Kim Eui-seong transforms into the owner of Joseon‘s best hotel.

Channel A’s new weekend drama ‘Check In Hanyang’ (written by Park Hyun-jin and directed by Myung Hyun-woo) is a youth romance historical drama that contains the story of the eventful growth of Joseon‘s best inn, ‘Yongcheonru’, where anyone can become a king if they pay money. The cast includes Bae In-hyuk (as Lee Eun and Lee Eun-ho), Kim Ji-eun (as Hong Deok-soo), Jung Gun-joo (as Cheon Jun-hwa), and Park Jae-chan (as Go Soo-ra).

‘Check In Hanyang’ presents a unique hotel worldview that has not been seen in existing historical dramas. Yongcheonru, Joseon’s best inn, operates under the management philosophy of ‘The customer is king’, and is a place where money, not status, determines everything. This place, decorated more splendidly than a palace, is owned by Cheon Bang-ju (played by Kim Eui-seong), the king of money with more power than the king, and exerts enormous influence in the center of Hanyang.

Cheon Bang-ju, the Taesang Bang-ju of Yongcheonru, played by Kim Eui-seong, is not just a wealthy merchant, but a figure who holds the power of Joseon in his hands, and he plays a central role in the story of ‘Check In Hanyang’. His money, which even wields the royal family, becomes the target of Lee Eun (played by Lee Eun-ho), the prince of Muyeong, and Hong Deok-su enters Yongcheonru to find the secret behind his father‘s death. Cheon Bang-ju’s son Cheon Jun-hwa stands at the center of the power succession and begins a new challenge at Yongcheonru to find the key to success that will rebuild the Go Soo family.

The character poster released by the production team on the 18th fully captures Cheon Bang-ju‘s strong presence. In the poster, Cheon Bang-ju sits on a luxurious bed and writes ledgers. His sharp gaze overwhelms the viewers. The splendid residence of Cheon Bang-ju, which is depicted in the background, symbolically reveals his wealth and power.

The various details that appear in the poster also catch the eye. The folding screen behind him is reminiscent of the ‘Ilwolobongdo’ that is located behind the throne in the palace, implying that Cheon Bang-ju has power greater than that of a king. In addition, the dragon pattern on his lapel and the golden dragon carved on the paper lantern symbolically express Cheon Bang-ju’s great power and wealth. In this way, Cheon Bang-ju‘s attitude toward the royal family is implicitly felt in the way he freely uses the dragon, which symbolizes the royal family.

In particular, the copy inserted in the poster, ‘A world will come where money, not social status, rules’, shows Cheon Bang-ju’s philosophy and ambition. This hints at the fierce power struggle that Cheon Bang-ju will engage in with the weapon of money.

The production team said, “Cheon Bang-ju, the owner of Yongcheonru, is a figure with more power than the king with his money, and he will play a key role in the drama as he gets entangled with the four young men over flowers.” They continued, “Cheon Bang-ju, who was completed with the overwhelming charisma of actor Kim Eui-seong, will increase the immersion of viewers. We ask for your great anticipation and interest.”

‘Check In Hanyang’ will premiere on Saturday, the 21st at 9:10 PM as the follow-up to ‘Marry YOU’.

Reporter Hong Se-young, projecthong@donga.com