Title: 더 킹: 영원의 군주 | Deo King: Yeong-wonui Gunju | The King Eternal Monarch
Genre: Drama | Fantasy | Romance
Episodes: 16
Broadcast Network: SBS
Broadcast Period: April 17, 2020 to , June 12, 2020
Synopsis:
In 1994, the Kingdom of Corea had a historical tragic event, the King was murdered by his own brother, Lee Lim and the King’s son, Lee Gon, got hurt but survived. Lee Lim took half of the Manpasikjeok, a legendary flute the holds supernatural powers, that was split into half during the altercation. Lee Gon survived with the help of a mysterious figure that left only a police badge, a woman. He became the King and 25 years later as King Lee Gon, who possess the other half of Manpasikjeok, was able to discover the powers of this flute and able to cross a parallel world, The Republic of Korea. In his journey, he finally met the woman who saved him, Detective Jeong Tae-Eul. He and Detective Jeong Tae-Eul, after a tumultuous encounters fell in love, but, they are worlds apart and untoward forces may break them apart as they figure out how they can indeed be together and make their 2 worlds remain true and balance against forces of evil.
Characters:
- Lee Min Ho as Lee Gon
- Kim Go Eun as Jung Tae Eul | Luna
- Woo Do Hwan as Jo Eun Sup | Jo Young
- Kim Kyung Nam as Kang Shin Jae
- Jung Eun Chae as Koo Seo Ryung
- Lee Jung Jin as Lee Rim
- Kim Young Ok as Noh Ok Nam
- Jun Bae Soo as Jung Do In
- Seo Jung Yeon as Song Jung Hye
- Park Won Sang as Park Moon Shik
- Kim Yong Ji as Myung Na Ri | Myung Seung Ah
- Kang Hong Suk as Jang Michael
- Jun Moo Song as Lee Jong In
- Lee Hae Young as Yoo Kyung Moo
- Hwang Young Hee as Min Hwa Yun
- Park Ji Yun (박지연) as Park Ji Young
- Heo Dong Won as Detective Shim
- Ah Shi Ha as Kim Hee Joo
- Song Sang Eun as Kyung Ran
- Baek Hyun Joo as Secretary Mo
- Lee Hong Nae as Suk Ho Pil
- Kang Ki Doong as Kim Bi Seo
- Lee Hwang Ui as Koo Seo Ryung’s Adviser
- Park So Jin as Jo Hae In
- Jang Hae Min
- Kwon Yul as Lee Ho
My Review:
Although, Lee Min Ho is not one of the K-drama actors I swoon towards to but, he has this special magnetic pull towards me that I can’t help but do watch all of his K-dramas. Thus, I got curious if this K-Drama will not suck as “Goblin” with the same writer and actress, Kim Go Eun both taking part on this project. Alas, I must say, it gave me a very good and pleasant surprise.
So, What do I Like About this K-Film?
(1) Lee Min Ho did really chosen a very good k-drama to get back on the saddle after his military discharge. He has matured as an actor and did a splendid job in delivering his character here. Even in cheesy scenes, I can’t help but feel hopelessly romantic with his scenes with Kim Go Eun. He has more chemistry with her than her and Gong Yoo in “Goblin”.
(2) I never did find Kim Go Eun typically beautiful and a great actress in “Goblin”, although, many will disagree with me. However, on this K-drama, she bloomed into a good actress and truly able to portray her roles in the 2 worlds perfectly. On this k-drama, she has revived my love for fantasy romcoms.
(3) I love the flow of the story and, although, their love for each other happen so quickly, still there’s not much time to be bored and twiddle your thumbs like the last few episodes of “Goblin”. The way it was written was clear and consistent with the premise of the fantasy plot it built its foundation on. I also like the scenes when King Lee Gon and Detective Jung Tae Eul will meet up after being separated for quite awhile. It is the first time a leading lady finally can say and act to the leading man, shut up and kiss me.
(4) I love it with when the supporting cast truly is relevant to the story as a whole and not just a filler to make the story longer. The actors also did their part in making their roles someone an audience can care about.
(5) Some of the side stories were also beautifully written such as the bromance between Jo Eun Sup and his counterpart in Kingdom of Corea, Jo Young and the love of a mother whether blood related or not, Kang Shin-Jae. The writer was also able to find a very good way of finding a solution on how King Lee Gon and Detective Jung Tae Eul be able to sustain their love and romance in 2 different worlds that’s acceptable to me as an audience, although, it remains unbelievable. It is, after all, a fantasy genre, so, it becomes forgivable and made me happy as a romcom gal fan.
(6) It’s been quite awhile that I ended up loving quite a lot of the OST in a K-drama.
What I do Not Like About this K-Film?
This is far from a perfect k-drama, however, it is a fantasy and a romcom, thus, whatever is lacking in its logic even within the premise of its fantasy storyline becomes forgivable. This is a better written script than everyone is goggling about before that’s also written by the same writer, Kim Eun-Sook, “Goblin”, in my humble opinion.
It gets confusing because not only that the story deals with time travel but also deals with parallel worlds, plus an element of this kid who is playing a yoyo that seems to be deity that can change and assists the outcome of events or what a character can still remember. It was so liberal in using these science fiction assumptions to make all the events fit and give its audience a happy ending.
Would I recommend this K-Film? Yes
My Rating to this Film
( See My Rating System: ) 4/5 Stars
OST:
01. Dream – Paul Kim
02. You Can’t Stop It From Blooming – Sun Woo Jung Ah
03. My Love – Gummy
04. You’re My End and My – Han Byul | Kim Jae Hwan
05. My Day is Full of You – Zico | Wendy
06. Please Don’t Cry – Davichi
07. Maze – Yong Joo
08. Orbit – Hwa Sa
09. Heart Break – Gaeko | Kim Na Young
10. I Just Want To Stay With You – Zion.T
11. Gravity – Kim Jong Wan of NELL
12. Quiet Night – Hwang Chi Yeul
13. I Fall In Love – Ha Sung Woon
For Lyrics in English, Romanization and Hangul, CLICK HERE