Language: Korean

Subtitle: English

Number of Episodes: 20

Genre: (Drama)

 

Korean Television Drama: Hotelier
(20 episodes)

THE STORY:

Hotelier is a Korean drama series starring Bae Yong Joon, Song Yun Ah, Kim Seung Woo, and Song Hae Gyo. Unlike other typical Korean shows, the main focus is not only centered on the romance of the four main characters. Instead, the focus is centered on the hotel (Seoul Hotel) and the employees who work there.

After the death of Seoul Hotel's owner, the newly appointed chairman and the owner’s wife was in dire need of help. The hotel was in a financial crisis and Kim Bok Man of Hankang Distribution wants to buy out Seoul Hotel. To prevent this from happening she asks that Jin Young (played by Song Yun Ah) go to America and seek the help of Han Tae Jun (played by Han Seung Woo), a former manager of Seoul Hotel.

While in America, Jin Young meets up with Frank Shin (Bae Yong Joon), an acquisition expert who for some odd reason is attractive to her. (I don’t know why: she’s loud, abrasive, vulgar, and really not that beautiful) Because of their chance meeting, Frank Shin decided to go to Korea to spend time with her. Coincidently, Frank was offered a job from Kim Bok Man (chairman of Hankang Distribution) to assist Mr. Kim in buying out Seoul Hotel. It’s a pretty stupid way to win a girl’s heart if you were to ask me, but Frank believes that it's the only way to get closer to Jin Young. It’s hard to imagine Bae Yong Joon playing the ruthless business type after watching Winter Sonata, but he did ok.

What I like about the show:

Song Hae Gyo as Kim Yoon Hee. Unfortunately she only plays a supporting role to this series. Song Hae Gyo rose to stardom after she made the television drama “Autumn Fairy Tale.” Afterwards she starred in many other successful shows like “All In” and “Full House.” According to many of my friends, she’s considered to be the ideal woman for many asian men. She’s very cute, but since she has such a small role in this show, I cannot validate that statement.

What I didn’t like about the show:

I personally did not like Hotelier that much. It was a real effort for me to finish the show. I’m baffled as to why people can sit through the series and watch it over and over. I think that the people who enjoyed it are the female viewers who are in love with Bae Yong Joon. Bae Yong Joon is considered a heart-throb for many asian women. Maybe it’s because of his stylish, trademark glasses. I thought that he was great in Winter Sonata, despite his sissy appearance (dyed hair, colorful outfit, and lip stick).But in Hotelier he was just annoying. There doesn’t seem to be any chemistry between him and Song Yun Ah. Nor was there any chemistry between the other actors and actresses. The talent was surely wasted in this drama series.

How do I rate this show?

MILDLY RECOMMENDED (only because of Song Hae Gyo)