The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)

Very good show (But! last 2 episodes were rushed)

If you want to enjoy this show, you cannot be a perfectionist, and you will have to keep some logic aside. If you do so, you will be guaranteed to like TKEM.

Character Development:
All characters directly jumped from one feeling to another without any explanation. Basically no character development.
They had too many elements to explain. They put their feet in all directions like profound timeless romance, evil villain, mixed-up timelines, past characters, the logic behind how the magic works but none of these were completely justified because those last 2 episodes were rushed and they could not explain everything and close it with a cute ribbon. Because the show was good for 14 episodes, my rating for the show won't be dominated by those last 2 episodes.

Chemistry:
Also, there was no chemistry between the lead couple throughout. This was because there was no scene that showed any initial spark between them.
People out there are saying that Kim Go Eun should not have been cast with Lee Min Ho. You can even say the other way around that Lee Min Ho should not have been cast with Kim Go Eun (#psuedo-feminism). Kim Go Eun is really pretty and I definitely felt she looked so much better with Kim Kyung Nam.
There was also some good amount of bromance. But even that was one-sided!

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Beauty with not a lot of substance

This drama has all the star powers: screenwriter of Goblin, Lee Min Ho, Kim Go Eun, Woo Do Hwan, and most likely a huge budget. I won’t go into the the details of the plot, but there’s a lot going on: treason, parallel universe, time travel, royal intrigues, fate, crimes spanning two worlds, friendship, romance. I admit there are funny scenes (see Woo Do Hwan and his other parallel person) and truly heart fluttering romantic moments between the King and Tae Eul (neck kiss for one). The first few episodes captured my attention and I find them interesting, wanting to know more about Lee Lim’s treachery and how Lee Gon’s and Tae Eul’s relationship will progress. I think starting episode 10, I became less enthused about the drama, not bored exactly, but the episodes became too predictable. I am also having a hard time connecting emotionally with most of the characters. Even the romance between Lee Gon and Tae Eul became kind of stale (maybe the love confessions came too early). It’s hard for me to write it, but sometimes I ship the bromance between Lee Gon and Jo Yeong (royal guard) better thank Lee Gon and Tae Eul.

After finishing the drama, I still have questions: why was Lee Gon able to time travel but not Lee Lim; who is the kid/young man with the yo-yo and are there more like him; where did the flute come from; why didn’t Jo Yeong’s memory get erased like the others; why was Prime Minister Koo’s parallel person killed; how did the young Sin Jae become comatose.

This is just me, as a fan of romantic happy ending, I would have liked for Tae Eul to be his queen and maybe for viewers like me to see a baby. The first few episodes were all about him needing to get married and having successors/heirs. One of the most romantic moments is when he declared Tae Eul to be his future queen ("Save her at all cost; she is your future queen."). That statement sets an expectation for me as a viewer that I am going to see Tae Eul the Queen of Kingdon of Corea. This living in the moment, going to and from different worlds and times, is to me, like eating whip cream or cotton candy: all sweet, but no substance.

I wish the whole time travel thing wasn’t thrown into the mix; just stick with the parallel universe—my average human brain can’t take two space-time continuum theories simultaneously. Also, the product placements in this drama is just too much! They become laughable because they’re so obvious.

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It's not all that bad

Sometimes the reviews on here will have you believe that if you start watching a drama, hands will come out of the screen to choke you or something.

After reading the numerous negative reviews of this drama, I just had to see what this train wreck was all about and...it wasn't that much a disaster that I thought it will be.

I admit...it felt that between episode 10 and 11 there should have been another episode in between explaining what the HECK was going on, which threw the entire show...but I guess I've watch enough dramas to fill in the blanks not to be bothered by it much.

Also admitting, some OST's are so outstanding that they just stick out against non-emotional scenes. I found myself smirking numerous of times while beautiful music played against a scene that did not match the mood of the song.

Someone on here complained about the kiss scenes, and although I never really talk about these in my review, the complaint stood out so much it was hard not to notice the kisses between the main leads while watching this show. They were not all that bad...I've seen a million times worse...okay since you are curious on a scale of 1-10 I give the kisses a solid 6.

Now my major complaints
... from having a powerless villain...He was evil, but was really stupid in the long run...and to be honest, the actor was so good at playing such an evil character, I felt bad for him in this role.
...to having "so what" characters, like the prime minister, that really had no real role and took up too much screen time. And the little boy and his yo-yo, who should had more of a background to his story instead of a 5 second montage of nothing.

...I always give time travel and multiple universes a pass when story-telling because although it could be confusing and accepting things without question can be hard for some people...it all boils down to imagination.

So overall: I give this drama a solid 7, if you like your story tied up in a nice bow at the end...this may not be for you...you may be left scratching your head at the end, wondering...but, what about this??? What happened to this character???

Until my next review... I'll be watching another drama.

I'm out.

