O Rei: Monarca Eterno (2020)

Hard to describe

I watched the drama a month after the series finished. Lee.Minho is definitely a looker in this drama. His love interest is not a fave as well but hey this is my personal opinion only. Anyway, friends kept talking about this drama so I started watching it.

It is a drama that will confuse you if you do not pay attention. Parallel worlds with identical people ... how does one explain that? It is cleverly written and I am sure hard to portray.

I felt like the expression of love was a bit subtle. There are moments that moved me but a lot of times, Lee Gon could have shown more, done more towards the girl. I was not convinced that he truly loved her. Must be the facial expression...To be fair, he looked the part, so dashing, tall, and handsome. He did not give up till he found the right Eun ul!

The ending was a bit disappointing for me. I wanted them to be together forever like everyday, not just weekends. They should have resolved the issue of having an identical counterpart so they can marry. But hey it is not my story to tell.

It looks like an expensive drama. It showed class and all.
Lee Min ho , you are so handsome!

Well done to the cast and crew! I tend to thank them in my reviews because they did their darnest to entertain us :):).

Leia Mais

I don't know why but I really enjoyed this drama, I think because it was different, like a story that you don't usually see in dramas.

I think I enjoyed the two different like worlds I guess, like how you were different in another world, and even if you see each other, it's not like you disappear or something!

I think I also enjoyed the mystery of it as well, like it was kinda murder mystery! This is also the drama that made me really like Woo Do-hwan, he was such a good looking bodyguard and was able to portray like two different characters, it felt like two different actors as well ! -

Yeah, I feel like all the different actors were able to portray the other side of them really well, you'd think it was two different people but it was the same! - and I do love the actors outfits in the more richer side of the world - with the glow facemask! Made me really want one -

Leia Mais

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,

Leia Mais

I started watching this drama because of Lee Min Ho & yess...He nailed it.This drama is more amazing because of him .
Kim Go Eun's acting is as always splendid. Their chemistry is beautiful but seeing rushed romance was a bit awkward for me. Although it was still lovely because of Lee Min ho. And it was interesting to see different genre ( science fiction , which is rare in kdramas). A bit confusing because it was difficult for me to remember names of both world's counterpart's
Not disappoint at all, interesting characters like Eun Sap made this drama fascinating ,I loved his both characters.
Background score was mesmerizing but OSTs could be more nice.
At last it is like a treat to Lee min ho lovers
You'll enjoy this beautiful drama without getting frustrated . Worth watching & must watch for Minoz.?❤️

Leia Mais

Loved everything but the end

I don't understand all the criticism around this. I loved the show and I think is not only a love story but a story that makes you think and racionalize things.

The leads have a great chemistry. We don't get the kisses Lee Min Ho got us use to, but that are some of them. And the stories around all the caracters have their own taste.

The way everything is connected makes you greedy for more. When something happens and you think "OMG! This thing!!!" or "This guy"...

I cried, I laughted and I smiled like a stupid girl.

So, I liked everything but the end.

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

What the heck was that??? Ok, they ended up together but... In that way? Like, weekend romance/universe/time travel forever? What about a king with no kids? Does that makes sense? He would have to be replaced, right? I'm just so pis*ed!!!! I think I would even prefer her to be with "him" from her universe than this. I think. I don't know. I just didn't liked this end.
I DEMAND A SECOND SEASON TO MAKE IT UP!!!! But I don't think it will be :(

Leia Mais

Refreshing!

Before this series even aired it had received lot of criticism plus the bad reviews kind of steered me away From this drama but I was just curious! This drama is not everyone cup of tea It was slow paced at first but I found it picked up after a few episodes I quite enjoyed it cause it made me think of all the possible theories! It was refreshing to see a mature straightforward relationship between the two leads people are complaining that their love story moved to fast but It will all make sense later in the drama I found it beautiful! There was a lot of PPL in this drama but it didn’t really bother me I thought some were funny! LMH is just mediocre his acting I think has improved a little it’s more of a matured role for him compared to heirs which I couldn’t finish. KGE has always impressed me she so expressive in her eyes! I think WDH outshined the ML in my opinion! cinematography was beautiful and ost was so good!! I’m glad I didn’t skipped this one!

