Highlights and promos from MBC's Hotel King » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

69 March 31, 2014March 31, 2014

Highlights and promos from MBC’s Hotel King

by javabeans

Hotel King’s premiere is right around the corner, and here are a bunch of promo shots and a highlight preview for the show, which is basically an extended teaser. I’ve been keeping an eye on this show because I like its cast—and have a particular soft spot for the reunion of Lee Dong-wook and Lee Da-hae nearly a decade after they burst onto the scene in My Girl—but I knew going in that with a 50-episode MBC weekend drama on our hands, we weren’t likely to get light bubbly fun. It’s too bad, but I’m curious to see if they’ve still got chemistry, even when the story and characters they’re portraying are so vastly different this time around.

Hotel King deals with the ambitious hero being groomed to take over a top-class hotel and coming up against a bevy of conflict and antagonism, whether it be in the form of ambitious folks with conflicting interests, a returned ex-girlfriend, or a wild card of an heiress running in to complicate matters.

Lee Dong-wook is that hero, who transforms from his miserable beginnings into a polished, cool-headed general manager of Ciel Hotel. He shot up through the ranks to becoming the youngest ever general manager with such steely competence that he earns himself the nickname of “hotel monster.” In the preview, Ciel’s vice chairman, played by Lee Deok-hwa, tells him that he is the son of Ciel’s Chairman Ah… the man whose death is announced in the opening newscast. Looks like the vice chairman is playing puppetmaster as he promises to turn our hero into the best and make him the king.

Lee Da-hae is the complication, as the only daughter to the deceased Chairman Ah and now the hotel’s primary successor. The problem is, she’s flighty and unpredictable, and utterly unqualified to take over. So it looks like we’ll be dealing with succession battles in a sort of modern-day grab for a metaphorical throne, though I wonder how things will resolve since this makes our hero and heroine direct siblings. Well, I suppose that’s nothing a convenient birth secret couldn’t fix!

Lee Da-hae’s character reminds me of Jung Ryeo-won’s bad-tempered heiress character in History of a Salaryman, in the way that she barges into the executive ranks with nary a care for propriety or tact, though Lee Da-hae’s role is more cheerful and less foul-mouthed. But it’s not a bad character to take notes from, since Jung cracked me up in Salaryman and turned her character into a standout.

Im Seul-ong plays the hotel concierge who will probably be taking up the role of resident heartbroken puppy—you know, the type to win us over with his friendly nature and heo-dang charm, then twist our hearts when he stands by unseen and lovelorn. He’ll be assigned to helping out the heiress when she first comes to Ciel and bails her out of scrapes, which I’m guessing there will be a-plenty.

Let the blood, revenge, and tears begin! Hotel King will premiere this Saturday on MBC.

Via E News 24, Asiae

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1 Cheon Song-Yi

March 31, 2014 at 2:28 PM

Engrish..declaration of name..silly hand gestures/body gags..cheery, haughty disposition..reckless driving..

MAN SONG YI, is that you?!

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zzzz csy

March 31, 2014 at 7:50 PM

Joo Yo Rin from My Girl is like that too. CRAZY character.
Cheong Song- yi is not the first character ever introduced in TV drama history.

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Jessica

April 1, 2014 at 7:22 AM

Didn't Lee Dae Hee partially grow up in Australia? I thought she spoke fluent English?

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2 nynaeve

March 31, 2014 at 2:37 PM

I'm surprised javabeans didn't make a comment about LDH and LDW high-fiving in one of the pictures.

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bebeswtz

March 31, 2014 at 2:50 PM

That high-five picture .... I die <3

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canxi

March 31, 2014 at 3:10 PM

Such a cute pic!

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Nana

March 31, 2014 at 8:10 PM

i came across some of these photos before (when i was in stalking mode) if im not mistaken it was from the hospitality training session the cast had prior to shooting. there were evidence of body contact (skinship? kekeke) albeit in a professional way

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3 AnOpinion

March 31, 2014 at 2:52 PM

The concierge uniform is ugly...

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bjharm

March 31, 2014 at 6:10 PM

lol they really extras from a startrek convention, but dont tell anyone.

