“Let’s go together, to my world.” – Lee Gon (The King : Eternal Monarch)
In a world split between parallel universes, the line between destiny and choice begins to blur. ‘The King: Eternal Monarch’, a 2020 romantic fantasy K-drama, follows Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) as he discovers a portal connecting the modern Republic of Korea and the fictional Kingdom of Corea.
Blending love, fate, and power with political intrigue and magical twists, the series offers breathtaking visuals, a compelling plot, and standout performances, making it a must-watch for fans of fantasy romance.
Series: The King: Eternal Monarch
Where to watch: Netflix
Cast: Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun, Woo Do-hwan, Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae, and Lee Jung-jin
Written by: Kim Eun-sook
Directed by: Baek Sang-hoon, Jung Ji-hyun, and Yoo Je-won
The Plot
Lee Gon, the modern-day emperor of the Kingdom of Corea, attempts to cross the barrier into an alternate world where the Republic of Korea exists instead of the monarchy. In this world, he meets investigator Jeong Tae-eul (played by Kim Go-eun), a woman he recognizes from an identity card connected to a traumatic event from his past, the assassination of his father. As Lee Gon travels between these two parallel worlds, his treacherous half-uncle, Lee Lim (played by Lee Jung-jin), the man responsible for the murder of King Lee Ho (Lee Gon’s father), remains in hiding and is gathering forces to challenge the throne.
The Characters
Lee Gon / Lee Ji-hun (played by Lee Min-ho)
Lee Gon is the third emperor of the Kingdom of Corea, a man of intellect, athleticism, and deep emotional restraint. A gifted mathematician, equestrian, and rower, he is rarely seen without his majestic white horse, Maximus. Behind his regal demeanor lies a guarded soul, one that is uncomfortable with physical contact and slow to trust. At the age of eight, his world was shattered when he witnessed the assassination of his father, King Lee Ho, at the hands of his half-uncle, Lee Lim. In a twist of fate, a mysterious figure bearing Jeong Tae-eul’s ID saved him from death that night, an image that haunts and guides him as he navigates between parallel worlds.
In the alternate world, his counterpart, Lee Ji-hun, was a young boy who tragically lost his life when Lee Lim crossed over after murdering the king.
Jeong Tae-eul / Luna (played by Kim Go-eun)
Jeong Tae-eul is a determined and tough investigator with the Violent Crimes Squad of the Republic of Korea’s National Police Agency. Strong-willed and fiercely grounded, she grew up inspired by crime dramas and chose to dedicate her life to justice.
Her doppelgänger in the Kingdom of Corea is Luna, a criminal born in the shadows of Busan’s slums, with no family, identity, or legal existence. Luna’s life spiraled into crime, marked by arrests for theft, assault, and forgery. Now terminally ill with organ failure caused by cancer, Luna’s days are numbered, adding urgency and complexity to her path.
Jo Yeong / Jo Eun-sup (played by Woo Do-hwan)
Jo Yeong is the stoic and formidable captain of the Royal Guard in the Kingdom of Corea and Lee Gon’s closest friend since childhood. At the young emperor’s coronation, Jo Yeong swore unwavering loyalty to both the throne and the man who occupies it, regarding Lee Gon as both his king and his law.
In the Republic of Korea, his cheerful and carefree counterpart, Jo Eun-sup, is currently serving in the military as part of the National Police Agency. Light-hearted and playful, Eun-sup is devoted to his family, helping raise his mischievous twin siblings, Eun-bi and Kka-bi, and quietly harbors feelings for his childhood friend, Myeong Na-ri.
Kang Shin-jae / Kang Hyeon-min (played by Kim Kyung-nam)
Detective Kang Shin-jae is another member of the Violent Crimes Squad in the Republic of Korea. His early life seemed stable until it crumbled under the weight of his mother’s gambling addiction and his father’s imprisonment for embezzlement. Emotionally scarred yet quietly loyal, he has harbored unspoken feelings for Jeong Tae-eul since their high school days.
In the Kingdom of Corea, his counterpart, Kang Hyeon-min, leads a very different life, shaped by the altered course of their shared fate.
