The King: Eternal Monarch K-Drama Introduction
First, an important clarification: The King: Eternal Monarch is not a Bollywood movie. It is a South Korean fantasy-romance television drama that originally aired on SBS in 2020 and was released internationally through Netflix. The series stars Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun and Woo Do-hwan, with a story built around parallel worlds, royalty, romance and a mysterious magical gateway.
Written by Kim Eun-sook, the screenwriter behind popular dramas including The Heirs, Descendants of the Sun and Goblin, the series arrived with considerable expectations. It also marked Lee Min-ho's return to television after his military service, making the project particularly anticipated.
But The King: Eternal Monarch is not a straightforward romance. Its story asks viewers to keep track of two versions of Korea, characters with counterparts in another world, political intrigue and a time-related mystery.
That ambition is both the drama's biggest attraction and, for some viewers, its biggest weakness.
In this The King Eternal Monarch K-Drama Review, we look at the story, performances, fantasy concept, direction, music, Netflix availability, ending and whether this 16-episode K-drama is still worth watching.
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
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The King: Eternal Monarch Story and Plot
The drama begins with Lee Gon, the emperor of the Kingdom of Corea, a fictional modern constitutional monarchy existing in a parallel universe.
When Lee Gon discovers a mysterious portal connecting his world to another reality, he crosses over and arrives in the Republic of Korea, a country that looks familiar but operates completely differently from his own kingdom.
There he meets Jung Tae-eul, a detective in the Republic of Korea.
For Lee Gon, the encounter is especially important because he believes Tae-eul is connected to a mysterious event from his childhood. Tae-eul, however, has a much more practical reaction to the strange man claiming to be a king from another universe.
As the two become closer, the story expands beyond romance.
The existence of the parallel worlds is connected to a dangerous conspiracy involving Lee Lim, Lee Gon's uncle. The struggle for power, the mysterious gateway and the existence of alternate versions of familiar people gradually become central to the plot.
This makes The King Eternal Monarch story quite different from a typical Korean romance. The love story is important, but it operates inside a much larger fantasy mystery.
The series expects viewers to pay attention to relationships between characters, their alternate-world counterparts and the rules governing the two universes.
Cast and Characters
Lee Min-ho as Lee Gon
Lee Min-ho plays Lee Gon, the emperor of the Kingdom of Corea.
Lee Gon is intelligent, curious and unusually calm for someone carrying the responsibilities of a monarch. His scientific interest in the mysterious portal eventually takes him into the parallel world.
The role gives Lee Min-ho the opportunity to play both a romantic lead and a ruler dealing with political and personal danger.
Kim Go-eun as Jung Tae-eul
Kim Go-eun plays Jung Tae-eul, a detective in the Republic of Korea.
Unlike Lee Gon, Tae-eul initially has no reason to believe that parallel worlds exist. Her practical personality creates an entertaining contrast with the emperor's certainty about his own identity.
Kim Go-eun also plays Luna, a character from the alternate world, adding another layer to her performance.
Woo Do-hwan in Dual Roles
One of the most interesting parts of the cast is Woo Do-hwan, who plays two significantly different characters: Jo Young, Lee Gon's loyal royal guard in the Kingdom of Corea, and Jo Eun-seob, a public-service worker in the Republic of Korea.
The contrast between the two characters allows Woo Do-hwan to move between serious royal-guard scenes and lighter comedy.
Supporting Cast
The drama also features Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae, Lee Jung-jin and Kim Young-ok in important roles. Netflix's current listing confirms these principal cast members.
Lee Jung-jin plays Lee Lim, whose actions drive much of the central conflict, while Jung Eun-chae plays Koo Seo-ryeong, an ambitious political figure in the Kingdom of Corea.
Performance and Acting
The cast is one of the strongest reasons to watch the series.
Lee Min-ho fits the larger-than-life image of Lee Gon, particularly in scenes where the character has to project confidence as a monarch. His chemistry with Kim Go-eun provides the emotional centre of the drama.
Kim Go-eun has the more complicated task because Tae-eul needs to react believably to a situation that initially sounds completely impossible. Her character gradually becomes more emotionally involved while still retaining her detective's practical personality.
However, Woo Do-hwan arguably gets one of the most interesting acting challenges. His two characters occupy very different emotional spaces, and the drama uses their contrasting personalities for both tension and comedy.
The supporting cast also helps keep the parallel-world concept from becoming purely exposition-heavy.
Direction and Screenplay
The screenplay was written by Kim Eun-sook, while the drama's directing credits include Baek Sang-hoon and Jung Ji-hyun, with AsianWiki also listing Yoo Je-won in the directing credits.
