The King's Warden: Walking Danjong's Final Days
The biggest Korean hit of 2026, The King's Warden is director Jang Hang-jun's first historical drama. It tells the story of the deposed King Danjong (Park Jihoon), who was exiled to Yeongwol in Gangwon Province after his uncle King Sejo seized the throne. Yoo Hae-jin delivers a deeply moving performance as the village chief who volunteers to host the exiled king.
The film crossed the 10 million admissions mark within a month of release, cementing its place in Korean cinema history. It was filmed across the stunning landscapes of Yeongwol in Gangwon Province and Mungyeong in Gyeongsangbuk Province.
Behind the Scenes
Since the actual Cheongnyeongpo exile site had become a tourist attraction, the production team found a similar river tributary to build a custom open set for the exile scenes. They even constructed an access road through undeveloped terrain, and the set was dismantled after filming.
The Joseon-era village scenes were shot at the Mungyeong Saejae Open Set, while real historical sites related to King Danjong — Cheongnyeongpo, Gwanpungheon, Jangneung, and Seondol — add depth to the film's historical authenticity.
Recommended Day Trip in Yeongwol
Cheongnyeongpo → Gwanpungheon → Jangneung → Seondol — all four sites are within 10 minutes of each other by car, making for a perfect day trip. If the film moved you with Danjong's story, follow in his footsteps and experience the history firsthand.
