Synopsis:
I do not know too much about the plot yet, considering that the series has just started and the story unfolding. However, I can tell you (without giving too much away) that the plot contains an alternate universe. We have the world in which we consider to be the real realty, and an alternate reality where Korea was never annexed by Japan. In this other world Korea still has a king, Lee MinHo, and is thriving. Thus, we meet one of our two main characters. The second main Character Jung Tae Eul, Kim Go Eun, is a female detective living in Seoul Korea. She is definitely one of those independent tomboy types we see are becoming more and more popular in dramas. These two cross paths when the king crosses realities due to half of a magical flute.
Review:
I'm baaaaaaaaaack! Did ya miss me? Well, that's okay, I missed you. What happened was I lost my rights to the domain and in order to get it back I needed the mula. Unfortunately for me I didn't have the money, nope, none, eopseo, 없어. Anywho, I am so glad to be back. Speaking of being back I'm here JUST in time to make it back for my ultimate favorite actor's return, Lee MinHo, to the Korean small screen. However before we delve into the already complicated and intriguing drama, The King Eternal Monarch, I want to talk about the dramas that need mentioning first.
If you are a returning reader thank you so much for coming back to this page if you are new and just checking this review out for the first time, I hope you like it and come back for more! Just a quick heads up for the new readers I rate my dramas on mainly two categories, story telling and direction. Under Story telling I take into account not just the acting, but the writing, and music as well. Under the category direction I consider both editing and direction. I call them my sticky notes because that tends to be what I write my thoughts on when I'm watching.
Back to those honorable mentions. I really do mean honorable guys, I would never steer you near a subpar drama. First drama I NEED to mention is, Crash Landing on You. This drama has it all, I seriously mean it has it all. There is drama, comedy, romance, the three big loves (Platonic, familial, romantic), adventure, character development, and action. Crash Landing is available on Netflix. Hyun Bin is not just his extremely good looks guys, but he's got some acting chops as well. All the actors and actresses should get a mention as well, the chemistry was beyond anything for ALL of the characters. Sticky Notes wise, I gave the drama a 98% on storytelling and a 5/5 for direction.
The other honorable mention is, I'll Come to You When the Weather is Nice. I'll come to you is about family mostly. It touches on the topics of spousal abuse and the necessity of caring people who are extremely warm to be around. What I loved best about this series was the beautiful direction, and the story book like dialogue. This Drama is available on Viki. Finally, Itaewon Class, I personally didn't like this one too much but it was a good enough drama to watch fully through. It is available on Netflix.
Now, for the meat of this review! So, my dear reader. I, like many other women, was extremely excited to see that our dearly newly emancipated from the Korean army Lee MinHo was now leading in a new drama. On my sticky notes I have given The King Eternal Monarch a solid 85% (of course this can change as the series goes along). I gave the direction a 3/5.
I have to say, at first the direction was amazing. I loved all the cinematography and the cleaver traditions between a few scenes. However, some of the character placing (mainly on the main leads) is giving me a bit of bother. For example (I won't spoil), one of the main characters cross to an alternate reality. There is a scene on a horse itoa conversation. This conversation could have taken place somewhere else other than atop the horse. I mean, this conversation lasts a while. It felt awkward to look at. I can only imagine
how awkward it felt to film it. In another case, the whole slow close ups on Lee MinHo were fine at first, but then the director keeps doing it. One or two were good, but I don't need one every single episode or every time he says something interesting. It's distracting, just let the scene flow naturally. I already know he's handsome. The director is not Cecil B. DeMile and this is not the 1920's. (ATTN: PLEASE IGNORE MY VOICE! Just wanted to show you how excited I was, and show you what I mean on the close ups.)
This leads me to the acting. Kim Go Eun is a good actress, I've seen Goblin it's in my list of top 10 K-dramas. Why, oh why did they let her do this to her character? Why didn't the director tell her to tone it down a bit. Yes, the character is a rough, Judo black belt, who was raised by a single father. However, she did not need to make the character as butch or rough around the edges as it came out, it's too much. She seems a little uncomfortable in the role. Thankfully, she seems to be doing better. She seems more comfortable thus more natural. She's also starting to become more natural and easy around Lee Minho himself. It may have been on purpose for the sake of the characters but I felt that there was bit of awkwardness surrounding them.
The last thing I wanted to touch on dear reader was the actor is Woo Do Hwan. Okay, I was watching for Lee MinHo, but this actor has caught my attention. I mean, he plays
two completely different characters and it threw me in for a loop. The characters, Jo Eun Sob and Captain Jo Young, are polar opposites not just in personality but in look but in personality. Where Captain Jo Young is childlike and sunshine Jo Eun Sob is restrained, typical sexy captain of the King's personal guard.
Thank you for coming back and reading this page though. I hope you found something to inspire you to watch this new series if you haven't already. If you have any question don't be afraid to leave me a comment. If you are watching and you see something that I have written and would like to comment on, please leave a write me a little something down below! The drama is available on Netflix. Otherwise, let me know what you think about the series or comment about the review in general. I love to hear from you, dear reader. Goodbye and until next time!