The Korean drama 'The King: Eternal Monarch' (original title: 'The King: Eternal Monarch') is one of SBS's major projects in 2020, creating a buzz even before its airing. It pairs top stars Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun, along with the writing skills of Kim Eun-sook, the mastermind behind 'Descendants of the Sun' and 'Goblin'.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers for the Ending)
'The King: Eternal Monarch' tells the story of Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) of the Kingdom of Daehan (a parallel world where Korea is a monarchy) who discovers a mysterious portal connecting to the present-day world (Republic of Korea). He meets Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun), a brave and intelligent police officer. Together, they must solve a murder mystery involving an evil entity crossing dimensions while facing the villain Lee Rim (Lee Jung-jin), who seeks to seize the throne and disrupt the balance of both worlds.
Acting and Characters
Lee Min-ho as Emperor Lee Gon exceeds expectations, from his calm and deep demeanor to sharp action scenes. He effectively conveys the internal conflict of a character burdened with heavy responsibility and love across dimensions. Kim Go-eun is equally impressive, portraying Tae-eul with both strength and charm. Their chemistry is perfectly matched.
Notable supporting actors include Woo Do-hwan, who plays two roles: Jo Eun-seop (a police friend in the present world) and Jo Yeong (a royal guard in the emperor's world), clearly distinguishing both personalities. Kim Kyung-nam as Kang Shin-jae also adds depth to the story.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
The drama is directed by Baek Sang-hoon (co-director of 'Goblin' and 'Mr. Sunshine'), resulting in stunning visuals, especially the meticulously crafted scenes in the Daehan palace. The transitions between the two worlds are smooth, and the CGI is decent.
The soundtrack is another highlight, enhancing the emotions. Songs like 'I Just Want to Stay With You' and 'My Love' are performed by famous artists and became instant hits.
Editorial Analysis
'The King: Eternal Monarch' is not just a typical romantic fantasy drama; it also explores concepts of the infinity of time and love and questions like: if you could cross into a parallel world where everything is the same but slightly different, which life would you choose? Kim Eun-sook's storytelling may be complex and requires concentration, but it engages viewers to think.
However, the drama has weaknesses: some episodes are too slow, and the explanation of parallel world rules is vague, causing confusion, especially in the middle when the plot drags a bit.
Verdict
'The King: Eternal Monarch' is a drama suitable for those who enjoy fantasy mixed with romance and aren't afraid of complex plots. If you are a fan of Lee Min-ho or Kim Go-eun, you won't be disappointed with their chemistry. But if you prefer straightforward and easy-to-follow dramas, you might need to think twice.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Great chemistry between the leads, impressive and engaging
- +Stunning visuals, especially the Daehan palace scenes
- +Beautiful soundtrack that matches the mood
- +All supporting actors deliver excellent performances, especially Woo Do-hwan
👎 Cons
- −Middle part of the story is somewhat dragged and overly complex
- −Some explanations of parallel world rules are unclear
- −Some action scenes have choppy editing
Top Cast
FAQ
The drama has a total of 16 episodes, complete in one season.
The drama aired on SBS and is available on the streaming platform Netflix.
The story reaches a climax and ends on a hopeful note, without spoilers.
Yes, they are the Thai and English titles of the same drama.
