It’s weird how time tempers disappointment. I’ll likely remember The King: Eternal Monarch fondly now that it’s over, the earlier episodes were just so inexplicably terrible and made for drastic expectation rewritting but as the episodes went on I settled into a nice rhythm with it. Each week I hoped it would make better sense and it never did but I was entertained enough because this really isn’t the worst K-drama ever (that would be Born Again hahahaha) but TKEM was the worst Kim Eun Sook written drama and probably one of the worst vis-a-vis the budget, cast, and track record.
It’s all in context and now that The King and his Lady love swanned off to their own happy ending I can say it tried but goodness was every nugget of promising possibility unable to flourish like a seedling given the wrong growth environment. The ending was fine but cribbed from two very recent hit dramas, Lee Min Ho’s own Legend of the Blue Sea and blockbuster Crash Landing on You. Kinda ironic that Kim Eun Sook needed to borrow from Park Ji Eun to find her own conclusion seeing as Park Ji Eun has just been anointed the next Kim Eun Sook.
The drama ends with Lee Gon successfully rewriting history with what seems like no negative consequences. He’s not written out of existence, only useless bad uncle Lee Rim, and everything after turned out better for everyone around. Shin Jae grew up in Kingdom and became a cop, and has the same bantering secret crush relationship with Luna, who gets adopted by PM Seo Ryung’s fishmonger mom and doesn’t become a cancer stricken thief. Hyun Min doesn’t die as Gon prevents the accident that puts him in a coma so Republic era Hyun Min grows up into a chaebol. Jo Yeong survives and his parents get back together and give birth to twins who he nicknames Eun Bi and Ga Bi. Eun Seob gets a desk job at NIS and is married to his Nari.
Tae Eul’s dangerous mission to escort Rim and his half of the flute back to the past stops in limbo land as Gon already started changing fate. It’s pretty pointless and Rim ends up thinking he won (past him got a whole flute) and then realizes he’s lost after he gets shot by Tae Eul once Gon finally kills past Rim with a slice across the neck. Fitting. Everyone forgets what happened except for Tae Eul, Gon, Yeong, and Court Lady Noh. Gon travels to multiple universes in search of Tae Eul, including one where she’s an adorable and hilarious top actress who just won a Daesang. He ends up finding his version of Tae Eul and they date happily ever after on weekends traveling around multiple universes and time lines. The End.
Was the ending underwhelming? No more or less than the entire drama was underwhelming, so perhaps apropos of nothing? It still think Tae Eul could have told her dad the truth and asked to go live in the Kingdom and marry Gon and then travel home on weekends to visit her dad. Give me an Inuyasha ending any day. The traipsing around parallel universes and time lines is pretty risky, anything could change things and honestly it’s always wise to let things happen as it’s supposed to. I guess Gon had to rewrite history because Rim destroyed too much and the universe would explode with the flute being cut in half. But still, Rim did so much planning and really he just wanted to kill Gon and get the flute so not sure why his plan was as elaborate as it was with switching dopplegangers.
The things I’ll remember fondly are midget baby Maximus growing up into stallion Maximus, Jo Yeong/Eun Seob, Kim Go Eun doing a much better performance as side character Luna than her own main lead Tae Eul, Court Lady Noh even though she was mostly useless (as a plot device), Na Ri and her doppleganger being 100% useless (that’s hard to do), PM Seo Ryung being wasted as a character her last scene in the prison was nicely done to show she’s got shades of dark and good, KIM KYUNG NAM (all caps cuz he’s that awesome here), and Lee Min Ho as grown up Ji Hoon in that navy Marines uniform. In conclusion, in all that craziness that was 2020 so far, it’s perhaps fitting that the screenwriter in K-drama with the most hit dramas under her belt churned out a total parallel universe of herself flop drama.
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I agree with Koala regarding the ending that Tae Ul could have married Gon ,shifted to KOC and could've come visit her father during weekends..
CLOY'S ending was the best and most reasonable the writer could give avoiding all those political conflicts.
Here KES had much more liberty given that this is a full on fantasy and she could have come up with any newfound rule. I just felt that it was kind of fanservice cause otherwise, to wrap this huge mess logically she would've needed few more episodes.. Anyways the whole drama was weird so why should the ending even matter to me .
No the marriage could not have happened because if the marriage took place Tae eul had to stay in KoC and her counterpart already has a identity there which would make the risk that Lee gon had taken to be pointless since the worlds would be messed up again
I also agree with both your comments! How is it, that we all have the same end of drama conclusion! Which could have raised the ratings more in my opinion. When I was looking at the auto videos sent daily, they suspected a wedding due to a partial scene with chairs, which in fact was the ceremony of the PM. What a disappointment as I would have enjoyed seeing them wed with a grand celebration. Also, TaeEul could have told her dad the truth and he would be at their wedding with him supporting her and knowing where she's gone when she disappears. It doesn't really tell us if they actually got married even though they showed varying stages of them growing old together. Ending could have been a lot lot better and they could have written another episode to accommodate that better romantic ending!
