Metro Editors React to the Finale of 'The King: Eternal Monarch'
The last episode gave a phenomenal ending and we have finally bid goodbye to His Majesty Lee Gon and Detective Jeong Tae-eul. Here, our editors weigh in with their thoughts on the majestic finale to a deep and dramatic story. (Warning: Major spoilers!)
TKEM’s incredible journey has come to an end and, in the words of Tae-eul, everything finally comes together. Unexpected twists and dramatic turns of events left for a seriously fantastic finale, with Lee Gon opening door after door in the universe to find his true love. The finale, which aired last June 12, Friday, left us all basking in a satisfying, happy ending for our beloved characters.
Before we get to our editors' reactions on The King: Eternal Monarch's epic finale, let’s do a quick recap of the episode.
THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH EPISODE 16 RECAP
THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH EPISODE 16 RECAP
The finale opens with Luna texting Tae-eul’s father and we see her struggling. She lies and tells him that she, “Tae-eul”, won’t come home that night because she’s on a stakeout.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Cut to Shin-jae heartbroken and devastated that he let Tae-eul go, after she pleaded with him. He had just confessed his love to her and she still chose her one true love, Gon. We see his memories falling for her through the years.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Tae-eul and Lee Lim are at the gates to the portal. She is pointing the gun at him and they walk through the gate together.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Then we move to the Kingdom of Corea in 1994, on the night of the treason. Jo Yeong and Lee Gon have entered the palace. They kill Prince Bu-yeong’s son, Lee Seung-Hon, who was waiting at one of the doors to help the traitor Lim escape. Lee Gon tells Jo Yeong that if he fails, Yeong must kill Lee Lim at all costs. Yeong reminds Gon that he is tasked, and it is in fact his duty, to protect the King and he may disobey his order. They part ways and Gon realizes that this time, he is not alone in his mission.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
We return to Tae-eul and Lim in the halfway world, a place where time and space does not exist. She tells him that she is going to wait for Gon to succeed in his mission of stopping Lim, and then when done, she will deal with him. She points a gun to Lim. Lim reminds her that if Gon succeeds, she will lose all her memories. She tearfully responds that she knows this, stating she is heartbroken to perhaps lose the memories she has of him, meaningful and deep memories of love. Tae-eul is making the same sacrifice as Gon, all to ensure they win at all costs and save both their worlds…
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Back to the night of treason, where Lim asks his men to kill a young Gon. Present-day Lee Gon and Jo Yeong enter the room of the crime at the same time, guns raised, as they annihilate all of Lim’s men. Lim picks up the full Manpasikjeok, the flute, and we see Lee Gon’s half disappear simultaneously with the half in Tae-eul’s hand. We cut back briefly to Lim and Tae-eul as Lim tells her that they might be stuck in the halfway world.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Jo Yeong is dangerously hurt, having gotten shot in their attack against Lim’s men. Jo Yeong holds the young Gon and cries, hoping that he survives the attack.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Lady Noh and the palace staff run into the scene and drive the death of the King and the prince’s injuries. Yeong remembers when Gon called him the Unbreakable Sword, and he falls unconscious.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
We move back to the Republic of Korea. Shin-jae makes a brave choice and brings his mother to her real son, explaining what his father had done, swapping his real son with the one that stands before her today. She gets angry at him and wails, asking for her son to come back and how long did he keep it a secret from her. Shin-jae walks out and his mom runs shortly after him, crying and saying sorry. He is, afterall, her son too. This was a tear-jerker moment as we see Shin-jae burst into tears, finally feeling his mother’s love in full.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Back to the night of treason in 1994, Lim has escaped the palace and is heading to the bamboo forest with the full Manpasikjeaok. He watches the portal open and just as he is about to go through, Gon attacks him with the Four Tiger Sword. Lim doesn’t recognize him at first but Gon informs him that he is the King, and he will see justice served.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Meanwhile, back in the halfway world, Lim tells Tae-eul that his nephew has failed, seeing that he is still very much alive and well. Tae-eul tries to shoot him but the gun still does not work… until it does. Suddenly, the bullet hits Lim and the storms get aggressive, the photos and balloons suspended in air begin to move… and memories start to fade.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
We cut back to 1994, Gon and Lim in the forest. Gon declares Lim a traitor and he beheads him.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
