Honestly, I was excited because of Hyun Bin and the graphics, effects and CGI of the "game" here is cool as well but like you said..until it wasn't! Sad ...I stopped at episode 6 and went straight to the ending...boy was I disappointed! But right now...I am thinking of watching it where I left off and giving it a second chance...can you talk some sense into me? LOL
First off, I appreciated your review since you opened your review with the reason why you watched it in the first place until episode 5.
And yes, somehow all those product placement made me cringe big time but I tried to accept that thats the only way this show is going to survive knowing the budget for this show was 30 billion won. But Studio Dragon was very pleased to have earned 30% profit even before the first episode was aired. At least with the ongoing pandemic, there is assurance that this show can survive until the end.
Lacklustre romance. I guess in this part, we have this big difference. I am a practical person myself. But with TKEM, I have learned to appreciate the things that you cannot explain and things that you cannot place any reason from why it happened and why is it happening right now. Believe me, I am more of a liberal arts student ( if you get what I mean). Yes it doesn’t make sense to fall in love with someone just because you saw how big his palace was, how vast his riches were, a proposal out of nowhere but I have learned that not even 23 years together with someone can explain why things happen. Our FL’s character was head-strong, doesn’t believe that the earth is round much more in fairytales. But that’s the beauty in their love story. You thought you will not be swayed but once it hits you…there are no reasons, no facts, no time, no logic to back things up. Nothing. It’s just is. She is for a fact just like a girl too, presented with someone as handsome as Lee Gon but beyond that riches, beyond the power (being king) is someone who is lonely too.
When she asked why she wouldn’t have relatives in this world, Lee Gon mentioned the death of his parents. And that’s when she softened a little bit. For a complete stranger to share a very sad information about himself .. there must be something beyond his egoistic facade. He might be a real human being after all with feelings.
Lee Gon the king that he is. When she asked what kind of king he is, is he a young, handsome and rich king. His answer was neither of the above, rather “A rower, a mathematician, a well-grown orphan and the owner of the Four Tiger Sword. A king who was never asked of such question and is trying his best not to panic.” For him to admit that sometimes, he doesn’t know what he is doing at all since he was born into being a king without the guidance of his parents. But based on what was written on their history and as far as her research on the internet (while she was in KOC), Lee Gon turned out to be a very benevolent king and respected and loved by people in the Kingdom. If people learned to love him that much, then he must be a good person after all. Nowadays, you can easily be mistaken by personalities of people.
Being a detective that she is, she is an expert in deducing conclusions as presented by evidence. But in the case of Lee Gon, she let her guard down and allowed herself to be VULNERABLE. How can you explain that? Somehow that is what the writer Kim Eun Sook is trying to get across. There shouldn’t be a lot of reasons why you CHOOSE to LOVE somebody. Because if you love with a long list…then I guess its not loving at all. :)
Kingdom of Corea. This is one of the reasons why I allowed myself to accept this show as a fantasy that it is. In Lee Gon’s kingdom, nobody dares to go against him. He doesn’t need approval ratings, he doesnt’ need to prove himself to his constituents. Reading on Korea’s many dynasties way back Goryeos and Silla’s dynasty. Even the position of King in those eras isn’t permanent. You have to give up on love for SECURITY as to arranged marriages with a lot of daughters of powerful dynasties. Even when you are king, everybody is plotting to poison you or kill you just to acquire the seat. Even with the present set up with prime ministers and presidents of South Korea, they have advisors and cabinet members to consult before they could decide on things or make a move on things. But here, unbelievably NO ONE dares to question him. Every word he utters is LAW. Kim Eun Sook’s vision of a presidency or kingdom is but a fantasy but what a world would it be especially if the king sitting on the throne is as benevolent yet smart as Lee Gon. What a world it would be indeed even with our existing governments in each other’s country. I could just give out a long sigh for this.
