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Prince on a white horse
•Many reviews said its not as good as it should be, yes we all have high expectations as its LMH AND KGE drama.since LMH returned from his military service so more was expected.And for kim go eun she was seen in goblin, one of the best kdrama till now, and TKEM is no where in comparison to Goblin.
Leave all the biseness aside and watch it with fresh mind.
•Story- read the synopsis, parallel universe have people meet by destiny and how they stay together and how they separate the wrong doers of the two world.
With the first episode LMH comes riding a white horse,My first thought was like this drama fulfills a girl dream of meeting a prince charming on a white horse.So based on this one thought i watched and enjoyed this drama.
•Acting- LMH and KGE had an amazing chemistry which really pulled the mass to watch it. Their time freeze scenes were done beautifully and makes me watch it again and again. as am a diehard fan of uniform, I must say LMH looked wow in navy uniform.
I liked kang shin jae,myung na ri. They just put more interest to the the story.myung na ri was really great to watch.
•Music-orbit by hwasa was up beat. Maze by yongzoo was soulful. These two osts are worth listening.
•Rewatch-I am watching it for the third time.it has amzing chemistry and story. So yes.
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This review may contain spoilers
Coulda done better as a BL
I've watched this show and honestly thought it could've done a bit better as a BL, I like the storyline but just not how they literally jumped time, universe travel, and all that stuff.But the plot between that bodyguard and the King MMMMMM, okay. MMMMMMM. That is all I have to say, their bromance was what brought me to the show in the first place, and the first episode just shows all of it...
I've watched the bromance on some edits and it brought me to the show, I absolutely love Bromance.
But IMO (In my opinion) it would've done better as a BL and without the weird time and universe travel. (This ain't Multiverse of Madness)
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It’s all about balance - give it a try!
This is the first time I felt I had to write a review. Never thought the day would come as I usually enjoy reading everyone else reviews and more or less find my own views and opinions in them. Not so regarding this series.Give this show a try, if you in general like the genre fantasy romance combined with thriller/detective story elements.
I watched what feels like a hundred of Korean and Chinese shows, this one only by accident. Because of the many bad reviews, I thought just to skip this one. Surprisingly, after the first episode didn’t strike me that bad I kept on watching. Some comments said the show messed up after the first few episodes, especially regarding the editing and story line. I don’t think so. As some one who skipped a lot of shows because of bad writing, stupid story line, too many plot holes and so on, I don’t understand why there are so many bad reviews about this one.
Yes, the FL did cry a lot after falling in love, but surely not out of weakness waiting for the ML to rescue her. Yes, towards the end it annoyed me a little, so I just forwarded these scenes.
As for the product placements, yes there are a lot of them. But, a few seconds seeing the brand of food and drinks didn’t really bother me. Not living in Korea or buying Korean groceries I don’t know any of these brands anyway.
The “parallel world” concept is not something easy to transfer. In this show it was done well enough. Naturally there will always be plot holes, but they’re definitely not as bad and obvious as some of the reviewers seem to point out. The last episode was a little challenging though…. They could have done better with another ending.
The editing has its reasons. I think it fits the concept and makes the evolvement of the story line quite interesting.
The romance is ok, it didn’t bother me as being more stupid or unrealistic than in other shows of this genre. It’s fun to watch, and their feelings for each other are not completely implausible. Besides, the whole story is about more than just their relationship.
TKEM is not science fiction, it’s fantasy. Therefore I don’t expect an scientific explanation for the traveling between the parallel worlds. Of course it’s only possible, because of “manpasikjeok” this ancient object of desire that they all want to get their hands on. Did ever some one who likes to watch this kind of genre complain about why someone can travel back in time? No, we except it’s just because of the heroine being on a specific time at the right spot under the full moon and here we go. No complaints. I don’t understand why so many people are bothered with the fantasy aspects in this one.
I would give this show 7,5-8 points. Just for fairness I might give it some more, to phrase it like that little boy for the sake of “restauring balance” ;-) TKEM is a well done show, the ending could have been done way better, the acting is still quite good. Nothing I have to watch twice, but nonetheless very entertaining to watch for the first time.
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how ideological constraints can limit narrative freedom
This movie is still one of the best in K-Ddramas: you can see that they really pulled out all the stops with the budget, visuals, top-tier casting, one of the best hit screenwriters, top directors, and beautiful music.The movie is truly well done, and you watch it until the end. All the characters are well developed. I really like the two lead actors, as well as the supporting ones. As with most sci-fi films, it's hard to write something that is 100% coherent, so there are many plot holes... but maybe it's all about just one message: that you have to live, love, and enjoy every day, not think about the future, and live in the present? Committing to love for a day equals loving for eternity.
