“The King: Eternal Monarch” is a time-travel drama that starts as a slow burn and ends as a full-throttle sci-fi spectacle. The 2020 series follows Lee Tae-eon, played by Lee Min-ho, who is the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Corea. He discovers that he can travel between two parallel universes: one where the kingdom exists as a monarchy, and one where Korea is a technocratic democracy called the Republic of Corea. The catch is that every decision he makes in one universe ripples into the other. The show asks a simple question: what if you could change history, but the cost was everything you loved?
The premise is ambitious, and the execution mostly delivers. The show earned a TMDB audience score of 8.2/10, and that number feels about right. It is a show that rewards patience, even when it drags in the middle.
Trailer, via Netflix K-Content.
The Two Worlds
The series opens with a murder. Lee Tae-eon is framed for the death of his father, the king, and he flees into the parallel universe of the Republic of Corea. There, he takes on a new identity as Lee Jin-geon, a detective in the National Intelligence Service. His counterpart in the other world, Lee Ji-hoon, is a prosecutor in the Kingdom of Corea.
The show spends its first few episodes establishing the rules of the multiverse. Time loops exist. Characters can be erased from existence if their counterparts make different choices. The science-fiction logic is explained through dialogue, and it is mostly coherent. The writers avoid the trap of making the rules too flexible, which keeps the stakes grounded.
The two worlds are distinct enough to feel like separate countries. The Kingdom of Corea is feudal and aristocratic, with a rigid social hierarchy. The Republic of Corea is modern and meritocratic, with a strong emphasis on technology and efficiency. The contrast is used to explore themes of freedom versus order, tradition versus progress, and the nature of power itself.
Lee Min-ho’s Dual Performance
Lee Min-ho carries the show. He plays both Lee Tae-eon and Lee Jin-geon, and the performance requires him to switch between a prince and a detective. The prince is formal, reserved, and deeply loyal to his family. The detective is street-smart, sarcastic, and willing to bend the law. Min-ho manages to make them feel like different people rather than the same actor in a wig.
The supporting cast is strong. Kim So-yoon plays Kang Chae-young, a police officer in the Republic of Corea who becomes Lee Jin-geon’s partner and eventually falls in love with him. Her character is initially skeptical of him, but she grows to trust him completely. Her arc is one of the best in the show, moving from professional rivalry to romantic connection with genuine chemistry.
Park Ji-hwan plays Lee Tae-eon’s uncle, the Crown Prince’s regent in the Kingdom of Corea. He is a schemer who wants power for himself, and he sees Lee Tae-eon as a threat. His scenes are tense, and he provides a clear antagonist for the early episodes. The show also introduces a group of rebels in the Republic of Corea who want to restore the monarchy. Their leader, played by Jung Won-jong, adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape.
The Midseason Slowdown
The middle stretch of the show is where it loses some momentum. The plot involves a lot of chasing after clues, decoding symbols, and waiting for the next time loop to activate. Some viewers might find the pacing sluggish, especially after the fast-paced opening.
The show also introduces a subplot involving a virus that threatens both worlds. This adds a ticking-clock element, but it does not fully integrate with the main story of the parallel universes. The two plots run in parallel for a while before they converge in the final episodes. The convergence is well-handled, but the middle section feels like filler.
The romance between Lee Jin-geon and Kang Chae-young is a bright spot during this period. Their relationship develops slowly, with Kang Chae-young gradually falling for Lee Jin-geon despite her initial doubts. The show handles the romance with restraint, and it never overshadows the larger stakes of the multiverse.
The Final Stretch
The last few episodes are where the show shines. The writers finally open the throttle, and the story becomes a non-stop action-adventure. The reveal about the true nature of the multiverse is a twist that changes the meaning of everything that came before. The show builds to a climax that is both emotional and explosive, with characters making choices that reshape reality itself.
The finale brings together the two worlds in a way that feels earned. The characters who seemed lost in the middle chapters get their moments. The show ends on a note that is both conclusive and open-ended, leaving room for a potential sequel.
The special effects are decent, though not groundbreaking. The show relies on practical sets and green screens to create the parallel worlds, and it mostly succeeds. The time-loop sequences are well-executed, with the show using visual cues to signal when the timeline shifts. The music score, composed by Yoo Young-jin, is atmospheric and fits the tone of the show.
What Works
- The dual-universe concept is executed with discipline.
- Lee Min-ho’s dual performance is convincing.
- The romance between Lee Jin-geon and Kang Chae-young is well-written.
- The final stretch delivers a satisfying payoff.
- The show explores interesting philosophical questions about free will and determinism.
What Doesn’t Work
- The midseason pacing drags.
- The virus subplot feels disconnected from the main story.
- Some of the supporting characters are underdeveloped.
- The show leans heavily on exposition in the early episodes.
A Worthwhile Watch
“The King: Eternal Monarch” is a show that is best consumed in chunks. The slow middle section might frustrate viewers who want constant action, but the payoff in the final episodes is substantial. The show is a thoughtful exploration of time, choice, and identity, wrapped in a commercial package that delivers spectacle.
It is not perfect, but it is ambitious. The show attempts something that few dramas attempt, and it mostly succeeds. The score of 8.2/10 feels fair. It is a show that rewards attention, patience, and a willingness to follow its strange logic. If you are looking for a binge-worthy series with a twisty plot and a strong lead performance, this is a solid recommendation.
The show is available on Netflix. It is a commitment, but it is a rewarding one. The final episodes justify the investment, and the journey there is filled with moments of genuine tension and surprise. The time loops, the parallel worlds, and the characters who inhabit them are all worth spending time with.
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