The villain. At first I have to agree with your opinion of him. He was depicted as someone ruthless and doesn’t hesitate to kill just so he could carry out his plans. But I just try to understand where he is coming from. He is after all member of the royal family and I believe his upbringing wasn’t violent enough for him to turn out into a psychopath or something. He was just really after eternal life and the power that the flute can bring. But yes, this show have shown a lot of scenes of planning , of killing a lot of people from the republic and exchanging people and all that, acquiring wealth ( since he really needs to considering he doesn’t have those rare minerals in handy LOL) but I guess 16 episodes isn’t enough to show all these…plus since he killed his future self before he could derive all useful information just shows he is also reckless and clumsy at the same time.
Anyway I guess the reason why I love TKEM is that it made me look at the world in a light and bright manner amidst all the ugly and painful things in it too. Just appreciation of whom you thought at first are insignificant and small but we need even the faintest ray of hope and positivity that will give us enough reason to even muster a smile nowadays. Even the cheekiest and cliche lines like:
“When its fate, there are no coincidences. Your fate is determined by the choices you make, but there are times, when your fate chooses you.Things are bound to happen are taking place even at this moment. I was struck with a sad premonition that this will be short-lived, but I decided to love my fate that chose me. I love you.”
Fate is a hard concept for a math and science person. People usually tell fate to move aside and challenge it. But you can never know what will happen in life. But if there is a place you want to reach even if your life may be at risk ( same is true in love…of loving and being vulnerable and getting hurt along the way) that is fate. The footsteps you take by risking your whole life is what’s fate.
Haha I love your method of checking off your list!
hahaaha i know right? thank you. It's just that I have seen a couple of Korean dramas and there are a lot of similar things especially rom coms and I decided to have the checklist. hahahaah its fun for me. thank you for noticing.
Thank you KES for giving us an epic tale of unselfish yet fated LOVE in a parallel world. Every word, every line, every dialogue cuts straight to the heart. Everything is with depth and meaning thus giving us inspiration to love tirelessly as well. Gomawo
I have to say you are on point on Touch your Heart and throw in on the list Pinocchio as well. Love the show after watching a lot of rom-com lately. I must say I fell down the rabbit hole with the following shows, like I want to keep on falling: The King Eternal Monarch ( although the show is still airing), Itaewon Class, Crash Landing on You ( watched this 3 times and I want to do it again), What's Up with Secretary Kim ( watched this 3 times as well, can't get enough of oppa Park Seo Joon! although I have a hard time with Fight My Way ( not a fan of the FL but good story but not enough though ( too corny for me) and She was Pretty where I have to skip some of the episodes and went straight to the ending, I mean whats the point in all this? ) Anyway, enjoyed your article though. Any other suggestions? I am kind of interested in Mad Dog and Korean Odyssey, what do you think?
1 
And yes, somehow all those product placement made me cringe big time but I tried to accept that thats the only way this show is going to survive knowing the budget for this show was 30 billion won. But Studio Dragon was very pleased to have earned 30% profit even before the first episode was aired. At least with the ongoing pandemic, there is assurance that this show can survive until the end.
Lacklustre romance. I guess in this part, we have this big difference. I am a practical person myself. But with TKEM, I have learned to appreciate the things that you cannot explain and things that you cannot place any reason from why it happened and why is it happening right now. Believe me, I am more of a liberal arts student ( if you get what I mean). Yes it doesn’t make sense to fall in love with someone just because you saw how big his palace was, how vast his riches were, a proposal out of nowhere but I have learned that not even 23 years together with someone can explain why things happen. Our FL’s character was head-strong, doesn’t believe that the earth is round much more in fairytales. But that’s the beauty in their love story. You thought you will not be swayed but once it hits you…there are no reasons, no facts, no time, no logic to back things up. Nothing. It’s just is. She is for a fact just like a girl too, presented with someone as handsome as Lee Gon but beyond that riches, beyond the power (being king) is someone who is lonely too.
