A historic film inspired by Joseon’s sixth emperor and his last keeper.
A remote village, far from the reach of the capital and too insignificant to catch the attention of the nobles of 15th-century Joseon, struggles to make ends meet when an opportunity seems to fall from the sky. Eom Heung Do (Yoo Hae Jin), the village headman, volunteers to host an exiled nobleman, hoping that doing so will finally bring the village its much-awaited prosperity. However, his dreams of a flourishing village come to a jarring halt when he discovers that the nobleman he has agreed to host is none other than the recently dethroned King Emeritus.
What should have been the village’s path to prosperity quickly turns into a deadly trap, with its roots embedded deep within the royal court of Hanyang.
Movie: The King’s Warden
Where to Watch: Viki
Cast: Yoo Hae Jin, Park Ji Hoon, Yoo Ji Tae
Screenwriter: Hwang Sung Goo, Jang Hang Jun
Director: Jang Hang Jun
The Plot
In 1452, 12-year-old Yi Hong Wi (Park Ji Hoon) was enthroned as the sixth king of Joseon, but his reign didn’t last long. A year later, his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang, staged a coup and took the throne. After attempts by ministers to reinstate him failed, Yi Hong Wi was demoted to Prince Nosan and sentenced to exile by the newly crowned king.
Meanwhile, Eom Heung Do (Yoo Hae Jin), the headman of a remote village in Yeongwol County, constantly struggles with the challenges posed by his village’s location. While recovering from a hunting accident at a nearby village, Heung Do learns about the perks of hosting an exiled noble and decides to secure the opportunity for his own village. Unaware of the nobleman’s identity, he volunteers to host the next person sentenced to exile in his jurisdiction.
Han Myeong Hoe (Yoo Ji Tae), the minister tasked with arranging Hong Wi’s exile, overhears Heung Do’s offer and decides to accept it. He selects Cheongnyeongpo as Prince Nosan’s place of exile, much to Heung Do’s delight. However, things begin to go astray as the young king slowly starts healing from his past trauma, surrounded by the warm-hearted villagers. His growing confidence does not go unnoticed by his uncle and Han Myeong Hoe. When he plans to reclaim his rightful place on the throne, Han Myeong Hoe discovers his intentions and thwarts his plans, leaving his fate uncertain.
After failing to reclaim the throne, Nosan is sentenced to death by poisoned wine, and his body is to be thrown into the river to remain unclaimed.
The Characters
Eom Heung Do ( Played by Yoo Hae Jin)
A middle-aged, hardworking but opportunistic man who serves as the village chief and the warden responsible for guarding the exiled Prince Nosan. Though petty when it comes to small gains, he is steady, outspoken, and remains loyal to Prince Nosan until the very end.
Yi Hong Wi (Played by Park Ji Hoon)
An adolescent boy named heir to the throne and subsequently crowned as the ruler of Joseon. Initially portrayed as a timid young man, drained of will and hope, he slowly heals from his emotional wounds during his exile and through his interactions with the villagers. He is brave, righteous, kind, caring, and selfless, especially towards his loved ones.
Han Myeong Hoe (Played by Yoo Ji Tae)
He is portrayed as shrewd, cruel, and sharp with his words and actions. His intelligence and calculated decisions establish him as a trusted and influential minister of Grand Prince Suyang.
Reasons to Watch ‘The King’s Warden’
- Historical Accuracy: The plot of the movie is based on real historical accounts of King Danjong, the sixth king of Joseon. The story follows his life after exile, his relationship with Eom Heung Do and the villagers, and his untimely death.
- Authenticity: While inspired by real-life historical events and figures, the movie does a good job of preserving the authenticity of Joseon life, including both its good and bad aspects. The props, costumes, depiction of everyday village life, and intricacies of the royal court are presented with clarity and depth.
- Complexity: Unlike usual documentary-style historical works, the movie focuses more on the humane and mundane aspects of Prince Nosan’s life after exile. It beautifully portrays the intricacies of human connections, which remain intertwined with the deeper ties of court and politics, yet are precious nonetheless.
- Casting: The movie has a talented cast of artists who breathe life into the characters, making it feel as though they are the characters themselves rather than simply acting.
- Tearful Ending: The ending of the movie doesn’t shy away from the real course of history as recorded. The mournful final goodbye brings to life the events recorded in historical annals, leaving viewers with a deep sense of grief for the teenage king and his last warden.
The Vibe of the Movie
If you’re up for a good cry and don’t mind the cutthroat cruelty of historical politics, this movie is just for you. The plot and characters are sure to lead you to research Joseon’s teenage king, who ascended the throne as a child and left the world too soon.
‘The King’s Warden’ is the kind of movie that stays in your mind long after you’ve finished watching it. Nosan and Heung Do’s story stands as an example of loyalty and righteousness, but even more so, of the warmth of the human heart. Heung Do risked his and his clan’s lives to ensure that the teenage boy he had looked after could finally rest in peace after the tumultuous life he had endured. He ensured that exile did not become Nosan’s undoing, not just as a subject but as a guardian. Nosan decided to risk his life and rebel against his uncle’s regime to ensure that those he cared for would not have to suffer because of him again, not just as an exiled king but also as someone who had finally found his purpose.
The movie not only commemorates the story of a village headman and an exiled king but also asks viewers to look back at the past and cherish the present, making it worthy of becoming the highest-grossing film in the Korean market.
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