The concept and storytelling was good, the acting was great, and the OST is memorable. Hwa Sa's Orbit will be on repeat for a while to come. I wouldn't say the drama was exceptionally brilliant by any means, which is what I think everyone wanted it to be, but it is NOT bad. Lee Min Ho was dreamy as the king hopelessly in love with the woman of his dreams. In addition Kim Go Eun, Woo Do Hwan, and Kim Kyung Nam especially did a great job in this drama.
The only thing about this drama that somewhat disappointed me was the ending. Endings are hard to get right, especially in dramas containing time travel, so I am not surprised that the finale was full of plot holes. However, despite my personal dissatisfaction with certain writing choices for the ending, it was alright. For new viewers who are just discovering this drama, I would simply suggest that they skip reading the comments and spoiler-y reviews, and simply watch it without bias and do not expect it to be another Goblin.
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I like the female lead in this one (compared to get in goblin).
Lee min ho was very model like and majestic and ok.
His royal guard and Eun Seop was the shining beacon in all of this. He played his doppleganger and guard self so well.
The relationship between the two leads was far too quick. Suddenly in love and their ending was mildly boring mehhhh
Sorry I wish u could rate higher but it didn't hit the highs I needed it too
Also warnings for all the blatant product placement and they all work really well to get you looking hahahaha
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The mastery of unfolding.
Contrary to what I have expected The King has definitely highly exceed my expectations and even above that, it is definitely one of the best dramas in 2020, even in the last few years. Wonderfully written, brilliantly produced and masterfully executed.Let's start with the story and plot. Complex, intriguing and most importantly engaging. I don't think I have watched a drama (for a while at least) that urges me to think about the plot in deeper ways, questioning every single scene and input. And actually thinking while watching. I wasn't just brain-pausing. I worked, but it was so enjoyable and I didn't want it to stop. This drama has received some critique, I haven't seen a lot, but most of them were about how they did not understand the plot. I disagree completely, it's not that I am smarter, I was just very attentive and invested. I do have to add that the first 4 episodes were rocky for me, but the moment Lee Gon brought Tae Eul to the Kindom of Corea the hype hit the rooftop and I was starting to get very interested. And up until then everything just got better. What shook me the most about this whole creation, is the UNFOLDING of the story. Not revealing much, but just enough for the viewer to understand, IF they watched carefully. The world building was done so damn well, like it is not an easy task to build a world as complex as this. And double that cause there are technically two worlds. Praise the director and writer. I appreciate the happy and lighthearted ending, this drama has been heavy from the first episode on and it feels very reasonable to end it like this. Also why did I knew that they'd add the old hands, it's beautiful but heartbreaking. A part of me definitely wished them to stay in either of their worlds and marry and have kids or whatever, but I guess they can't because of their counterparts. What I wanted to add as well, is the fact that these people did not just sell the plot. They sold the emotions of the characters that were in this world. It was the emotions and ambitions that carried the show. Things didn't just happen, they happened with an action and there was a reaction. And I could see that every single character was so emotionally scarred and involved in the happenings.
The production is insane. The money that went into this... I couldn't even imagine. The cinematography wasn't just gorgeous, but also purposeful. They didn't just decided to choose that angle, that cut and that grading. They choose while thinking about the narrative and feelings they wanted to portray. And you can see that, which I appreciate so much. The music. I mean I don't quite like the songs tbh. Not gonna lie, they don't stand out much, but DAMN those BGMs (I mean the instrumentals, the orchestration). Especially "If you..." or "My love and..." that melody will forever be stuck in my head. It will remind me of the feels of every time they played this. Every time Gon and Tae Eul had a heartbreak to endure, an obstacle to fight. It represents the drama in every way. Beautiful, glorious, majestic, endearing, heartbreaking, bittersweet and hopeful. I am a bit obsessed you see... you hear! In conclusion this BGM is superior and a masterpiece. It fits so perfectly and underlines the emotions of the scenes, I dare to sa enhances them, I couldn't ask for more.
