The King : Eternal Monarch (2020)

LOVE

I Don't see any drawbacks in this story
Don't skip over 20ty seconds And Episodes you can't understand the story
I don't know how much times i watched it
Today only iam realise i didn't write the review for
For Extraordinary, Ultimate Emotional love scenes contained drama
OST outstanding
The Excellent actor and Actors [ Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun ]
Final part The Beautiful End ---->No it's not an end its begin,,,,of their life in the drama thats ~The King: Eternal Monarch ~
--------------------------------------------------------------->Thanking You<------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lire davantage

Very good but...

I watched this drama shortly after it came out, but recently I went back and watched it again because frankly, it can get confusing, and that's it's biggest flaw. With the scenes jumping back and forth between worlds, I really wish the director or whoever would have put something on the screen saying 'Republic of Korea' or 'Kingdom of Corea'. Also, it was hard to discern at times what the chief villain was doing by replacing people in the different worlds and what their purpose was - too many people were being replaced. Even the second time around, I didn't catch all the subtleties. Long story short - it was confusing at times, and I'm glad the King was smart enough to figure it out because I sure couldn't!

What I liked: the music was excellent. The romance was lovely, when it was there, and the actors/actresses did an great job with their roles. I think this is my favorite Lee Min-ho drama; I think he looked his best, and as always, he delivered plenty of emotion while still being an 'man of science'. Woo Do-hwan was handsome with those sexy lips and showed versatility with his two personalities.

My favorite scene: when the King is riding to FL's rescue on his white horse with his minions following.

What I didn't like: the inconsistency in FL's character (I'll get to that later) and the ending, which is too open for my liking. The King has asked FL to be his Queen, but she never answered him, and at some point, he just drops the subject altogether, and I guess they just date for the rest of their lives since we're shown old hands but who knows if they ever married. I guess the Kingdom must have become a Republic since the King apparently died without children. Who knows.

My favorite characters in order:

1) Jo Eun-sup - He was so cute with his longer hairstyle and he was really the only character that brought humor and light-heartedness to the drama. I loved him! His little sister was cute too when she made the 'I'm watching you' gesture to Jo Yeong. I honestly don't know how these people could so easily replace their counterparts since your closest friends and family ought to be able to tell a difference as demonstrated with the little sister, Na-ri & the King. They may lookalike, but their personalities and habits were completely different.

2) The King - he was just the kind of ruler you'd want. Smart and benevolent yet capable of strength and decisiveness. He had the Prime Minister's ticket right from the beginning and made sure not to fall into any of her traps. I loved when he said a decisive 'no' when she asked if she could marry him. I also loved his devotion to FL and his patience with her (she was getting on my last nerve in the beginning with her attitude). He was indeed the heroic King one hopes for.

3) Jo Yeong - of course, he has to be 3rd favorite even if he was suspicious and a wet blanket. He was the exact opposite of Eun-sup.

4) Court Lady Noh - how can you not like whatever role this actress plays? She's a staple of Korean drama.

4) FL gets into this category because the King loved her and the actress did a good job with the role. I wasn't crazy about her character though because 1) her initial attitude toward the King (she was snarky and rude); and 2) her inconsistencies. Although she displays strong emotion towards the King whenever he's gone, missing him like crazy, crying, etc., she refuses to leave her world and become his Queen. This is what really bugs me about her. I understand wanting your family and career, but he's the KING! He has to have an heir, especially since he doesn't have a brother or sister or nieces or nephews. I see the King sacrificing for FL and his country over and over again; it would be nice to see FL make a sacrifice for him - especially after he searches endlessly for her, visiting multiple universes. It would go a long way in convincing me that she loves him as much as he loves her. This inconsistency shows itself once again at the end where we don't see them marrying, etc. They just 'vacation' or 'date' in between worlds. It was cute, but are you really satisfied with this kind of life? Isn't the King feeling pressure to marry? None of these questions are answered, and you're left to answer them yourself.

