fired up, shocking Sarang into dropping her wine glass and setting off the fire alarm.
Gu Won rushes over to seat Sarang on the countertop, worriedly asking if she was hurt. Although they initially laugh off the sprinkler mess, when they lock eyes the atmosphere suddenly turns romantic. Gu Won asks permission to kiss her (we love a consent king!) and they finally kiss (for 1 minute and 53 seconds!), saving us from the UST (unresolved sexual tension).
P.S. We're still mad at the director for calling "cut!" right at that moment in the behind the scenes video!
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2. Episode 9, in Grandmother's room
Thought everything was smooth sailing once they got their sh*t together? Sadly, we thought wrong. Once they arrive at King The Land, everything seems to go wrong — from them misunderstanding each other, to Sarang's grandmother getting hospitalized, to a failed lightbulb change.
After a long day filled with mishaps, the couple end up crashing in Grandmother's room and Gu Won apologises for his behavior (he rejected her back hug!). Sarang apologises too, and they make up. Cue another romantic moment when they officially talk about *feelings*! "I like you a lot," Gu Won confesses to Sarang. "Will you accept my feelings?"
After staying silent for an agonizing 10 seconds (yes, we counted!), Sarang leans in for a kiss before nodding and smiling. Gu Won pulls her back in for more kissing before they decide to call it a night.
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3. Episode 10, in the pool
Sneaking out to see each other is definitely a rom-com cliche, but why not use it if it clearly works? To spend quality time together away from their friends, Gu Won and Sarang meet up at night and hang out by the pool. Initially, Gu Won complains about all the activities they've been made to do, but upon learning that Sarang hasn't traveled much, he promises her that they'll travel together more. "I'll make every day of yours filled with happiness."
Gu Won decides to take a dip and eventually entices Sarang into taking a swim with him. Enter some kilig-filled dialogue — which leads to yet another round of kissing (more than 2 minutes this time!).
"I missed you."
"We were together all day long."
"Not the back of your head. Your face. I missed this lovely face so much."
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4. Episode 10, at the skybar
After a quick trip on the tuktuk (and an even quicker outfit change), Gu Won and Sarang appear dressed to the nines on the rooftop deck of a skybar. It's here that the couple confess their (deeper) feelings for each other. "I love you Cheon Sarang." "I love you too."
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Special mention: Episode 10, while riding a tuktuk
Okay, so it wasn't the VIP sedan he was hoping for. But Gu Won and Sarang clearly enjoyed their speedy ride to the skybar! And while this cheek kiss (or kisses!) isn't as hot-and-heavy as the others, it's particularly sweet considering he planned all this to make the night a special one for her.
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King The Land is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
