Regele, Monarhul Etern (2020)

I wasn't going to write a review until i had completed this drama, but i couldn't help it.
In this trying times when we have to face a pandemic, if i can get to see beautiful stuff like this one all the time, i dont think I'll ever get bored. Well, here's my honest review.

Wow! I'm speechless. This is close to perfection, i mean the story is yet to unfold, but i can already sense alot of suspense and unanswered questions in the plot which is a reason to want to know what will happen next. And the casting? Super perfect!! Everyone fits perfectly into their role so much that you will feel its realness.
This is the kind of drama you'd wish to binge watch.

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I really wanted to continue watching this, for real. I mean, there is Goeun, Dohwan, Lee Minho and everyone. But the story is so complicated that my hair would fall-out trying to understand what's happening . I was so bored watching an episode that I would subconciously end it after watching a 5 min part and find another drama to finish in one seating (Skate into Love and My Love, Enlighten Me)

About the main couple's romance, it would have been better if they showed how they built their feelings for each other. I was so surprised that Tae-eul suddenly liked Lee Gon the next episode (maybe that's the reason I can't find their chemistry).

I was so excited about the drama tbh. The production was great, plot was great but very very slow paced (except Tae-eul's feelings). I think I will continue to watch this only when I can't think of any drama to watch.

5 star rating for music cause of Wendy my loveeeee
3.5 star for acting because of leads chemistry. Could have been higher because of Do-hwan and star studded casts.

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So I'm writing this review straight after binging the whole drama so that the details are still fresh in my mind. To be honest, I was a hesitant on watching this at first, after reading some reviews about it. Alas, I finally gave it a go.

And WAAAAH! To my surprise, I actually really enjoyed this drama, contrary to the reviews I read. Like, yes the story is a little bit confusing because of the 2 different worlds and some actors playing 2 different characters. And of course the whole time travel thing. Any story that involves messing with time/space is always going to be confusing anyway. But still, I loved following and uncovering more about the story within each episode. The characters and the actors were also all just incredible.

I definitely think this is a drama to watch if you have patience for more complex stories and are willing to delve into understanding all the little details. However if you're not for that, you'll probably just get frustrated with this drama.

STORY:
The story is definitely more on the complex side. There's a lot going on. It's easy to get lost and get confused so you have to really pay attention whilst watching it. Now, I get some people may not be into these type of screenplays, maybe they prefer a simpler story or just one that's not as easily confusing.
But for me, I actually really really enjoyed the complexity of the story since it kept me intrigued throughout.

Yes there were some science and math garjon to do with time in this drama that if you're unfamiliar with will just confuse you. And since I am definitely not a science-y/math person, it definitely did confuse me a bit. So I would say/advise, try not to pay much attention to all those garjon stuff as it's just something that will just confuse you the more you try and understand them. At the end, all those garjon didn't even really play a big part to the story. They were more of a filler to add extra character to Lee Gon. Instead really focus more on the characters that are travelling back and forth.

With that said, the most confusing parts of the drama where some viewers might get lost with was trying to figure out which of the 2 worlds a certain character is at or a particular scene is taking place in. Unless it's the Busan palace in the Kingdom of Corea or the Gwanghwamun Square in the Republic of Korea, it's kinda hard to tell. Then once you add in the dopplegangers as well, I suppose it can get even more confusing. So this part of the the story could've probably been made clearer because once you don't know which world is which or which character the actor is playing then obviously the story will get all jumbled up.

There was also a lot of focus on the bits to do with the parallel world (i.e. characters crossing back and forth) and the Uncle's actions (building a secret army) that the romance bit of the story was rushed and there wasn't really a build up to it, except for the ID card and the main characters meeting each other.

Maybe Kim Eun Sook could've probably taken out a couple bits from the base story i.e. the lightning burn, since they didn't even fully explain why some travellers had it and some didn't. Or maybe even took out some characters from the uncle's army like the pregnant lady or the stable guy.
If she would've taken some unnecessary bits, it would've probably been not as confusing and then maybe she could've also put more of a build up to the love story instead.

CHARACTERS/ACTING:
Kim Go Eun was great as Tael Eul. I watched her for the first time in Goblin and was really impressed by her performance there. She did a great job in this drama too. Her emotional scenes were very moving, that they could really bring you to tears. She was a badass in the first few episodes when she fought off criminals too. Her doppleganger character (Luna) was just alright. It was a quieter, darker character with a more haggard look so I don't think it took much to deviate from her Tael Eul character as she just had to tone it right down and make it seem like a sick, more depressed version of Tael Eul to be honest.