Koo Seo-ryeong / Koo Eun-ah (played by Jung Eun-chae)
Koo Seo-ryeong is the Kingdom of Corea’s youngest and first female prime minister, brilliant, poised, and ruthlessly ambitious. Despite a humble upbringing with a hardworking mother and an alcoholic father, she climbed the political ladder, first as a diplomat, then as an announcer, and finally into the prime minister’s seat. Her marriage to the chairman of KU Group was short-lived, ending in divorce and alimony, a move that only fueled her thirst for power. Now, her eyes are set on the throne itself.
Her counterpart in the Republic of Korea, Koo Eun-ah, mirrors her in form but lives an entirely separate life, grounded in a different reality.
Lee Lim / Lee Seong-jae (played by Lee Jung-jin)
Lee Lim, also known as Prince Imperial Geum, is the illegitimate half-brother of King Lee Ho and the man behind the royal assassination. Obsessed with obtaining the legendary Manpasikjeok, a mythical flute believed to grant immortality, Lee Lim kills the king and steals the artifact. Before young Lee Gon intervenes with the Four Tiger Sword and shatters the flute in two, Lee Lim escapes to the parallel universe, murdering his alternate self there. Now, in hiding, he works to reclaim the flute’s second half from Lee Gon, seeking ultimate control over time and space itself.
What made the show popular?
- Bold blend of fantasy and romance: The show captivated audiences with its unique premise, a modern emperor from a fictional kingdom (the Kingdom of Corea) discovering a portal to a parallel world: contemporary South Korea. With elements like time travel, a mythical flute, and royal intrigue, the series offered a refreshing sci-fi twist rarely explored in romance-heavy K-dramas.
- Lee Min-ho’s highly anticipated comeback: After his military service, Lee Min-ho’s return to the small screen created a media frenzy. Known for his iconic roles in hits like ‘Boys Over Flowers’ and ‘The Heirs’, his comeback alone generated massive pre-release buzz and viewer anticipation.
- Kim Eun-sook’s signature screenwriting: Penned by Kim Eun-sook, the powerhouse writer behind ‘Goblin’ and ‘Descendants of the Sun’, the drama delivered her trademark mix of destiny-driven romance, poetic monologues, and high-stakes emotional tension, drawing in fans of her previous works.
- Cinematic quality and stunning visuals: With grand sets, beautiful cinematography, and scenes shot like a high-budget film, especially the palace visuals and horseback scenes with Lee Gon’s iconic white horse, Maximus, the production looked and felt luxurious. The immersive score and attention to detail added to its high-end appeal.
- Magnetic lead chemistry: Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun brought depth to their roles as Emperor Lee Gon and detective Jeong Tae-eul. Their contrasting worlds, one royal and surreal, the other grounded and realistic, sparked a slow-burn romance full of emotional weight and nuance.
- Compelling antagonist and dark backstory: The main villain, Lee Lim (Lee Gon’s uncle), added a chilling and intelligent layer to the plot. His manipulation of time and people across dimensions created suspenseful twists, keeping viewers guessing as the story unfolded.
- Widespread international reach via Netflix: The drama’s availability on Netflix ensured it reached a global audience. With Lee Min-ho’s international stardom and the universal appeal of Korean dramas on the rise, the series became a hit in regions like Southeast Asia, the U.S., and Europe.
- Concept of time travel: The drama dared to mix royal fantasy, multidimensional travel, heart-tugging romance, and philosophical depth, all anchored by powerful performances and world-class production. Its genre-defying nature and emotional storytelling made it a standout in the K-drama world.
‘The King: Eternal Monarch’ may have stirred debate among viewers for its intricate timeline and dense mythology, but its bold vision, cinematic scope, and emotional core helped it leave a significant mark on the world of K-dramas. It wasn’t just another romance; it was a genre-blending epic that fused science fiction, fantasy, suspense, and heartfelt storytelling.
At its heart, the drama explored deep themes of destiny, justice, duality, and love across realities. It invited audiences to think about choices, sacrifice, and the fine line between fate and free will, all wrapped in the emotional journey of characters who were complex, flawed, and deeply human, despite their otherworldly circumstances.
Even after the final episode, the questions it raises and the emotions it evokes linger long after the screen fades to black.
Written by – MANSHA CHAUHAN
Connect with us on Instagram | X | YouTube for more content, interviews, & news.