Characters I didn't care about: Sin-Jae, Na-Ri. They were just there as supporting characters.

Characters I hated: The chief villain, of course, Prime Minster Koo (really hated this greedy, ambitious woman) and all the traitor's minions. I also couldn't stand Luna and her dazed look, ugly hair and crappy attitude. Don't know how dad and Na-ri couldn't tell something was up with this girl.

That's my take on this drama. I would have liked to see more closure at the end instead of this 'dating' between worlds nonsense and I would have liked it to be less confusing.

Lire davantage

I do not understand why someone would say that this was bad

I RECOMMEND this to everyone who likes romance, love at first sight, thrilling scenes even when a plot twist is not that big, more universes/fate idea; does not mind laughing after crying 10 minutes ago, does not mind blood or cheesy scenes, does not overthink the story and lives for a happy ending.

I will just quickly share my opinion on that -It was all an ad- review, it is nonsense. There were a few moments where they ate food or ordered, but (at least in my opinion) it isn´t a Kdrama without delicious food. If you focus only on advertisements you won't find many. I don't understand how can someone throw this in the trash because they do not like seeing how are they ordering some chicken...

Ok, so now to the story... There were some unexplained scenes and I did not like the way some of them got repeated, but it was worth it. I think they could pay more attention to make it easier to understand or to what is going on. Most of the unexplained things were explained in the next episodes but some scenes remained unexplained. There also were some scenes I felt like they added to make it longer, but as you continue watching, they will have a meaning. The idea and the way it went, just amazing.

Also the plot twist... I can not say when exactly it came because there was still something going on. I was stuck in the story to see how it will end up and I am not disappointed. I am also not saying that it was the best I ever watched because I expected something else. Besides those unexplained things, I enjoyed watching it :,)

I think the actors did a great job, I mostly loved WOO Do Hwan (one cute boy and the other one bad boy, I mean who would not like them XD), and I respect the choices Kim Go Eun´s characters did, she acted SO well. His Majesty Lee Min Ho did as great as only he can do and I am pleased about the other actors.

About the characters, I got excited the most about the main relationship, but also ship between Eun Sup and Na Ri won my heart. Every character has an interesting personality that represents him and also makes some funny moments to the story. I was so into it I sometimes forgot they were actors and not the real characters (but that is the point of watching :)

The music is like in most Kdramas, a bit of sadness, a bit of romance and there is that one used in thrilling scenes. I think they could make something more "magical" (since the main thing is using the magic flute and travelling through universes) and not like in any other dramas. But it suited the scenes so I guess it was ok.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy it, the time you spend watching this Kdrama is not wasted. <3

Lire davantage

A sci-fi fairytale with stunning visuals

This drama combines well two very good ingredients: the parallel worlds/time travel and the modern monarchy plots. It's funny (at the beginning), sweet and, at times, tearjerker. The main characters have a good chemistry and the secondary ones are very funny and well detailed. The story sometimes is a little complicated but nothing compared to other west sci-fi series with time travel or parallel worlds (take Dark as an example). I like the fact that the characters are both very rational. Also the main antagonist is well defined and convincing. The visuals are stunning. There are incredible landscapes and, besides the fact that there is some CG for the Kingdom of Korea, everything is very pleasing to see. The soundtrack is fine, maybe it could have been a little more complex. The last part of the serie is a little bit different from the first part that I enjoyed more. Nevertheless this is a must watch!

Lire davantage

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.

