There is A LOT packed into what Kim Eun Sook wanted to do with The King: Eternal Monarch and I’m probably going to lay the majority of the blame for this drama being her first ratings flop on her above all the other problems. Sure there are directing lacks and acting inability to deliver depth and chemistry, but I cannot got for the life of me easily watch her drama which should be an easy watch. She is not writing a dissertation, and that is not her strength, she’s about the witty dialogue, the strong OTP chemistry in personality and overcoming conflict, and above all else a core reason to care about the events unfolding. None of that is happening in The King and the ratings from domestic viewers in South Korea reflect that disconnect, this episode 7 is the lowest ratings yet with 7.0% and 8.1%.
I’m someone who thought Heirs worked if taken as a subversive twist on Boys Before Flowers type tsundere plus makjang so never saw it as a true flop but this drama will have a hard time proving itself with only a little over half remaining. But narratively it’s the strongest episode since the first episode started off so promising, if we cut the middle episodes out the leads are finally just being adult and cute with each other (forget there isn’t a logical progression for them getting there) and the drama had the best comedic sequence so far with Woo Do Hwan‘s two dopplegangers Jo Yeong and Eun Seob finally milking the parallel universe built in hijinks to the max.
Episode 7 was on its own probably the strongest episode to date but sadly the viewers are gone and likely not coming back even if the production succeeds in the directorial Hail Mary. When the drama starts to work is when it’s clear where the earlier weaknesses are – the King is disjointed like many different dramas (and genres) happening and spliced together into the same episode so nothing works still. It’s an investigative drama, a fantasy yarn, a meet cute fate romance, a bromance, a birth secret makjang, a palace inheritance fight sageuk – every time the scene switches the mood changes with it and so there is never the sense of smooth development and continuity, just jump to jump to jump. But individually I can feel it especially the strongest element which is Lee Min Ho as Sherlock Holmes as King, impassive and implacable, strong and royal, protecting his Kingdom and satiating his intellectual curiosity if this was just about his “quest” to avenge and vanquish his enemy. But throwing it with a nonexistent romantic line interrupts his story line, and it also puts the plucky cop Kim Go Eun‘s Jung Tae Eul into a wonky spot as she is perfectly cool and interesting solo in her own world but comes across stubbornly frustrating when interacting with Lee Gon. Until this episode 7, they finally just act like intelligent and thoughtful adults but I can’t forget this came with prior 6 episodes of lack of emotional growth padding. Still they are here and it is nice because I’m finally not annoyed seeing them interacting anymore. I think the final 9 episodes should be worth watching for those like me who were so excited for this drama, confused as to why it’s not good (why why, it could have been so EPIC!) and wish to see it to conclusion.
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I hope it doesnt decrease anymore and keep the 8%-9% average at least.
And WOW on how tall LMH is.
6’2
Yeah its just like every time I see him on pics next to someone else I still wonder despite knowing the number haha
Cast LMH with tall actors like IJH, TY, JJS, he will look average. KGE is short. PSH is also short. No one said anything when he acted with JJH bcoz they are comparable and they look visually matched height-wise. Actors have a way to look taller by being around short actors. WDH is too short to be a bodyguard.
What's with all the hullabaloo.
I'm really enjoying it.
Relax folks.
While a junior actors than him like Kim Soo Hyun, Song Joong Ki, Lee Jong Suk, and Joo Won already win a daesang award for their acting talent.,Lee Min Ho still couldn't do a damn things and stay with his crappy acting..the most overrated actor Korea ever had...!
I love all the actors you mentioned but I also think lmh is a great actor as well. Watch him in City hunter and Legend of the Blue Sea.
It’s mostly writer Kes fault for underwriting his character and most of the cast, but I’ll admit it’s partially his fault too.
It’s 90 percent Kes fault but 10 percent lmh for his character.
—for Lmh next role, I would love to see him do a revenge melodrama or a thriller or star in a webtoon adaption.
@lah
Agreed!
Hopefully producers/directors will pair him with better co-stars (male or female. Just like they did in City Hunter and Legend of the Blue Sea.