Lee Min Ho was also great. This is the first time I've ever watched him and must admit he does have that king aura and charisma to him so he carried the character really well. Though it would've been interesting to see him play another character in the drama as well to see a different style to his acting.

The supporting cast also did an excellent job. Their chemistry was a joy to watch especially the Violent Crimes Unit Squad, the bromance between Lee Gon & Jo Young and that familial love between Court Lady Noh and Lee Gon. A special shoutout and applause to Woo Do Hwan (Jo Young) as well for playing 2 very different characters so well. He was the best in duality among the whole cast.

Overall this drama is really not as bad as I expected and I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it. The story was good overall. It could've done with a bit more character/love story build up but the basic plot line was well written in my opinion.
The one negative thing I must agree with among the reviews I read was the insane amounts of product placement. There were far too much that it became ridiculous. I don't mind product placements in dramas since ads, sponsorship and product placement is literally in everything BUT there should be a limit. It wasn't like the drama was promoting 1 or 2 products either. There was at least 6 different products. And there was a placement in almost every episode.

WOULD I RECOMMEND:
If you enjoy complex stories, 'don't-beat-around-the-bush' kind of love story and don't mind product placement then I would definitely recommend. But if you prefer simpler story lines, love a good character/love-story build-up and don't like ads in your dramas, then I would give this a miss otherwise you'll just get annoyed.

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Exceptional Swoon Worthy Action Fantasy Romance

It started with my music app suggesting My Love and... by Gae Mi & Park Hwan and wow, best recommendation ever!

The music itself conveyed every emotion in one single track, happiness, love, beauty, passion, anguish, despair, sadness, loss and turned out to be the best single score track I've ever heard, and I do love a score.

Curious about the music and the rest of the score, I tuned in Netflix and began episode 1. Straight out of the gate, awesomeness ?

So the acting, first class! Woo Do-Hwan aka Jo Hyeong/Eun Sup, hats off and acting credit for his ability to portray two vastly different characters. He was goofy and 1000% swoon worthy at the same time.

Lee Min-Ho aka Lee Gon, Kim Go-Eun aka Tae-eul were equally fabulous. His gazes were intense I felt like I lost all sence of time staring back. The chemistry between the two was the best of any show ive ever watched, and watched a few now. You could see the emotions in their faces, looks and voices, absolutely a perfect pairing. Ive never wanted to be a female lead more than i did watching this.

I felt like there were no filler characters, they had a role and purpose and all portrayed their roles superbly. Lee Lim was a fantastic baddie, always eloquently spoken, dressed and soo in control, until he wasn't and then he was the epitome of evil!

The story was well written and normally I wonder about 16 episodes when they are all around 70 minutes however this was perfect. I didn't feel like dead space, pointless scenes or wasted time, the story evolved beautifully. By the time epiosde 14 came round, I was itching to see how it all ended.

As romances go, top marks, I was taken along with them, action was a tick, big style and Jo Hyeong was utterly amazing in those parts and in fairness, couldn't scoff at Lee Gon either. Fantasy, action, romance and friendship all rolled into one beautifully written and acted series.

Whoever casted the series deserves a clap as every actor suited their roles and I'm not sure if it would have had the same impact without the top 4 leads.

Cinematography, visuals, staging, clothing, and FX, all faultless and I cannot not mention, Maximus, stunning beast!

All this was wrapped with an unbelievable score and soundtrack, My Love and... and Gummys, My Love are top of the pile and been on repeat for 2 days now! The music for this really did fit the series and scenes and conveyed the emotions intended and also complimented and enhanced the scenes, as a good soundtrack should.

Couldn't recommend this enough, I will most definitely watch again and swoon just as much during the second viewing. Couldn't give it anything other than 10 accross the board.

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Lee Min Ho is King Worthy, except the Drama Itself

This was a pretty good drama being that it had Lee Min Ho, and surprisingly Woo Do Hwan (Yeong/Eun-Sup). I think the chemistry between him and the King (Minho) were the best and I looked forward to their scenes, or just Do Hwan because he was so charming.

The chemistry between the MLs were really lacking. I didn't believe they were in love, unfortunately. It seemed really forced acting. Everything else in the series was decent, you really have to follow along the many parallel universes to understand the story.

A little gory in some of the bloody scenes (there's plenty of them in this series), but nothing that will haunt your dreams or anything. But there is violence.