Last but not least the characters. What I just realised in the last episode, was the fact that there are no kdrama tropes in this. If I would illustrate a kdrama it would be some kind of shape, any shape depending on the drama, but most of the time there is this deformed saggy part. That annoying character who just doesn't make any sense and in the end they try to justify this character with some whack redemption arc; that annoying car crash; that annoying memory loss; that annoying misunderstanding (triggers me every time); and so many more I can't even think of them. What I mean is, that saggy part is undeniably a part of the whole thing, but not pleasant and just unnecessary. But The King doesn't seem to have that. Everything is finely tuned and written for the whole story, everything fits without being awkward and that includes the characters and their actions. I can't despise them for any personal reasons, because... they didn't annoy me. They made sense and just acted on their beliefs, which always seemed legit. Praise the writer. I loved: Lee Gons intelligence and kindness, but strictness; Jeong Tae Euls bravery, trust and quick-witnesses; Jo Yeongs loyalty and friendship (and everything else about him, especially that hair, and those clothes); Jo Eun Seops jokes, childlikeness and love for his family and siblings; Koo Seo Ryungs ambition, strong headedness in a mainly male dominated industry; Kang Shin Jaes good heartedness, his silent love for Tae Eul and his sacrifices.
It was indeed very nice to see them again, with a different destiny, living their lives as they should have. Luna as Seo Ryungs police sister and again as Shin Jaes junior. Lee Gon in the marine, Shin Jae still living on the edge of between a cop and a gangster. And Jo Yeong with siblings (I lost my heart when he passed out, it looked like dying i was dying ok).
I gotta say with all honesty. I am not a fan of Lee Minho, never have been, I just think he is incredibly overrated for what he serves, and his visuals are definitely not my style. But damn, I never said that he can't act, but he SERVED as Lee Gon. Especially his emotional scenes were excellent. I can't imagine anyone else than him as Lee Gon. Well done!!
Kim Go Eun, as always. Amazing on screen. She just acts and acts and it's just perfect. Her crying and clinging on to Lee Gon, her fighting scenes, I mean she's just brilliant. (Btw her hug scenes with Lee Gon were the best I've ever scene, I could feel that damned pain and love) I am rooting for you! Waiting for the next drama hihi.
Well, here comes my bitch, or more like I am a bitch for him. Woo Do Hwan. Might just be the main reason I pushed through the first 4 episodes. I probably would have watched this because of Kim Go Eun anyways, but the moment I saw him in the trailers I just couldn't wait. And oh, my boy did not disappoint. He literally stole the limelight, I am sorry to everyone else, but he shined, both as Jo Yeong and Eun Seop. This role was just perfect for him! He deserves more recognition for his amazing acting. Damn, the way he sobbed as Eun Sup when he and Yeong said goodbye to each other (gosh I was sobbing too), and that passing out scene in 1994, that TEAR synced perfectly with the camera movement and the music. Satisfaction level reached. His voice also, AH. Plus, that face. I have fallen under his spell long before, but I am even deeper after this drama. I am so glad he got the chance to do this role, it's just perfect.
The cast has made this story to what it is today.
The King: The Eternal Monarch is a show to watch with attention, and only then will you be able to comprehend the magic and brilliance the production team has created. A wonderful and adventurous story, with a heart wrenching love story, strong and loyal friendships. The story of waiting, trusting and finally accepting your own fate and quote: "decide to be happy with our fate". It tells its story excellently and I don't want to change anything about it.
PS.: Y'all act like the ads are the majority of the whole drama, also they aren't always in your face. And don't act like there aren't any in other "amazing" dramas. And also, I really don't understand how people have so much to criticise I just don't see it.
PPS.: After a few months I still think this drama is better than people make it sound like, but I do agree that it had more potential and could've been done better, but if they lived up to taht potential it would've been l e g e n d a r y.
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Honestly if I had to recommend a kdrama for someone who had never watched one before, this would be it. A high budget, well-casted, well-written, exciting show that keeps you on the edge of your seat eager for more. It’s too good, too good!!
