While the Korean industry has been coming for a long time, the wider audience means dealing with a wider backlash. With the King the Land controversy, something incredibly similar happened. However, let’s understand where the character, Prince Samir, comes from in the first place and what his place was in the story. A friend of Gu-won, Samir, was studying with the guy abroad. However, when Prince Samir comes to Korea, Gu-won is happy to house him at his place.
This doesn’t go too well with the male protagonist because the Prince starts flirting with Sa-rang. Gu Won is pissed and trying to reconcile this image with the playboy vibe he used to give out in college. In short, there was a lot of partying, alcohol and girls. He has been shown as an Arab prince wearing a thobe and a keffiyeh, appropriate to represent the man.
The King the Land Controversy
The controversy came in when viewers of the show started calling out the production company for not respecting the Arab culture around alcohol. The character appeared for only two episodes but made a lasting impression with this trope. In an attempt to deal with the situation, the production company behind the show released a statement explaining that they had no intention to discriminate against anyone racially. Additionally, the ambiguity of the Prince’s location was intentional because these are all fictitious settings. Since the Prince doesn’t come from a specific country, they decided to move on with the storyline.
Some Arab viewers expressed disdain over the treatment of women when it came to this character too. They have shared how the industry has been consistently portraying people from this part of the world. Even people who don’t watch the show are incredibly distressed by the visuals this show brings out. Moreover, some have also pointed out that the actor Anupam Tripathi is not Arab and that they should have brought an actor that is from the same culture. To see what else they have been saying, see below.
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Other Twitter users have also shared that they will be taking out this drama from their watchlist, and many potential viewers have also been dissuaded from watching this series after news of this scene and its implications came out. Some have also been to popular rating websites and shared that the show’s ratings are not going to do well because they will be losing viewers by the week. This sudden drop can definitely be attributed to the most recent controversy.
King the Land (킹더랜드) is a rom-com K-drama that brings the story of an heir and an employee who works at one of the hotels owned by his family. Directed by Im Hyun-wook, the drama stars Lee Jun-ho, Lim Yoon-a (Yoona), Go Won-hee, Kim Ga-eun, Ahn Se-ha, and Kim Jae-won, alongside other cast members. The drama brings the story of the heir Goo Won who has been thrown into an inheritance war, and the happy Cheon Sa-rang, whose smile moves him like no other.
King the Land is currently streaming on Netflix.
What did you think of this scene? How well do you think they represented the Arab culture in the show? Let us know in the comments, and read our reviews of the series below.
Also Read: Our reviews of the aforementioned K-Drama!
No one said anything when the BTS video blow up the statue of Christ on his mother Mary’s lap-by Michael Angelo. Was discussed. They dont attack their gods, or beliefs. It’s always the American soldiers who are dirt bags in Korea. They’ve forgotten that families in America lost their sons so they could be who they are today. But sometimes we have to look for the good, with lots of evil sprinkled in or thrust in our face.
I think it’s Much Ado About Nothing and a shame for this really very good rom com production with wonderful actors, King The Land, to have some people creating controversy. It’s a comedy.
I agree!
This is a totally fictitious story, so why pick it to pieces. If we were watching fairies and goblins no one would be complaining because they no they are not real, the same as the story King the Land, just enjoy the brilliance of putting this whole production together, or DONT WATCH, go and watch something else and stop complaining. Brilliant program.
Absolute nonsense over two episodes!Its just a show seriously.Dont over think please..
Ridiculous to get carried away over two episodes of a drama!
I love King of Land.
I don’t know what all the fuss is about . it’s a comedy! I hope everyone watches it because it’s a great fun love story .
I’m not Arabic so I may not fully understand the concerns of Arabic fans surrounding this particular issue but speaking out when you’re ignorant is one of the biggest causes of misunderstandings between Caucasians and other groups. Being dismissive of other groups’ concerns really sucks.
True. It’s a good show and I will continue watching it. Noone is forced to watch. If they don’t like then they shouldn’t watch. We will watch however. Some of us looooove it..
I looove the show. Will continue watching it. If anyone doesn’t like then they shouldn’t watch. Simple….
I am 100% in agreement with you. I am an international viewer; I love this show and I am going to continue watching it. I am fed up of people who like to cry race discrimination where there isn’t any.
I very enjoy the movie . Just movie not reality. OMG. peoples just to much thinking no much doing ????
Sense of humour, my dear fellow viewers…its all fictitious n for the sake of dramatic entertainment…i laughed so much at those 2 episodes …forgive n forget..live & let live…life will be happier ????
Sense of humour, my dear fellow viewers…its all fictitious n for the sake of dramatic entertainment…i laughed so much at those 2 episodes …forgive n forget..live & let live…life will be happier ????
It’s only a show, a fiction. People should not be overly sensitive with that. And the character of the prince in the story was not malicious, in fact he was just playful and like a happy go lucky kind of prince. This character of his was portrayed and showed properly in the drama through those scenes.
I will continue to support “KING the Land”. It really fun to watch.
For those of u complaining about disrespecting the Arab culture, are u watching the serie in bits or smth, wat about the gud character traits of patience n respect Samir potrayed after rejection from Sa-rang. Doesn’t it earn u credit, or u just want to ve it all. The bad characters are always aimed at showing positive change n acceptance of goodness.
When Arabs are acting do they import foreign actors and actresses? Watching is a free will.
For us who love n appreciate talent,
We shall watch “King The Land” till the end????we don’t nid negative energy here.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!
I still love King the Land.
I didn’t even realise there was controversy regarding those episodes until I googled one of the actors. Honestly those 2 episodes of Prince Samir were my favourite. People need to calm down. Not everything is about racial discrimination. People need to stop being so sensitive over nonsense. It’s fictional for crying out loud, You need to calm down, I love “King the Land” and I will continue watching it right up until the very last episode.
It’s a television program to enjoy. I never got that impression of the prince being a womanizer I thought he was a great character in the storyline. You all need to get over yourselves your not getting paid to critique the show. Seriously why does everyone have to get so upset about every little thing.
I’m here just because I’m curious. I’m not offended because for me it’s pretty normsl to include other nations/races and whether the character is good or bad is not about the race, at least for me. But I can understand if some people have different opinions and feelings about this.
Reading these comments, I only found people who disagree that this matter is offensive/wrong. But I’m curious, is there any person in the comment section that get offended for other “racial” things in Kdrama? Because for me as a neutral person here, I find it similar to some matters in the past, like how a character in Kdrama is a Korean yet he used a wig with locks (Penthouse) . They were mad because it’s a cultural appropriation. But honestly I think it’s similar to that, some of us can’t relate because we have different cultures and norms.
King the land is one of my favorite kdramas, I love it and I will continue to watch it, the actors a great and and the storyline is awesome ????
I agree! It’s a K-Drama not a documentary!
The representation of the Arab character was not appropriate from Arabs’s culture and religion point of view. It’s essential to recognize and respect diverse cultures and religions.As viewers, we love the k-drama and we appreciate the comedy and entertainment of K-dramas, but it’s crucial to understand that some acts cross cultural boundaries. The request for Arab representation stems from a desire to have accurate and respectful portrayals that align with cultural nuances and sensitivities. Also, the request of having an Arab actor was only for the reason that he knows the culture and might represent it better. I hope all understand that.
If you aren’t of Arab ethnicity you have no place to dismiss other Arabians concerns. Whether you think it’s an overreaction or not isn’t up to you. The portrayal of races on shows do have an impact on society, and is where stereotypes for certain races gain more power. People who aren’t even this ethnicity have no place in this conversation because of course it wouldn’t mean shit to you it doesn’t impact you whatsoever.