Leia Mais

This really had so much potential. Needed better and tighter writing. Second half is better and more fast paced but even the ending became disappointing too.

I like the female lead in this one (compared to get in goblin).

Lee min ho was very model like and majestic and ok.

His royal guard and Eun Seop was the shining beacon in all of this. He played his doppleganger and guard self so well.

The relationship between the two leads was far too quick. Suddenly in love and their ending was mildly boring mehhhh

Sorry I wish u could rate higher but it didn't hit the highs I needed it too

Also warnings for all the blatant product placement and they all work really well to get you looking hahahaha

Leia Mais

I don't believe half of these ratings!

I loved it that I watched it twice. The cast did great. How can you not rate this drama high? There were playing two different personalities in two different worlds. Do you know how hard that is? Lee Min Ho was awesome in his acting. Everyone did their part. The costumes were beautiful in Corea World. Just imagine if that was possible. If I can go to another world where there is COVID-19 and Trump was not the President, I'd be very happy. My Woo Do Hwan OMG you are a fine young man, cute too. Again, I was born in the wrong era and country. Those eyes are piercing! I didn't know you can be a little comedic. Kim Go Eun, I love her tomboyish acting in this drama. I loved the storyline. If you rated it low I advise you need to go back and rewatch it.

Leia Mais

This review will be a little long, but it is necessary. Please read carefully and calmly.

To give my opinion on this drama, I must put it in its great and fair perspective: WE ARE ADULTS AND THIS IS A FAIRY TALE FOR ADULTS. We all have an inner child, who from time to time, for our mental hygiene, manifests itself.
THE FAIRY TALE DEFINITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
In children's literature the genre of the story is especially valued. There are children's stories of all kinds: classic and traditional, fables, legends and mythical stories adapted or fairy tales.
KEY FEATURES:
The stories that are told are fantastic and appear imaginary beings who share adventures with human characters.
The natural and supernatural dimension intermingled. In this sense, there are characters who change their appearance, others who live eternally, natural elements with feelings and endless magical aspects.
In the tales there is a permanent tension between the forces of good and evil, but eventually the stories end with a happy ending.

IN UNIVERSAL CULTURE:
These tales are part of humanity's cultural heritage. With them the little ones feed their fantasy world, since in children magical thinking plays a relevant role. However, beyond children's stories, in fairy tales we find other elements that also interest adults: the craving for freedom, the pursuit of happiness and the need to daydream.

In every fairy tale there is a handsome prince, who rides in a white steed, in search of his princess. There is a villain, eviler than anyone, there is a fool and a bad witch.

The Prince: King Lee Gon
The White Steed: Maximus
The Prince's Squire: Jo Young
The Princess: Jung Tae Eul
The Villain: Lee Lim
The Witch: Koo Seu Ryung
The Fool: Kang Shin Jae
The Fairy: The Yoyo Kid
The Fairy's Magic Wand: The Flute and the Yo-Yo