The romance was top tier. I'm aware it's been a topic of controversialness, but for me - Jung Tae Eul x Lee Gon are one of my new favourite couples. Especially the scene at the end of Ep 11. Had me on the edge of my seat!! That scene >>> any boring love scene ever made
Their dynamic was just so fun. A post to summarize (courtesy of @lavenderbyun):
Tae Eul: take your clothes off
Lee Gon: *undoes 1 button*
Tae Eul: I DIDN’T SAY STRIP YOU IGNORANT SLUT
Lmaoooo, they give me life ♡
And Lee Gon! My man. We love (1) romantic, skilled, handsome science nerd. Someone who travels across time and space for his love, asdfghjkl; A king worth stanning.
One of the highlights in the beginning? When we're in the Kingdom of Corea and people were just shocked cause no one is allowed to touch the king but he lets Tae Eul touch him HAHAHAHA
Considering his well-known 'I don’t like being touched by people', he is certainly shouting out loud here to everybody around him 'I'm crazy about this woman and I just want to touch her all the time!!!!'
I loved all the characters in this drama. Especially Jo Young & Eun Sup, their scenes were always a highlight. Woo Do Hwan has the range, give him all the awards
And his bromance with Lee Gon!! Love them sm
I will admit my brain started to hurt with all that time travel, multiple universes and that place where time doesn't flow. It is a lot to get your head around but just don't think about it too hard is my advice lol
Otherwise, this drama deserves all the praise. I could rave about it forever, please give it a shot!
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A masterpiece
This beautiful fusion of fantasy, romance and mystery engages both the heart and mind. To best appreciate it, one needs to closely follow the captivating adventure set out by the writer. Thus, skipping parts of it is strongly discouraged - you might as well not watch it.Those who love this drama are fully aware that a story about parallel universes and time travel is not everyone's cup of tea. It is totally understandable for somebody who is not into fantasy to not like it. Excuses like a messy story and too many product placements are not necessary to explain one's inability to appreciate it. What is hard to understand is why some people feel the need to bash it. When I don't like a TV series, I simply stop watching it, not go on and on about why I don't like it. So it's really intriguing why viewers who don't like this drama refuse to leave it alone, keeping on bashing it instead. Is it some defense mechanism? Perhaps this drama made them question whether they're as smart or imaginative as they think they are? Perhaps it made them wonder whether their inability to focus on the story and ignore product placements denotes short attention span? Perhaps they wonder whether not seeing the chemistry between the leads denotes their inability to separate the actors from the characters, in turn denoting their inability to fully immerse themselves in the drama, in turn denoting short attention span?
In any case, many viewers around the world relished this drama and consider it a masterpiece.
Story:
Lee Gon, the eight-year old crown prince of the Kingdom of Corea, witnessed the assassination of his father at the hands of his illegitimate uncle, Lee Lim, who was after a magic flute named Manpasikjeok. After Lee Gon cut the flute in half, Lee Lim tried to strangle him but he was saved by a masked stranger who left an ID card before disappearing. Lee Lim escaped to an alternate world, the Republic of Korea, through his half of the flute. The orphaned Lee Gon grew up to be a wise, intelligent and benevolent king under the care of his dad's cousin, Prince Buyeong, and Head Court Lady Noh. He took comfort in the ID card of Lieutenant Jeong Tae-eul of the National Police Agency left by his savior. For 25 years, he searched for his savior unsuccessfully until one time when, astride his white horse Maximus, he chased a mysterious stranger through the bamboo forest and came across the portal to Korea.
The first person he encountered in the alternate world was police officer Jeong Tae-eul. Utterly happy at finally meeting the owner of the ID that had been his companion for the last 25 years, he hugged her upon meeting her. But, being a no-nonsense and feisty detective, she doubted his claims of being a king in an alternate universe, promptly jailing and investigating him. Their encounters, with him openly declaring his affection for her any chance he got and her slowly warming up to him even while doubting what she thought were delusions of a crazy weirdo, were delightful and heart-tugging. Even when they were bickering, it was obvious they were perfectly matched in personality, intelligence, humor and values. For a fantasy film, the romance was surprisingly realistic. Lee Gon and Tae-eul were both honest about their feelings for each other. Embracing their fate, they didn't toy with each other's affection. While showing the world their strength and bravery, they were not afraid to expose their vulnerable sides to each other. They deeply loved each other, with him willing to open all the doors of the universe to look for her, and her willing to wait until he succeeded. But they were both selfless enough not to let their love rule over peace and balance in the universe.
