The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
A sweeping Korean fantasy drama where an emperor and a detective cross the boundary between two parallel worlds in pursuit of love and justice.
The King: Eternal Monarch - Series Information
- Original Title: 더 킹 : 영원의 군주
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 72 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 16
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin, Korean, English, Japanese
- First Air Date: April 17, 2020 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: SBS
- Production Companies: Hwa&Dam Pictures, Studio Dragon
- Production Countries: South Korea
- Alternative Titles: El rey: Eterno monarca (ES), Kral: Ebedi Hükümdar (TR), Ο Βασιλιάς: Αιώνιος Μονάρχης (GR), El rey: Eterno monarca (MX), ザ・キング：永遠の君主 (JP), The King: Forever Sovereign (US), המלך: שליט הנצח (IL), Deoking: Yeongwonui Gunju (KR)
The King: Eternal Monarch - Plot
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.
The King: Eternal Monarch - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at the epic parallel worlds of the series:
Where to Watch The King: Eternal Monarch
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The King: Eternal Monarch - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Lee Min-ho
- Kim Go-eun
- Woo Do-hwan
- Kim Kyung-nam
- Jung Eun-chae
- Lee Jung-jin
- Jeon Moo-song
- Kim Yeong-ok
- Jeon Bae-soo
- Seo Jeong-yeon
Writers
- Kim Eun-sook
Executive Producers
- Jinnie Choi
- Yoon Ha-lim
The King: Eternal Monarch - FAQs
Where can you stream The King: Eternal Monarch?
The King: Eternal Monarch is available to stream on Netflix, including the Netflix Standard with Ads tier. It is one of the most-watched Korean dramas on the platform globally. You can compare all available viewing options in your region via JustWatch.
What is The King: Eternal Monarch about?
The series follows Korean Emperor Lee Gon, who discovers a portal connecting two parallel worlds and must seal it before a power-hungry villain exploits it. Along the way, he falls in love with Jung Tae-eul, a detective from the modern Republic of Korea, blending romance, fantasy, and political intrigue.
Who are the lead actors in The King: Eternal Monarch?
The series stars Lee Min-ho as Emperor Lee Gon and Kim Go-eun in the dual role of detective Jung Tae-eul and her parallel-world counterpart Luna. Supporting cast includes Woo Do-hwan, Kim Kyung-nam, Jung Eun-chae, and Lee Jung-jin as the primary antagonist Lee Rim.
Is The King: Eternal Monarch based on a true story?
No, The King: Eternal Monarch is entirely fictional. It was written by acclaimed screenwriter Kim Eun-sook and features an original story blending fantasy, romance, and political drama set across two parallel versions of Korea — one a modern republic, the other a constitutional monarchy.
How many episodes does The King: Eternal Monarch have?
The King: Eternal Monarch consists of 16 episodes across a single season, with each episode running approximately 72 minutes. The series aired on SBS in South Korea from April 17, 2020, and concluded in June 2020.
Who wrote The King: Eternal Monarch?
The series was written by Kim Eun-sook, one of South Korea's most celebrated television screenwriters. She is also known for penning hit dramas such as Goblin, Descendants of the Sun, and The Heirs, all of which share her signature blend of romance and high-concept storytelling.
Did The King: Eternal Monarch receive positive critical reception?
Critical reception was mixed. Reviewers praised Lee Min-ho's charismatic performance and the show's lush production design, but some found the parallel-world mythology overly complex. Audience response was enthusiastic, particularly internationally on Netflix, where it became a major global hit upon its 2020 release.
What are shows similar to The King: Eternal Monarch?
Fans of The King: Eternal Monarch often enjoy Goblin (2016), Hotel Del Luna (2019), Descendants of the Sun (2016), and The Heirs (2013). These Korean dramas share similar themes of fantasy romance, strong leads, and emotionally driven storytelling that resonates with both domestic and international audiences.
More About The King: Eternal Monarch
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative external resources.