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Product Placement Show

When Netflix started promoted the Drama a month before on-air it normally to expect many things from them.
Especially, Male and Female leads are very famous among international fans.
After I watch first episode I still confused about the plot and theme of this drama but it's okay because it just started.
I try to give a chance many times but I cannot get along with it. Actually, the storyline was very strong but every scenes has so many PPL (for example, Bubble Tea, The Balm coming from nowhere, Kimchi, Lightening mask(?) etc..)
I known that this is Big Project and production team need a money for budget. BUT every scenes was TOO MUCH for me.
So I gave up to understand the drama and need to say goodbye to this show.
I hope the actors will choose another better project for them.

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Messy but enjoyable

It took me a while to get back to this series after watching the first episode. It failed to grab my attention so I moved on to other shows. I finally came back to it once I ran out of things to watch.

I did enjoy the show for the most part and the parallel universe concept, albeit clumsily done, was kinda cute. I thought most of the characters were done/acted fairly well except the king and the traitor. Both of them were wooden and emotionless throughout the show. I chalked it up as a character trait from being a part of the loyal family. I really loved the side characters, especially, the head court lady and the unbreakable sword/his other self. I loved their acting and roles they were given. Fantastic. I didn’t like the prime minister character. The acting didn’t seem genuine and she went from being ambitious to being evil big time fast. It’s one thing to play political games but conspiring with a traitor and letting her friends get killed…. Hmmm…. As for Tae Eul, her character development went from a strong female cop to a cry baby girlfriend. Hmmm….

I read a lot of complaints about the king being a super human, kingdom of corea being a super power and the lack of solid foundation for time travel/parallel universe concept. I do agree with most of what I read but it didn’t bother me much since this is a K-drama and they tend to dial things way up to the unrealistic realm. But once they introduce the time travel element, things started to get real messy fast. The show was already confusing because of the chaotic nature of the way they edited scenes from different universe. It was hard to follow along with how the king was able to travel in time and impart different memories to people without changing anything? If I learned anything from all those Marvel movies is that you can’t change the past because it’ll birth another timeline. 😂😂😂 And the Kingdom of Corea smacking Japanese navy around. 😆😆😆 It’s a wet dream for Koreans. I’m Korean and I found it stupid.

And the ending!!! The way everything and everyone was changed except the king, unbreakable sword and Tae Eul… pretty unbelievable but I guess I saw it coming. But how the writer chose to make sure everything turned out well except for the traitor and the prime minister… I feel like it was a cop-out which led to the absolute worst case scenario for the main characters. A long distance parallel universe relationship? What? This just doesn’t make sense in so many ways but that’s what happens when the writer doesn’t have a clear vision. I think she should’ve been more bold and given herself permission to not give every single person the “best ending”. Sigh…

I think the writer got drunk on her own past successes and figured that she could write anything and people will watch it. The word “Indulgence” comes to mind. After all, this series seemed to have a huge production budget and a stellar cast. I do remember Mr. Sunshine, one of her other works, getting real messy toward the end so I’m thinking the writer knows how to start good story threads but doesn’t know how to wrap them up. I see this in a lot of other K-dramas, too.

I’m hoping Netflix will start carrying Goblin. We shall see.

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Had great potential that wasn't met

When I first started watching The King: Eternal Monach I was very excited. There was an interesting plot revolving around 2 parallel universes; one pretty much like modern Korea and the other one based in modern Korea if they had kept their kingdom. The cinematography was top notch and there was also the very handsome Lee Minho and his handsome white horse. I thought it was going to be a ripper of a drama but a convoluted storyline really ruined The King: Eternal Monach.

Things i didn't like was that the once awsome kick ass cop FL ended up being a damsel in distress, the product placement was too much (in fact that's what this movie is best known for) and the series went longer than it should have. My Dad who never watched Kdramas started watching the King Eternal Monach because he really liked the sound of the storyline and the parallel universes but he gave up after 4 episodes.

I remember I liked the soundtrack.

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Disappointed does not begin to cover it

A major disappointment, especially because I have loved most of the writer’s other works. Story was rushed and nonsensical in parts; the chemistry between the two main leads was lackluster and their rushed love-story was off putting. Secondary characters (Jo Young/Eun Seom, Sin Jae, the PM) that were more interesting became wall decorations and their stories and characters were completely underdeveloped. The villain was entirely 1-dimensional even though he had the potential to be so much more interesting. And let me not get started on the stupidity that was the time-travel aspect. What even were the rules for that? This show was a major let down.

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The drama had good premise but somehow failed to really translate it for viewers. It tried to repeatedly create tension and add so many mysteries for many episodes but when the twist came, it was a little anti-climactic.

Also the drama should have capitalized more on KGE acting prowess. Although she sells the female police officer JTE well, the drama could have been more compelling had they focused as much on Luna character as well. As for LMH, as always he has a regal air which is just right for his kingly role. Sadly not much opportunity to show his acting range was given for the character.