Lee Gon and Tae-eul could not bask in each other's love as the world was unraveling from the effects of the broken Manpasikjeok. Lee Lim had already killed his and Lee Gon's doppelgangers in the alternate world. He had also been smuggling people between worlds to plant spies in the palace among other reasons, making people kill their doppelgangers in the process. Furthermore, when the portal between the alternate worlds was crossed, time froze, with the duration of time freeze increasing such that there would come a time when both worlds would freeze forever. The solution was to make the Manpasikjeok whole again and to close the doors between the alternate worlds. How Lee Gon accomplished this with the help of Tae-eul, Jo Yeong, Eun-sup, Sin-jae and other allies was as compelling as it was brilliant.
Acting/Cast:
Lee Min Ho's regal bearing and facial and vocal expressions ably brought Lee Gon to life. He successfully portrayed the decisiveness of a strong and wise leader, the brilliance of a man of science, the gentleness of a loving foster son to both Prince Buyeong and Lady Noh, the playfulness of a friend to his Unbreakable Swords and the vulnerability of a man in love. Kim Go Eun's versatility was on full display with her spot-on portrayal of different characters. She clearly showed why Tae-eul was the most suitable partner for Lee Gon. Her honesty and drive to do the right thing were what Lee Gon needed in a life tainted by betrayal. She made us believe in a character who decided to be brave because not everyone could be. She made us hope that seeds from Corea would grow in the inter-dimensional gate and the alternate world just as she hoped she could fire a gun in an environment with no air, wind and light. The supporting cast was excellent with special mention to those who portrayed Jo Yeong, Eun-sup, Lee Lim, Seo-ryeong, Shin-jae, Prince Buyeong, Lady Noh and Secretary Mo.
Music:
From the initial strains of the opening credit to other exquisite background music like "Parallel World", "Fantasia of Another Dimension", "Empire" and "Into the Fantasy", the soundtrack of TKEM transports viewers to a wonderland. The haunting melody of "Maze" with the lyrics "born to be walking alone" gives a glimpse of the lonely world of an orphan who wore the crown. At the same time, the lyrics "light that I chased is you" conveys what he felt about the person whose ID kept him from being sad and lonely while he was growing up. The song "I Just Want To Stay With You" expresses his desire to be with the person who had been his beacon of hope for the last 25 years. The sublime "If Only/My Love and..." background music played at the end of episode 3 made us realize that Tae-eul missed the deluded weirdo who forced her to keep his horse in her yard and that Lee Gon's heart was breaking at having to leave her to go back to his world. The soaring notes of "My Love" make us feel the power of a love that could last forever even when the object of affection had frozen. "You're My End and My Beginning" makes us believe in somebody who would do anything for a loved one.
Rewatch Value:
I have re-watched this masterpiece several times. Each time, I either become more emotional or notice something I have not noticed before. For example, the third time I watched the scene where Lee Gon and Tae-eul were in the hospital quietly looking at each other, I was struck at their painful submission to their fate as they were trying to savor each other's presence and committing each other's features to memory knowing they would likely not see each other again. It was heartbreaking, making me cry now just thinking about it.
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MIND-BOGGLING AND HEART-WRENCHING
I was indeed looking forward to this drama this year and I can say that it never failed me. It got me hooked from the get-go not because there was this back-and-forth thing that was happening but because of how it captured my interest and how the plot was intriguing. The story had to build-up overtime for our characters but one thing that needs to be pointed out is the fast-pace of the love story. LG's character has given away already that his love for KGE is there, ever since he held that ID of hers. So there was no need to build up his character. JTE, though it took her a long while, wasn't that dumb to let it linger for so long. So she reciprocated in a way that was only JTE style. I was satisfied with the ending as again, the writer's style is to have always the audience given that "open to interpretation" choice.The story will bring you to a roller-coaster of emotions - all highs and lows. It will have your brains working on those formulas, time freeze, and time loops. But one thing it will surely make you believe is that no matter the time and distance, true love prevails and will always come back to you.