I highly recommend The King: Eternal Monarch. All 16 episodes took the viewers to places that we couldn’t imagine and/or conceptualised. Fantasy and Sci-Fi intertwined to create a plot that took some time to unfold. Why? Because the lead characters had a big task in front of them. They had to figured out what was going on in the first place in their own worlds. They had to understand how and why their worlds had been impacted, the consequences and how to regained order. They, through well conceived scenes and dialogues, let the viewers know their new acquired knowledge about the concept of two parallel words, time and space, the portal, the mystery involving the flute and so on. In addition,they also had to develop a plan of action to restore the past to create a better future.We, the viewers, had 16 episodes to fully learned all if it through them.
The cinematography and editing were a treat to our eyes. Every single scene was beautifully executed and out together seamlessly. The element of romance was so beautiful conceived and the contributions of the supportive actors made this show fun, entertaining and pleasant.
For those of you that brought to this site some negative criticism about this show, you should listen to the lead actors’ lines more carefully. They were learning about the parallel worlds and discovering facts that ultimately they explained to us.If you were still confused, you needed to have a change of mind and take this show or at least part a of it as pure fantasy where everything is possible and let your imagination do the rest.
Thanks to Netflix make this show accesible to all of us outside South Korea.
yesssss!!!!!
I think the reason why tae ul cannot stay in KOC because Luna exists there. Otherwise, their both worlds will be exposed.
the ending is quite satisfying considering how this drama lacks in many ways. I love how Luna and Kang Hyun Nim finally have their own happy ending (biggest relieve TBH) I love the banter between Luna and PM Koo as well, I wish they had more interaction before. Honestly, watching the ending alone is more satisfying compared to watching the entire drama
I think all of you guys are hater I love the ending because they were together
Yes I hate it when people write hate comments or any article. They tried their best to complete this drama even in this pandemic. We should appreciate their work for successfully completing it without getting sick.
I was expecting for them to get married as fairy tail wedding... Bit disappointed
I think TKEM was the best drama but we were not able to recognize the hard word we are at the fault and if we say that the drama in the beginning was very difficult to understand then it was for those people who have the caliber to understand
I wasted my time. I regret watching this overhype show. I can’t believed I finished this drama. It was a bad experience.
Too bad Eun Seop dream of seeing Joyoung again didn’t come true. My dream it would be a good show didn’t come true either. So let’s move on :/
Nobody told you to watch the show. You did it in your own so if you watch it till the end that means you actually like it and you’re just saying the opposite of what you really mean. If u didn’t like it in the beginning then why did you stick around till the end for. There are many fans of Lee Min Ho that loved the show very much like me. I’ve loved it since the first episode and I keep seeing all these negative reviews about the show with low ratings. The low ratings problem is because most people watched the show on Netflix because it is release on Netflix. The show was awesome and I love that the main characters got the happy ending. Gonna miss it now that it’s finished???
I totally agree with you. There will always be haters but then, who cares
I agree ?❤ the series.I'm going to miss TKEM!!!during some episodes when I got confused I just watch AGAIN ?.
Nobody told you to watch the show. You did it in your own so if you watch it till the end that means you actually like it and you’re just saying the opposite of what you really mean. If u didn’t like it in the beginning then why did you stick around till the end for. There are many fans of Lee Min Ho that loved the show very much like me. I’ve loved it since the first episode and I keep seeing all these negative reviews about the show with low ratings. The low ratings problem is because most people watched it on Netflix . The show was awesome and I love that the main characters got the happy ending. Gonna miss it now that it’s finished???
@josie watching a show to the end doesnt mean you necessarily like it! if you are a LMH fan and u liked it good for you. MANY watched the show to see what a LMHxKGExKES drama will be and some have the habit of just finishing what they've started like a drama,book,etc. those peaple AGAIN have the right to say they didnt enjoy that thing and just wasted their time.
It is just a critique. And a personal opinion. Stop being so stufo up
Life is too short to watch and endure bad Kdramas considering there are tons of better ones out there. I’m glad I got out when I could. I dropped this after the 11th episode. I “watched” the subsequent episodes for the glorious Woo Do Hwan & skipped the other parts (thank you, FFwd function).
Maybe if I were younger and hung up on romance, I would have appreciated this. Or maybe if they had spent less time on the romance, I would have stuck around. I wouldn’t mind the romance bits if the leads had chemistry and if it wasn’t overdone. But it felt like they tried to shove the romance down the viewers’ throats that they forgot about world-building and the plot.
