Air Dates: August 5 - September 24, 2019

Episodes: 32

Where to Watch: Kocowa

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Starring: Rain and Im Ji Yeon

Lee Jae Sang is a prosecutor who has spent his career putting his own financial gain and winning record over people.  Even when it meant losing his one true love.  But after a serious accident, Jae Sang wakes up in an alternate reality where his life looks very different.  In this version of life, he made better choices that led him down a completely new path in life.  At first, he only cares about getting back to his old life, but eventually he begins to see that there is more to life than greed, and that he has things now that he wants to protect.

Rain as Lee Jae Sang

Lee Jae Sang is a bombastic prosecutor who has never lost a case, due to his determination to do whatever it takes to win.  The rich and influential hire him when they need to get the job done, and he has never had a moment of guilty conscience or regret.  But, after waking up in an alternate reality where he has married the love of his life and has a daughter, he begins to see how his choices have affected innocent people.  In this new reality, he is a lawyer, and he uses his skills to protect and defend those who need him most.  So that when he is sent back to his original life, he is a changed man.  Now he just wants to hold on to the happiness he had in the alternate universe and live a life he and the people around him can be proud of.

This was a great role for Rain.  He was annoying, funny, and heroic in turns.  But through it all, he brought his special brand of charisma.  By the end of the ride, I really felt like I had been on a journey along with him and I was invested in his success.

Im Ji Yeon as Ra Shi On

Ra Shi On is a tough detective who puts jusice above anything else.  She broke up with Jae Sang when she found out that he lied to her about a case involving her brother.  Since then, she has watched Jae Sang lie and cheat in court and she hates who he has become.  But in the alternate reality, she forgave him and they got married and had a daughter.  She is still a detective, dedicated to fighting for what is right, but now Jae Sang is fighting alongside her.  She is hot tempered and spontaneous, but she is also a happy, adoring wife.

Some fans found Im Ji Yeon a bit over the top with her flashes of temper and violence, mostly against Jae Sang in their original reality.  But just as Jae Sang needs to grow and see his past mistakes, Shi On is not perfect either.  And it is the love of Jae Sang that helps her balance out her anger.  It is important that this is a two-way street where they both work to make the other a better person.

Kwak Shi Yang as Goo Dong Taek

Goo Dong Taek is Shi On's partner and has been in love with her for the past 10 years.  He is an outstanding detective and well-liked by everyone in the department.  Even though he has feelings for Shi On, he always treats her with respect and is careful not to push her emotionally.  Dong Taek is an admirable character that received a lot of love from fans.  I loved that he always weighed Shi On's feelings, even when it cost him personally.  In the end, in both realities, it became apparent that Shi On's true feelings for Jae Sang were something he couldn't compete with, and he accepted that with a grace that made me appreciate him all the more.

Shin Jae Ha as Yoon Pil Woo

 Yoon Pil Woo is a biotech genius who is the CEO of Babel Research Center.  He is the illegitimate son of Jang Doo Sik, the aspiring politician.  In the beginning, Shi On is convinced that the serial killer who framed her brother was Jang Doo Sik.  But eventually we find out that it is actually Pil Woo, whose genius covers up some seriously psychopathic behaviors.  Shin Hae Ha is a frighteningly convincing villain.  His crazed laugh and dead eyes are the stuff of nightmares.  I was shocked to see Shin Jae Ha handle this evil role so effortlessly.

Lee Soo Ah as Lee Bo Na

One final shout out to Lee Soo Ah, who played Jae Sang and Shi On's daughter, Bo Na.  This 5 years old gave a terrific performance.  She was fun and endearing and she handled her scenes with the rest of the cast, especially Rain, like a pro.  Resisting the urge to fall back on overly cutesie actions that quickly become irritating, she had genuine dialogues and sincere interactions.  I see great things in her future!

Divided Time Line

Unlike many other alternate universe style dramas, Welcome2Life gave a very balanced time line.  Rather than lots of erratic shifts back and forth or spending the main part of the story in one universe and only returning to the original at the very end, Welcome2Life split the 2 evenly.  This allowed the viewer to see what life was like in the alternate reality and then watch Jae Sang go back  and make the changes to his original life, based on what he learned from his experience.  I feel like this gave the story a very smooth story arc.