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i know that some pepole didn't like it but the chimestry between the couple were good
the main carachters were good
the casting was good
the story too
but the ending needed much work
i mean all the time lee gon was tavelling between two universes and in the end there were a lot
if they mentioned it in the begining it would of been good
because there is no garentee that lee rim will end up in republic of korea instead of other time or universe ...
but it's highly recommeneded
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First of all, why the hate??. Y'all dong get mad at some other shows that are literally the same, like copy and paste. Ma'm this show was bananas in the best possible way, the acting was great, the story was confusing at times but guess what, there's something call PAUSE or REPEAT THE EP. I think people spent most of their time hating on it without watching the next ep. I loved the cast, they did a really good job. My only advice would be that next time if you are traveling back and forth they should change the color of the screen for the audience to understand better and not having to go back and forth almost every single time
Loved the badss women on this series. And Woo, boy you better come through I FELL IN LOVE W YOU. Anyways, stop the hate. Xoxoxo
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Not worth it
The most confusing part of this drama is the high quality production and great acting that’s paired with a terrible script.I thought the premise of the drama was very unique, and I was super excited after seeing what a bada** the female lead is. However, the sequence of events doesn’t make a ton of sense. The ending is very lazy and rushed which just doesn’t cut it for what this drama was trying to pull off. The acting and production quality though was so good which made the terrible writing all the more confusing and disappointing because after finishing the drama, I keep on pining for what it could have been.
With the romance, I thought the dynamic at the beginning where she thought Gon was crazy made sense. There was lots to fun banter. But then they all of a sudden fall completely head over heels for each other with basically no reason. I couldn’t get over that the whole show. The neck kiss made no sense to me given the conversation they were having which killed any chemistry I might have detected between them. The lack of chemistry also made it lackluster when Gon saves our main female, telling the guards that she’s the future queen.
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As a fan of similar concept, I was very excited to watch this drama. However I was greatly disappointed with the poorly done script. The writer's past work in recent years have received positive reviews, therefore I thought it was reasonable for me to expect another enjoyable drama. Unfortunately it wasn't the case. I would say this drama is a reflection of the writer's work. It contains everything we have seen in her past work. Everything was there - the funny dialogues, poetic lines and for most of us the "bromance". Sadly all of this couldn't cover up the fact that this plot was just bad. In my opinion the story was very obvious from the beginning but throughout the episodes it was getting confusing and difficult for a viewer to understand what he/she was actually watching. Editing was also a key factor here, the story is about time travelling and parallel universe, it was important for viewer to be able to instantly recognize whether the setting/place is the past, future or present. Most of the time instead of actually watching I was just pondering upon what time/place they were currently in. Whether this was a flashback or current point of drama. The only thing that made this drama somehow bearable was Yeong's and Eun-sup's interaction.
In addition of a bad story a large amount of product placement was put into each episode. Naturally no drama is free from advertisements because it is what makes the drama actually happen. However the way the advertised products were presented was just very obnoxiously in a face that even I couldn't let this pass.
Overall this drama isn't the worst thing that happened but it isn't also the best one. I would only recommend to those who don't really care much for the detailed and overthought plot or well-written characters, but are here for the cliche. (Which isn't really a bad thing)
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What Went Wrong in this Show ? - Not Worth Watching
Note : I'm hella sorry , if I hurt anyone your feeling by this review as if because I'm gonna be trashing the show . Completely a negative review . If y'all wanna positive review for this show , lemme down at comment section below !When The King: Eternal Monarch was announced as the newest project of star writer Kim Eun-sook, drama fans were looking forward to another blockbuster hit. Kim probably has the longest-running streak of hit shows among Korean screenwriters. She has dominated three successive decades with award-winning and commercially successful shows, from her Lovers’ trilogy in the early 2000s, to Secret Garden and The Heirs in the 2010s, and finally, Descendants of the Sun, Goblin, and Mr. Sunshine in the 2020s. It seems that with The King: Eternal Monarch, Kim wanted to ring in the new decade with yet another hit but ended up not quite hitting the mark.
