Hotels may be a place to stay for the night, but they can also have bigger meanings, especially in Dramaland: Symbol of someone’s past, pillar of a family, place of (re)encounter or place of war and struggle, a lot happens behind closed doors. So, here’s a list of 10 K-Dramas that take place in this special place. Which one is your favorite?
Curtain Call (2022)
Cast: Ha Ji Won, Kang Ha Neul & Ko Du Shim
Plot: Yoo Jae Heon is a kind, optimistic and bright man. He works as an actor for a theater company, but struggles a little to make ends meet. One day, he is hired to play the grandson of Ja Geum Soon. She is the rich CEO of a prestigious hotel, who lost her North Korean family after the war. To fulfill her dying wish, Jae Heon accepts to become her lost grandson.
Episodes: 16
Where to watch: Viki, Kissasian, HiTV
Hotel Del Luna (2019)
Cast: IU & Yeo Jin Goo
Plot: Man Weol is a 1000-year old ghost, who has been punished for the crimes she committed in the past. She was given the direction of Hotel Del Luna, that helps ghosts crossing over to the other side. Because of a promise made by his father, Goo Chan Seong, a brilliant hotel manager, ends up working for Man Weol in that fantastic hotel, that only reveals itself during the full moon.
Episodes: 16
Where to watch: Netflix, Viki, Kissasian, HiTV
Hotel King (2014)
Cast: Lee Dong Wook & Lee Da Hae
Plot: Cha Jae Wan was led to believe that his father abandoned him and his mother. Determined to take revenge on him, he became the general manager of a luxurious hotel run by his father. After his suspicious death, his arrogant daughter An Mo Ne appears and meets Jae Wan. She struggles to keep her hotel.
Episodes: 32
Where to watch: Kissasian, HiTV
Smile Again (2011)
Cast: Ji Chang Wook, Do Ji Won & Oh Ji Eun
Plot: Carl Laker, born Dong Hae, is a a short track speed skater based in the US. He was raised by his single mother. He comes back to Korea for a competition, and uses that opportunity to look for his birth father. Once found, he starts working at his hotel and falls in love with the hotel chef.
Episodes: 159
Where to watch: Kissasian
Encounter (2018-2019)
Cast: Song Hye Kyo & Park Bo Gum
Plot: Cha Soo Hyun is the daughter of a politician; thus she had a convenience marriage. When she discovers her husband has an affair, she gets divorced. After that, she becomes the CEO of a prestigious hotel. Kim Jin Hyuk is a young and ordinary man. One day, he decides to make a trip to Cuba. There, he meets Soo Hyun. When he comes back to Korea, he starts his new job at a hotel, and finds out his CEO is none other than Soo Hyun.
Episodes: 16
Where to watch: Netflix, Viki, Kissasian, HiTV
Queen of the Game (2006-2007)
Cast: Joo Jin Moo & Lee Bo Young
Plot: Lee Shin Jeon’s father died because of Kang Jae Ho. Ever since, Shin Jeon has longed for revenge. Years later, he approaches Kang Eun Sul – Jae Ho’s daughter – but ends up falling for her. Meanwhile, Eun Sul discovers that Shin Jeon got close to her on purpose. Angry, she decides to get her revenge too.
Episodes: 20
Where to watch: Kissasian
My Secret Hotel (2014)
Cast: Yoo In Na, Jin Yi Han & Namgoong Min
Plot: Nam Sang Hyo works at the wedding department of a hotel. She got divorced to Koo Hae Young seven years ago. The latter reappears as a hotel client. Jo Sung Gyeom is the manager of the hotel. He is in a love triangle with Sang Hyo and Yeo Eun Joo. One day, a murder takes place at the hotel.
Episodes: 16
Where to watch: Viki, Kissasian
Lie to Me (2011)
Cast: Yoon Eun Hye, Kang Ji Hwan & Sung Joon
Plot: Tired of being asked why she’s not married yet, Kong Ah Jung decides to lie to all her friends by announcing she tied the knot. One misunderstanding leading to another, she ends up entering a contract marriage with Hyun Ki Joon, the rich CEO of World Group. Will the lie turn into reality?
Episodes: 16
Where to watch: Viki, Kissasian
See You in My 19th Life (2023)
Cast: Shin Hye Sun, Ahn Bo Hyun, Yoon Ha Kyung & Ahn Dong Goo
Plot: Ban Ji Eum is a young woman who can remember her past lives. In her previous one, she met Moon Seo Ha as a child, but tragically died in an accident. Now in her 19th life, she tries to reunite with him.
Episodes: 12
Where to watch: Netflix, Kissasian, HiTV
King the Land (2023)
Cast: Lee Jun Ho & Im YoonA
Plot: Cheon Sa Rang works at the prestigious King Hotel. She’s an excellent employee with a bright smile, appreciated by her colleagues and the hotel clients. Gu Won is the newly-appointed manager of the hotel. He’s a handsome young man who never smiles. Though the two of them clash at first, sparks being to fly between them.
Episodes: 16
Where to watch: Netflix, Kissasian, HiTV
Once Upon a Drama 