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4 Sadie

March 31, 2014 at 2:57 PM

i want to watch...just for lee dahae's character. she seems so much fun. but the side angst..especially from our hero looks to be too much. i'll have to tune in now and then and see how I like it...and is it me...or is Lee DaHae's hair looking super beautiful? her locks look gorgeous.

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windsun33

March 31, 2014 at 3:53 PM

Same here. I usually avoid weekend dramas, or even if I watch them I tend to fast forward 80% of it. But her character does look more interesting than most in these long dramas, so I will give it a try. I am just afraid that with all the side characters and plots, the series will be bogged down a lot be people I could care less about.

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ilikehim

March 31, 2014 at 7:18 PM

That hurr, so luscious, shiny and perfect! Is it achievable without a stylist?!?! ><

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5 song yi

March 31, 2014 at 2:59 PM

excited to watch the coming of hotel king. My 2 favorite
leads are on television once again. Fighting.

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6 canxi

March 31, 2014 at 3:09 PM

That teaser was great and makes me pretty excited for what's to come. ALSO major props to the stylists for making everyone look extra fierce in this show! Especially that white outfit with the sparkly shoes for Lee Da Hae. Awesome!!

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7 kanz

March 31, 2014 at 3:23 PM

This week? I'm so excited!! Lee Dong Wook looks so handsome and suave here, I also love Seulong and Wang Ji Hye. On the other hand, I need to prepare for the worst because it's weekend drama and on MBC.

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8 K

March 31, 2014 at 3:42 PM

I'll just watch the 1st and last episcode.

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windsun33

March 31, 2014 at 3:55 PM

This is a 50 episode weekend drama, so you have to watch the first two and last two, and maybe one of the middle ones to get the full story.

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9 Nancy

March 31, 2014 at 3:47 PM

It's confirmed for 32 eps.

I'm committed to this drama because of this reunion and excited for Saturday to come :)

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fab

April 1, 2014 at 6:59 AM

OMG thank you!

I was just contemplating about how to commit to a drama for that long(50eps), never done that on the net. Tv shows are much easier to follow, because I can skip episodes but still follow the story...

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10 Miky

March 31, 2014 at 3:47 PM

This looks so much fun but indeed i feel worried because it is a weekend drama(till now many started good ended worse)and in MBC that seems melo for some reason...
the vibe looks good but i'm sure they won't keep the fun and bubbly much and go into serious makjag land and more after their fall in love with all the we are brothers theme ...
don't know why but i keept thinking it had a Empire of Gold meets History of a Salary Man mix....

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11 kitabur

March 31, 2014 at 3:56 PM

Wow, that bellhop outfit... It's like the uniforms for Thomas the Tank Engine's Mr. Conductor and entire the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band mated.

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SuziQ

March 31, 2014 at 6:02 PM

Exactly..
It's suppose to be a Posh hotel, but the uniforms are so tacky...reminds of something from the 1930's Grand Hotel movie.

I hope Lee Dae Hae doesn't get any thinner. Go and eat something...Her neck looks so bony ..

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12 windsun33

March 31, 2014 at 3:57 PM

".. that’s nothing a convenient birth secret couldn’t fix!.."

I really got a laugh out of that, because it is so true. I suspect already that he is not really the son. Or she is not really the daughter. Or neither one is. Or she is the son and he is the daughter, each by hidden mistresses...

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kayejil714

March 31, 2014 at 4:36 PM

you mean they changed genders? that will be out of the makjang territory!

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windsun33

April 1, 2014 at 11:10 AM

Nah, for weekend dramas, it is still within the makjang limits, though barely. :)

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mudaepo

March 31, 2014 at 5:16 PM

"Lee Dong Wook playing a cold hero, check. Lee Da Hae playing a bubbly heroine, check. Ok guys, I think we can go ahead with our drama."
"Wait a minute, doesn't this look too much like My Girl?"
"Don't worry. We just have to make it better!"
"You mean like using a 7-star hotel instead of a 5-star one? I'm not sure it will be enough though."
"I've got the perfect plan: remember the cousin fauxcest in My Girl? We are going to make that a sibling fauxcest this time!"

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jozie

March 31, 2014 at 8:59 PM

It's funny because it's true.

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Valleydale

March 31, 2014 at 10:32 PM

LOL, so funny! And you've probably nailed the pitch the production company made to sell this one.