The biggest creative gamble is the parallel-universe structure.
Instead of slowly introducing a simple fantasy element, the story builds an entire alternate version of Korea. The writers therefore have to establish different political systems, relationships, identities and histories while simultaneously developing the central romance.
When the pieces fit together, the concept is genuinely intriguing.
But this is also where the series can become difficult to follow. Contemporary reviews noted that some viewers found the parallel-world storyline confusing and the pacing uneven. The Korea Times reported criticism of the show's complicated story and directing during its original broadcast.
That criticism is fair. The drama rewards viewers who enjoy paying close attention, but it is not the easiest K-drama to watch casually while doing something else.
Genre and Major Themes
The King: Eternal Monarch combines several genres:
- Fantasy
- Romance
- Mystery
- Drama
- Parallel-world science fiction/fantasy
- Political intrigue
Netflix currently categorises it as a Korean fantasy and romantic TV drama.
Parallel Worlds
The central theme is the possibility of different realities developing from the same history.
The drama uses alternate versions of familiar characters to explore how different circumstances can create completely different personalities and lives.
Fate and Choice
The characters repeatedly face situations where fate seems predetermined, yet their choices continue to affect what happens.
Love Across Worlds
The romance between Lee Gon and Tae-eul becomes more complicated because they do not simply come from different backgrounds—they come from different realities.
Power and Betrayal
The political storyline surrounding Lee Gon and Lee Lim adds a darker dimension to the otherwise romantic fantasy.
Music, OST and Visuals
The visual presentation is one of the drama's more noticeable strengths.
The royal setting, modern Seoul locations, forests, palace interiors and fantasy sequences give the series a polished large-scale appearance.
The soundtrack also plays an important role. The OST includes songs from artists such as Zion.T, Hwasa, Kim Jong-wan, Yongzoo, Ha Sung-woon, Davichi, Paul Kim, Gummy, Zico and Wendy.
Songs such as "I Just Want To Stay With You," "Orbit," "Gravity," "Please Don't Cry," "My Day Is Full of You" and "My Love" help establish the romantic and mysterious mood.
The instrumental score is equally important during the fantasy and political sequences, where the show needs to make its parallel universe feel grand rather than ordinary.
The King: Eternal Monarch – Release and Series Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The King: Eternal Monarch |
| Korean Title | 더 킹: 영원의 군주 |
| Release Year | 2020 |
| Original Release Date | April 17 – June 12, 2020 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Genre | Fantasy, Romance, Drama |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Network | SBS |
| Director | Baek Sang-hoon, Jung Ji-hyun, Yoo Je-won |
| Writer | Kim Eun-sook |
| Production | Hwa&Dam Pictures, Studio Dragon |
| Main Cast | Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun, Woo Do-hwan, Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae, Lee Jung-jin |
| Approx. Runtime | Around 70–79 minutes per episode |
| Netflix India Rating | U/A 16+ |
AsianWiki confirms the 16-episode format and original April 17 to June 12, 2020 broadcast period. Netflix India currently lists the series as a 2020 fantasy title with a U/A 16+ rating.
The King: Eternal Monarch Trailer Review
The official Netflix trailer establishes the central idea very quickly: a king enters an alternate universe through a mysterious gateway and encounters a detective who appears to be the person he has been searching for.
The trailer focuses on three elements:
- Lee Gon's royal identity.
- His encounter with Tae-eul.
- The mysterious connection between the two worlds.
The visual scale is immediately noticeable, with palace settings, horses, forests, modern Korean streets and fantasy imagery creating a world that feels considerably larger than a conventional romantic drama.
The trailer also makes it clear that romance will be important, but it does not reveal the major mysteries surrounding the parallel worlds.
The King: Eternal Monarch OTT and Netflix Details
For viewers in India, The King: Eternal Monarch is currently available to stream on Netflix. JustWatch's India listing, checked in September 2026, identifies Netflix as the current streaming service.
Netflix India's official page currently lists the series with 16 episodes, a U/A 16+ rating and the main cast led by Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun and Woo Do-hwan.
Because streaming catalogues can change, viewers outside India should check their local Netflix catalogue.
What Works in The King: Eternal Monarch?
1. An ambitious fantasy concept
The parallel-world premise gives the drama an identity beyond a standard romance.
2. Strong star cast
Lee Min-ho, Kim Go-eun and Woo Do-hwan bring enough screen presence to carry a complicated story.
3. Woo Do-hwan's dual roles
The contrast between Jo Young and Jo Eun-seob gives the series some of its most entertaining character moments.
4. Attractive production design
The combination of royal architecture, modern Korea and fantasy locations creates a visually rich world.
