The Throne

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Movie: The Throne (English title)
Revised romanization: Sado
Hangul: 사도
Director: Lee Joon-Ik
Writer: Jo Chul-Hyun, Oh Seung-Hyun, Lee Song-Won
Producer: Oh Seung-Hyun, Sung Chang-Yun
Cinematographer: Kim Tae-Kyoung
Release Date: September 16, 2015
Runtime: 125 min.
Category: Period-18th Century / Royal Family / Best Film-Movie of the Year
Distributor: Showbox
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea

Plot Synopsis by AsianWiki Staff ©

King Yeongjo (Song Kang-Ho) aspires to become a perfect king due to his tarnished background. His mother is from a lower class and a rumor exists that he killed his older brother to become the king. King Yeongjo then has a son at a late age. He appoints the little prince as the Crown Prince (Yoo Ah-In). King Yeongjo has high expectations for the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince cares more for martial arts and paintings rather than focusing on his studies. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince longs for a benevolent father rather than a strict King. The relationship between the King and Crown Prince becomes shattered.

Notes

Filming began July 8, 2014 at Namwon, Jeollabuk Province, South Korea. The first scene filmed has young Crown Prince Sado amazing his father, King Yeongjo (Song Kang-Ho), and senior statesman amazed by his intelligence.
Filming finished October 8, 2014.

Cast



Song Kang-Ho	Yoo Ah-In	Moon Geun-Young	Jeon Hye-Jin	Kim Hae-Sook
King Yeongjo	Crown Prince Sado	Hyegyeong Hong	Youngbin Lee	Queen Inwon



Park Won-Sang	Jin Ji-Hee	Seo Yea-Ji	Park So-Dam	Uhm Ji-Sung
Hong Bong-Han	Princess Hwawan	Queen Jungsoon	Moon So-Won	Crown Prince Sado (10 years old)



Lee Hyo-Je	So Ji-Sub
King Jeongjo	King Jeongjo

Additional Cast Members:

Kang Hyun-Joong - Chief of Sooeochung
Cha Soon-Bae - Eunuch Park
Han Woo-Jin - Eunuch Na
Jung Suk-Yong - Eunuch Hong
Kwon Bum-Taek - Old First Lord
Ahn Jung-Woo - Crown Prince Sado (4 years old)
Shin Soo-Yeon - Hyegyeong Hong (child)
Shin Bi - Princess Hwawan (child)
Lee Hyun-Jung - eldest granddaughter-in-law of the King
Jo Ha-Suk - Na Kyoung-Eon
Jo Seung-Yeon - Lee Chun-Bo
Choi Min-Chul - Chae Je-Gong
Kim Min-Kyu - Kim Kwi-Ju
Jung Chan-Hoon - Lee Hoo
Kim Jin-Hyeok - Confucian scholar
Kim Seo-Won - government official
Son Woo-Hyuk - Hong Nak-In
Jung Seo-In - midwife court lady
Park Yoon-Ho - criminal
Sabina Yoon - Buddhist nun

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Array

Awards

2015 (35th) Korean Association of Film Critics Awards - November 16, 2015
- Best Film
- Best Screenplay
- Best Music
2015 (52nd) Daejong Film Awards - November 20, 2015
- Best Supporting Actress (Kim Hae-Sook)
2015 (36th) Blue Dragon Film Awards - November 26, 2015
- Best Actor (Yoo Ah-In)
- Best Supporting Actress (Jeon Hye-Jin)
- Best Cinematography & Lighting
- Best Music
- Best Technical Award
2016 (52nd) BaekSang Arts Awards - June 3, 2016
- Grand Prize (Lee Joon-Ik)

Comments

kLsPpo Feb 15 2025 11:04 am I don't know about others, but This Is The Only Drama That Made Me Cry Straight For 2 Hours.

KST Nov 10 2023 10:29 am What a great movie!!! Its really sad story. The depiction of Sado wangja 's story is really impressive here. The death of Sado is really emotional. Yoo ah in's acting is really amazing here. I cannot express how great it is. His emotional acting is really admirable. Hope yoo ah in will come back soon to the industry again. Hope his career will be stayble and all cases against him will clear! We really missed you oppa!!! Please come back soon!!!You are a versatile actor who needs for the success of the k industry.

Monette Jun 04 2022 3:05 am What a beautiful movie indeed.

It made me cry hard and it made me miss my mom and dad. I miss my family.

Thank you so much for this movie.

Palak Patial Nov 26 2021 5:27 am I really cried hard. I don't know why? Maybe my day was bad and I wanted to cry and found this movie as an excuse for crying or maybe this movie was emotional. F*ck Well movie was good and I also like how they showed flashback. It was really good. Huhhhhhh

Ao Aug 09 2021 10:06 am Really interesting perspective where they show the flashbacks as the days go by instead of taking the normal route where the drama happens first, leading up to the rice chest part. They also potrayed sado's mental illness nicely by showing his hallucination of the centipedes and flies as well as his abusive, violent and reckless behaviour.

Although, i think if the film was longer or if this was made into a drama, they could have shown more aspects of sado's illness and focus on more side characters like sado's wife who was abused by sado and played a big part in recording down sado's history and the princess who had a good relationship with sado. The exceptional casting (moon geun young, seo yeji, kim haesook) would also have more spotlight.

Overall 8.5/10

nn Mar 23 2021 11:36 pm i just find out that Yoo Ah In potrait as prince Sado grandfather (King Sukjong) at drama Jang Ok Jung Living By Love. and here he became the grandson.. wow korean history is so interesting.