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13 Mrs.Jang Guem Suk

March 31, 2014 at 4:09 PM

I'm soo happy I have a question about lee dong wook is he in the Kang Koo story and this or is that sone else

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Miky

March 31, 2014 at 5:05 PM

It's the same actor different story,that one is a 3g drama and he is the lead as well...

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Mrs.Jang Guem Suk

March 31, 2014 at 5:22 PM

Ohhhhhhh I thght it was him I wasn't sure since they kinda would be on at the same time wow he's a hard worker hope he doesn't pass out

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Miky

March 31, 2014 at 6:29 PM

that mini drama is out already and has 2 parts..indeed live system is the black hole of dramaland ..hope all of them stay healty

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14 Hiyo

March 31, 2014 at 4:37 PM

I Hope A Drama With Lee Dong Wook & Jang Hyuk And Lee Da Hee.

Who Will Stay Stay With The Girl???? xd

Bets Are Accepted xd

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15 Quiet Thought

March 31, 2014 at 4:45 PM

And what about the lady in the uniform with the riding crop? I think she's an escapee from a James Bond film, 'To Russia With Love,' specifically. Hopefully she's going to be teaching our hero something . . . about life, or something.

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16 YEH ryt

March 31, 2014 at 5:08 PM

Idols are everywhere! This drama has three.

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cheekbones

March 31, 2014 at 10:33 PM

I just knew those were idols by looking at the pics although I couldn't say I recognized them.

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17 ck1Oz

March 31, 2014 at 5:43 PM

I am so watching this and if the plot goes to shit, I would mute the screen and stare at Wookie.

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Nana

March 31, 2014 at 8:54 PM

that's how i watch my dramas sometimes :-)

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18 Jen

March 31, 2014 at 5:46 PM

I already like LDH's character because it reminds me so much of Baek Yeo Chi(JRW in Salaryman).

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19 meenuby

March 31, 2014 at 6:06 PM

Oh noes, not the sibling fauxcest trope!

But for the love of LDW-LDH, I shall bravely overcome my allergy to melos. That chemistry better be burning HOT now. :D

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20 bjharm

March 31, 2014 at 6:16 PM

well if I going to watch a reunion drama I think I wait to see if the Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara pairing will come about on MBC remake of Fated to Love You, rather than a 50 episodes of melodrama, even though bar the startrek costumes it all looks very pretty from the photos.

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21 Kiara

March 31, 2014 at 6:32 PM

Love Lee Da-hae in rom.coms. She is like Jun Ji-hyun's little sister.

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22 meanrice

March 31, 2014 at 6:34 PM

Im about to use all caps because I cant believe what i am seeing:

IS THAT KIM HAE-SOOK LOOKING LIKE FRAU FARBISSINA????

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23 jam

March 31, 2014 at 7:02 PM

kim hae sook be lookin' gnarly. whoo. lee da hae also looks beautiful. lee dong wook, hm well no words for this hottie :) looking forward to the drama.

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24 Abbie

March 31, 2014 at 7:37 PM

I seriously cannot wait for this. Many of the 50 episode shows I start to watch I don't finish for various reasons. But this I may just have to stick around for. The preview is really good and so interesting! And actors I actually like, or can stand to watch.

But that hotel uniform looks like something you'd see in Star Trek or Star Wars. Not very flattering, though the color is pretty by itself.

Anyway, looking forward to this!

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windsun33

April 1, 2014 at 11:14 AM

This may be only a 32 episode show.. depending on which site you look at.

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25 hummie

March 31, 2014 at 7:51 PM

I probably won't watch because I'm not the type to commit to dramas more than ~20 episodes long, but I'm curious how Im Seul-ong will do. I only know him as a member of 2AM, which is a part of Oneday alongside 2PM.

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26 mika-chan

March 31, 2014 at 7:59 PM

oooh i thought it was gonna be candy and chaebol again but her being a free rich spirit make me sigh a breath of relief. honestly a flawed heroine is so much more fun to root for!

