The 2020 Korean drama "The King: Eternal Monarch" garnered significant attention for its collaboration with writer Kim Eun-sook and star Lee Min-ho. Blending romance and fantasy, the drama's complex premise of "parallel worlds" piqued the curiosity of many. However, its complex worldview also left some viewers feeling confused. This article explains the mysterious worldview, symbols, and key plot elements of "The King: Eternal Monarch" helping viewers gain a deeper understanding of the drama.
Introduction to Key Characters
Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho)
Lee Gon, the Emperor of the Korean Empire, loses his father to the traitor Lee Rim as a child. He himself faces death, but is saved by an unknown figure. As he grows into the Emperor, he delves into the truth about dimensional gates and the balance of the world. He possesses a natural talent for mathematics and science, possessing both a rational and romantic side.
Jeong Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun)
A South Korean violent crimes detective. A realistic and righteous character, she initially disbelieves in parallel worlds, but gradually comes to the truth after meeting Lee Gon. With a cool yet sensitive inner self, she strives to understand Lee Gon's world and chooses love.
Lee Rim (Lee Jung-jin)
Lee Gon's uncle and a traitor. He seeks to use parallel worlds to destroy the world order and gain his own power. He appears as an immortal being who never ages, constantly threatening Lee Gon and Jeong Tae-eul.
Jo Young (Woo Do-hwan)
Lee Gon's chief of security. He is fiercely loyal and skilled in martial arts, and he remains a shadow by the emperor's side. Later in the story, he struggles with his alter ego in the parallel world, revealing his more human side.
Koo Seo-ryeong (Jung Eun-chae)
The Prime Minister of the Korean Empire, a politician of exceptional ability and beauty. She harbors feelings for Lee Gon and also displays complex political ambitions. Her character embodies the human desire to vacillate between power, love, and jealousy.
Kang Shin-jae (Kim Kyung-nam)
Jung Tae-eul's fellow detective. She is skilled at solving cases and deeply cares for Tae-eul. While harboring suspicions and distrust of parallel worlds, she gradually comes to accept the truth of the world through various incidents.
Luna (Kim Go-eun)
A criminal from the Korean Empire, Luna resembles Jung Tae-eul. Growing up in poverty and crime, she developed a cold personality and was exploited by Lee Rim's schemes. In the latter half of the drama, her human side is revealed, resulting in a memorable character transformation.
Key Setting: Parallel World
The most important setting in "The King: Eternal Monarch" is the "parallel world." In this drama, a fictional world called the "Korean Empire" exists, distinct from the real world. The real world is the Republic of Korea as we know it, while the Korean Empire is another world where a fictional constitutional monarchy persists. The protagonist, Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho), travels back and forth between these two worlds to solve cases and pursue a fateful love. While the Korean Empire and the Republic of Korea share similar external appearances, their power structures, character occupations, and social systems differ. For example, in the Republic of Korea, Jeong Tae-eul is a detective, but in the Korean Empire, her counterpart either has no counterpart or has a different status. In this way, the drama emphasizes the differences between these worlds through "parallel versions" of the same character, utilizing this as a source of narrative tension. The "gate" that transcends time and space is also a crucial device. Centered around a bamboo forest, this gate is accessible only to the chosen ones, and fate and reality, past and future, intersect through it. This setting goes beyond mere fantasy and profoundly impacts the characters' fates and identities.
Analysis of Symbolism and Foreshadowing in the Universe
"The King: Eternal Monarch" is more than just a drama; it's a work filled with symbolism and foreshadowing. One of the most symbolic elements is the flute, a modern variation of the "manpasikjeok." This flute possesses the power to transcend worlds and is a crucial key to the fate of the protagonist and antagonist. The drama's core conflict intensifies as the flute splits in two, disrupting the balance between the two worlds. Furthermore, visual devices like a clock, a rose of Sharon, and a black mask appear repeatedly. These aren't mere props; they hint at the characters' identities and clues to the events unfolding. For example, the rose of Sharon is not only a symbol of the Korean Empire, but also represents "unchanging values" and the order that must be maintained even in parallel worlds. The drama intricately weaves together the cyclical structure of time, adopting a retrograde narrative structure where "present choices change the past." Therefore, viewers must understand the narrative by piecing together the puzzle of cause and effect rather than simply following the passage of time.
The Intertwining of Character Fates and Universe
The drama's narrative depth is further enhanced by the intricate interweaving of character fates and universe. Lee Gon is not simply an emperor. He's a character traumatized by the loss of his father at a young age, chosen to maintain the "balance of the world." He constantly asks, "Why me?" and grapples with his own identity and responsibility. Conversely, his antagonist, Lee Rim, is a power-hungry individual who seeks to exploit parallel worlds. While he too stems from a past tragedy, his methods are not about balance but about destruction. The conflict between these two transcends the simple dichotomy of good and evil, expanding into a clash between world order and chaos. Furthermore, their romance is not unrelated to the universe. The love between Lee Gon and Jung Tae-eul carries the tragedy of their fate, a fate that prevents them from meeting in different worlds. Without the "parallel world" premise, their love would have been an ordinary affair, but within this universe, it feels like a miracle. Ultimately, the universe serves as a device that shapes the characters' emotional arc and amplifies the emotional impact of the narrative.
Review
This drama is truly enjoyable if you understand the parallel world and its universe, but the story can become somewhat complex if you lose track of it. Above all, I found it refreshing that it dealt with parallel worlds occurring simultaneously, rather than simply time travel. Since there are already many dramas featuring time travel, I found it fascinating to alternate between a world similar to present-day South Korea and another world set in the Korean Empire. The scene where Lee Gon gallops across Gwanghwamun on a white horse called Maximus to rescue the female protagonist, Jung Tae-eul, was a highlight of the drama. The discovery of Woo Do-hwan, then a rookie, was also a significant achievement. Personally, the scene where Lee Min-ho wanders through numerous parallel worlds to rescue himself and return to Kim Go-eun was the scene that best showcased the appeal of the parallel world concept.
"The King: Eternal Monarch" is not a simple romance drama; it is a narrative built on a meticulously crafted universe. Complex yet captivating elements like parallel worlds, time travel, symbolism, and foreshadowing enrich the drama. To fully enjoy this drama, understanding its worldview is essential beyond mere viewing. If you haven't seen "The King: Eternal Monarch" yet, watch it again from now on, focusing on its universe.