Honestly speaking I think you are completely right. Actually my personal opinion says that there is no new thing in watching Lee min Ho on screen in different projects. He must be a good actor as he is getting paid well for long time (may be) but there was s nothing new about him. His every character is obvious and predictable. He always plays same type of characters like he will be rich or king or richest to richest or rich heir, having atitude (same in every role- hands back and attitude on face).he never try something new. And most importantly a actor on screen should be character on screen like nobody can say that the person in screen is x y z actor.he should be the character.but in Lee min ho's case , when you see him on screen you find Lee min Ho on screen than the character ( kim tan,Lee gon etc.
I think the fault is not on himself 100% as he is being typecasted. When you’re being typecasted, there’s nothing that you could actually do because after all, you’re being asked to play the same kind of character. Maybe if he accepts another kind of role, only then we can compare his acting. But I would say that I like his performance in LOTBS a lot!
Well he is good in his own way!not 1/2 &1/2 but 100%
Why are you spreading false news huh?? I just googled and found that kim soo hyun, lee jong suk, song jong ki and joo won won baeksang award, not daesang award,, Lee min ho also won baeksang award,,apart from this award, lee min ho also won many other awards. So if you don't like lee min ho, that's fine,,no one cares for your opinion,, but you should not spread false news,, it shows you are a liar and cheap.
@Lah the reply i gave,was for your post.
@Zara lol....i said Daesang.,the highest award at year-end drama award..not baeksang! Why should i spread the false news..i just state a fact which is the other 4 got their grand award for their acting..No wonder Lee Min Ho acting sucks as hell..His fans really dumb like so clueless about what is acting skill..
@lah the four actors you mentioned did not get daesang award,, so type a post after knowing everything,, and Lee Min Ho haters are actually dumb and cheap and liar because they can even spread false news to demean him,,, actually what can they do?? They have to show their hatred and so spreading false news has become their only weapon.
@zara get your facts checked. LJS got Daesang in MBC drama awards for W, SJK got it in KBS I guess , for DOTS, KSH got it for the Producers in KBS drama awards and Joo Won got it in SBS drama awards for Yong pal.
That was a harsh comment , I though he's a good actor. I watch many of his series and of course he also very good looking so I am a big fan.
Are you seriously kidding me...Lee Min Ho is not an overrated actor pls...his talents got him where ever he is today..
Guys relax the drama has not ended nd don't blame the drama on Lee min ho pls
So fucking true unlike other actors you’ve mentioned ..lee Min Ho does not explore into other genres of acting .. his capability is only only playing a rich guy with handsome looks . His contemporaries have all acted in critically acclaimed dramas and movies but he is always playing safe ..taking advantage of his looks and only playing roles suitable for his looks . Let’s hope that This will be an eye opener to him to come out of his comfort zone and explore his acting capability .
It is not a flop as a lot of people are watching and anticipating this. Love Lee min ho as a king. I love him in all his roles from Mackerel run as a ordinary student, BOF as a rich chaebol, Personal taste as a pretending gay man, Cityhunter as a ruthless assasin, Faith period drama as a brave warrior, heirs as an underage student (great acting by the way bec he was in his late 20s when he did this role). Gangnam blues when he went down and dirty as a poor gangster. then LOTBS where he as a conman. There is also bounty hunter.
He has acted on so many kinds of roles. It is kind of unfair to say that he only acted rich all the time. I suggest you guys take time to watch his other series and see for yourself all the roles he acted in before commenting further. It is really funny for people to comment when they have no idea what they are talking about in the first place. Kindly do your research first.
You mean how short Kim Go Eun?
With the storyline coming together, it's a must watch, I'm enjoying this show very much.
Im really enjoying this drama
I thought episode 7 was one of the weakest because it spent half the show explaining and filling in the flashback when it could had done so on episode 6. So it drags and the investigations were so boring.
The second half was essentially a filler half until Luna shows up.
I still see prime minister is being underutilized. Why is she even on the show? To be a jealous, lovelorn female lead? Where’s the strong independent woman I was expecting from the beginning of the show?
The villain barely graced our screens
There were numerous comedic scenes but they weren’t executed well due to the directing and not the writer fault, at least in those scenes.
There were also bright spots like Shin Jae, so far it’s only his character that is written well. I could care less about most of the other characters, it’s not the actors but it’s the writing. Their characterizations are written so poorly.
Episide 8 looks promising
Where is EVERYTHING we were expecting BEFORE the dramas airing? tell me that...