I don’t fault the actors in the series bc they did their best despite the lackluster writing and editing.
This series shows that KES’ writing is dated and the success of her shows relies heavily on the leads and romance between the leads. It is such a mystery that this came from the same writer who wrote the masterpiece that was Mr. Sunshine.
I'm not sure why but this final episode has felt like a slap to me. Kim eun sook has literally played with the audience. I'm with prime minister Koo though. Why does only gon have access to this flute? If i were her i would want one too. Why do only Gon and Tae eul have the privilige to be traipsing out of the multiverse. The universe doesn't revolve around them eternal King or not.
I am with PM Koo too!
I dont know why people are hating it so much. There are many dramas which are famous but still has such a typical story average acting and very dragging. The king may have many flaws but the story was different. Every actor was doing justice with their charachter and main leads chemistry was nice too. LMH looked really good in this. Its one of the few dramas whose music i really like. The women were not trying to be pathetic cute like in most of the k dramas. Im foreign to the language but tbh i really liked this drama.
People asking why only gon has the flute and not others. Please understand great things are given to only those who can handle it and use it for others and not selfish means. Love the drama dont care what others think.
I totally agree! I really don't care what others think. I enjoyed the drama! In fact I will watch again starting from episode 1 until the final episode, just like what I did with LOTBS.? I don't care if I don't understand the language.
Lol. You can say that this drama is popular but if you think that this is one of the best dramas out there then I'm gonna imply you haven't watched the real stuff considering how you made the statement that women act cute in most dramas. That's not true at all. Anyone can see that the there's zero basis for this awful love story and basically it has no solid plotline whatsoever. Simply watching Pretty actors on screen isn't everyone's cup of tea.
The only reason you'd root for this drama is for the love of the lead actors, pretty visuals and fluffy dialogues which makes it that much easier to like.
Why does only Gon has access to the flute?
I would say it's about the same reason why Thor,Vision and Captain America could wield Mjlnoir (Thor's hammer).It's all down to "who is deemed worthy".I don't think the prime minister would qualify.
The ending of them traveling time and space to be a couple in multiple universes during the weekend like an endless couple’s getaway is one of the most insipid, harebrained drama conclusions I have ever seen. Terrible enough to tackle the likes of Big, Vagabond and Born Again. Jesus Christ.
Like someone mentioned, Tae Eul probably can’t be in the same universe as Luna in reference to Nari’s proclamation that one would have to kill the other because the Cosmos demanded it or some shit. Funny thing is, the writer herself came up with that dumbass idea, ultimately killing off the more rational ending of Tae Eul travelling to Gon’s world to be his Queen instead of playing Dr. Who for funsies and risking time/space imbalance. And don’t even get me started on that yo-yo kid - such a blatant ripoff of Lee El’s character in Goblin who ended up not really doing anything but getting shoved into the story like all the other useless plot devices. God, what an exhausting ride. Thank goodness it’s over.
I think I agree with you. There was a lot of stuff that could have been taken out to make more room for a better plot. But you know this author has rarely been good at writing decent endings. Good point about Yo-yo boy and time traveling for funsies.
Disappointing, it just unsatisfying.
I can justify bad drama has it has some satisfying moment but the end just ruined it more.
So the hero can do anything? No repercussions? Everyone gets a safe happy ending. It doesn't feel like they deserve it.
All the theory about the universe is just nothing because "let's skip that". The writing is just mcguffin so stuff can happen without an actual basis.
I remember the ending of queen in Hyeon man is also a sugarcoat ending but it's satisfying since both of the couple and the hero had accepted his demise, his miscalculation and how he isn't stronger than fate. They get saved because they accept defeat and let go, because they are sincere and desperate to be with each other, still he has his own life, his own duty and they accepted the fact that there is bigger things than their love. That's how "fate magic" took a pity on him and trigger the happy ending.
This drama is not just disappointment but also justify what people had been criticized it's for. Pointless, unsatisfying story and bullshit magic.
Also the fans has victim complex, no one is brigaded your drama just because they said it's bad.
TKEM is a fairy tale. Who doesn’t like fairy tales?
I can’t believe some of these negative comments about the show. We the audience learned about what was going on through the characters as they also needed time to figure out by themselves who is manipulating the two worlds and the power of the flute. Come on! It wasn’t that hard to tie one fact with another with the help of the leading and supporting actors explaining to us in plain language their discoveries.
If you have Netflix sit down and enjoy the ride TKEM takes you , it is worth it!
LHM better don't ever choose Kim Go Eun as his leading partner again. She is totally not on his par. Such an awful looking lady to match such a handsome prince, it is so yucks. Totally no chemistry. LMH is such a nice guy, he probably accept this series is because of the writer Kim Eun Sook. But the lead actress is a mistake. The story is not about beauty and the best, Kim Eun Sook. Please choose a more decent looking actress as a lead next time round.
sure he accepted bcs of KES.