It's nice, it's romantic, but I wonder, as someone who's not Korean, if I still see propaganda in certain ideologies, which I think harms the artistic side of the work, especially regarding the plot. Why is it that in Korean dramas, characters often don't want to have children? Like getting pregnant, for example? The propaganda mostly focuses on work, personal comfort without making compromises (I think love requires a little effort, and a balance or equilibrium is good), and there's also a patriotic element about not leaving the country. ’m writing this because I see it systematically in many dramas. It’s great to incorporate a message into the storyline, but changing the narrative just to push an agenda is unacceptable for me.
[spoiler] At the end of the story, the female character could have logically married the male lead as proof of their commitment. She could have visited her father and friends on weekends, like an adult managing her life, right? But the writer avoids taking risks. It feels like they don’t want to show her choosing a more personal life, because it would suggest she prefers a life of luxury, a "king," over her country and the republic it represents. She avoids leaving her country or job, which aligns with this patriotic message— [END SPOILER] working for the state and doing the hard jobs no one else can do. This pattern is seen in other works by the same writer, like Descendants of the Sun, or other k-dramas, such as Crash Landing on You. In both cases, the stories fall into similar traps, forcing the characters to stay within these ideological confines, which ultimately weakens the plot.
This critique highlights how ideological constraints can limit narrative freedom, making storylines feel forced or unrealistic.
Another issue with this drama is the excessive product placement; entire scenes revolve around showcasing products rather than advancing the plot. I get that they need to finance the stars, but it's a bit much, isn’t it?
Lee Min Ho has crazy charisma, Kim Go EUN she act really well ! and the others are perfect too ( Kim Kyung, Do Hwan, Young Ok,
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Rock Solid, Entertaining Show...Until the Very End
Eun-Sook Kim hasn't failed me yet. She is a master storyteller, focusing on deep, rich characters and plots. "Mr. Sunshine" is still her masterpiece with "Descendants of the Sun" just a hair behind it. "The King: The Eternal Monarch" is another great series, even if it doesn't quite hold up against the other two. I still enjoyed it.I give props to any writer who attempts to tackle "time travel" as a major plot device. It's not easy, and there is so much to keep track of. The best ones tend to provide the best and most feasible explanations. The worst ones tend to make the viewer believe that the writer had no clue how to write using time travel. In my opinion, "Star Trek" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" always did the best job when it came to stories regarding parallel universes.
The story centers around Lee Gon, King of the Kingdom of Corea, which we quickly find out, is a parallel world to the world that we know. His half-uncle (Lee Lim) seems to be plotting the overthrow of the current king--Lee Gon's father--but we find out that his true aim is to possess a flute that gives the wielder the ability to crossover into those parallel worlds. The coup attempt leaves Lee Gon's father dead, Lee Gon half alive as a young boy, and Lee Lim escaping. However, both are in possession of half of the flute (as it was cut in half), giving Lee Gon and his uncle the ability to crossover.
We find that Lee Gon grows up to be a genious in Quantum Physics, giving him the ability to use mathematical equations to access parallel worlds at various points in time as well as calculate the pitfalls of he and his uncle only having half the flute. Somehow, Lee Lim--not being a Quantum Physics genius--is able to remain a step ahead of his half-nephew.
Lt. Jeong Tae Eul is a young detective in the violent crimes unit as a black belt in Taekwondo. She is the first to come across Lee Gon when he crosses over into the Republic of Korea. Of course, she was immensely skeptical of him when he tells her who he is and where he is from.
Once again, we are provided with rich characters and fantastic actors to play them. Min-Ho Lee (Lee Gon) and Go-Eun Kim are the leads, and it's clear that their chemistry is what helps to drive the story. All of the supporting characters are great as well. The fact that nearly every actor has to play their main role plus their counterparts, was done seemlessly!
It can be a bit challenging keeping track of all the characters and their counterparts, as each character also has a different name in the parallel world. I also wasn't satisfied with the ending. It was as if Eun-Sook Kim tried to find a middle ground for the ending. Would Lt. Jeong Tae Eul become Lee Gon's queen and go to live in his world? Would Lee Gon give up his kingdom and go to live in Tae Eul's world? Both aren't likely, despite the deep love that they have. I know people tend to love "happy endings" so instead, we have both characters spending weekends traversing the multiverse and visitng various parallel worlds. Funny how Tae Eul always has weekends off, despite being a detective, and Lee Gon can simply leave his kingdom whenever he chooses. Nice ending? Sure. Realistic one? No. This wasn't like "Crash Landing On You" in which the two are separated by a wall and have no choice but to make the best of it. This is finding a "happy solution" rather than the "right solution."