When she asked why she wouldn’t have relatives in this world, Lee Gon mentioned the death of his parents. And that’s when she softened a little bit. For a complete stranger to share a very sad information about himself .. there must be something beyond his egoistic facade. He might be a real human being after all with feelings.
Lee Gon the king that he is. When she asked what kind of king he is, is he a young, handsome and rich king. His answer was neither of the above, rather “A rower, a mathematician, a well-grown orphan and the owner of the Four Tiger Sword. A king who was never asked of such question and is trying his best not to panic.”
For him to admit that sometimes, he doesn’t know what he is doing at all since he was born into being a king without the guidance of his parents. But based on what was written on their history and as far as her research on the internet (while she was in KOC), Lee Gon turned out to be a very benevolent king and respected and loved by people in the Kingdom. If people learned to love him that much, then he must be a good person after all. Nowadays, you can easily be mistaken by personalities of people.
Being a detective that she is, she is an expert in deducing conclusions as presented by evidence. But in the case of Lee Gon, she let her guard down and allowed herself to be VULNERABLE. How can you explain that? Somehow that is what the writer Kim Eun Sook is trying to get across. There shouldn’t be a lot of reasons why you CHOOSE to LOVE somebody. Because if you love with a long list…then I guess its not loving at all. :)
Kingdom of Corea. This is one of the reasons why I allowed myself to accept this show as a fantasy that it is. In Lee Gon’s kingdom, nobody dares to go against him. He doesn’t need approval ratings, he doesnt’ need to prove himself to his constituents. Reading on Korea’s many dynasties way back Goryeos and Silla’s dynasty. Even the position of King in those eras isn’t permanent. You have to give up on love for SECURITY as to arranged marriages with a lot of daughters of powerful dynasties. Even when you are king, everybody is plotting to poison you or kill you just to acquire the seat. Even with the present set up with prime ministers and presidents of South Korea, they have advisors and cabinet members to consult before they could decide on things or make a move on things. But here, unbelievably NO ONE dares to question him. Every word he utters is LAW. Kim Eun Sook’s vision of a presidency or kingdom is but a fantasy but what a world would it be especially if the king sitting on the throne is as benevolent yet smart as Lee Gon. What a world it would be indeed even with our existing governments in each other’s country. I could just give out a long sigh for this.
The villain. At first I have to agree with your opinion of him. He was depicted as someone ruthless and doesn’t hesitate to kill just so he could carry out his plans. But I just try to understand where he is coming from. He is after all member of the royal family and I believe his upbringing wasn’t violent enough for him to turn out into a psychopath or something. He was just really after eternal life and the power that the flute can bring. But yes, this show have shown a lot of scenes of planning , of killing a lot of people from the republic and exchanging people and all that, acquiring wealth ( since he really needs to considering he doesn’t have those rare minerals in handy LOL) but I guess 16 episodes isn’t enough to show all these…plus since he killed his future self before he could derive all useful information just shows he is also reckless and clumsy at the same time.
Anyway I guess the reason why I love TKEM is that it made me look at the world in a light and bright manner amidst all the ugly and painful things in it too. Just appreciation of whom you thought at first are insignificant and small but we need even the faintest ray of hope and positivity that will give us enough reason to even muster a smile nowadays. Even the cheekiest and cliche lines like:
“When its fate, there are no coincidences. Your fate is determined by the choices you make, but there are times, when your fate chooses you.Things are bound to happen are taking place even at this moment. I was struck with a sad premonition that this will be short-lived, but I decided to love my fate that chose me. I love you.”
Fate is a hard concept for a math and science person. People usually tell fate to move aside and challenge it. But you can never know what will happen in life. But if there is a place you want to reach even if your life may be at risk ( same is true in love…of loving and being vulnerable and getting hurt along the way) that is fate. The footsteps you take by risking your whole life is what’s fate.
Thank you Jeana for your honest review. :)