The King: Eternal Monarch
2020
Original language: Korean
- sci-fi & fantasy
- drama
The story
Korean emperor Lee Gon tries to close the doors to a parallel world which was opened by demons; a detective tries to protect the people and the one she loves.
What it’s like
Sweeping drone shots of palace courtyards and tiled rooftops give way to polished, glossy digital images, with saturated red and gold in the royal scenes and cool, steel-grey tones in the modern city, where the light turns colder and more clinical. Traditional hanbok and gleaming palace interiors sit beside sleek urban nightscapes, and the score swells with orchestral strings, pop ballads and dramatic percussion at every turn. Action arrives in bursts of taekwondo-style choreography and sudden swordplay, with brief, sharp violence and occasional blood, but the tone stays more romantic and adventurous than grim. Its rhythm is that of a long, serialised melodrama: episodes build through cliffhangers, slow emotional beats between the leads, and a steady rise in stakes. Its heroes carry a quiet devotion that deepens over time, a ruler and a determined investigator bound by duty, grief and a love that resists the forces pulling them apart. It suits a weekend binge, a comfort rewatch on the sofa, or a long stretch of evenings when you want a sweeping, emotional escape. Best for viewers who enjoy fantasy romance, royal intrigue and the grandeur of big-budget Korean television.
More TV shows like The King: Eternal Monarch
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved The King: Eternal Monarchand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