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Indian review

Lee min ho’s first drama after his military must’ve kept your expectations high but watch the drama with no expectations for a good ride. The drama has almost no background music, if you care about bgm in what you watch then it’s going to be difficult for you to watch. Watch it for THE CAST, THE STORY and THE MUSIC. Watch the drama and love lee min ho and Kim go eun for their chemistry and themselves! Enjoy the drama in a binge watch session on Netflix or other sites like kissasian. Hope you’ll like the series and if you’re new to korean dramas then make sure you watch a wide variety without sticking to the same leads! Happy kdramas❤️

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My first complicated kdrama ever

I don't know where to start but this is not a drama one will understand with a one time watch.

Story:
This drama involves two parallel worlds, royalty, science fiction, doppelgangers and unexplainable mythical stuff (The flute /deity boy)
The first episodes are slow but tolerable , telling myself that I'm diving into a drama so I need character development and such. Things got out of hand when each character got a look alike (parallel worlds right? using the rule of Yin and Yang) and I had a hard time realising who got switched and to what world. The show doesn't tell what world the characters are in untill it shows either the palace or the Taekwondo center. I was coping up with space traveling between the same timeline but I didn't expect the writer to introduce time travel into the mix. This hurt my head given I was binge watching. So I had to pay extra attention when time travel was introduced, I didn't even have time to notice product advertisements as I was immersed in the story so that I don't get lost. Lee Gon going back in time several times at that, I was like "what the heck am I watching? " . It's not like time and space travelling were new to me but each time Lee Gon time travelled, they were implications, to which some I didn't understand. His arch enemy Lee Lim was a villain but I just didn't understand the motives behind his actions. Any way, if someone has time to rewatch or read recaps after each episode to better understand the story, I would advise one to do so.

Acting:
The acting was good. The actors brought the characters to life especially the guy who acted Jo Young and Eunseop. He's a versatile actor. I could visibly tell the difference between the two guys who had the same face.

Music :
The music was okay. I personally liked Orbit by Hwasa which played at the end of the first two or three episodes.

Rewatch value:
I would recommend it for better comprehension, ofcourse if one has the time, after all it's not a story where everything is laid out for the viewers to figure out.

Romance :
I have to point this out. I didn't like the romance between the leads. To me it was like forced and fast. It doesn't have a foundation as to why Lee Gon would love Tae Eul and him being a monarch and her being a Lieutenant who is not ready to sacrifice her life, career, friends,and family in a parallel world , I just didn't like their love story given that we had a mysterious story we had to rack our brains for. The show would have been better if they were more comrades fighting against a villain who is wrecking havoc between the two worlds than lovers who in the end didn't become a royal couple.

Overall:
If you are someone who wants to put your brain to work. This is a drama for you but if you want to be purely entertained, I wouldn't recommend The King eternal Monarch.

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I literally had high expectations for this drama. Reading the plot of the drama already gave me the vibe it'll be a bit confusing, however... I was expecting an impressive resolution for it especially for the other aspects of the drama but I didn't get any of it.

Let me start with the plot. I despite my low rating of the plot, I really thought that it was refreshing to have a drama that tackles parallel universes. However, I think that it was executed and written poorly. The drama focused on so many things at the same time and I think that I didn't have the time to immerse myself with the whole drama. I can say that the romance was really nice by the end, but I still couldn't feel any butterflies from the lead couple. I thought that it was too fast and thought that everything should've had more time. Even as an avid fan of Lee Min Ho, it's really not his best drama. I was so sad because I was rooting for more highlight or emphasis when it comes to the other characters of the drama because I saw that they literally had so much potential to develop. It was just so disappointing that most of the characters stagnant and the whole plot twist seemed obvious from the beginning.

When it comes to the cast and their acting, I thought that it was really good. Despite the bad writing, I really saw that the cast did their best in executing their characters. When it comes to the romance of the drama, I'm really glad that Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun didn't make the romance awkward by the end of the day, but as I said, their whole romance lacked so much backbone and it felt so rushed. I would really like to applaud for the other cast such as Woo Do Hwan, Kim Kyung Nam, Jung Eun Chae, and Lee Jung Jin. Despite the bad writing of the plot, they were still able to execute such lively characters that made me a lot more interested in them than the leads. Lee Jung Jin definitely gave off such a different and excellent vibe as the antagonist of the whole drama.

I think that the OST of the whole drama was alright. There are actually many songs that are good and I don't have much to say about it.

To summarize it all, I think that the whole drama tried to make an outcome of so many genres good, that it ended up lacking so many aspects that had to be emphasized such as the romance or the character development content of the other characters. I wouldn't mind seeing another drama wherein Kim Go Eun and Lee Min Ho as the pair because I definitely saw potential. However, despite the bad writing of the plot, the cast is GOLD. I just really hope that this drama wouldn't let the audience think that the cast is bad because they definitely did their part well. The drama had so much potential if the writing was done well and if everything was executed with an equal balance of the genres.

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