After the execution, we cut to the mysterious boy with the yoyo walking in a crowd through a tunnel. He goes back and forth between being an adult, saying: “The door will close and only the memories will remain. Should I break it or just let it be?” We realize that we see this boy in various scenes throughout the series and at different stages in our leads’ lives.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Back to the halfway world: Tae-eul realizes that Gon has succeeded in his mission, shortly after she also realizes that he will not come back. A memory comes back to her: “If our worlds flow different from the present, then I won’t be able to remember you. Then, I will live without knowing you.” Memories begin to slowly fade… and the story becomes tragic and full of despair, anchored in a love divided into two worlds.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
We enter the new timeline, and begin in the Republic of Korea in 1994. Alternate Lim’s wife is laughing because her husband has died (much like in the first episode), then we realize she is talking to herself with hypothetical thoughts—as she decided to take him instead to the care center. She simply cannot take care of him and work her jobs, promising that they will visit at least once a month.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
In 1995 in Corea, we go back to the time where Kang Hyeon-min’s mother is being crazy and proposes that she and her son die together by jumping off a bridge. Prince Bu-eyong shows up and helps out Hyeon-min, and tells the mother to change the choices she makes to determine her son’s fate—that is what parents do for their children—and she sobs.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Then we travel to 1999, still in the Kingdom of Corea. A young Koo Seo-ryeong catches a little girl stealing, Luna. Koo’s mother invites Luna inside for food and gives her money. We see that there are very different fates for the characters without Lee Lim’s time cracks and intervention of both worlds.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
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Next, we cut to present: Tae-eul wakes up in the middle of the bamboo forest with a bloody coat and a gun—a passerby confirms she’s in the Republic of Korea and it is April 25, 2020. She rings Chief Park and asks where everyone is and cries. She narrates: “For me, only about a week had passed. The world seemed unchanged, yet some things had unfolded differently. I was still a lieutenant. And I still tried to do something nice for my dad once a month. And I lived every day with my memories of him still intact in a world where he or Sin-jae no longer exists.” A tragic twist of events where Tae-eul remembers everything. It seems that the boy with the yoyo decided to intervene.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Next we see Tae-eul going about her life over the span of months and months. Some time, she sees Lee Ji-hun (Gon’s counterpart) pass her on the street in uniform. She begins to cry because he looks exactly like her love. She sobs and collapses to the floor.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Meanwhile, Lee Gon is opening different doors to different worlds, trying to find his Tae-eul.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
He bumps into many different versions of her but never tires of his search, intensely dedicated to finding her.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
We time travel now to the Republic of Korea in 2021. Tae-eul is driving and gets a call from Na-ri, who tells her that she thinks her dad is on the market for a horse and there is a man with one outside of her house. Gon is standing there and assumes that Tae-eul doesn’t recognize him. But then he realizes she’s crying, and it is as she knows who he is… realizing that she remembers him. Emotions are intense as we wait for Tae-eul to speak. She can barely come out with the worlds: “You finally came.” She asks him what took him so long. Gon explains that on the night of treason, he had to go back to Yeong who got hurt. Then, after, he had to open every single door in the universe, not knowing if she would even remember him.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Gon wonders how Tae-eul remembers, if the worlds have flowed differently. She stops him and tells him she doesn’t want to talk about it, she’s been through so much, too. She kisses him and they embrace after declaring their love for each other. This is the beginning of the finale’s happy ending.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Next, we see the slight changes that happened because of how time flowed differently and without the intervention of Lim. We go to the Kingdom of Corea in 2022. Kang Hyeon-min (who we know as Shin-jae) is a cop and is pretty friendly with Luna, who is also a cop. He bumps into her and tells her he wants to get her a gift as it is her birthday—May 27, 2022.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Then, we cut to Luna who visits Koo Seo-ryeong in prison. As an assemblywoman, she stole and pocketed a percentage of the people’s taxes. Koo cries out that this is why she should have become Prime Minister, and pleads with Luna to get her a new lawyer, an expensive one. As Luna walks out, Koo shouts after her.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
We enter the palace and Lady Noh asks Lee Gon where he disappears off to every weekend but he remains vague. We learn that every weekend Gon and Tae-eul meet each other in different years to ensure that they don’t bump into their counterparts in those worlds.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
The couple keeps visiting different worlds at different times and periods—they make their love work despite belonging to two different worlds.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
In 2022, Gon goes to the NIS and meets Eun-seob. He asks him if he got his driver’s license. Eun-seob doesn’t recognize him but answers that yes he did. Gon tells him that he is the Unbreakable Sword. As Gon walks away, we learn that Eun-seob is in a relationship with Na-ri! (Yay!)