Still, I wouldn't let the end prevent you from watching this series. Korean Dramas are fantastic at giving us good characters and good plots that keep us invested and longing to watch the next episode. You won't be disappointed by this series at all.
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A misunderstood show, just watch it!
This may just be my favourite k-drama, and it's always been confusing to me how people say the plot is overcomplicated. It's kind hard to get your head around it sure, but it's really not like you'll be doing the rocket science yourself or anything. The premise of the show is stellar to say the most and slightly saturated to say the least. However, this is one of those shows where too much research shouldn't be done before watching it, jump straight into it and you'll love it like I did, hopefully.Pros:
Kim Go Eun and Lee Min Ho's insane chemistry.
Insanely well-shot cinematography.
Woo Do Hwan playing two very different guys fantastically.
Lee Min Ho's King character done just right with the appropriate amount of cockiness, love-ableness self-awareness around Kim Go Eun's no-nonsense detective character.
A kick for science nerds.
A truly evil, hateful, vengeful villain with a real purpose, rather than just plot filler villainism.
The delightfulness of a K=drama absent in American TV.
A badass female lead with one thing several seem to lack - common sense.
Kick-ass OST, it's been years since I watched this but I listen to Orbit by HWASA sometimes.
Cons:
Over-complicated plot.
Around the last two episodes, it's kind of confusing.
*Spoiler: Slightly unhappy ending (think CLOY ending vibes)*
'Second Female Lead' is annoying, haughty and generally unlikable. (Think the 'second' male lead in Queen of Tears)
Some things could've been done better, like the second male lead's character and backstory, which I found lacking and plain unnecessary.
It's overall great, good rewatch value, thrilling enough but not overly thrilling that you drop all your schoolwork and binge-watch it. Lee Min Ho especially is superb in this, he plays such a bigger-than-the-world character who is suprisingly witty, exceptionally intelligent, good-looking (obviously) and he's got this grace and elegance that really sells the King part.
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absolutely worth it
At the heart of the story is Lee Gon, played with charismatic finesse by Lee Min-ho, a modern-day Korean emperor who discovers the existence of a parallel universe. The concept of parallel worlds isn't entirely new, but "The King: Eternal Monarch" manages to infuse it with fresh energy and intrigue. The show explores the consequences of altering one's fate and the butterfly effect that ripples through time and space.One of the show's strongest elements is its meticulous world-building. The Kingdom of Corea, set in a parallel universe, is a visual spectacle. The attention to detail in creating a world that is both reminiscent of and distinct from our own is commendable. From the majestic palace to the modern cityscapes, each setting is crafted with precision, contributing to the immersive experience.
The chemistry between Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun, who plays detective Jung Tae-eul in the Republic of Korea, is palpable. Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of political conspiracies and power struggles, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. The romance is beautifully interwoven with the larger plot, preventing it from becoming a mere distraction.
The show also boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Woo Do-hwan in a dual role as Jo Eun-seob and Jo Yeong. Woo's performance is a highlight, providing both comedic relief and emotional weight to the series. The dynamic between the characters, whether it's the camaraderie between the palace guards or the tense political alliances, adds layers to the storytelling.
While the series excels in many aspects, it is not without its flaws. The pacing, especially in the early episodes, may feel slow for some viewers. The intricate plot requires patience as it unfolds, and those seeking instant gratification might find it challenging to invest in the story initially. Definetly worth a watch!
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Don't understand the negative reviews
This was the second Kdrama I ever watched, after Crash Landing On You. Lee Gon was immediately my new image of a knight in shining armor.The acting is top notch. I completely believed in Lee Min Ho as a king. It took me a lot longer to warm up to Tae Eul, but not because of Kim Go Eun's acting. Woo Do Hwan stole every scene he was in as Eun Sup and absolutely nailed playing his alter ego's polar opposite personality as well.
My method of judging the quality of a show's soundtrack is whether or not listening to it on its own recalls the emotions I felt while watching the drama. Most of the tracks in The King's OST definitely do that for me.
I will say that the story and pacing had some issues. There was a LOT going on at any one point, and it wasn't always clearly explained. However, I have now watched this drama all the way through twice now and on the second watch I realized that a lot of the things I thought were plot holes actually weren't. Without the constant speculation about the plot, character relationships, etc. that's usually going on in my head during my first viewing I picked up on a lot of things that I didn't notice the first time around. I think the writer tried to be a little bit too clever at times, but it wasn't incomprehensible at all. The plot does kind of start to collapse under its own weight towards the end, meaning some of the episodes feel a little slow and plodding as the characters try to sift through some of the various threads, but overall I felt the cast pulled it off.
