All About The King: Eternal Monarch

The highly anticipated drama of the summer is finally coming to its finale this week! Are you excited to finally learn about the ending? For me, I might just feel a little sad after this weekend, knowing that I can no longer look forward to seeing Lee Min-Ho and Woo Do-Hwan's visuals *cries a bucket of tears*  

As this is Lee Min-Ho's first project since his return from the military service, it's no surprise that fans are excited to see him on screen again and this time partnering with Kim Go-Eun, the female lead from Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. As if that didn't set the expectations high enough, the writer of this fantasy drama is none other than renowned Kim Eun-Sook who wrote Descendants of the Sun, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God and the Heirs (a 2013 hit drama starring Lee Min-Ho). 

Let me give you another reason to watch this drama - just look at the visuals and admire the beauty of this poster. The effort to even create the gradient of the background is just goals right there. Alright, let's dive right in this drama. Spoilers ahead and you've been warned. 

The King: Eternal Monarch (더 킹: 영원의 군주)

Rating: 8.7 (Points for the refreshing storyline and the concept of parallel universe)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance 

Release Date: April to June 2020

Synopsis

The drama takes place in two worlds - the Republic of Korea where a police lieutenant Jeong Tae-Eul lives (played by Kim Go-Eun) and its parallel universe called the Kingdom of Corea that is led by the modern-day emperor Lee Gon (played by Lee Min-Ho). 

One fateful night in 1994, Lee Gon witnessed the murder of his father (then King) by his uncle, Lee Lim (Lee Jung-Jin) who was seeking to possess Manpasikjeok, a bamboo flute that holds supernatural powers that is said to control realms and eternity. While Lee Lim tried to kill Lee Gon the same night, a mysterious figure came to the rescue and Lee Lim escaped with only half of the flute. At only 8 years old, Lee Gon was appointed the King the next day.

25 years later, he is still haunted by the incident and was determined to look for his savior. Convinced that it was his mysterious saviour 25 years ago, he mounted on his horse Maximus and started chasing after someone dressed like a rabbit with a clock into the bamboo forest. Little did he know that he has crossed the universe and that's where he finally met the Jeong Tae-Eul, the owner of the badge that he has been holding on to.

Favourite Moments

Up until the 15 episodes, my favourite moment has to be the part where Tae-Eul fought her way out of all the obstacles aimed at her in episode 12. She was drugged and unknowingly brought into Kingdom of Corea as part of Lee Lim's plan to use her to exchange for Lee Gon's share of the flute. 

I've always been in favor of strong female leads over those who wait for the male leads to rescue, and I was just in awe and proud of seeing Tae-Eul fight her own battle alone. Even with only two bullets left, I was in love with how she stayed strong with a gun in her hand aiming afar and expecting more men coming at her. At the same time, you can tell how terrified she is in the face of fear and begins to cry in relief after seeing Lee Gon riding towards her. 

This was also the part where Lee Gon proclaimed that the guards to protect Tae-Eul, their future queen (it's probably the King's vibe that got my heart melts) before he slashes through the men and makes his way to her. Their long awaited reunion and the moment when they hugged fiercely makes us all wish that we all have someone like this who would cross the universe for us.

Pretty much every time these two reunites, it puts a smile on my face. Maybe it's because of how Tae-Eul seemed a little lonely each time Lee Gon returns to his kingdom and the amount of time he spent away is kinda vague in Tae-Eul's world due to the time travelling concept. Still, it's just nice to see. 

Another favourite moment was the unexpected reveal of the characters that crossed over to the other universe. The first one was Shin-Jae who started remembering fragments of memories of him being a 'Kang Hyeon-Min' and later Head Secretary Noh who asked Tae-Eul about the history of the war that broke out in June of 1950. Knowing this just revealed that Lee Gon's predecessors are aware of the power of the flute but how is it that the upheaval only happened in 1994? I don't think they have enough time to bring this up in the finale but it was a question I had in my head. Anyway, what I wanted to convey was plot twists like this are the best of its kind. 

Most importantly, the characters that brings the most joy in watching is Jo Yeong and Jo Eun-Sup played by Woo Do-Hwan. As characters of parallel universe, Woo Do-Hwan executed them amazingly as polar opposites while showing subtle similarities between the two when they switched their roles. It'll be nice if they talk more about Yeong's back story even when he's the only child compared to Eun-Seob who often takes care of the twins. 

In episode 15, my heart broke when they had to say their goodbyes and they just hugged each other. They are just so precious, please let Eun-Sup's 65th dream come true. 

"What's your 65th dream?" 

"Seeing you again" 

I don't know what it is but there's something captivating about the beautiful poem by Kim Sowol that was narrated by Head Secretary Noh. I'll just keep this here. 

What is your reason for doing that?

You were sitting alone by the stream

The green grass was sprouting

And the water was splashing from the spring breeze.