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
Lee Gon and Tae-eul mistakenly end up in the same time period in Corea and Yeong catches them in the bamboo forest. Gon jokingly hides Tae-eul under his coat. They realize they need to clear the CCTV at the palace. In the security room, they share a kiss and wrap each other in an embrace.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
We cut to a weekend where they are time traveling together, as they do every weekend.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
The ending to this episode shows a glimpse into Gon and Tae-eul’s future, showing aged hands holding each other tightly.
Photo Credit: SBS/Netflix
And that’s that for our recap! Ultimately, it was nice to see a warm, happy ending that shows the seemingly doomed couple finding a way to be together, choosing each other as their destiny. Now, Metro editors weigh in on what they thought of the final episode.
On the panel for this discussion:
Grace Libero: Metro.Style People Editor and resident K-Drama expert
Kate Paras: Metro.Style Beauty Editor and K-Drama Fan
Justin Convento: Metro.Style Culture Editor and BIG fan of TKEM and Lee Min Ho!
and Geolette Esguerra: Metro.Style Editor-in-Chief
What are your initial feelings and reactions about the last episode?
Grace: I thought the finale would be longer, because I felt that there were a lot of things that still needed to be resolved, lots of loose ends to tie up. With its normal running time, I thought too many details were squeezed into an hour and 16 minutes.
Kate: I was expecting around two full hours for the finale, but I think they decided to go the quick and painless route for the ending. They didn't necessarily tie all the loose ends, and I think there are still so many mysteries that have to be solved, but given the plot twist that they chose, it is only understandable that no resolution was given to the other minor characters in the story (ex. pregnant woman with short hair). I also think Lee Lim the villain was just too easy to beat. Otherwise, I like that it has a happy ending, and the couple ends up together (old and gray even) no matter if they live worlds apart.
Justin: Gon kept his promise and searched the universe endlessly to be with Tae-eul—I’m thoroughly satisfied with the ending! I honestly was expecting to be upset at a possible ending that would be heartbreaking for my two faves, Gon and Tae-eul, but I’m just so happy he never gave up looking for her, even though there was that big chance she wouldn’t even be able to remember him. I started bawling even when Na-ri called Tae-eul, who was driving in her car, about a man and a horse in the house—finally, 2020 Lee Gon has found his love! Waahhhh.
I’m also pleased with how the history rewrites created endings and situations that each character deserved—happiness. Though I would have wished for a wedding and to see Tae-eul as the Corea’s queen, or even baby Lee Gons running around the Royal Court, the ending of them time traveling and growing old together, finding ways to love and be with one another, was still ultimately satisfying. This might just be the only finale to a k-drama that didn’t disappoint me, with our lead characters still very much in love even in old age. TKEM for me was so meticulously thought out and well-written that I have very few objections to it.
Geolette: I always think that no matter how a series ends, it needs to give a sense of ending and resolution, so that you can almost imagine the characters living beyond the series itself, having a “future” so to speak. I think the ending was able to fulfill that—because I could really imagine them going into different eras and different dimensions, traveling to see what else is out there. And because it’s not possible for them to choose to live in one dimension over the other (so no wedding bells of families, sadly), this is the most plausible, best ending for them. A long distance relationship, like Capt. Ri and Se-ri in Crash Landing on You, who have a similar 2 weeks a year rendezvous relationship, seems like the most reasonable of all ends. At least Lee Gon and Tae Eul have their weekends.
