Yoo Hae Jin and Park Ji Hoon unveil untold story of King Danjong in new historical film 'The King's Warden'

19 Dec 2025, 20:41 by K-Soul · allkpop

Actors Yoo Hae Jin and Park Ji Hoon are set to present a story never before told in Korean cinema. Going beyond what is recorded in history books, the film uncovers hidden narratives surrounding King Danjong, who died at the age of 17, completing his untold story.

“This isn’t the familiar historical tale everyone knows,” Yoo Hae Jin said. “It focuses on Danjong’s life in exile—something not recorded in textbooks. It’s a film that delivers both humor and deep emotional resonance.” He added, "I’ve made many films over the years, but this one is truly special."

Director Jang Hang Jun takes on his first-ever historical drama with this project. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I didn’t realize how demanding it would be,” adding, “Because it features real historical figures, we couldn’t approach it lightly.”

As a result, the production placed strong emphasis on historical accuracy. The team consulted experts from various fields and conducted extensive research, ultimately achieving a high level of authenticity. Lead actors Yoo Hae Jin and Park Ji Hoon also expressed admiration for each other’s performances.

The production press conference for 'The King’s Warden' was held on December 19 at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. Attendees included Yoo Hae Jin, Park Ji Hoon, Yoo Ji Tae, Jeon Mi Do, and director Jang Hang Jun.

Set in 1457, 'The King’s Warden' tells the story of a village chief who voluntarily chooses exile to help revive Cheongnyeongpo Village, and a young deposed king who is sent into exile after losing his throne. Alongside their bond, the film also captures the everyday joys and sorrows of ordinary people.

The film is the first Korean movie to portray the hidden story of King Danjong. The sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty, Danjong, ascended the throne at age 12, only to be deposed by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang, and sent into exile, where he died at 17.

Director Jang admitted he initially hesitated. “When I thought about it, I realized no one had really told Danjong’s story before,” he said. “I talked to my wife, writer Kim Eun Hee, and she told me to go for it. She has great instincts,” he added with a laugh.

He went on to explain the narrative focus: “It’s a story about the village led by Yoo Hae Jin’s character. The villagers wait for an exiled figure with mixed anticipation and anxiety, and the film centers on the friendship that develops between the village chief and Danjong.”

Jang stressed the importance of accuracy. “Today’s audiences watch films with the knowledge of historians. If we got something wrong, it would be a serious problem,” he said. “We consulted professors, reviewed materials, and even studied books on cultural customs. History often leaves gaps in detail, and we spent a lot of time figuring out how to fill them.” He added that all costumes were custom-made for authenticity.

Park Ji Hoon transforms into the young former king Yi Hong Wi (King Danjong). “Because he’s not a well-documented figure, I wanted to approach him with a sense of purity,” Park Ji Hoon said. “I kept asking myself what it would feel like to experience such emotions at such a young age.”

He explained, “I focused on portraying Danjong’s emptiness and helplessness. I had countless readings with the director, discussing voice tone, speech patterns, and posture, building the character step by step.”

Director Jang personally reached out to Park. “I wasn’t very familiar with him at first, but the moment I watched Weak Hero, I thought, ‘That’s Danjong,’” he recalled. “He wasn’t just fragile—there was inner strength.”

For the role, Park learned traditional Korean archery. “I used to think it was just about hitting a target like modern archery,” he said. “But Korean archery is about emptying your mind. Once I focused on that, my form improved naturally.”

He also underwent a drastic physical transformation, losing 15 kilograms. “I wanted to visually express the frailty and lethargy of someone so young,” he explained. “I barely ate. I didn’t just want to look thin—I wanted to look pitiful and worn down.”

Park said he tried to fully embody the tragic king on set. Yoo Hae Jin praised him highly, saying, “He was so good that I couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role.”

Yoo Hae Jin plays Eom Heung Do, the village chief of Gwangcheongol, where Danjong is exiled. “In the history we know, there’s no mention of who Danjong met or what relationships he formed in exile,” Yoo Hae Jin said.

That curiosity drew him to the project. “I serve and protect the king in the film. I was drawn to the friendship between the king and the people,” he explained.

To prepare, Yoo visited Yeongwol, where Danjong was exiled. “I went to Jangneung, Danjong’s royal tomb, and saw a statue honoring Eom Heung Do,” he said. “The expression in his eyes felt incredibly real. I kept that image with me throughout the shoot.”

Even the visuals were designed to break away from textbook depictions. “There’s a photo that looks like it came straight out of a history book,” Yoo said. “I didn’t even recognize myself at first—I only realized it was me when I saw my hands.”

Director Jang expressed complete trust in Yoo. “Both the producers and I could only think of one person for Eom Heung Do,” he said. “He’s natural, yet deeply layered.”

At its core, 'The King’s Warden' is a story of friendship between Eom Heung Do and King Danjong, making the on-screen chemistry between Yoo and Park crucial. Jang praised their rapport, saying, “Their mutual trust on set was remarkable.”

Yoo added, “Park Ji Hoon had a huge influence on my performance. At times, I genuinely felt sympathy for him. The emotional scenes in the latter half of the film were possible because of him.”

Park shared, “Working with Yoo Hae Jin left a lasting impression on me. I even thought, ‘If I had known my father, maybe this is how it would have felt.’ It’s deeply poignant and unforgettable.”

Yoo recalled, “I was surprised by Park’s acting depth. He needed to deliver a strong, grounded performance, and he did. He’d follow me and ask, ‘May I walk with you?’ We talked a lot.”

He continued, “The distance from the makeup trailer to the set was about two kilometers. We walked together, talking about the film and everyday things. I often thought, ‘He’s a really good kid.’ We grew very close.”

Park said, “It was an honor to recreate a page of history as our own story.” Yoo added, “I’ve made many films, but this one stands out because the memories are so happy.”

The film also reinterprets Han Myeong Hoe in a new light. “He’s often portrayed as a villain or traitor,” Jang explained. “But historical records describe him as physically strong and skilled in martial arts.”

Actor Yoo Ji Tae takes on the role. “I even asked GPT,” he joked. “It showed Han Myeong Hoe as a strong figure standing behind Grand Prince Suyang, and I thought, ‘That should be me.’”

The cast also includes Jeon Mi Do as court lady Maehwa, Lee Jun Hyuk as Grand Prince Geumseong, Park Ji Hwan as the governor of Yeongwol, and Ahn Jae Hong as the village chief of Norugol. Together, they deliver performances that are vivid, humorous, and emotionally weighty.

Director Jang expressed gratitude, saying, “Park Ji Hwan, Lee Jun Hyuk, and Ahn Jae Hong all agreed to join, and they exceeded my expectations. The entire staff kept saying how great they were.”

Yoo praised the director as well. “Thanks to his upbeat personality, the atmosphere on set was fantastic,” he said. “I was especially impressed by how quickly he revised the script on the spot when ideas came up.”

He concluded, “The film has both laughter and emotion. I hope that comes across clearly.” Jeon Mi Do added, “It’s a film for all ages. I hope audiences laugh freely and leave the theater with a deep sense of emotion.”

'The King’s Warden' is scheduled for release on February 4 next year.

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