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That is why historical films"The King's Warden" (Vietnamese title: Under His Highness's Shadow)Released in early February and becoming a box office phenomenon, it stunned even industry experts. As of April 11th,"Under His Highness's shadow"It attracted 16.28 million viewers, surpassing blockbusters."A very difficult job"(2019) became the second highest-grossing film in Korean cinematic history. Currently, its ticket sales are only surpassed by another historical film."The Great Naval Battle"(2014) with 17.4 million tickets.
If we only consider revenue, currently"Under His Highness's shadow"It has officially become the king of the Korean box office with 156.9 billion won (equivalent to 105.6 million USD), more than double what "Zootopia 2" achieved in 2025.
This was difficult to predict before the film's release, because at the same time, the spy film "Humint" was predicted to be more successful. But if you've seen it..."Under His Highness's shadow"Therefore, it's understandable that this film reached a wider audience than "Humint."
Telling history from a fresh perspective.
The first and most obvious difference is"Under His Highness's shadow"The film's approach to historical themes differs significantly from the familiar formulas of many films in the same genre, which often focus on politically charged palace intrigues or epic, tragic battles.
Actor Park Ji Hoon's portrayal of the melancholic young king Danjong was incredibly captivating, contributing to the film's milestone of 16 million tickets sold at the South Korean box office.
"Under His Highness's shadow"The story revolves around the young King Danjong (played by Park Ji Hoon) of the Joseon dynasty. Born with the real name Yi Hong-wi, he was the legitimate heir and ascended the throne in 1452 upon his father's death. However, his short reign was quickly brought to an end when his uncle usurped the throne, forcing him into exile until the end of his life.
Instead of following the cliché of fierce power struggles, the film chooses a quieter approach, focusing on the events of 1457, when Danjong (also known as Nosan) was exiled to the remote Gwangcheon-gol region.
Instead of intense palace intrigue, the film explores a humanistic perspective on ordinary life.
Village chief Eom Heung Do (Yoo Hae Jin), after witnessing the prosperity of another village fortunate enough to welcome a disgraced official and receive a reward upon his reinstatement, harbors the ambition to transform Gwangcheon-gol into a place of exile, hoping to alleviate the villagers' suffering and provide literacy for their children. However, the irony lies in the fact that the person sent is not a powerful figure as they hoped, but merely a young, deposed king consumed by melancholy.
Content"Under His Highness's shadow"Much of it is fictionalized, as Korean historical records do not detail the interactions between Nosan and the villagers. Director Jang Hang-jun chose to explore a rather novel perspective rarely seen in historical films: the lives of people in exile.
It wasn't some random, remote place, but a carefully chosen territory by the imperial court, with clear regulations outlining the rights and obligations of both sides. From the perspective of these ordinary people, the story of power and its downfall suddenly becomes more relatable and down-to-earth.
As of April 11, 2026, director Jang Hang-jun's film officially became the highest-grossing film in South Korean cinematic history with 156.9 billion won.
The film's storytelling is linear, straightforward, and easy to follow. Through Nosan's everyday interactions with the villagers, most notably the village chief, what should have been a heavy burden of exile becomes lighter and more heartwarming, filled with simple laughter and the genuine warmth of the people of Gwangcheon-gol.
Much of the film's opening is dominated by a lighthearted, even humorous, atmosphere. Stories revolving around meals, village life, and the very "real" calculations of the villagers—such as hoping that an exiled person can bring benefits to the village—create a pleasant, relatable rhythm.
Laughter in films isn't just a supporting element, but an integral part of the storytelling structure. It helps the audience naturally draw into the story before they realize they've become attached to the characters. As the plot builds to a climax, the emotions become deeper and more genuine, rather than being forced.
The performances of the two main characters were convincing.
"Under His Highness's shadow"Aside from its entertainment value and easier-to-watch nature compared to typical historical dramas, the film still has some flaws. The special effects aren't very good, such as the scenes where the tiger attacks the villagers. However, these shortcomings don't significantly impact the viewing experience and are compensated for by the consistent acting of the cast, especially the chemistry between a seasoned veteran actor (Yoo Hae Jin) and a rising young star known for his role as a K-Pop idol (Park Ji Hoon).
Park Ji Hoon embodies the resolute demeanor of King Danjong in a climactic scene.
"Box office guarantee" Yoo Hae-jin begins his role as village chief Eom Heung Do with all the pragmatism of a man who never had the chance to dream big. He arrives at the neighboring village, sees the prosperity they have achieved by sheltering an exiled nobleman, and immediately calculates: I can do the same. His persuasion of the villagers to welcome the distinguished guest is not out of compassion, but purely calculated, with the dream of changing his life when that person is reinstated.
But the person he welcomed back wasn't a temporarily disgraced official, but a young king in a state of despair. From here, the film explores the most interesting aspect of Eom Heung Do's journey: change doesn't come from a single explosive moment, but from small things that gradually accumulate.
As his spirits gradually improved after his initial time in the village, the young king began teaching his son, Eom Heung Do, to read and write, and the boy then passed that knowledge on to the other children in the village.
During meals meticulously prepared by the villagers using local ingredients, Nosan didn't eat in silence but actively inquired about each dish, remembered everyone's names, and acknowledged each person's contribution as if it were the most important thing in the world. For people accustomed to being overlooked, such attentive listening was an unprecedented luxury.
Eom Heung Do observes everything and begins to forget his initial motives. This journey of transformation showcases Yoo Hae Jin's brilliance. He not only creates hilarious scenes with witty expressions, but also moments where the character Eom Heung Do steps back, looking at the young king with respect, no longer harboring any ulterior motives.
Placed alongside him is Park Ji Hoon as King Nosan. Before"Under His Highness's shadow"He is known for the series "Weak Hero Class," where his teary eyes made a strong impression on viewers. In "Under His Highness's Shadow," those eyes were given the role of a true hero: a king who has lost his throne, his family, his future… but who, little by little, finds his reason to live among the most ordinary people.
Park Ji-hoon's changing expressions throughout the film—from his initially pale face and desperate eyes to his resolute gaze upon injustice, and his relaxed smile while sitting with the villagers—show that the former Wanna One member has the potential to go far in the film industry.
An interesting point lies in how the film was received in different markets. For Korean audiences, the story of King Danjong is not unfamiliar. They enter the theater with some pre-existing understanding of the historical outcome, meaning the appeal lies not in "what will happen," but in how the story is told.
Conversely, for the majority of Vietnamese audiences, this is almost an entirely new story. This inadvertently becomes an advantage, as viewers are drawn into the plot with curiosity about the characters' fates, thus creating intrigue throughout the film.
While Korean audiences watch the film with historical empathy, international audiences unfamiliar with Korean history enjoy it with a sense of discovery, and both audiences find reasons to be captivated. The success of"Under His Highness's shadow"This proves that historical films don't necessarily have to be grandiose or dry. A historical story that emphasizes integrity and loyalty, when told correctly, can resonate with audiences and even break box office records.
