Drawing from actual events of the Joseon period, this film centers on village head Um-Heung Do (played by Yoo Hae-jin) and his attempts to improve conditions for those under his care. After a hunting trip goes unexpectedly wrong, he stumbles upon a neighboring town experiencing greater prosperity. This is due to a former government official who had been exiled there, receiving generous gifts from locals hoping for his return to power—a hope that ultimately benefited the entire community through improved policies and education. Anticipating further exiles under a new king, the village chief offers their former shaman’s residence as housing for an important prisoner, expecting to receive one. What arrives isn't what they expect: a teenage boy (Park Jo-hoon) accompanied by a loyal servant (Jeon Mi-do), seemingly intent on starving himself. The locals are concerned about his potential death and launch various attempts to connect with him. Things escalate when news of the prisoner’s true identity, Lord Dosan, spreads. Initially, I found Yoo Hae-jin's constant energy somewhat irritating, but once the relationships between characters become clear, his performance became quite compelling. A sense of bravery and moral strength develops as he and his son (Yoo Ji-tae) form a connection with their guest, who gradually starts to question his predetermined fate. The film incorporates elements of suspense, scheming, humor, and even a formidable adversary. Unless you have knowledge of 15th century Korean history, the ending will likely come as a surprise. It's a story about people, told effectively, particularly through Park Jo-hoon’s performance; the visual design is appealing, and I ultimately found it enjoyable once it gained momentum.

Source on TMDB