From romantic dates to meeting places for highly confidential assignments and bitter succession battles to well-calculated acquisitions, hotels have often played key characters in various K-dramas, especially iconic dramas like “Hotel Del Luna ” . As the passionate love affairs unfolded under the veil of mystery and deceit, here's a look at six more K-dramas in which the hotel played a key role.
“Hotel King”
Cha Jae Wan ( Lee Dong Wook ) is the star manager of the super luxurious Hotel Ciel, but he hides a dark and painful secret. His rise from the streets to become a force to be reckoned with in the hotel business comes with bearing the cross of his wounded past. His only agenda for being in Ciel is to get revenge on the owner Ah Sung Won. The cunning Lee Jong Goo (Lee Deok Hwa ) has told Jae Wan that Sung Won is his father who abandoned Jae Won and his mother. But as soon as Jae Wan makes this revelation, Ah Sung Won is mysteriously murdered. After Sung Won's death, his only daughter Mo Ne ( Lee Da Hae) arrives at the hotel, which is in dire financial straits. Mo Ne, who is also suspicious of her father's death, finds herself drawn to the cold and emotionally unavailable Jae Won. Jae Won discovers that his protective instinct manifests towards Mo Ne, as well as an attraction that he cannot resist. As the mysteries unravel, a passionate love story between Mo Ne and Jae Won unfolds among many twists.
Love and revenge make a heady combination, and “Hotel King” provides you with plenty of drama throughout its 32 episodes. Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook's scorching chemistry is a far cry from their sweet romance in “ My Girl .” And Lee Dong Wook as the indifferent and brooding hero with his perfectly tailored suits has an irresistible flair to his character.
“Lie to Me“
To save face, Gong Ah Jung ( Yoon Eun Hye ), a government employee, lies to her nosy and hostile friend that she is engaged to be married to a wealthy man. Not realizing that the lie has become something bigger, her colleagues and so-called friends of hers assume that she is engaged to the super handsome and rich World Hotel President Hyun Ki Joon (Kang Ji Hwan).). Hyun Ki Joon is stunned when rumors start to circulate in his circle of friends. Ki Joon plays with Ah Jung on the condition that he tells the truth. When Ah Jung continues to lie, Ki Joon decides to take legal action against her, but he must first fulfill a contract with him. Despite the madness and absurdity of his situation, Ki Joon falls in love with Ah Jung and she with him. But the plot thickens when Ki Joon's ex-fiancée returns from France and wants to start over with him.
“Lie to Me” is a light and upbeat romantic comedy. Although it uses a familiar trope, the drama has a certain freshness. The love story is sweet, and Kang Ji Hwan and Yoon Eun Hye are in sync as they struggle and grow in their romance.
“Encounter”
Cha Soo Hyun ( Song Hye Kyo ), the CEO of Dong Hwa Hotel, has never had it easy. The daughter of influential parents and married into an equally influential family, she has always been a viable asset to capitalize on. After her divorce, Soo Hyun devotes himself to building the Dong Hwa Hotel. When a business trip takes her to Havana, she ends up being the turning point in her life. Soo Hyun meets a thoughtful young man named Kim Jin Hyuk ( Park Bo Gum).), who makes the most of his trip before he starts looking for a job. Back in Seoul, Soo Hyun is surprised to find Jin Hyuk as the newest recruit in his hotel's PR department. The embers of the initial spark they had felt in Havana are re-ignited, and the two find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. But can Soo Hyun cast caution aside and live life on his own terms? And will Jin Hyuk be able to overcome the many obstacles in their relationship?
“Encounter” is a beautiful drama to be savored. Song Hye Kyo is charming as the reticent Soo Hyun, giving a nuanced performance, and Park Bo Gum as the supportive and charismatic Jin Hyuk will win your heart with the subtlety of her acting. The palpable chemistry between Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum is enchanting, and the drama also has a melodious soundtrack that echoes its lead couple's many emotions.
Queen of the Game”
Lee Shin Jeon ( Joo Jin Mo ), a financial genius, has been consumed by revenge for years. His sole agenda has been to avenge the death of his father and the honor of his mother of Kang Jae Ho (Han Jin Hee). Kang Jae Ho, the long-time partner and friend of Shin Jeon's father, not only betrayed him, but usurped his position at the very hotel that he now owns. Kang Jae Ho had also stood up Shin Jeon's mother, with whom he had an affair. Consumed by hate, Shin Jeon knows exactly how to bring Jae Ho down, and that's by getting close to his daughter Eun Seol ( Lee Bo Young).). She charms Eun Seol on a trip to New Zealand, soon after playing hard to get and is well aware that she has fallen for him. As Eun Seol expresses her feelings for him, Shin Jeon feels that she has finally found her perfect bait. However, his best plans go awry when he realizes that he has fallen head over heels for Eun Seol, who is a balm to her wounds. But redemption comes at a cost, and will Shin Jeon sacrifice himself in the name of love?
“Queen of the Game” is an underrated drama, and while it feeds into the classic trope of revenge, love, and retribution, it doesn't disappoint. Joo Jin Mo as the dangerously charming Lee Shin Jeon is a heartthrob. And Eun Seol, who is far from a pitiful woman, is beautifully portrayed by Lee Bo Young. The drama also has a beautiful background score, so if you're in the mood for a dramatic love story, this one is for you.
“Smile Again”
Dong Hae ( Ji Chang Wook ) is a champion short track speed skater. He has the opportunity to visit his home country of Korea for a competition as a representative of the American team. He takes his mother Anna ( Do Ji Won ) with him, but his only mission is to meet his stablemate Sae Hwa ( Park Jung Ah).), whom he had promised to marry. But once in Seoul, she gets a scare. The ambitious Sae Hwa has not only changed her mind, but also places several conditions on Dong Hae that she knows he could never meet, including leaving her mother for her. After an accident while saving Sae Hwa ends her sports career, Dong Hae wants to return to her home in the United States. However, her mother, who has been searching for her husband and Dong Hae's father, sees James at the Camellia Hotel and is adamant not to return until she reconciles with him. Therefore, Dong Hae decides to stay behind and fulfill his mother's wish. In the midst of all this chaos, Bong Yi ( Oh Ji Eun), a lively hotel chef, befriends Anna and Dong Hae. Bong Yi gets Dong Hae a job at the Camellia Hotel and offers the mother and son a place to stay with her family. As a cute love story between Dong Hae and Bong Yi unfolds, it comes to light that Dong Hae's father is actually the owner of the Camellia Hotel. Will Anna and Dong Hae get their fair share? And will Dong Hae be reinstated as the rightful heir to the hotel?
“Smile Again” is a long drama, spanning over 160 episodes. It includes everything, love, revenge, emotional entanglements and family drama. Being one of his early dramas, Ji Chang Wook is absolutely endearing and gives an insight into his prowess as an actor. He plays Dong Hae effortlessly, bringing out the stamina and strength of his character with ease.
“My Secret Hotel”
Imagine organizing your ex-husband's wedding. Nam Sang Hyo ( Yoo In Na ), a wedding planner, is certainly into it. Sang Hyo was briefly married to Gu Hae Young ( Jin Yi Han) , but it was such a brief marriage that they didn't even register it. Hae Young, puzzled by the presence of her ex-wife, finds himself pining for her. Meanwhile, Sang Hyo's boss Jo Sung Gyeom ( Namgoong Min ) has a crush on her. But a murder at the hotel complicates the situation for everyone.
“My Secret Hotel” combines romance and a murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. Although the story meanders a bit, Namgoong Min holds the fort as the charming second lead, whom you root for. ...
