[FILM REVIEW] The King’s Warden (2026)

This is a spoiler-free review.

Service, loyalty and agency are at the heart of the film The King’s Warden – a South Korean historical drama about a poor, bumbling village chief who finds himself taking care of a dethroned king. 

Yoo Hae-jin’s (Exhuma, A Taxi Driver) Eom Heung-do and Park Jihoon’s (Weak Hero) No-san lead an ensemble cast as the titular warden and king respectively. 

Their bond is at the center of the story – following them through a reluctant partnership which starts when chief Heung-do campaigns for his village to become the living quarters for banished officials from the capital.

Instead of a high-ranking noble whom he’s hoping will bring prosperity to their struggling village, they get No-san, who he describes as a “grubby little kid”. 

Nosan was dethroned and exiled to the village after a coup initiated by his uncle – the villainous Han Myeong-hwe played by Yoo Ji-tae (Oldboy, Money Heist Korea), who’s hoping the misery will lead the teenage king to suicide.

Heung-do eventually finds Nosan standing at the edge of a cliff twice, desperate to end his life to escape the nightmares of his servants who were killed in the uprising. The chief grows worried about his erratic behaviour, fearing he will be punished if the royal is harmed. 

Despite their conflicts, they eventually form a steadfast friendship – which is continually tested by the events of the film.

Park Jihoon’s portrayal of the fresh-faced young king, who’s tortured by the weight of the responsibilities that come with the crown, is captivating. He holds his own against a stacked cast of veteran actors, including Jeon Mi-do (Hospital Playlist, Thirty-Nine) and Ahn Jae-hong (Reply 1988, Hi-Five).

Yoo Hae-jin presents an acting masterclass – nailing the comedic beats as the clumsy village chief and the heart-wrenching choices he faces later in the film.

With that compelling blend of humor and drama, it’s no wonder the period piece has earned rave reviews from stars like Seventeen’s DK and earned the title of highest-grossing domestic film in South Korea. 

The King’s Warden handles a hefty story and tonal shifts with finesse, an absolute masterclass in bending genres. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Now showing at Golden Village.

Running time: 117 minutes
The Seoul Story’s rating: 3.8/5 

Written by: Nicole
Photos by: PurplePlanSG

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