Can a mythical flute bridge the gap between two parallel Korean realities?
In short: The King: Eternal Monarch explores a fractured reality where an emperor traverses a portal to a modern republic. Driven by a childhood trauma and a quest to stop his murderous uncle, the protagonist navigates two worlds, encountering counterparts of his allies and enemies in a high-stakes struggle for power.
Premiering in April 2020 on SBS TV and Netflix, The King: Eternal Monarch is a romantic-fantasy series that centers on Emperor Lee Gon of the Kingdom of Corea. The narrative hinges on the Manpasikjeok, a mythical flute that serves as a gateway between the Emperor's realm and the Republic of Korea. The conflict ignites when Lee Gon's half-uncle, Lee Lim, assassinates the previous king, Lee Ho, and seizes the flute. During the struggle, young Lee Gon breaks the artifact in two, leaving Lee Lim with one half and a desperate need to claim the other to achieve eternal life and traverse multiple realities.
The series is defined by its complex structure of parallel lives. Characters such as the detective Jeong Tae-eul, the stoic Royal Guard Jo Yeong, and the ambitious Prime Minister Koo Seo-ryeong all possess counterparts in the alternate reality. These doubles often lead vastly different lives, shaped by their environment—ranging from the criminal existence of the abandoned Luna to the military service of Jo Eun-sup. The protagonist, Lee Gon, is a mathematician and rower whose skepticism is challenged when he discovers an identity card belonging to Jeong Tae-eul, a relic from the night his father was murdered.
Despite being one of the most anticipated productions of early 2020, the series faced a polarized reception. While it achieved record-breaking premiere ratings for SBS and dominated streaming charts in regions like India, the Philippines, and Singapore, it later struggled with declining domestic viewership. Critics and media outlets attributed this shift to intense competition from other streaming platforms, alongside specific feedback regarding the screenplay and production quality. Ultimately, the show remains a notable experiment in high-budget, genre-bending storytelling that attempts to weave political ambition, personal trauma, and science fiction into a singular, sprawling narrative.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The King: Eternal Monarch
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-the-king-eternal-monarch.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in UK & Irish culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
