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The King's Warden

The King's Warden
Theatrical release poster
Hangul
왕과 사는 남자
Hanja
王과 사는 男子
Lit.The Man Who Lives with the King
RRWanggwa saneun namja
MRWanggwa sanŭn namja
Directed byJang Hang-jun
Written by
Produced by
  • Im Eun-jeong
  • Jang Won-seok
Starring
CinematographyChoi Young-hwan
Edited byHeo Seon-mi
Music byDalpalan
Production
companies
  • Onda Works
  • B.A. Entertainment
Distributed byShowbox
Release date
  • February 4, 2026 (2026-02-04)
Running time
117 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box office$23.5 million[1]

The King's Warden (Korean: 왕과 사는 남자) is a 2026 South Korean historical drama film directed by Jang Hang-jun. It features an ensemble cast led by Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, and Jeon Mi-do. The film explores the domestic life and psychological isolation of the deposed King Danjong during his exile in 1457. Distributed by Showbox, it was released on February 4, 2026.

Synopsis

Set in 1457 during the Joseon Dynasty, King Danjong, the young sixth king of Joseon was deposed by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (later King Sejo). After being stripped of his title and exiled to the remote, scenic mountain valley of Cheongnyeongpo in Yeongwol, the young former king finds himself living in a world far removed from the palace. Eom Heung-do, a shrewd village chief who hears a rumor that hosting an exiled nobleman brings great fortune to a village. Expecting a wealthy aristocrat who might revive the local economy, Heung-do and the villagers are instead met with the arrival of the teenage deposed king and his devoted court lady. As Danjong struggles with the loss of his identity and the constant threat of death from the capital, he forms an unlikely bond with Heung-do.

Cast

Production

Development

According to film industry sources, director Jang Hang-jun confirmed that his next project would be titled The King's Warden. The film focuses on the exile of King Danjong, the sixth King of Joseon, in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province. This is Jang's first time directing a historical drama (sageuk), despite his long career in other genres. Produced by Onda Works and B.A. Entertainment, and distributed by Showbox.[2][3] Jang stated in a production briefing that he initially hesitated to take on a historical drama during a tough period for the film industry, he was ultimately drawn to the novelty of Danjong's story and encouraged by the positive "intuition" of his wife, writer Kim Eun-hee.[4]

Casting

Yoo Hae-jin, Yoo Ji-tae, and Lee Joon-hyuk were set to star for director Jang Jang-jun's film. While both Yoo are in the final stages of discussions, Lee decided to confirm his casting early reuniting him the production company of The Roundup film series. This marks a lead role for Yoo Hae-jin while for Yoo Ji-tae, this is his first film in five years and first historical film in 17 years since Hwang Jin Yi (2007). For Lee, this is his first historical film role.[5] Park Ji-hoon has been cast as King Danjong, the central historical figure of the film. Industry insiders noted that Park was selected for his ability to portray deep emotional vulnerability, a trait previously seen in his role in Weak Hero Class 1.[6] Showbox confirmed that Jeon Mi-do joined the principal cast, following her roles in the medical series Hospital Playlist (2020–2021) and the 2024 thriller Connection. This also marks her first historical role.[7] Park Ji-hwan was cast for a cameo appearance along with Lee Joon-hyuk who was previously announced for a lead role.[8] The film's ensemble cast—Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do, Kim Min, as well as Lee Joon-hyuk and Park Ji-hwan—was officially announced in October 2024.[3] Ahn Jae-hong has joined the cast and marks his second collaboration with director Jang following their work on the 2023 sports film Rebound.[9]

Filming

Pre-production wrapped up in late 2024, with principal photography began in the first half of 2025.[3][8]

Release

The film was release on February 4, 2026, during the Korean New Year holiday. Industry analysts have identified the project as a key release for the domestic box office following a period of high market share for foreign films.[10]

Reception

Box office

According to data from KOBIS, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council, The King's Warden earned $4.9 million from 761,832 admissions in its opening weekend with a 58.1% of the total revenue share. As of February 4, 2026, the film has reached a cumulative total of $6.4 million from over 1 million admissions.[11]

Critical response

Reviewing for The Korea Times, Baek Byung-yeul wrote that the film is "brought to life by the brilliant acting of the lead stars". He stated that the "story is straightforward and unfolds in a linear fashion, making it easy to watch, but at times a bit rushed" however, it "succeeds as a human-centered drama as it focuses on the warmth of human connection and the courage of ordinary people."[12]

References

  1. ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2026". KOFIC. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  2. ^ Cho, Yeon-gyeong (July 25, 2024). [단독] 외조만? 장항준 감독 '왕과 사는 남자' 첫 사극 메가폰 [[Exclusive] More than just supporting his wife? Director Jang Hang-jun to helm first sageuk film The King's Warden]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Yoo, Jung-min (October 25, 2024). 장항준 첫 사극 '왕과 사는 남자', 유해진→박지훈 출연 확정 [Jang Hang-jun's first sageuk film The King's Warden confirms casting of Yoo Hae-jin → Park Ji-hoon]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  4. ^ Kim, Yeon-ju (December 19, 2025). '왕과 사는 남자' 장항준 감독 "사극 망설였지만, 김은희가 하라고 했다" [The King's Warden Director Jang Hang-jun "I hesitated over a historical drama, but Kim Eun-hee told me to do it"]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 4, 2026. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  5. ^ Cho, Yeon-gyeong (July 25, 2024). [단독] 유해진·유지태·이준혁, 장항준 첫 사극 '왕과 사는 남자'로 뭉친다(종합) [[Exclusive] Yoo Hae-jin, Yoo Ji-tae, and Lee Jun-hyuk to unite for Jang Hang-jun's first sageuk film The King's Warden (Comprehensive)]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  6. ^ Kang, Nae-ri (October 10, 2024). [단독] 박지훈, 유해진과 만난다...장항준 신작 '왕과 사는 남자' 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] Park Ji-hoon to work with Yoo Hae-jin...Cast in Jang Hang-jun's new film The King's Warden]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 10, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  7. ^ Kang, Nae-ri (October 23, 2024). [단독] 전미도, 차기작은 장항준 감독 신작...영화 '왕과 사는 남자' 합류 [[Exclusive] Jeon Mi-do's next project is Director Jang Hang-jun's new film...Joins The's Warden]. YTN (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 14, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Ji, Dong-hyun (October 24, 2024). [단독] '대세' 박지환, 장항준 감독 만난다...'왕과 사는 남자' 특별출연 [[Exclusive] 'Trend' Park Ji-hwan to work with Director Jang Hang-jun...Special appearance in The King's Warden]. Sports World (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 24, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  9. ^ Kang, Hyo-jin (May 19, 2025). [단독]안재홍, 장항준 감독과 재회...'왕과 사는 남자' 출연 [[Exclusive] Ahn Jae-hong to reunite with Director Jang Hang-jun...To appear in The King's Warden]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  10. ^ Han, Soo-jin (December 11, 2025). [단독] 유해진, 구겨진 한국영화 자존심 펼까...'왕과 사는 남자' 내년 2월4일 개봉 확정 [[Exclusive] Will Yoo Hae-jin Restore the Dented Pride of Korean Cinema?...The King's Warden Confirmed for Release on February 4th Next Year]. Ize (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 4, 2026. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  11. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2026-02-09). "Korea Box Office: Historical Drama 'The King's Warden' Debuts at No. 1". Variety. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  12. ^ Baek, Byung-yeul (2026-01-22). "'King's Warden' humanizes exiled Joseon king - The Korea Times". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-02-13.


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