The show premiered to much hype by virtue of being Lee Min-ho’s comeback drama and a decent 11% nationwide rating. Towards the second half, however, the show failed to move past the 6–8% bracket, ending its run with a measly 8% ratings. This was surprising, especially for a Kim Eun-sook drama, as her dramas are known for breaking ratings records. Many are wondering why, despite having so many factors to its advantage—a stellar lead pairing in Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun, interesting supporting cast featuring Woo Do-hwan, Lee Jung-jin, Jung Eun-chae, and Kim Kyung-nam, enormous budget, an exciting sci-fi premise, intense promotions by Netflix—did the show fail to make the splash we were all hoping for? Let’s look at some possible reasons.
An Under-Utilized Villain
The main villain of the show, Lee Rim, portrayed by the mysterious and dangerous-looking Lee Jung-jin, was probably one of the biggest let-downs in the plot. He is introduced to us as the evil uncle who leads a coup against Lee Gon’s father, steals the magical flute manpasikjeok, and tries to kill Lee Gon in the very first episode. Following this, he travels to a parallel world using the flute, finds his counterpart in that world, and kills him. Pretty scandalous, right? The show sets Lee Rim up to be a formidable villain, but the characterization all but falls apart in the later episodes.
For the entire run of the show, viewers are not given a backstory for Lee Rim’s character. We know that he is evil but get no insight into either his motivations or what he’s actually scheming for. Is it political power? Does he want to rule both parallel worlds? Does he want to kill his nephew and take back the other half of the magical flute? We never find out. He stays a mystery throughout, and while that’s usually a desirable trait in a villain— this time, it fell woefully short of expectations. Lee Rim never feels dangerous or creepy enough for viewers to be invested in his eventual downfall, which, frankly, was just as disappointing as the character himself.
Poor Choice of Leads
One of the criticisms often leveled against Lee Min-ho is that he plays the same character in all his dramas. Here, too, he plays a role very similar to his previous dramas—the rich, bratty guy, except this time he’s an Emperor from a different world instead of a wealthy heir. The cocky rich guy is a concept even I, a non-fan of romance, tend to enjoy occasionally. But after Boys Over Flowers, The Heirs, City Hunter, Legend of the Blue Sea, and now The King: Eternal Monarch, it is getting boring and repetitive. Granted, no one does justice to this trope like Lee Min-ho does, but some range and depth in acting would be nice. That’s why I think King Lee Gon failed to charm viewers as easily as Lee Min-ho’s previous characters have.
As for Kim Go-eun, having watched her films and her eventual transition to dramas, I personally think that she performs better in more serious, nuanced roles like the films Coin Locker Girl and Tune In For Love. She wasn’t bad in her debut drama Cheese in the Trap either, which was a slice-of-life show that didn’t require her to be in hyper-realistic settings. In Kim Eun-sook’s fantasy dramas, however, Kim is prone to overacting—be it as Goblin‘s (Guardian: The Great and Lonely God) Ji Eun-tak or The King: Eternal Monarch’s Jung Tae-eul. Even within the show, she performed much better as the street smart Luna than the emotional Tae-eul. Minimalistic and nuanced acting seems to be much more within the actress’s range and depth.
Lack of World Building
A science-fiction romance fantasy involving time travel, multiple timelines, two parallel Koreas—one a monarchy and the other a democracy—the original concept of the show sounded too good to be true. And then it aired, and we realized that it really was too good to be true. Initial episodes set the stage for several mysteries—the power of the magic flute, the mechanics of traveling between two parallel worlds, everyone from one world having a doppelganger in the parallel world, Lee Rim’s schemes, and so on. But the developments of these arcs left a lot of be desired.