Deep disappointment! This was one of my most anticipated dramas of this year.
It’s called HYPE!
Artemis these people were just waiting for d chance.
Lee Min Ho character is not exciting enough. His is a little bit boring and he is not acting the same way with other actress he was with. Not much action on his part.
It is now episode 8, waiting for a chance? If it is 3-5, I can still understand. They just under-deliver. Big-names in writing, producing and acting couldn't save any dramas, if they can't find their focus
episode 6 and 7 has delievered. u have made a narrative and u gonna stick to it.
I'm just watching bcoz of Lee min ho.. A lot of unnecessary scenes..uts just remain half way to end but a lot of things to be revealed.. Hopefully I don't get disappointed ending.. Huhu
I agree... Their characterization was written poorly
1st 4 episodes set the narrative and momentum in a 16 episode series. I think this drama is already done for and it will be very difficult to save at this point.
If not for LMH's popularity and KES brand, it would be in the sub 5% range in ratings.
Heirs was stupid but I enjoyed the fluff and have rewatched it since. I was able to finish Vagabond (despite it being so underwhelming, zero plot and Suzy's acting).
But this is just so so boring that I gave up trying to watch. Everything looks great on paper but nothing works on screen.
U just jump to ep 7..its make sense though.. I also just watching bcoz of Lee min ho
Sometimes over-hyped dramas have a tendency to fail if the writing is a mess, the chemistry is barely there and not having well fleshed out supporting characters. Smaller non hyped dramas with great acting, directing and writing could get incredibly low ratings as well. It is a combination of luck I suppose. I am watching TKEM and I Remember You / Hello Monster at the same time. I ended up dropping TKEM until all the episodes dropped in Netflix coz I was so sucked into the world of Park Bo Gum's tragic bromance with Seo In Guk, Jang Nara's Cha Ji An strong female detective role. She played it so superbly with an understated classiness that I don't want the drama to end. The nature versus nurture theme of a psychopath was so well fleshed out that I don't miss the grandeur of TKEM. JNR's lady cop contrasted so much with Kim Go Eun's portrayal of a female detective. Cha Ji An has to be the strongest female role ever written even if she constantly getting bashed up but she flipped her role at the end to be the stronger one. There wasn't a single lip kiss until the last episode but I feel the tension and chemistry right throughout the drama between Cha Ji An and Lee Hyeon. Now that is superb acting. If only Kim Eun Sook can write rich compelling multi-dimensional characters like that in TKEM. I even sympathised and drawn to the murderers and serial killers coz they humanise the villains as well as abused kid. No CGI special effects or big budget but I was sobbing like a kid at all the confrontation between Min and Hyeon and Ji An's discovering her father's fate. I still wish well for TKEM though. Let's hope Kim Eun Sook treats her co-writers better so the good ones don't leave. Shades of Jung So Min's writer character who is doing the heavy lifting while the main writer gets all the glory in Because This is My First Life.
@Kimchi Ajumma
Agreed. I’ve always felt that Hello Monster/I Remember You is one of the best Kdramas I’ve ever watched; love the bromance between SIJ and PBG. The bond between the brothers was so immersive it even overshadowed the shoe-horned romance. It left an indelible impression on me; I’ve watched and rewatched the drama repeatedly, over the years, since it’s release in 2015. I can’t praise it enough.
@Adal, thank you so much for your vote of endorsement. You are the only commenter here who can see the talent in SIG. I found myself rewatching IRL/HM savouring every episode, doesn't even mind if the romance is there or not, such is the acting prowess of the 3 male leads-SIG, PBG, CWY and even cameo by DO was impressive. I don't understand why nobody ever takes notice of SIG's massive talents. He is always the last casting choice for hits like Reply 97, Shopaholic Louis and HM/IRY. Perhaps K-nets are still blaming him for not completing his military enlistment which is not fair. It's not like you can fake his foot condition which my sister has too. It has no cure and needs constant management for the pain and not aggravating it. Despite all the hate SIG suffered, he never complains, never media-play and best of all, he chooses his projects strategically. This guy deserves tons of awards. Interestingly, So Ji Sub won Best Actor for Oh My Venus in KBS Awards Night in 2015 which I felt should go to SIG's performance in HM/IRY. At least PBG got some recognition for his Min role.