I didn't like the pairing as well. maybe I could give it a go if it was zero romance. not saying a word about her visuals cause beauty is subjective and my dislikes to her doesnt mean she cant be errr good looking or maybe pretty to others.whatever. apparently KGE is better in movies so she'd better stick to what she is good at.
KES herself needs to think of what she gonna do to her writing style and stories before deciding who to cast. Seriously I think she just thought Im gonna cast ms.x and mr.y and I dont care if they dont look good together :||
if you dont like TKEM you can just leave and shut your mouth your not kim eun suk ha you dont know how to write a story like that you know raise your hand if you think a parallel word story your toxic person you all know is to hate person, why do you have a beautiful face like kim go ein if you have let me see it, do you know how to acting ha you dont know because your not an actress there so much effort put kim eun suk and the actors and actresses to give such a beautful drama so if you think its not good and cant appreciate it just leave and dont say like ugly things,i think your face is very ugly ha i think you are jealous to kim go eun.
First and for all, your not kim eun suk and you do nothing for the tkem.
second, i think your not as beautiful as kim go eun brahhhhh if you dont like him just leave them,
third,it is better to watch people this drama with respect and appreacited.
fourth,if you have nothung good to say then do not speak
fifth,dont critisize them with their flaws and mistake if you cannot see yoir own?
@ooo LOL u dont need to write a long essay I gave up reading on third line. I say whatever I desire and guess what? you cant do anything to stop me or anyone else saying what they want. now get along with that kid.
@oooo. People are complaining about her looks is because she really doesn't look pretty and yet she was chosen to act in romantic dramas, acting opposite handsome actors. She was paid and yet she unable to carry her role well. There is little chemistry between her and LHM. And the chemistry between Gong Yoo and her is also lacking in Globin. This is why people are losing patience with her. She ruined the dramas by not acting well and she wasn't pretty in the first place.
People have the right to complain is because the artistes are being paid for their roles and they have to do their roles well. I do hope the directors and writers will have more common sense in selecting her for their projects. If the dramas are merely romance, please don't ever choose KGE again.
Your wrong. She is beautiful too and a good actress.
Beauty is subjective. It’s mostly out of pity that a plain Jane is viewed as beautiful by some. FL is average looking and her ugly crying is unbearable. This is a dude’s view.
But she is also nice and her serious character was also good. Chemistry was seen little less comparatively but the expressiveness of her love was nice. And I also enjoyed the story till the end. Waiting for your next dramas LMH.?
And Woo do Hwan is also handsome. I liked him in tempted so much, wanna see him in more dramas as a lead. I Like the cast.
I adore Maximus & her love for the King!?
U r the telling the facts
She is beautiful what are you talking about
I have to agree ,no chemistry at all !!!
Well said girl.. im 200% agreed. Im annoyed of that girl since Goblin time. ??
No one in this world is born ugly, you just live in a judgemental world - RM
She is beautiful that's it. That's how the god want her to look like.
And acting is not about look! You don't have to be sooooo pretty to act! She's a good actress imo.
You mean she’s not into plastic surgery and skin bleaching to look like your ideal beauty. YGE is exotic looking and comfortable in her own skin.
IMHO, you got that backwards. LMH has so far been a mediocre actor with good looks. KGE could act circles around him. I don't dislike him, I'm not obsessed with her. But it's obvious who is the best actor and who looks the best.
here comes the time to move on. Im glad that it's over. to me, it feels like LMH is now being set free from this mess. Im also glad that I didn't waste my time watching it and I dropped at first episodes. He probably doesnt take a project for a year or two -unless he wants to fix the damage as soon as possible- and until then, I rather have his image from LOTBS in my mind than this..sigh..lets see what happens in his next project. THAT would most certainly tell what direction LMH will take for the rest of his career. pls take a well-written project with a totally different character and perferably not a KES one. dont disappoint us man,tnq. best wishes.
I had enjoyed this drama, liked the story line idea and how it made me want to watch each episode quickly to see how it developed. After watching all 16 episodes, I still stick to my personal opinion that the romance part - which is a huge element of this drama - would have been more enticing, and the drama more exciting overall, if the leads are more compatible in their screen presence and appeal. This was most evident in the second half of the last episode where everything seemed dull and plodding. Nevertheless, it has been good entertainment watching TKEM the past two months; and reading this blog and the comments. Thanks, folks!
I first watched this show for the main leads. But, I completed all 16 episodes because of Kim Kyung Nam and Woo Do Hwan. Both KKN and WDH carried the show for me. They both shine here. KKN is the one which made me surprised the most. Boy can act so well. I want to know whether KKN already finished his military service or not.