5. Memorable OST
The soundtrack features a particularly strong collection of Korean singers and several emotionally effective tracks.
What May Not Work for Everyone?
The biggest issue is complexity.
The drama asks viewers to remember two worlds and multiple versions of characters while also following political events and a time-related mystery.
Some viewers may find the early episodes difficult to process because the rules of the parallel worlds are not always explained in the simplest possible way.
The series also received criticism during its original run for complicated storytelling, directing and pacing. The Korea Times reported that viewers complained about difficulty following the plot, while other contemporary coverage noted criticism surrounding the show's presentation and details.
Another potential weakness is that the romance sometimes competes with the larger fantasy plot rather than naturally growing alongside it.
So, if you prefer straightforward romantic K-dramas, this may require more patience than Business Proposal or other lighter romance series.
Who Should Watch The King: Eternal Monarch?
This drama is worth considering if you enjoy:
- Korean fantasy romance
- Parallel-world stories
- Lee Min-ho dramas
- Kim Go-eun dramas
- Time and destiny-based mysteries
- Royal romance
- Political fantasy
- Complex K-drama plots
- Strong OSTs and cinematic visuals
- Romance mixed with supernatural elements
It may not be the best choice if you want a very simple romantic story with minimal mystery or fantasy.
The King: Eternal Monarch Ending and Final Verdict
Spoiler-free verdict: The King: Eternal Monarch is an ambitious K-drama that tries to combine a grand fantasy concept with a sweeping romance.
Its best moments come from the chemistry between the leads, Woo Do-hwan's dual performance, the visual presentation and the mystery surrounding the two worlds.
At the same time, the series asks viewers to concentrate. The parallel-universe rules, alternate characters and complicated chronology can make the story feel unnecessarily difficult at points.
That explains why the drama received a mixed response despite its high-profile cast and writer. Contemporary coverage reported that its domestic ratings declined after the strong opening, while critics and viewers raised concerns about the complexity of the story.
For me, the drama works better when approached as a fantasy romance with a mystery attached, rather than as a perfectly constructed time-travel puzzle.
If you enjoy visually polished Korean fantasy dramas and don't mind keeping track of complicated storylines, it is worth watching. If you prefer simple, fast-moving romances, some of its complexity may test your patience.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐
Final verdict:
The King: Eternal Monarch is visually impressive, romantic and ambitious, but its complicated parallel-world storytelling keeps it from becoming an effortless classic. The performances, OST and fantasy premise make it worth trying, especially for Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun fans.
Frequently Asked Questions About The King: Eternal Monarch
1. Is The King: Eternal Monarch a Bollywood movie?
No. The King: Eternal Monarch is a South Korean K-drama, not a Bollywood movie. It originally aired on SBS in 2020 and was distributed internationally through Netflix.
2. When was The King: Eternal Monarch released?
The series premiered on April 17, 2020, and its final episode aired on June 12, 2020.
3. How many episodes does The King: Eternal Monarch have?
The drama has 16 episodes.
4. Who are the main actors in The King: Eternal Monarch?
The main cast includes Lee Min-ho as Lee Gon, Kim Go-eun as Jung Tae-eul, Woo Do-hwan in dual roles, Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae and Lee Jung-jin.
5. Who wrote The King: Eternal Monarch?
The drama was written by Kim Eun-sook, who is also known for writing The Heirs, Descendants of the Sun and Goblin.
6. Who directed The King: Eternal Monarch?
The directing credits include Baek Sang-hoon, Jung Ji-hyun and Yoo Je-won.
7. Where can I watch The King: Eternal Monarch in India?
As of September 2026, the series is available to stream on Netflix in India. JustWatch's current India listing also identifies Netflix as the streaming platform.
8. What is The King: Eternal Monarch about?
It follows Lee Gon, an emperor from a parallel-world Korea, who crosses through a mysterious gateway into the Republic of Korea and meets detective Jung Tae-eul. Their relationship becomes connected to a dangerous conspiracy involving the two worlds.
9. Is The King: Eternal Monarch worth watching?
Yes, particularly if you enjoy fantasy romance, parallel worlds, mystery and Lee Min-ho or Kim Go-eun. However, the complicated storyline requires more attention than a straightforward romantic K-drama.
10. Is The King: Eternal Monarch a good K-drama for beginners?
It can be, but it is not the easiest beginner K-drama because of its parallel-world structure and multiple versions of characters. Someone new to K-dramas who prefers simple romance may find a lighter series easier to start with.
Editorial note: The 3.5/5 rating above is this article's independent editorial assessment, not an official broadcaster, Netflix or audience rating.