SIG is very versatile. I admire his choice of projects, the way I admire Park Seo Joon’s. They are constantly challenging themselves to do different genres of projects, that display their huge acting range. SIG is a chameleon, I look forward to more projects of his.
I just hope cast stays strong. It must be disheartening bcoz they are shooting for 7 months. Though lmh gaineed like 100 k insta followers in 15 hours, same for kge but i think the damage is done in korea. As startting few weeks were crucial and episodes were too slow paced with loopholes which turned the initial viewers away.i loved the ep 7 especially normal scenes and no fight acenes between the leads and talking like normal couple. First 15 mins were quite bad bcoz investigation was unnecessary there. I loved wdh scenes today lol. Anyways i will still support then bcoz actors r giving their all❣
yep! exactly...
I agree just watching to support the Actors I'm so sad got this drama
Also other good thing i will take is lmh posted kge pics on insta. First time he did for his co star lol. And their ivs r adorable together. Kge keeps blushing with him❣❣❣❣❣❣❣. I wont be surprised with some news coming out soon❣❤❤❤❤❤
For publicity of course, to increase TKEM ratings
I think the director or script writer should make strong bonding and love between the king and his love..maybe the narration is too long
One problem is some scenes dragged like first 15 minsbyesterday. Investigation didnt make sense and frankly boring .
And scenes feel dis connected. It id whwre pd is lacking
Long narration is not a problem if the cast can deliver strong acting and chemistry. Plus, the director fail to steer the whole production crew and cast in a proper direction.
@LPY
The Male Lead Cant Act. What can you expect?
@Joane, some people can't get over the facts
Am I the only one that think this drama is watchable and nothing significantly wrong with it? It's just unfortunate that its airing time match with World of the Married that create so much hype. And now everyone having fun bullying LMH, KGE, KES and SBS. It's a conspiracy created by JTBC I think..
Sadistic haters love to see big A listers underperforming so they can mock them to come out edgy on internet. Let them. Every actor faces such situation in career. Tough times come and go
@ady
look what we got here
so you do believe in tough time! cause I clearly remember you bashing and naming actors/actresses for low ratings in their previous drama. like what? cant day have tough time?
yeah ye know, its called KARMA
and I just love it.
I got nothing. Rofl writing karma as name isnt gonna do a thing here. Actors job is initials and profit which he did. Not ky fault ur fave sequel got cancelled and has no profi making capabilities. Forever a showpiece
But I am not a sadistic hater nor have any problem with pd,writer,actors "personally".Yet it’s not my cup of tea anymore.
You can blame my years and years investment as an audience to kdrama land!!! Lol!
@mou i can understand who is criticizing and who is hating. even i had problems with first 2 weeks but imo from episode 6 it has picked up
Not same time slot. World of Married air time is 50 mins later. TKEM fans should stop using World of Married as excuse for its low ratings. It's evident Korean viewers do not like TKEM.
Noone is using it. Only 15 to 20 mins clash.thr wom is indeed national drama. Some people r misinformed
"It is an conspiracy created by JBTC" is a sign that people is using ANY highly-rated drama to bash it. As much as I dislike TWOM for the stress, it is pointless to blame it as a competitor, especially when it is now being nominated for so many awards for the upcoming Baeksang category.
@lex
Although the actors do deserve a few criticism, they however definitely do not deserve to be mocked.
The writer and the directors and the editors deserve to be chastised, they wasted talents.
—next time they should have just delay airing the show if they knew they had many problems that needed time to fix. Originally i thought it was going to be aired over the summer but they surprisingly released it earlier. Bad call. Horrid decision. Good things come to those who are patient.
Maybe they thought releasing it during the lockdown would bring more views as more people are staying home.
@nippon
You are probably right, their gamble failed. People always want top quality work, people are intelligent.
They underestimated.
—if they waited longer, maybe Monarch would had done better in ratings. The writing would probably still be bad but at least the editing would be better.
@karmaaa btch how may ids u need lmao? Atleast ky fave made sure it makes profit. And briugh initials. Not his problem if director n writers fails. Whereas the other one failed to bring profit initial. Loss venture
@ady
you make me laugh kid.
thats exactly what I meant. Its not actors/actresses fault if the project is miserable due to pd/writer/other leads, better not to bash anyone for one or two bad projects.
this is life babe.
