The King's Warden (2026 Film)

The King's Warden (Korean: 왕과 사는 남자; RR: Wanggwa Saneun Namja) is a 2026 South Korean historical drama film directed by Jang Hang-Jun. The film, which features a screenplay by Jang Hang-Jun and Hwang Sung-Goo, was released on February 4, 2026, and distributed by Showbox.

Promotional poster for The King's Warden.

Plot Synopsis

The narrative follows a young king, portrayed by Park Ji-Hoon, who is dethroned and subsequently exiled to a remote village in a mountain valley. Accompanied by his court lady, played by Jeon Mi-Do, the former monarch encounters the local residents, including the village chief, Eom Heung-Do (Yu Hae-Jin). The story focuses on the relationship between the villagers and the displaced king as they provide him with care and protection.

Production

Principal photography for The King's Warden commenced in March 2025 and concluded in June 2025. The film features cinematography by Choi Young-Hwan and has a runtime of 116 minutes.

Cast

Park Ji-Hwan as the Yeongwol County mayor.

Awards

At the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards held on May 8, 2026, the film received several honors, including the Grand Prize (Daesang) for Yu Hae-Jin and the Best New Actor award for Park Ji-Hoon. The production was also recognized with the Gucci Impact Award.