Good Pacing

Despit the split storyline, this drama keeps a good, consistant pace all the way through.  It never seemed to drag or get monotanous.  The plot twists just kept coming.  I felt invested in the story right up until the very end.  And the story didn't get bogged down in trying to explain every little detail.  Some things, such as why he went to the alternate reality in the first place, are better left to the imagination.

Chief Oh and Ms. Bang

Park Won Sang was fun as the world-wise "Galileo".  And I always love Jang So Yeon .  Whether she is a prim and proper nurse or a super-efficient secretary, she brings a sparkle and quiet humor to every show she is in.  The subtle give and take between these 2 characters had me rooting for them to finally get a second chance at love, even if Ms. Bang is not Scarlett Johansson.

Where is Jang Do Shik's Son?

Ok, Maybe this is a weird criticism, but I felt like they built up the character of Jang Do Shik's son, Ju Won.  We get to see a glimpse into his personal struggles at school and at home with his father.  It seemed like they were setting him up to play a more substantial role, and then he just disappears.  We see him in the hospital after his mother's death, but there is no indication that this is the last we see of him.  I expected to see more, either after his father's death or as news that his "brother" was a serial killer became public.

Shi On's Fashion Sense (or Lack of!)

Yes, I know that Shi On is a rough and tumble detective.  I understand that it would have been ridiculous to dress her in short skirts and heels, with flawless makeup and hair.  But surely there is a happy medium between that and those ugly, baggy track suits she wore with that shaggy haircut.  I mean, I appreciate that Jae Sang saw her as beautiful, even in that lackluster wardrobe.  And no amount of boring clothes and ugly wigs can hide the fact that Im Ji Yeon is naturally gorgeous, but still, I think they carried the point too far.

Bodily Function Humor

So, I really don't get the kdrama fascination with toilet/bodily function humor.  I guess I just don't find it as funny as the average Korean.  Quite the opposite, it really gets on my nerves.  Especially when this drama had plenty of other humorous moments, like when Jae Sang is convinced that Shi On is cheating on him or the scenes with Jae Sang and the neighborhood women.  These scenes were funny and interesting.  So why fall back on silly and childish antics.  Personally, I felt like it was beneath them to include scenes of children passing gas in their parent's face.  Better to have left humor to the less obvious variety.

This ending was well done in my opinion.  The loose ends were all tied up nicely.  I especially loved Dong Taek's ending.  The evil Doo Shik is killed by his own son, which seems fitting.  After kidnapping Shi On, Pil Woo tries to kill her with his favorite weapon, a hammer, and is stopped and arrested by Jae Sang and the crew.  Justice is served and all is well with the world.

On the personal side of things, I especially loved Dong Taek's ending.  He receives a promotion and moves to a new department where he is trending on social media for arresting a pick pocket and a man taking pictures up women's skirts.  The victim of the pick pocketing flirts with Dong Taek, and he doesn't seem unintersted.  Chief Oh finally admits that he likes Ms. Bang and holds her hand.  And Shi On and Jae Sang finally start dating.  Shi On collapses and Jae Sang rushes to the hospital where she tells him she is pregnant.  Then Shi On says she has been having dreams about the North Star, and Jae Sang realizes that the baby she is pregnant with will be Bo Na.  Once again, their family will be complete.  Happy endings all around!

Welcome2Life is a fun mix of comedy, suspense, and romance.  The cast are talented and the relationships are heartwarming, especially for a crime show.  For people who expect their crime dramas to be more true-to-life, the alternate reality storyline may seem too far-fetched to be enjoyed.  Also, I would be remiss if I didn't give a warning about the blood and gore of certain scenes.   I've read quite a few reveiws from people who were unhappy with the extreme violence.  There were definitely parts that were hard to watch, so if you are squemish, this drama may not be for you.   But for the majority of fans out there, I would recommend Welcome2Life as an interesting story with plenty of twists and turns and lots of heart.  I give Welcome2Life a 3 out of 5 ramen.

🍜🍜🍜

Air Dates: April 17 - June 12, 2020

Episodes: 16

Where to Watch: Netflix

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Starring: Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun

Lee Gon became the emperor of the Kingdom of Corea when his father was killed in front of him at the age of 8.  One night as the emperor is out riding his horse through the woods, he mysteriously crossing into an alternate universe.  This universe is our modern day Korea.

After crossing over, Gon meets a woman detective named Jung Tae Eul, who he has been searching for his whole life.  He has kept the ID badge with her picture  that he found the night of his father's death.  Now that he has found her, he hopes to put together the full story of what happened that night 25 years ago and how the mysterious alternate universe plays a role.  The only problem is that Tae Eul has no idea what he is talking about.  Now they will work together to find the whole truth about what happened that night and what it means for the Kingdom of Corea.