Worth to watch for the beautiful traditional Korean garments the Royal Family wears though. Oh, and I really could care less about that Prime Minister character, straight up annoying. That character could've been removed in my opinion.

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One of my top Kdrama of all time

I have to say this drama was amazing, I orginally went into it not knowing much about it only seeing the trailer. But it was amazing the story was so detailed and well exicuted. The actors were amazing and added so much depth to the story, in every scene. I watched this show when I was fairly new to korean dramas so in the beginning I did find somethings a bit confusing but I was able to focus and work out what was happening. I even convinced my older brother to watch it with me (He doesnt watch shows from other countrys) and this is his favourite show of all time. Give it a try if you have not. 10/10

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Could have been best drama but not that good

An amazing story, Just lost its way. (i mean it became bad).
Negative character can be shown more amazing, it was shown amazing in the beginning and showily dropping it off and I feel because of too much love it lost its original beauty.

Worth to watch, I say NO but few scene you can.

Cinematography is good
editing is not bad,
flow of drama from episode to episode not good (very few episodes you will like it) and in few episodes they will confuse you
People who like Suspense Drama’s would love this drama but they will get disappointment by the mid of drama.

More then Lee Min Ho, Woo Do-Hwan acting is amazing.

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This drama is such a great kdrama to watch. It has the best casting I can think of, Min Ho is finally back for this amazing dram and he looks better than ever. Even Kim do Eun is back for her first drama after her hit Goblin. this drama is sensational take my word for it, it is the best. I am only three episodes in and I am counting the minutes till the next episode is out.

genre- romance
if you like watching romance dramas than this drama is for you. The chemistry between Kim do Eun and Min-ho is the best. The love line in this story is really interesting because unlike other kdrama it starts off in the first and second eps. This drama is safe to watch if you have a serious case of second lead syndrome. als o this dram has so many heart-fluttering moments because it is unbelievable what a king will do for his girl.
comedy
this drama won't be known for its a comedy but it still has it funny moments which make you feel good. there are jokes in hear which will happen when you least expect it.
fantasy
in this story you can see another perspective of Kdramas which is Fantasy. this drama is based on a parrell universes. that is all i can say or i will spoil it

Acting
- in this drama , Kim go eun was such a great choice to play the main female lead because she is so savage in her own way and she really deserves this role if you are here for her you can have high expectations. Her acting when realizes something is amazing it's almost believable.

though the graphics in this drama suck

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Pretty drama

Obviously there are good and bad things to say about this drama as with many others.

One of the good things was the production. It looks well made. The scenes are beautiful. The sets are beautiful. It's a very pretty looking drama.

Another good thing was the cast. With the exception of Lee Min Ho, I think everyone did an amazing job.

The thing that attracted me was of course the premise. I think that was very interesting.

The bad thing is it's very inconsistent and doesn't seem to follow its own logic. The drama is very slow for the first 11 episodes. Things finally start to pick up and get interesting in episode 12, but then starting from episode 14 plot holes start to pile up. Many seem to feel that the plot is complicated, but it's not. It's just full of plot holes, that's all. It's fairly easy to follow, but if you want to enjoy it, I'd advise not to think too much or you'll just get mad at plot holes that could have easily been taken care of. I think most dramas that involve parallel universes or time travel ultimately encounter this problem where they start creating plot holes, because the drama doesn't follow its own rules.

Another bad thing, and that's just my opinion was the casting of Lee Min Ho. He can't carry this type of drama. He looks the part, but misses the charisma to pull off this role. His acting is very boring too. Again, this is a personal opinion, I'm sure there will be people who enjoyed his performance.

Another thing that bothered me were the obvious product placements. I would be fine if they just showed the products in the background or something, but they just went too far in this drama by pretty much shooting commercials for multiple products. It looked embarrassing and uncomfortable for the actors and totally took me out of the story.

All in all, I enjoyed it. I would have liked it to be a bit more fast paced, but it's definitely worth a watch, albeit only once.

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perfect ending

This the first time I am writing a review . To be honest in the starting of this drama I was a bit confused and felt a bit wired that someone who have just met you for 1 episode and thinks of you as his queen. But as the story progressed it felt a lottt meaningful and complete .Loved the new concept that the writers were trying to show . The story was very sensible as both the leads were smart and understood each other . I saw a lot of comments saying that the ending should have been different, but I felt that it was the most logical end. I mean of course she wont be able to leave everything in her world and be the queen or it wasn't possible for the male lead to leave being a king and stay with her , so without leaving anything they were still together and happy what else do you want? So to conclude I would say that it was really a good series

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