The King's Warden (2026 Korean Movie) Filming Locations

 

The King's Warden (Original Title: 왕과 사는 남자) 

Deprived of his throne by his uncle during a bloody coup, the young exiled King Danjong is sent to a remote mountain valley. Meanwhile, a poor village chief, dreaming of bringing prosperity to his struggling town, willingly volunteers his village as the place of exile—sparking a deeply moving journey of loyalty and companion.

Synopsis

Young King Lee Hong-wi (King Danjong), who lost his throne to his uncle Grand Prince Suyang in the Gyeyu Coup, is demoted to Prince Nosan and exiled to Gwangcheon-gol, a remote mountain valley in Cheongryeongpo, Yeongwol.

Meanwhile, Eom Heung-do, the chief of the impoverished Gwangcheon-gol, hears a story about a neighboring village that once prospered by hosting exiled nobles. Desperate to revive his own struggling town, he boldly volunteers his village as the new exile destination...

General Information 

Director: Jang Hang-jun

Cast: Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Ryu Ji-tae, Jeon Mi-do, Kim Min, Park Ji-hwan, Lee Jun-hyeok, Ahn Jae-hong

Genre: Historical Drama (Sageuk), Drama

Release Date: February 4, 2026

Historical Background

King Danjong (Lee Hong-wi)

Appointed as the royal grandson-successor in 1448 at age 8, he became the Crown Prince in 1450 when King Sejong passed away and King Munjong ascended the throne. When King Munjong died after reigning for just 2 years and 3 months, Danjong ascended the throne in 1452 at the young age of 12.

Because he was so young, he required a regent to handle state affairs on his behalf. However, both his mother (Queen Hyeondeok) and his grandmother (Queen Soheon) had already passed away, leaving no royal queen to step in. Consequently, all state decisions fell into the hands of the ministers of the State Council (Uijeongbu).

In 1453, just a year after his coronation, the Gyeyu Coup broke out led by Grand Prince Suyang (Danjong's uncle), who seized complete control of the state. In 1456, scholar-officials from the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon) attempted to restore Danjong to the throne but failed. Accused of involvement in the plot, Danjong was demoted and exiled to Yeongwol in 1457.

Eom Heung-do

A civil official of the early Joseon Dynasty whose birth and death dates remain unknown. He belonged to the Yeongwol clan and served as a Hojang (a chief local government clerk/official).

According to the Annals of King Jungjong (Volume 27):

"Shin Sang (then Royal Secretary) returned to court and wept while speaking with Kim An-guk, saying: 'The tomb lies by the roadside, 5 li west of Yeongwol-gun. It is barely two feet high, crowded among other graves, yet the locals call it the King's Tomb, so even children can identify it. The villagers say: "When the King passed away, the entire town was in panic, but a local official named Eom Heung-do came to mourn, prepared a coffin, and buried him." The townsfolk still look back on this with deep sorrow.'"

Filming Locations