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27 Bibianni

March 31, 2014 at 8:05 PM

from the teaser...I'm guessing that im seul-ong is the actual illegitimate son (he looks distressed when he saw the chairman die? - I m assuming the body wheeled out is the chairman) while lee dong wooK is lee deuk-hwa's son...

how's that for a twist in birth secret, lol

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28 kyl

March 31, 2014 at 9:16 PM

Why is Im Seul Ong's character saying 'I like you' like a love confession to Lee Dong Wook in the video? Did I misunderstand anything?

Reminds me of Personal Taste somehow, LOL.

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linalina

April 1, 2014 at 1:48 AM

You know...I saw that too! LOL...but I think it's just the way they edited the clip. I'm pretty sure he's saying it to Dahae's character.

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29 Valleydale

March 31, 2014 at 10:23 PM

Omo, this looks like it'll be good, but with a fair amount of makjang in places. Looks like our hero has a painful childhood trauma in his past. I can't yet understand enough of the raw Korean dialog so as to figure out much from the trailer, though. And I keep looking for the Lee Da Hae that co-stared in My Girl, and for the life of me, I can't see her. What did she do---major surgery? Her character looks like she'll offer a fair amount of comic relief amongst all the angst, backbiting and intrigue, though, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Lastly, is that "Korea's Mom", Kim Hae Sook looking like Brunhilda, the Nazi death camp dorm matron in this trailer? Yikes! I'm already scared of her---LOL.

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30 Carinne

March 31, 2014 at 11:05 PM

So, are LDW and LDH half-siblings?

They sooooooo are gonna rekindle where they once left off, aren't they? Haha~

Omo, that's N (from VIXX). Thank goodness he's required to wear a hat in his role as bellboy. Can't stand him fixing his hair all the time in VIXX's Diary show.

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31 Pearl~ai88

April 1, 2014 at 1:10 AM

Faux(hopefully)cest and hotels? :/ I skip.

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32 Laden

April 1, 2014 at 1:43 AM

LDH looks so different,I had to google out her name to make sure I wasn't mistaken and that she really was joo yu rin from my girl
And am I the only one who gets distracted by LDW's upper lip,I find myself looking at him instead of the actual acting,saw wild romance recently where he had beards on and that kind of helped me out.

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33 1aco

April 1, 2014 at 3:59 AM

hahah Lee Dong-wook didn't say a word in the preview.. and I still don't like Lee Da-hae voice...

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34 Chhavi

April 1, 2014 at 5:55 AM

Hmmm...the stills are pretty good.

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35 couch potato

April 1, 2014 at 6:49 AM

lee da hae looks really different now

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Mindy

April 1, 2014 at 6:59 AM

Yeah, she looks different. And why did she sounds like an Ahjumma here. Her voice is different too...

I has this strange soft spot when I see her acting.. Hah.

She's not that one good actress but I dunno why I like her acting.

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Jessica

April 1, 2014 at 7:23 AM

I think she's just too thin? She was so pretty before so I doubt she needed to do any plastic surgery.

I hope it's just a weight issue. Loved her look in My Girl.

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36 rainbow

April 1, 2014 at 10:25 AM

Lee Dong-wook just have to stare and instantly i'm hook. That man knows how to work his eyes for sure!

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37 coco

April 1, 2014 at 11:59 AM

- I so did not recognise her when I saw the pics of the actress
- I kind of really want to watch this drama but its 50 episodes and all the revenge dramas I've seen so far end badly so I don't know ...

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hayam

April 2, 2014 at 4:10 AM

it is 32 eps and not 50 per the article :)

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38 kristbjorg999

April 1, 2014 at 3:40 PM

I would really like to see Lee Dong Wook play opposite Yoon Eun Hye. Hope that will come true soon :)

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39 aDA WONG

April 1, 2014 at 8:37 PM

Is it TRUE that during "MyGirl" they were an item? Awesome!

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Annie Jang

May 14, 2014 at 8:57 AM

Not true-they were an item later. closer to a year after they did My Girl. During filming, she was with Lee Jun Ki, who, by the way, showed strong jealousy in an interview I saw, over her having to kiss Lee Dong Wook-

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40 belibme

April 1, 2014 at 9:21 PM

woah LDW is a super busy guy, how'd he do both the other drama kang goo's story plus this one? i can't wait to see this meantime i'm also enjoying the new drama of his kang goo's story!