Yet what the ending lacked is that final emotional push to make us, the viewers, get attached to the couple and wish them well. Unlike other shows, I did not get attached to this relationship, and even until the very end, I kept hoping I would feel something for the two so I could wish them well in all sincerity. Sadly, the high adventure premise of the drama took so much away from the romance, and we were left uncaring for these two individuals who proved that they are destined together because they chose to be together.
Netflix
Favorite moments from the finale?
Grace: When Lee Gon and Jo Yeong teamed up to travel back in time on the night of treason. When they entered the room, side by side with their guns, they looked so good. It was the perfect highlight of their bromance which I continuously loved about the series. I also liked that part where Lee Gon and Jung Tae-eul were holding hands and their hands suddenly became wrinkly, indicating that it was a happy ending for them because they grew old with each other.
Kate: I love the part where they show the yoyo boy turning into this mysterious cute guy, haha! Makes you want to research who this actor is! Also, I love the 'dates' Gon and Tae-eul have every weekend, heading to different eras to explore all that they weren't able to explore in the beginning of the story. I particularly found the 'leaves' scene by the beach really funny!
Justin: Aside from their eventual reunion outside of Tae-eul’s house, I loved seeing Gon reach for Tae-eul’s hand through the time traveling gate—bringing her to different worlds and places in time. It was really nice to see these two find a way to be in each other's lives despite being, literally, worlds apart. I also loved the part where they were watching the CCTV in the palace and began discussing the genre of Jo Yeong and Myung Seung-A, who like their Republic of Korea counterparts, seem to be in love. We see Lady Noh appearing unexpectedly, and almost catching them! Then Tae-eul and Gon kiss, with their backs to the screen! I ship them so much. <3
Geolette: I really got moved with the part when the first thing Lt. Tae Eul did after waking up was calling Chief Park to check on everyone. This is because Tae Eul knows that because Lee Lim “disappeared” when Lee Gon was successful in his mission, her worst fear is that this would also change what happened in her timeline. There was really no need for words when we heard her sob—we knew that Sinjae wouldn’t exist in the universe that she lives in. It was a brief moment, but it was acted so well by Kim Go Eun.
Netflix
Fill out the blank: "Stellar acting by ______!"
Grace: Lee Min-ho and Woo Do-hwan. Lee Min-ho always manages to deliver good performances, complemented by such gorgeous, charming visuals. As for Woo Do-hwan, it’s the first time I’ve seen him in a drama and I was so impressed by how he portrayed dual roles here and did well on both. His other K-Dramas are now added to my binge list.
Kate: Kim Go-eun! This effortlessly charming actress may not be your typical glamour gal, but you have to admit, she has acting chops that draw you in! Ever since her Goblin days, I feel like she has grown a lot, and still has that X factor you just can't pinpoint. Imagine having to play not just one, not two, but six different characters in one show—that's talent! (Spoiler: she played four additional characters in the finale)
Justin: Honestly, Kim Go-eun was amazing in this series. She matured a lot since Goblin and I’m excited to see her in her future projects. She was able to depict the many different moods and evolutions of her complicated characters, Jeong Tae-eul and Luna, showing versatility and a greater grasp and use of her craft as an actor. In the same respect, Lee Do-Hwan was also excellent in the series—playing Eun-seob and Jo Yeong, two very different characters, very well.
Of course, Lee Min Ho also deserves a special mention, because he really did portray Lee Gon in all his majestic, charming glory. It was hard to not fall for him. He commanded the room and is for me the ultimate male lead in a recent K-drama.
Geolette: Stellar acting by Woo Do-hwan! Really superb as Joe Eun-seob and Jo Yeong, shifting from one extreme to the other, and in the end showing transformation in both characters. Looking forward to watching him again soon.
Netflix
Netflix
Favorite lines/quotes from the entire series?
Grace: I liked the message that Lee Gon and Jung Tae-eul both said at the very last scene of the finale: "No matter what kind of a door opens before us in life… And even if the moments we share make us sad at times, I wish to be able to love tirelessly."
Kate: There wasn't one particular line that stuck with me, but I like the idea that family plays such an important role in Korean society (just like it is here). You can see in the scenes where Tae-eul interacts with her dad, in the way Lee Gon has a special motherly relationship with Head Court Lady Noh, how Eun-sup takes care of his twin siblings, and how Prime Minister Koo values her mother—family is number one.
