The King: Eternal Monarch

“The King: Eternal Monarch” (Korean: “더 킹: 영원의 군주”) is a 2020 SBS fantasy-romance drama that aired from April 17 to June 12, 2020, spanning 16 episodes. Written by Kim Eun-sook (“Goblin”, “Descendants of the Sun”) and directed by Baek Sang-hoon, the series combines romance, political intrigue, and science fiction with a central theme of parallel universes.

The story follows a modern-day emperor of Korea who crosses into a parallel version of his country, where he encounters a detective who holds the key to unraveling a cosmic conspiracy. Highly anticipated due to its A-list cast and star writer, the drama drew immense buzz both domestically and internationally.

Plot Overview

In one world exists the Kingdom of Corea, a constitutional monarchy ruled by Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho). Traumatized as a child after witnessing his father’s assassination, Lee Gon grows up determined to protect his throne. When he crosses through a mysterious portal, he discovers a parallel world: the Republic of Korea, a democratic nation.

There, he meets Detective Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun), a woman whose face he recognizes from an identity card found on the night of his father’s death. As Lee Gon seeks to close the door between worlds and prevent sinister forces from merging them, he and Tae-eul are drawn into a fated romance that transcends universes.

Parallel to their story, Lee Lim (Lee Jung-jin), Lee Gon’s uncle and the man behind the regicide, manipulates the two worlds for his own power, setting the stage for an epic confrontation between destiny and choice.

Cast & Characters

• Lee Min-ho as Emperor Lee Gon – the intelligent, charismatic ruler of the Kingdom of Corea, torn between duty and love.
• Kim Go-eun as Detective Jung Tae-eul / Luna – a principled homicide detective in the Republic of Korea, and her parallel-world counterpart, a streetwise criminal.
• Woo Do-hwan as Jo Yeong / Jo Eun-seob – Lee Gon’s loyal bodyguard in Corea, and his comedic double as a bumbling civil servant in Korea.
• Kim Kyung-nam as Kang Shin-jae – Tae-eul’s fellow detective with a painful past tied to the parallel world.
• Jung Eun-chae as Koo Seo-ryeong – the ambitious Prime Minister of Corea, determined to wield power even against the King.
• Lee Jung-jin as Lee Lim – the exiled prince and Lee Gon’s uncle, whose manipulation of the parallel worlds drives the central conflict.

Reception

Upon release, “The King: Eternal Monarch” was one of the most hyped K-dramas of 2020, largely due to Lee Min-ho’s return to television after military service and Kim Eun-sook’s track record of blockbuster hits.Ratings: The series premiered strongly with 11.4% nationwide ratings but experienced a gradual decline, averaging around 7–8%, with a final episode rating of 8.1%. While solid, it underperformed compared to expectations.

Critics & Audience

Reception was mixed. Viewers praised the production values, Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun’s chemistry, and Woo Do-hwan’s standout dual-role performance. However, some criticized the complicated world-building and pacing, which left certain viewers confused.

International Popularity

Despite domestic criticism, the series became a major global hit on Netflix, trending across Asia, the U.S., and Latin America, introducing more audiences to parallel-world K-drama storytelling.

Fun Facts

Lee Min-ho’s comeback

This marked his highly anticipated return to dramas after completing military service in 2019.

Woo Do-hwan’s double act

His dual performance as the stoic Jo Yeong and the hilarious Jo Eun-seob won widespread acclaim and created viral comedic moments.

Writer’s signature

Kim Eun-sook often includes themes of fate and grand romance (“Goblin”, “Secret Garden”), and here she blended them with science fiction.

Lavish production

The show had one of the highest budgets for a Korean drama at the time, with sweeping cinematography and intricate set designs to distinguish the two worlds.

Symbolism of the flute

The magical flute, “Manpasikjeok,” draws on Korean mythology, believed to hold the power to ward off disaster and bring harmony.

Why It Matters

While divisive at home, “The King: Eternal Monarch” cemented its place as a visually stunning, ambitious K-drama that expanded the scope of romance storytelling with sci-fi elements. Its global success on Netflix helped pave the way for other high-concept K-dramas to reach international audiences.

Where to Watch

Broadcast Schedule

Aired on SBS.

Streaming Access

Globally: Netflix.

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