For starters, the show doesn’t dedicate time to explaining the exact powers of the magical flute manpasikjeok, which is surprising because it is the most important piece of the puzzle in the show. The world building between the two Koreas starts off as promising but ends up getting confusing when viewers can’t tell which world the characters are supposed to be in. I wish there were color tones, or something I could have used to distinguish between the two words because I spent the first few episodes thoroughly lost. When the actual time-traveling begins, the plot is too far ahead for any tension to build up so viewers are left accepting whatever the show throws at them. Frankly, it came off as unrealistic that Lee Gon could travel back and forth in time, altering timelines, without any cosmic side-effects. Isn’t that the inherent rule and tragedy of every time-travel movie/show ever?
No Build Up to the Romance
For a romance drama by one of the greatest romance drama writers of all time, the romance in this show is shockingly lacking in depth. It begins quite abruptly with Lee Gon hugging a stunned Tae-eul at the end of the first episode itself. We only know that Lee Gon has grown up thinking Tae-eul saved his life. But what makes him fall in love with her, we never find out. Tae-eul, though initially distrustful of Gon, eventually opens up and falls for him, too, but this transition again is too jarring to tug at emotions and make the viewer invested in the relationship.
The few kiss scenes we get lack any tension or buildup, seeming almost forced. As a viewer, it never felt like we saw Lee Gon and Tae-eul genuinely connect and as a result, their impending separation and reunion wasn’t as high stakes as it should have been. I was reminded of Kim Eun-sook’s previous dramas like Goblin (Guardian: The Great and Lonely God) and Descendants of the Sun, where the main couples’ banter and chemistry became one of the reasons for the shows’ success. Here, the dialogue was clichéd, romance was full of tired tropes, and chemistry was lacking. The happy ending didn’t end up being satisfying, and it hurts me to say it, because this story had so much potential.
Excessive Product Placement (PPL)
The excessive PPL in the show has also come under scanner, though this is a complaint mostly from Korean viewers. PPL is common in every drama with a big budget as broadcasters seek to recover the money they spent on the show. The difference between good and bad PPL, however, is that the former is cleverly injected into the plot and doesn’t ruin the flow, while the latter, well, does. Korean viewers have called this show’s PPL some of the most notorious they have ever seen in a drama, and let me tell you why.
Almost every meal the characters are shown eating is the BBQ chicken they are promoting, and in one scene, Lee Min-ho’s character goes beyond eating to raving about the chicken…right in the middle of the plot! We know South Korea’s fried chicken is to die for, but come on. Several times, the show switches from a drama to an advertisement in the most jarring of transitions that break the flow of that particular scene. Yet another instance is Kim Go-eun breaking character to promote a lip balm, while she is supposed to be on duty as a detective. Most international fans don’t even blink at the PPL in K-dramas, but this time, we did.
Too Many Side Arcs
Instead of building up the parallel worlds, the villains, and the lead couple’s story, the focus of the show seems to be on the many, many side characters as well as their counterparts in the parallel world. There are so many stories going on at once that focusing on one was difficult. Still, if the side arcs are done well, they only add to the plot. But side characters in The King: Eternal Monarch that looked like they would impact the main plot turned out to be irrelevant. I quite enjoyed Jo Yeong/Jo Eun-seob and Kang Shin-jae’s arcs, but Goo Seo-ryung, Prince Buyeong, Myeong Na-ri, and Min Hwa-yeon, who got significant screen time, eventually ended up contributing nothing. All this time could have been spent on developing Lee Rim’s character or the romance between Lee Gon and Tae-eul.
All in all, The King: Eternal Monarch boasted of an amazing concept, but the execution left much to be desired. It seems that writer Kim Eun-sook tried to experiment with a new genre but got lost on the way. This is not to say that I’ve lost faith in her work—it’s simply a minor setback in a long and illustrious career. K-dramaland is bound to be just as excited for her next work as we were for this one.
Have you watched The King: Eternal Monarch? Let us know your thoughts about the show in the comments below!
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