In recent years, Korean cinema has struggled to retain large audiences after the pandemic and the rise of streaming platforms. Breaking the drought, The King’s Warden became the first domestic film in roughly two years to exceed the 10 million viewer mark. So what is it about this movie that moved the Korean audience to tears, and what cultural significance does it hold in modern-day Korea?
The King’s Warden (or 왕과 사는 남자, The Man Who Lives With The King) tells the story of King Danjong, one of the most tragic figures in the history of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Grandson of King Sejong, Danjong ascended the throne as a young boy but was later overthrown by his uncle, who later became King Sejo. The young king was then exiled to Yeongwol, a remote area in what is now Gangwon Province. At Yeongwol (영월), Eom Heungdo, the local village chief, is tasked with watching over the deposed king, and what begins as a duty evolves into a deeply human relationship that transcends social rank. Instead of focusing on palace politics, the film fills in by reimagining Danjong’s life in exile and his relationship with the villagers who lived near him. The film portrays the young king as a lonely teenager who tries to find meaning after losing everything. His despair, joy, anger, hope, and eventual resignation highlight the humanity that history books often fail to teach.
Beyond the theatres, the film has also renewed curiosity about Korea’s past. The movie’s popularity brought about an influx of visitors to places connected to King Danjong’s history. Many scenes are tied to Yeongwol, where the real king spent his final days in exile. One of the most visited places now is Cheongryeongpo (청령포), an isolated piece of land surrounded by a river on three sides and a sheer cliff on the other, as it is the exact location where the exiled Danjong resided. Other historical sites, such as Jangneung (장릉), the royal tomb of Danjong, have also seen a sharp increase in visitors. People are also leaving reviews of these locations online, which are actually wholesome messages of adoration and comfort for the young king. Some even go as far as leaving “bad” reviews at the tomb of King Sejo, expressing their anger at his actions against Danjong.
While action-packed thrillers and heart-fluttering romcoms continue to dominate global streaming charts, the explosive popularity of The King’s Warden reflects a broader cultural pattern in Korea. The thing about historical films is that people are already spoiled on the ending. So why watch something when you already know how it’s going to end? By focusing on the moral dilemmas and human experiences behind historical figures, such films transform a distant historical tragedy into a heartbreaking and relatable story. In doing so, we see how popular media reinforces a collective engagement with history and identity, thereby shaping how the past is remembered and understood in contemporary Korean society.
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Written by: Ms Luisa Lim, April 2026