You promised that even if you go, you won’t be gone forever.

That is what you promised.

I sit by the stream each day and think about something endlessly.

When you promised that even if you go, you won’t be gone forever,

Were you asking me not to forget you?

Final Thoughts 

As an avid drama lover, I've grown to be a person who is bound to adore the characters for the roles they have played in bridging the story together. That's probably why I find it difficult to part with them at the end of 16 or at most 32 episodes. Especially when this drama paints a picture that we never thought we need (and may never see in real life) - a (freaking) king on a majestic white horse. This is way better than a knight in shining armor in those fairy tales, don't you think? 

Besides being the first of its kind of the K-drama that demonstrates the concept of time travelling and parallel universe, I'm more impressed of the fact that how each episode dives into these concept by providing more details to help viewers understand better of its intricacy and complexity of having two 'keys' to the portal.

What caught me by surprise was actually Na-Ri's theory of doppelgangers, where they should never meet each other in the same universe. Otherwise, one needs to be sacrificed to avert the chaos (and also restore the balance, I believe). I'm probably the only one surprised about this because I've often wondered how it would be like to meet another 'me' though I already anticipate my reaction to be the same as Eun-Sup when he first saw Jo Yeong. I find it fascinating about how there is always a need for balance in anything and everything in life - the good with the evil and the light and the dark. It makes me wonder though which version I am now in the world I'm living? 

The concept of fate is strongly discussed throughout this drama especially the love lines of Lee Gon and Tae-Eul. I would understand how it is for Lee Gon since he has been keeping Tae-Eul's badge since he was 8 but Tae-Eul's side of story isn't exactly enough to convince me that it was fate, you know? I guess love is a funny little thing that just creeps in without you realizing and Tae-Eul just choose to acknowledge this fateful encounter with Lee Gon. 

"When it's fate, there are no coincidences. Your fate is determined by the choices you make, but there are times when fate chooses you"

Yep, I'm smiling by myself each time I see this GIF. 

Here's what I hope to for the finale

First and foremost is definitely Tae-Eul's answer to Lee Gon's proposal to be his queen. Assuming that it will be a happy ending and no one dies, will she leave everything she has in Korea for Lee Gon in Luna's hands? I still don't trust Luna very much other than the fact that she is terminally ill. As for Lee Gon, he clearly has no other option since his successor Lee Se-Jin is now dead as part of Lee Lim's plans. Will they make it in the end and survive whatever that is coming their way?

As obvious as it may be, I need clarifications as to what's the rule behind receiving the marks that hurt each time it rains and thunderstorms. Other than it only affects those from Kingdom of Corea, why don't Tae-Eul or Shin-Jae have them since they too have crossed the universe? There has to be a reason.

I might be wrong about this but there is a feeling that Lee Gon might sacrifice himself in some way and that's why Jo Yeong insisted that he would tag along. Another possibility would be that Tae-Eul ruining the plan since she now has the other half of the flute from Shin-Jae, but please I need that future when Jo Yeong will meet Eun-Sup again. 

After seeing what may be the last adventure of the King and his Unbreakable Sword, you cannot just break my heart into a million pieces okay? Don't do anything to Shin-Jae also please, it has been tough on him and the fact that he finally got his closure with his mother is enough. 

Another cliffhanger was now that Koo Eun-Ah is confirmed to be dead, what does Lee Lim need from Koo Seo-Ryung in his grand plan to win against Lee Gon? Can someone explain what happened to Seo-Ryung's mom since she didn't understand the code words now?

I'm curious as to how many questions of mine will be answered when I watch the finale tomorrow. Damn, I really don't want to be disappointed tomorrow. 

My Top Three Soundtracks (OST)

Of all the 13 soundtracks, it was a tough decision for me to even come up with Top 3 but here goes. The only way to bring my heart is through the beautiful and the voice that carries the emotions through the songs. (I already foresee making difficult decisions such as this for my future Kdrama review but you got to do what you got to do)

Please Don't Cry - Davichi 

"Don't collapse even if the darkness finds you, your tears hurt me"

"When the right moment comes, I'll go back to you"

"Please don't cry"

Dream - Paul Kim

"My days of black and white, are now filled with your color"

"Since the time I met you, it's all you" 

"For you, I'll find you anywhere in this world"

I Just Want To Stay With You

"Even if it can’t last forever"

"Even if we can’t remember each other"

"We will meet once again like destiny"

Ending this beautiful post with another of my favourite quote from this drama.

"There will come a moment when it seems that I've disappeared. I don't want you to worry too much when it happens. It just means that I'm walking through the frozen pockets of time"

- 

Lee Gon

Just after Lee Gon said the above quote, he disappeared and Tae-Eul start sobbing. 

(I think this will be me tomorrow when I watch the finale) 

If you've made it through this far, can you tell me what flowers are the ones Tae-Eul is holding? I want to know so badly.

Love, Sara