Justin: Lee Gon saying, “I’ll open all the doors in the universe. And I promise. I will return to you.” Cry fest!!!!! Throughout the series, Gon and Tae-eul also exchange “love rules” and I thought that was the cutest thing. Tae-eul had a total of 12 rules, as follows.
- Stay quiet
- Don’t draw people’s attention
- Don’t draw people’s attention
- Keep Jo Yeong out of trouble
- Don’t use guns
- Contact me whenever you go somewhere
- No cheesy comments when I am hungry.
- Don’t ask me to come with you.
- Don’t get scared in advance.
- Tell me you’ll come back.
- No matter what happens you have to come back.
- Catch Lee Lim and even if the door closes, open all the doors in the universe and return to me. Promise me.
Meanwhile, Gon only had: “Do just two things for me. Don’t tell me not to come. And don’t tell me not to leave. I have to go back sometimes, and when I do, I want to come back soon. Whichever it is, if you tell me not to come or leave, I don’t think I’ll be able to do anything.”
Geolette:
“Your fate is determined by the choices you make, but there are times when your fate chooses you.” - Jeong Tae Eul
This has bearing to the entire story. Does one have control over one’s life? Or is one subject to fate? Lee Gon and Jeong Tae Eul have consistently proved that they are responsible for everything that happens to them—yet in the end, it seems as if they are really fated to be together. Such a beautiful conundrum.
“I’m the type of person who still can’t believe the earth is round.” - Lt. Tae Eul
This has been the running joke throughout the season—that despite the complexity of the story about time travel and parallel universes—Tae Eul was still gung-ho on accepting facts that she can verify with her own senses. (Ep 2)
“Among real numbers, zero is my favorite. You have the nature of that number. Usually, a zero means there is nothing, but it’s actually a number of absolute power. It can nullify any number or take everything away from it. What makes money powerful is not the number at the front, but the number of zeros behind it. A number trapped in a root symbol can escape under only two circumstances. They need to have a square root, or meet the powerful number, zero.
You’re always busy and you don’t care much for me. Because of you, I’m powerless here, but it’s fine. You are much more amazing than I had imagined. And you are standing in front of the root symbol I’m trapped in. ” - Lee Gon to Lt. Tae Eul
I love this quote because it shows the poetry of mathematics, tied in with the love. Lee Gon is explaining how Tae Eul has the qualities of zero—she is unwavering, resolute, and is able to nullify and solve problems. Lee Gon still needs to find the answers (hence being trapped inside the root symbol), but him facing a zero would instantly solve the equation.
Netflix
Will you recommend this k-drama?
Grace: Despite its flaws story-wise, I'll still recommend it, because it still presented a gripping narrative that's far from the usual K-Dramas we've seen. I also liked the cinematography.
Kate: Definitely! I've already encouraged my mom and sister to do so, and they're ready to dive in right after the finale ends—they want to binge-watch it as recommended. I'd tell people to give it a chance—it's a new experience, and the production itself is worth seeing.
Justin: Some people said that it was a little complicated, with the play of parallel universes and different worlds, but I honestly loved it, maybe even more so, because of that. So yes, I’d definitely recommend it. I was able to appreciate the storytelling, which I was told to expect would be good seeing as Kim Eun-sook, the writer of TKEM, had produced such wonderful stories before. It might not be an easy watch for everyone but I think it’s something all could enjoy, if they give it a chance.
Geolette: To be honest, no. Not yet. I wouldn’t want this to be the first drama for some people because I’d want their first to be a bit more balanced, and a lot easier to understand. This drama falls short in bringing steadiness to the narrative while still bringing in the emotions to help viewers relate to the characters. I’d recommend this for those who have more experience watching dramas, and would be likely to understand the intention of the writer and read into the small nuances that are easy to miss because of the sheer number of layers and elements in each scene.
Did you tune into the finale of the epic love story between Lee Gon and Jeong Tae-eul? What did you think of it? Which of its characters did you fall in love with? One thing's for sure, we already miss this wonderful ensemble cast and the stories they brought to life in The King: Eternal Monarch!
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