And to really enjoy this dorama, we must let our inner child breathe, and manifest himself, and let us not drown him with our meanness and worries. This is a necessary exercise for our good mental hygiene. We must be excited in life.
Fairy tales do not seek to teach on a specific topic, nor are they literature to contribute to our intellect and spirit, because they only serve to ENTERTAIN. They only present the struggle between good and evil, and how good overcomes evil. And present the struggle for ideals. THIS IS A MODERN ADULT FAIRY TALE. THAT’S IT.
Fairy tales are often taken on the license to take some elements outside of culture, and that are not necessarily entirely historical.
If we take this into account, we cannot get so angry with the scriptwriter, because she just wanted to blow our imaginations, in a world as complicated as the one we are living in right now (Coronavirus, global tensions, problems of global economy, etc.)
What if the Netizens criticized whether to analyze or give the screenwriter the opportunity, which allowed the King to dress him in a royal hanbok of the Joseon Dynasty and wear on his head a crown of the Silla Kingdom (THING THAT HAS A REAL MEANING, WHICH LATER WE WILL SEE, STILL A HISTORICAL ERROR).
And what that if the Netizens returned to criticize that the seat of the Kingdom was in Busan and that Seoul is the political capital, and especially the tantrum that these same Netizens formed by the Japanese pagodas of the "opening", and also the tantrum that they formed because, if the Kingdom is united and the Republic separated from the North, (THINGS THAT MAKE SENSE, WHEN THEY ARE ANALYZED, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE HISTORICAL ERRORS.) We must be like children and be more condescending with this drama, if we take "The King: Eternal Monarch "like an adult fairy tale that only served to make our imaginations run wild. Of course, I think that all Korean physicists and mathematicians who are serious professionals, should be RAGING seeing how most of how THEY DESTROYED SO SERIOUS THEORIES, FOR THE PURPOSE OF A HISTORY, WHICH NOT EVEN THE SAME LEE MIN HO DID NOT UNDERSTAND, BUT Despite all this, these are elements and licenses that a good writer needs to take to make a good fairy tale.
And as for the end, one incredibly happy, because as in every fairy tale, the prince stays with the princess and they are happy to stay. (OF COURSE; WITH A MODERN TWIST. THEY DID NOT MARRY AND WERE SNEAKING TO LOOK LIKE LOVERS ON WEEKENDS.)

GOOD THINGS:


BUDGET:
The cost of production: $25 MILLION DOLLARS. The special effects were excellent, the Korean tourist sites were exposed to attract tourism.

COSTUME:
The costume may have been more exuberant, according to that production budget. But nevertheless, they all dressed elegantly.

PERFORMANCE:
Excellent! A dream cast, who worked as pieces engaged with each other. Lee Min Ho as the King (the fairy tale prince of the story) fully completed his work. Handsome, tall, sportsman, excellent action actor (Remember his performance in City Hunter), the inexhaustible Lady Noh, the villain Lee Rim, the one we all hate, the beloved Jo Young, the Unbreakable Sword, the conflicted and suffered Shin Jae, the hateful Prime Minister Koo Seu Ryung. Jung Tae Eul, the princess of the story, a tough girl with a tender heart, I have nothing negative to say of them. I did not like that the President of the Republic of Korea never appeared, and that it should have been Lee Gon’s double.

THE OST
The soundtrack of this drama is superb.

THE FLUTE, REAL, HISTORICAL AND MYSTERIOUS
The Manpasikjeok,a legendary flute believed to calm the seas and drive away any concerns. The bamboo flute was called" Manpasikjeok”, which means a flute that calms ten thousand waves and became a national treasure. Apparently, ten thousand waves here refer to all kinds of hardships or storms of life. Some say this legend reflects the Silla dynasty's desire to bring people displaced from two other kingdoms that it had unified and establish peace and stability in the United Kingdom of Silla. And we see here how the screenwriter, like a good Korean, wants the unification of the peninsula, a national desire.

WHY THE CROWN OF THE KINGDOM OF SILLA?

The Netizens were superficial because they did not relate this crown to the Manpasikjeok flute, both of which come from the same historical place. We must think twice about things before saying them, you should not be superficial, everything in the dramas has a meaning, we must be critical in our way of thinking. It is an advice I give to the Netizens.

WHY BUSAN?
Because Busan is nestled in the former capital of Silla. (at the south of Korean Peninsula.)

WHY IS LEE GON THE THIRD KING OF THE KINGDOM OF KOREA?

