The King's Warden, a film that has risen to become 2026's biggest hit with powerful historical drama acclaim thanks to the actors' intense performances that deliver heavy resonance and lingering emotion, is set to release the OST "Friend," sung by Jeon Mi-do, as it nears 16 million admissions.
Set in Cheongryeongpo in 1457 and telling the story of the village chief who volunteered for exile to revive the village and the young deposed former king who was exiled, The King's Warden releases today (the 3rd) at 12 p.m. the Jeon Mi-do–sung OST "Friend," composed by music director Dalparan and with lyrics by Yoon Jongshin. This OST was planned to repay the audience's passionate love as The King's Warden approaches a cumulative audience of 16 million, giving it deep meaning.
"Friend" gains special significance as Jeon Mi-do, who plays Maehwa in the film and has received high praise from audiences for her deep performance, directly participates as the vocalist. Jeon Mi-do, who is also beloved as a musical actress with outstanding vocal ability, is expected to share the character's profound emotions with the audience once again through the OST "Friend."
Dalparan, the music director who led the music work for The King's Warden and elevated the film's completeness, is a master who has expanded the artistic horizon of Korean film music through experimental approaches that cross genres. Through many notable works such as Believer, Moving, Kingdom, and others including the films Escape, Call, The Wailing, and Believer, he has freely employed minimalism, intense electronic music and lyrical melodies to create an original auditory narrative. Known as the director's most trusted partner for his delicate sound design that probes the depths of characters, he evokes Maehwa's emotions as she looks at Hongwi through the melody of "Friend." Recalling the production process of "Friend," Dalparan said, "I worked with a wistful, regretful feeling, as if organizing the film's meaning and emotion."
Yoon Jongshin, one of Korea's leading singer-songwriters who has resonated with audiences through the lyrics of numerous memorable songs, participated in the lyric writing, raising expectations further. The OST "Friend," which captures Maehwa's emotions who has always been with Hongwi, is a lyrical ballad. Yoon Jongshin said, "I wanted to express the painful feeling of watching over someone who has been a treasured, beloved friend since very early on but cannot become that friend because of his difficult situation." He added, "I worked with the desire to contribute even a little to the work of my close friend director Jang Hang-jun. I was surprised by Jeon Mi-do's vocal skills, emotional expression and immersion. Working with longtime senior Dalparan was also very meaningful," sharing his meaningful impressions of participating in the OST.
The King's Warden OST "Friend" will be available on domestic music platforms such as Melon, Jini, Vibe, Flo, Bugs and YouTube Music, as well as in 50 overseas music stores including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, TikTok, Facebook Music, iTunes and Line Music.
The King's Warden, which ranks third in the all-time box office and continues to draw audiences daily in its ninth week since release, is now showing to great acclaim in theaters.
[Photo] SHOWBOX
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