Lee Min Ho as Lee Gon

Lee Gon has been the king of Corea since he was 8 years old.  But despite his unfortunate rise to the crown, he has become a dependable and popular monarch.  Credit for this is largely due to the people who have stepped up to support him, particularly his body guard, who is also his childhood friend, and the Head Court Lady who has raised him like a grandmother since the death of his father.  But the mysteries that hang over his father's murder still haunt him.  Most especially the stranger who saved him from being killed as well, leaving behind a picture ID badge dated November 11, 2019.  This mystery will take him on a journey across universes and time.

While I don't think this is Lee Min Ho's best drama, I do think it is his best acting ever.  Whether it's due to his age or his time away from the screen, he has grown into a mature and talented actor.  It is so fun to see him taking on a role with more depth and sublety.  Lee Min Ho carried out this role perfectly and his natural chemistry with all of his cast mates really shines through.

Kim Go Eun as Jeong Tae Eul/Luna

 Jeong Tae Eul is an outspoken, tough police investigator.    When Jeong Tae Eul first meets Gon, she has no idea who he is, and yet there is a strange feeling of trust and familiararity.  Of course it is hard to believe the crazy story that he is telling her;  that he is a king from a country he has never heard from in a parallel univers.  Who wouldn't think he was crazy?  But when Gon offers to take her there and show her, things start to become very real.  Now she will do whatever it takes to find out the truth about his father's death, who saved Gon's life and how.

Strangely, while her "alter ego" is a girl with a bad attitude, on the other side of the law, their personalities are not that different.  She has been diagnosed with liver disease and only has a few months to live.  When she is offered the opportunity to cross over to the other world and assume Tae Eul's life, she jumps at the chance.  She will have to fool all of her friends and family if she is going to stay long enough to get treatment.

After Goblin, Kim Go Eun has plenty of fans, and I enjoy watching her.  I wish her 2 characters would have had more distinct personalities, so she could show off her talent more.  To her credit, she was very convincing in both roles, as a social rebel who refuses to let anyone tell her what to do.

Woo Do Hwan as Jo Young/Jo Eun Sub

Well, where do you even start with Woo Do Hwan?  For many fans, he was the reason to wade through the complicated storyline and keep watching.  Jo Young first met Gon at his inauguration, when Young was 3 years old.  Young is the son of one of the top military advisors in Corea.  From that moment the king and Young become brothers and best friends.  As his bodyguard, Young never lets Gon out of his sight.  The faithful friend is stoic, logical, and on high-alert, despite the king's efforts to get him to lighten up.

Jo Eun Seop is a sweet guy with lots of dreams.  Unfortunately, none of those dreams have come true and are ever changing.  He has spent most of his life helping his mother raise twin siblings.  Serving his military duty as a civil servant, his current dream is just to be a civilian.  Eun Seop has been friends with Tae Eul for years.  Once he gets over the shock of a man from another universe who looks exactly like him, he joins in to help reveal the truth and even switches lives with Young for a short time.

Woo Do Hwan brought these two opposite characters to life and made us love them both.  Neither character felt forced or unnatural.  Really the only question is fringe or forhead.  Can you chose?  I don't think I can.

Kim Kyung Nam as Kang Shin Jae

Kang Shin Jae has been pining for Tae Eul since he was a high school student.  Together, they have studied judo and joined the police force, but he has never got the courage to tell her his true feelings.  Due to his father's imprisonment and his mother's  gambling addiction, his relationship with his parents is strained.  But this all makes more sense when we find out that the real Kang Shin Jae is laying in a coma.

Shin Jae is actually  Hyun Min from the Kingdom of Corea.  When the real Shin Jae became ill, his parents were approached by Lee Lim with a deal to give them the healthy version of their son in exchange for a medical facility Hyun Min's father owned.

Lee Jung Jin as Lee Lim/ Lee Seong Jae

Lee Jung Jin plays a flawless villian.  Brother to the king, he was the one who organized the coup to kill Gon's father and take the throne.  Everyone assumed that he was dead when he disappeared that night.  But he has been in hiding, travelling between the 2 universes of present Korea and the Kingdom of Corea.  Of course, like all good villains, he isn't planning to hide forever.  Treason was not the only crime he had planned the night of the King's death.  What he really wanted is a magical flute that will give him eternal life.  In the struggle, Gon accidentally broke the flute in half.  Lim took one half when he fled.  The other half is somewhere within the palace.