Because this kingdom was established in the drama after Korean independence from Japan. That's how it should have been naturally if the nation had not been divided later as a result of the Korean War in 1950.

IDEALS PRESENTED THE DRAMA:
The author presents in a veiled way Judeo-Christian element (The tree of life in paradise, Adam and Eve, the Devil, the concept of limbo, the seeds that are born in a New Land.) But these same elements could also represent a Unified Korea, North And South Korea and the limbo could be the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), the Japanese invasion, subliminally seen in the much criticized "opening" of the pagodas. Because this drama, like a good fairy tale, makes our imaginations fly.

THE YOYO BOY
The yo-yo's boy is the spirit of the flute, and according to everyone they had a double in the other world, twice as much of the flute was the yo-yo.
Yoyo's boy is really a girl!!

NOT SO GOOD THINGS AND MISTAKES

THIS PRODUCTION WAS UNTIMELY PRESENTED.

This production aired on the wrong time, because he had the bad luck to compete with the drama "The World of the Married".

SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN WERE AT A LOW POINT IN THEIR DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.

Remember that the invasion of Japan in 1910 is still very present in the collective psyche of Korea. And at the time of the dorama premiere, they were going through a diplomatic problem, so the naval battle of Korea and Japan in the dorama fell so badly, and the famous "opening" pagodas (even if they make sense).

THE RUN-OUT END

This drama must have been 20 to 24 episodes for everything to be resolved in a calm and coherent manner. I think that Goblin's open ending, which left a bad taste in many viewers, along with the bad reputation of the writer, for writing these controversial endings, was still present in the collective mind of all viewers. The ending was too muffled and forced, even though hardcore fans of Lee Min Ho found it perfect. But I am more objective. I look at everything objectively.

COSTUME AND HAIRSTYLE

As for the wardrobe, despite being a worthy and elegant one, it did not have the majesty that a king deserves, no matter how modern the time. The female lead could have been better dressed and her hairstyles could have been more feminine at times

LEE MIN HO'S MISGUIDED COMMENTS, SAYING HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THIS DRAMA.

These misguided comments from Lee Min Ho were only fuel for the Netizens, who always gave the impression of having a hate agenda against him and against the writer. Based on Lee Min Ho's misguided comments, then the drama should have been offered to an actor who mastered the themes of quantum physics and abstract mathematics, such as Kim Jeong Hoon, Prince Yul of The Princess Hours. He is also a handsome actor, extremely attractive and exceptionally good in the action genre. And based on this, he would have done a better job, of course, Lee Min Ho's work was very good, but it would have been much better if this actor had played him, because he would have endorsed the character, much more than Lee Min Ho.

LACK OF TRUE INFORMATION
But they failed to search for consistent information for scenes such as the sea battle (where they used Korean navy ships, and not the Japanese navy), and mistakes made with Maximus' saddle, which was an English saddle, and was too simple, unworthy of a king.

These are my final thoughts of the drama. If you want to see a modern fairy tale, I recommend the drama, just for fun, without paying much attention to the mistakes. And personally, I would slap the producers for destroying a drama that could have been the drama of the year, because a budget of 25 million dollars is no small matter. And I ask the screenwriter to stop giving us hasty endings.

You do not have to totally agree with me.

Leia Mais

This drama had a lot of potential. Star studded cast, excellent writer, great lineup of osts. However proper execution and planning led this drama downhill. Firstly the romance felt so rushed, they didn't give viewers time to relate and didn't really give the depth and realism that a viewer like me would have liked. In simple terms there was no chemistry between the leads as they didn't not have enough build up for that to happen. Secondly the villain barely had a presence, showed in the first part of the story only to return in the last quarter. We should have more of a background of the villain and seen more of them. The romance overshowed the entire plot and to be put it nicely it was a waste of such talented actors. I wish the writer would have focused more on the link between the two worlds rather than the romance. The romance should have been more slow burn and passionate.

Leia Mais