Hope u got ur lesson.
I need no lesson. Mu fave will do fine. If some r incapavle of profit i will movk lmh job is to bring that and he did. Lmaoo. What t u even talking about? There is no karma edgy idiot
haha so you measure actors/actresses by their recent ratings?
LMHs current star power must be 7% then (since you dont count previous projects here)
Star power is initial which is double dihit plus profit which king amdr pre airing bcoz of him. After first week story matters. Not his problem. Ur fave didnt hace initial star power nor profit capabilities
@Karma
Big word, Karma!!!!! lol
@lex
what a delusion to think that JTBC would create something like conspiracy blah blah. The main reason why the ratings are bombing is because of Lee Min No, hes a mediocre actor. Hia acting is not even passable.
@Joane I've bashed Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung here before, but at least those two are GOOD actors unlike the guy who's been acting for 17 years lol. Hope that Convenience Store drama outperforms The King Eternal Chaebol so his cocky fans can shut up.
@marie
Tbh, im not a fan of the Male Lead.(his acting was so overt the top in MMS, so bash him all you want! ) but im highly anticioating the release of CSSB because of YJ. and they seem to have strong On screen Chemistry.
in terms of domestic rating, It will definitely OUTPERFORM the not so King eternal Monarch.
You are not the only one. I quite enjoy this drama. Always look forward to a new episode
You're not the only one. I'm an international fan from Nigeria and TKEM is making it big in my country, it's always on the Top 10 list on Netflix, and yesterday it was No. 1 on Netflix. If Korea doesn't appreciate this story, international fans are loving it!!!! I love the chemistry between KGE and LMH, I love WDH's acting on both sides, he's so funny and refreshing. I love the suspense, eps 7 and 8 were so good. I'm looking forward to next week.
I think u r too harsh in kge. She is rocking luna's role too.
@ady
It was actually refreshing that you're finally admitting that this drama is weak and now done in Korea, then you started with your tantrums again, calling people names.
These are people's opinion which you cannot control, dictate, impose, stop. Get over it. Write your opinions all you want, nobody's stopping you. But to get all work up because we do not agree with you is ridiculous.
@mindy u r one hypocrite who repeat same bs over n over. I thibk it is done bcoz of writers and lack of direction. Though drama has picked uo intial weeks did the damage. And starting 15 kins with kkn drama was tereible to watvh. Next 57 mins were awesome bcoz that boring thing wasnt there
And i will argue on public forum n call out haters like u. Only koalas can stop me when she doesnt let me post many times bcoz she is scares of opjnion against her
@ady
Re read your answers to me and be honest to yourself. Or better yet, be kind to yourself and get over it. The drama is horrible. The drama is done. For the money they injected into this project, it's mediocre at best. Get over it and stop calling people names. Gosh, you call me a hater. What do you call yourself then? You're like the female lead, overacting.
I'd add a bit more of chemistry between 2 lovers it would do great. I Love the idea of parrallel universes since I'm writer myself. The transition between universes could be more sophisticated as it would add a bit more of glamour flash to the action. The edges shall be less stiff. Also I would add some classic music to some episodes. Accent the romantic scenes with gently touch of music. I wish I could be more of help to your success.
Winning a "Daesang" does not mean you are necessary "great". Quantity does not mean quality but I agree lee fake nose is a "poser" and not an actor. As a fan of manga and Anime City Hunter I thought he was pure shit at impersonating Ryo Saeba character on the screen. Never struck me as a chameleon since he sports the exact same expressions and mannerisms in BOF, CH and Heirs for example. Overrated he definitly is.
Exactly. People here always calling out the females when they are modeling/posing instead of acting, but rarely the males who do the same. The King Eternal Chaebol (Lee Min Ho) is the prime example of this. His fans will do anything to excuse him. Not a fan of Kim Go Eun, but she's not doing bad enough for all the extreme criticism she is getting. I remember in early articles, they were pushing all the blame onto her saying LMH deserved a better female lead.
Fact is everything from the acting and chemistry of BOTH leads, directing, and writing is subpar. At least Kim Go Eun is acclaimed in some her movies, but LMH will always just be hallyu popular but never respected.