Kang Shin Jae

Shin Jae's character was unique and interesting.  Unlike some one-dimensional second leads, his character did more than just pine after Tae Eul.  His story, as someone living someone else's life without even knowing it, gave great dimension to his story and his character.  His journey to forgiveness and healing was a great touch in an already full plot line.  I am so glad that Shin Jae was able to explore and grow as a character.

Abundance of Genre

The King: Eternal Monarch may not have gotten it perfect on every level, but the scope of this story is deserving of praise.  There is barely a genre left untouched by the ambitious writers.  First, parellel universes can be hard enough to portray, but to add time travel to the mix was fresh and unexpected.  Second,  I also loved how a story that took place in 2020 could feel like a historical drama.  And these are just the unusual combinations.  There was also murder, intrigue, betrayal, romance, and a bit of comic relief.  This drama went above and beyond to give us an epic story that is larger than life.

Boys Over Flowers Reunion

Okay, who doesn't love Kim Young Ok.  As Korea's grandmother, she is adored by fans.  And have I mentioned that I am a huge Lee Min Ho fan, because of a little drama called "Boys Over Flowers".  So, I was thrilled to see these 2 together on screen again.  Of course, Young Ok didn't let me down.  Her portrayal as a stand in grandparent to the king was adorable and sweet.  A stroke of genius on the casting side, I know I'm not the only fan who loved Young Ok and Min Ho's endearing interactions.

Koo Seo Ryeong as Mini-Villian

Koo Seo Ryeong is a good actress and I don't have any complaints about her abilitilies, but I just didn't hate her enough to be a real villian.  And if that was the case, I wish they would have let Lee Jung Jin have the full spotlight as the villian.  Honestly, she would have been fine as the sophisticated and sometimes irritating Prime Minister, who had hoped to marry the King.  Just my opinion here, but I think they tried to do too much with her character, and it fell flat for me.

The Naval Battle

So, I will be the first to admit that my heart swooned to see Min Ho in that stunning white naval uniform.  Well played, writers.  But, what did the scene do to support the story?  Yes, it explained why Gon was temporarily delayed, but it came out of nowhere.  It started suddenly and was done just as suddenly.  Was it normal for Japan to just spontaneously send war ships?  I guess, for me it just felt out of place.  Anyone else have that thought or is it just me?

Ad Placement

Since it has been all the talk, it would be remiss of me to not mention the excessive amount of obvious advertisements throughout The King: Eternal Monarch".  Yes, I understand that dramas need sponsors to be able to produce their shows, but did the writers use up all their creative energies with the script and then let the interns throw products into the middle of the scenes?  I must admit, I have heard people complain about it before and I didn't get all the fuss, but this was pretty bad.  They seemed to disrupt the scenes rather than blending into them.  I know they could have done better.

The ending for "The King: Eternal Monarch" is a complicated one for me.  They tied up all the loose ends well, and showed what happened to each character.  Most of their outcomes were positive; budding romances bloomed, career paths were chosen, and relationships were mended.  It's hard not to love all those happy endings.  And, most would say Gon and Tae Eul had a happy ending.  They were still together, spending their weekends on romantic trips.  But I felt like this ending was kind of a cop out.  How sustainable is it for the King to have a love and life completed hidden from everyone?  Like Goblin, it was cute in the moment, but it left me with more questions about their future than answers, and that didn't leave me feeling satisfied.

There was a lot of hype surrounding this drama, partly because it was done by the same writers who gave us Descendants of the Sun and Goblin, and partly because it was Lee Min Ho's first drama in 3 years.  Unfortunately, many felt that it didn't live up to that hype.  There were complaints that the shift between universes made the story confusing and hard to follow.  Maybe it's just because I am a diehard Min Ho fan, but I don't share the hate.  I wouldn't say this is his best drama, but I enjoyed it nontheless.  If you don't like sci-fi or find supernatural stories to be hard to follow, this show is probably not for you.  It requires a little more work and attention than your average kdrama.  But the combination of fantasy, romance, and intrigue make it worth the effort.  If you're on the fence, you owe it to yourself to at least give it a try.  I give The King: Eternal Monarch 4 out of 5 ramen.

🍜🍜🍜🍜