L'Empire du sourire

I was genuinely surprised to see low ratings for this show. I think many people drop it after the first few episodes and to be fair I almost did too since it was a bit slow boring. However, the show picks up around episode 3 and I found myself liking the show more and more each episode. The cast is great and there are a lot of funny moments. I think if anyone is considering watching the show I advise you to stick it out atleast passed the first three episodes. I can see why some people might have dropped it after only watching the first few episodes, but I'm glad I stuck it out because it got better. It's a comforting show to watch and I look forward to the episodes each weekend. If anyone has dropped this show I recommend giving it a second chance.

So in episode 9 there is a depiction of an Arab prince that is not Arab but Indian and does all sorts of things not allowed in Islam, which is the reason for all the hate in this series. You may also notice a lot of reviews from Islamic countries due to this controversie. The rating is not an accurate representation of the quality of the series. However, do not be discouraged to watch this if you are not Muslim! For most people this series will score a solid 7 at least and should rank somewhere between 7-8 probably.

It is an enjoyable serie with good acting and some humor and plot twists and turns. Sure, it is not the most original plot or innovative and apparently not even culturally appropriate but it is an enjoyable watch that will satisfy most RomCom and Comedy Drama watchers. The quality is on average still way above most hollywood series and movies nowadays too.

In short, feel free to watch the first episode as it is fun to watch and a good representation of the overall quality of the series. I am sure you won't be disappointed! Again, if you are Muslim perhaps skip this series as it is not for you and you and you may feel like it severely misrepresents your culture and customs.

Im Yoon-ah plays Cheon Sa-rang a hotel worker who is very dedicated to her job and is an outstanding employee serving the King hotels guests for whom she works. Into her life comes Goo Won played by LeeJun-ho who is the son of the owner of King group who owns various businesses including the hotel. He is an irresponsible playboy who is estranged from his family and has no interest in his fathers business. The series is incredibly well acted and with a great supporting cast all dealing with their own various problems. It has received criticism on two fronts, one being it is a rehash of many past dramas but I think that is part of the appeal as it's aim is to warm your heart with the nostalgic tropes. The other being the way an Arab was portrayed which offended many people who have awarded a one score to show their displeasure.

A lot of fun humor between Lee Jun-ho and Yoona and between Lee Jun-ho and Ahn Se-ha who plays his assistant. Also loved the line from Jun Ho as he is leaving the palace: 'This place looks familiar' (reflecting on The Red Sleeve). Jun Ho, once again, demonstrates his ability to play any type of character. His immense talent may be one of the reasons for lower ratings as some viewers may have expected him to continue taking on more and more challenging roles, which this is not. Would have been better if the Arab prince was played by someone from the country he is supposed to represent. This is just a reflection of the extremely limited number of roles for foreigners in South Korean dramas. Beautiful, beautiful clothing and set design. The fake wedding was magnificent!!

I've noticed the reviews going down for this show ever since episode 7. DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. This show is cute and a feel good show and the leads are beautiful and have a lot of chemistry. It's not really dramatic but it's not an outright comedy either. It's cute and leaves you feeling fluffy and happy. I would recommend it if you're in the mood for something simple like that.

I'm currently on the vacation episode and it's so fun. I also think that that the show does a good job of showing how corporations poorly treat their employees and how working hard does not always equate to success. So, even within the fluff, there's a nice message forming. Plus, the two main romances are quite cute.