I recently finished watching The King Eternal Monarch and loved it! It was quite a journey through parallel worlds, alternate timeliness, and royal power struggles, wrapped up in a love story that felt both epic and intimate at the same time.
This drama gave me goosebumps, had me asking questions, and kept me coming back for more — all the way to the bittersweet end.
The Scene That Stole the Show
Let’s start with one of my favorite moments!
In Episode 12, King Lee Gon, played by Lee Min Ho (이민호), is seen galloping down a modern city street, in the Kingdom of Corea, on his royal white steed, sword in hand, just in the nick of time to save the woman he loves — Detective Jung Tae-Eul, played by Kim Go Eun (김고은).
As he rides past her, heading for the group of traitors trying to kill her, he yells to his royal guard (who are also following him on horseback), “Protect her. She’s the future Queen!”. He then dives off his horse launching into a full-blown sword fight mid-traffic in a modern-day metropolis. Chills!
Tell me that’s not one of the most iconic K-drama scenes ever. 💥🐎
Parallel Worlds, Royal Power, and a Mythical Flute
The King: Eternal Monarch takes place in a world where the modern-day Korea, The Republic of Korea, collides with a parallel universe called The Kingdom of Corea — a fictional monarchy where the King still holds power.
At the center of the conflict is a mythical flute called the Manpasikjeok, said to grant eternal life and open a portal between the two worlds. That power becomes the obsession of traitors, driving a plot filled with deception, suspense, and high-stakes emotional moments.
What unfolds is not just a political drama — it’s also a sci-fi thriller, a mystery, and a sweeping romance all at once.
Complex Timelines, Double Lives, and Layered Characters
This show plays with time travel, identity confusion, and parallel timelines in a way that keeps you constantly guessing.
You never know who’s trustworthy or who’s about to betray someone — which makes every episode suspenseful and addictive.
I really enjoyed watching the actors play dual versions of themselves in each world. The actors portray both roles so distinctly that every counterpart felt like a totally unique person. They nailed it!
At the center of it all is an epic love story between King Lee Gon and Detective Jung Tae-Eul. Their relationship is tested by shifting timelines, alternate realities and royal responsibilities which adds a unique depth to their connection. Their love story unfolds slowly, elegantly, and with just the right amount of heartbreak.
Visually Stunning, Emotionally Rich
Let’s talk aesthetics:
The visuals in this show are absolutely gorgeous — from the cinematography to the lighting to the royal costume design is regal perfection, and the use of color and setting helps underscore the emotional beats of the story.
The acting is incredible across the board, but the chemistry between Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun is what grounds the story. They carry the weight of destiny, duty, and longing so beautifully.
A Bittersweet Ending That Felt Right
The ending isn’t a perfect fairytale… but it’s not a tragedy either. It’s somewhere in the bittersweet middle, and that felt right for this story.
Life, even in parallel universes, doesn’t always tie things up neatly. And The King Eternal Monarch isn’t afraid to sit with that complexity.
Final Thoughts 
For me, The King Eternal Monarch gets 5 out of 5 Finger Hearts.
If you’re into:
- Love stories with real emotional weight
- Well-choreographed sword fights and palace intrigue
- Sci-fi timelines and parallel world drama
...then this drama will absolutely pull you in.
While this K-drama sparked controversy in Korea over politically sensitive visuals, that didn’t detract from the emotional and narrative power of the show for me.
This show gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.
Have you watched The King Eternal Monarch?
What did you think? Let me know in the comments 👇 — I’d love to hear your take!
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