This is a solid start for SBS Fri-Sat fantasy romance drama The King: Eternal Monarch starring Lee Min Ho, Kim Go Eun, Woo Do Hwan, Jung Eun Chae, Kim Kyung Nam, and Lee Jung Jin. The first episode took in 10.1% and 11.4% ratings and is clearly primed to go up what with the fresh story and big name cast and screenwriter. My opinion what that I wanted to like The King more than I actually liked The King after episode 1, the story was more mood than actual substance and too much of the fantasy elements were kept obtuse as to make the “huh” overtake getting sucked into the world created. Some Kim Eun Sook dramas take episodes to get started, my favorite K-drama of all time is her City Hall and it wasn’t until episode 4 that I got wrapped into the drama and loved it forever more.

Her other fantasy drama being Goblin its hard not to complain and Goblin started off so much stronger all around, both character building (My General!) and world building (death, reincarnation, and the in-between). The strongest impression from episode 1 was baddie Lee Jung Jin, and as hot as Lee Min Ho is his character has zero presence (so far). I’m sure this drama was coalesce as it goes along but it’s not Kim Eun Sook’s home run start and as far as fangirling goes I’m way too jaded to love a drama just because someone looks suitably Kingly in character heh.