Some have complained about the relationship between the main leads feeling off as far as how quickly it progressed, but that also gets more or less explained. Saying too much would be giving spoilers, but it's very in sync with the characters' personalities and the situation they find themselves in.
Product placement is another criticism I see a lot of people have, but maybe since I'm not in Korea and don't see most of the advertised brands in stores it doesn't usually bother me that much. As long as the "commercial" doesn't interrupt the narrative flow (which it doesn't with this show, imo) a lot of the time I don't even notice it.
It's a beautiful drama with great acting, a unique story and compelling soundtrack. It's not without its flaws, but those flaws don't ruin the whole thing. I will probably watch it for a third time in the near future. :-)
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What a beautiful mess.
I didn't come into this drama expecting much. I still left feeling disappointed, mostly in myself for wasting 16 hours of my life watching this commercial...I mean drama.Yes, the product placement is that bad. It is everywhere, and it is jarring.
Let's move on to the acting. Woo Do Hwan kills it. His shoulders must hurt from trying to carry this show. He has the best chemistry with everyone, including himself.
Most of the actors did a pretty decent job, besides the main leads. The chemistry between Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun was almost non-existent. Kim Go Eun brought everything including the kitchen sink, and it was too much. Lee Min Ho's underacting did not mesh well. He does not emote well, but seeing him in a uniform with his beautiful eyes and warm gaze might be enough to save some fangirl's poor soul.
The characters were pretty one-dimensional and way too abundant. Even the ones I wanted to know better didn't get enough of our time, because that time was spent on side characters that wouldn't even matter if the writer didn't love taking us off on a tangent with all the sub- plotting. The main characters were yata yata I'm not even impressed enough to describe them coherently. Woo Do Hwan's character(s) made for good comic relief. The hot ahjussi...I mean villain was a joke.
The biggest failure in the drama has to be the writing. The romance was big in this drama, and it was totally rushed and stilted. It left me completely unconvinced. Why do they love each other? Does anybody know? Anyone? Bueller??
Let's talk about the plot. The initial idea for the drama had potential but it wasn't executed properly. There were too many sub-plots and crater-sized plot holes. Even some questions the characters asked never got answered, let alone the audience's questions. The drama goes here, there and everywhere, and rather quickly too. With too much going on, it becomes very chaotic nonsense. I am not going to get into the details as it was confusing as heck and hello spoilers. Good writing can make sense of complicated plots, but that doesn't happen here. Just believe me that if you can make any sense of this mess, then I must be one dumb bunny and you should never trust me or my reviews again.
The best thing about TKEM, besides Woo Do Hwan, was the visual. Everything was so very pretty. So there is that.
I wanted this to be a short review, but somehow it didn't work out that way.
Here's the main point: This drama stinks worse than my BO, so if you like stuff that stinks you should totally watch it.
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Watch if you just want to see pretty faces.
Keeping it short. It is a mess. Total mess. Over complicated the script so much that it just stopped being entertaining. Around halfway point I was merely watching to finish the series. I wanted to like it especially because I really enjoyed watching lee min ho and kim go eun; and it had a big budget. But just fell short in all aspects when it comes to story and character development. All the jumping around in the story just ended up giving me a headache in the end. I really wanted to like this series, in the first 5 episodes i was still looking forward every week for new episodes, but it flatlined so much and so quickly that i saw myself wanting to watch something else instead as new episodes were released.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Best thing about this series is how it looks, Serious money was spent on costumes, makeup, locations, settings, props, and special effects Very slick, smooth and real eye candy -- probably too much product placement, at least that's what it looked like. I could be wrong.The actors were clearly buffed, polished, brushed, waxed, and well-dressed - also easy on the eyes, even the villains. I think they did they job they were told to do to the best of their abilities, which is considerable.
After that, this show becomes a trainwreck. I am a lifelong SciFi fan, and I appreciate fantasy as well. This gave token -- beautiful visually, but token attention to any kind of fidelity to either genre or even with a blend of it. It was sad -- all of it was either garbed in fake, unconvincing jargon, or truncated when they forgot where that idea was going. Bad. Dumb.
And, here's the spoiler: The ending was identical to that of "Crash Landing on You" with the exception of period costumes and props. I was disappointed in CLoY, but this, coming out so soon afterward, was a real letdown.
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