Lire davantage

I started watching this drama because of Lee Min Ho & yess...He nailed it.This drama is more amazing because of him .
Kim Go Eun's acting is as always splendid. Their chemistry is beautiful but seeing rushed romance was a bit awkward for me. Although it was still lovely because of Lee Min ho. And it was interesting to see different genre ( science fiction , which is rare in kdramas). A bit confusing because it was difficult for me to remember names of both world's counterpart's
Not disappoint at all, interesting characters like Eun Sap made this drama fascinating ,I loved his both characters.
Background score was mesmerizing but OSTs could be more nice.
At last it is like a treat to Lee min ho lovers
You'll enjoy this beautiful drama without getting frustrated . Worth watching & must watch for Minoz.?❤️

Lire davantage

Loved everything but the end

I don't understand all the criticism around this. I loved the show and I think is not only a love story but a story that makes you think and racionalize things.

The leads have a great chemistry. We don't get the kisses Lee Min Ho got us use to, but that are some of them. And the stories around all the caracters have their own taste.

The way everything is connected makes you greedy for more. When something happens and you think "OMG! This thing!!!" or "This guy"...

I cried, I laughted and I smiled like a stupid girl.

So, I liked everything but the end.

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

What the heck was that??? Ok, they ended up together but... In that way? Like, weekend romance/universe/time travel forever? What about a king with no kids? Does that makes sense? He would have to be replaced, right? I'm just so pis*ed!!!! I think I would even prefer her to be with "him" from her universe than this. I think. I don't know. I just didn't liked this end.
I DEMAND A SECOND SEASON TO MAKE IT UP!!!! But I don't think it will be :(

Lire davantage

The Greatest Science Fiction Romance in the last 40 years

"더 킹: 영원의 군주" or "The King: Eternal Monarch" (2020) was the best science fiction and romance of the 2010 decade. I would say that this show has gained the number one (#1) spot in my list of "Top 10 Overall Best Sci-fi TV Show" pushing down "Fringe" (2008) which held that rank for 12 years.

I. Story
The writer, Kim Eun Sook of the "Lovers in Paris" (2004); "Descendants of the Sun" (2016); "Goblin" (2016); and "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) fame, once again showed us her amazing talent in creating stories that truly captures the imagination and heart of the audience.

In "The King: Eternal Monarch" (2020), Kim Eun Sook has woven beautifully the "parallel world" trope into her memorable romance plots. She did not leave it simply as a literary device then forgotten, she placed it in the center of the series, and the drama and romance unfolded through it.

Each episode was more or less one hour and ten minutes, and no episode was boring, no episode was dragging, no episode was a repeat of previous ones. In every episode there is a fresh plot, a new story to tell which added to the development of the characters, the relationships between them, and the tension and clashes when worlds and ambitions collide.

II. Acting/Cast
What an amazing cast--Lee Min Ho, Kim Go Eun, Woo Do Hwan, Kim Kyung Nam, Jung Eun CHae, Lee Jung Jin, Kim Yong Ji, Kang Hong Suk--they picked the right people for the roles. Their unique acting styles made their characters fully alive and their interaction with each other natural.

The show was not only about "Yi Gon" (Lee Min Ho) and "Jeong Tae Eul" (Kim Go Eun), everyone were key persons in creating the world of the "Kingdom of Corea". They all brought their best and created a masterpiece.

III. Production
While there were a few noticeable errors, the editing and sequence of the scenes covered it all. I especially like how they did not present the stories, in each episode, in a linear fashion; instead they kept scenes for the next episodes and did flashbacks at the right time.

The mixing of historical with the modern in the fictional "Kingdom of Corea" were seamless. There were no out-of-place moments. Where there are modern things, the room was designed to fit these modern gadgets. Where there should be a historical look and feel, the room either did not have any modern materials or the few blended with the environment. Not an easy task to achieve.

It was not only the interior designers but it was also the directors and cameramen who did great shots in creating a seamless mix of historical and the modern environments.

IV. Conclusion
I highly recommend "더 킹: 영원의 군주" or "The King: Eternal Monarch" (2020) especially if one is a fan of "parallel world" type of science fiction. Think of this show as "Fringe" (2008) but with touchy romance and intense family rivalry.

Overall score of 9.5 out of 10 stars.

Lire davantage