Aya Jun 13 2020 6:16 pm Prince Sado's fate has been told in a lot of movies and dramas so far, but I have to admit that this movie is the best depiction, mainly because it doesn't hold back on all the emotions. It's a well known fact that Prince Sado was a smart and capable person, but sadly what he was trying to achieve seemed to be in direct contrast to his father's policies and his father's harsh treatment of him eventually lead to him losing all his confidence. Prince Sado is known for his decadence and the atrocities he committed (which some claim to just be slander from the Noron's that he was opposing), after his father's harsh treatment lead to depression (or as it was more vaguely described as mental illness that he acquired at a young age). This movie is very dark, raw and sad. Song Kang Ho and Yoo Ah In were a perfect match as the opposing father and son. Prepare for some tears.

Laura Dec 21 2019 1:45 pm This is the best movie about prince Sado, Yoo Ah In depicted this very well, he was a righteous smart lovely person first turned in to a depressed prince who tried to kill his dad & do many crimes.I just moved by how much he loved his son ,he knew he had to die to protect his son.I love the casting too.

crying Dec 06 2019 4:32 pm i watched a lot of movies and dramas about crown prince sado but damn this one hits me the hardest. all the emotions are so overwhelming and so well delivered one can't help but cry. one of the best portrayal of history i've ever watched.

JJChastity Feb 27 2019 5:54 pm I read about the history and how sad it is for crown prince sado to meet his death by his own father's hand. Both the king and prince are guilty in this fate. The king for not loving his son as it should be and the prince who become mad with disappointment and started killing and raping. It was not shown in the movie but Sado's misdeeds are horrible even though he was actually a nice person at first. The king has no choice but to punish him in this cruel way so that his son and wife would not be affected by sado's crimes. I just wonder if the king has been more of a loving father, sado would grow into a better person and this tragedy would not have happened. But I guess like the king said, it is their fate.

Arin Feb 15 2019 2:45 am I don't expect anything from this movie. I though this is just another battle to get the throne. I don't even read the review or anything about this movie, just bcs I'm so bored and found this movie out of blue, I clicked it and watched it. But who knows this is the first time I cry so hard when I watch saeguk drama. When sado seja die until seo jisub end the movie with his dance, I'm still crying because this movie is so sad. The actors are really awesome. ???

Antique Dec 08 2018 3:42 am Yoo Ah-In and Moon Geun-Young acting was so stunning. still my favorite movie all the time.

Michelly Dec 01 2018 12:37 pm This is the only movie I have watched that has left such a deep impression in me, so much so that I begin to tear up just thinking about it.

Alfrianti Nov 16 2018 6:11 am I watch this 3 times and still cry a river. T.T it so sad but so beautiful story.

Nurul Mar 18 2018 2:09 am I cried every time i watched this movie. It was so saddd.. ?

Tia Jan 12 2018 8:15 pm Beautiful heart breaking story.. A must watch:)))

Vya Dec 14 2017 8:32 pm I really like this movie, we can see tradition and culture from joseon era. The main character yoo ah in portrayed his character really well.

AJ Oct 07 2017 1:48 pm Superb production on all levels. And So Ji Sub’s cameo is exquisite.

pgirlcl13 Oct 01 2017 1:15 pm Ace it (A+ drama story) Too sad & never will know the truth but as with all historical storytelling it is history being told from books or scrolls saved & savaged. I like to see the movie or drama version with Prince Sado's wife gives & son moving his body to correct the wrong doing . It's nice to see two sides of a storytelling- &&& to see outstanding casting members performance and as always I enjoy seeing Moon G-Y.

XyazK Jun 28 2017 12:46 pm Recommended for everyone to watch this! Such a heartbreaking story between a king and his prince.

At first i didnt have high expectation for this movie. I thought that this might be another action movie or assassination movie but i was wrong. The movie have a smooth story telling.

Yoo Ah In acting is really something! Somehow with his acting he did bring me to tears as if i was there and understand his pain. All i want to do is hug him and tell him its ok everything will be fine.

12395jf May 28 2017 10:26 am this is hands down the best historical movie ever. everything about it is beautifully done. yoo ah in's acting was superb! i've watched it like five times and could still feel the sadness :') kudos to the staffs and actors!!!!

Guiltypleasure Mar 22 2017 11:13 am It little bit funny, yoo ah in became king suk jong (grandfather of crown prince sado) and now become king suk jong's grandson LOL :) but it still oke, he can be anything because great acting and full of charisma

Danniah Nov 09 2016 1:53 pm My favorite character is King Jeongjo He is just a little boy caught in the trouble between his dad and his grandfather. Unlike his dad and his grandfather who like a storm and a rock, King Jeongjo flows like water. He really knows how to make position for himself in front of his grandfather without has to abandon his own father. He has great character and this movie potrays him very well. No wonder he became a great king after Sejo the Great.

Anyway, claps for all casts. They really did a very good job. Esp Yoo Ah In. He really fits the role, either in SFD or in this movie. Excited to wait his next project as king.

Vicky Aug 07 2016 11:55 am I cried so much watching this. The pain, anguish, depression, anxiety, hatred that was all portrayed in this movie really dug deep into my heart. Such a masterpiece

ayanosuke01 Jul 10 2016 8:18 am I have nothing against the cinematography, actors, music, etc… all of it is superb. I also appreciate the message of filial piety, etc. and the effort to romanticize the reason as to why

SPOILER ALERT*

…as I was saying, I appreciate the romanticization as to why the King Yeongjo actually had his son killed— that he truly love him and was just trying to protect him, and save his reputation, etc. …But if that was indeed the truth, then I think the King is really stupid. He could’ve saved a lot of people, specially his son, from a lot of pain if he’d just been honest with him. He could’ve just sat down with his son, talked to him about his expectations, of why he’s doing the things he do, etc. Or is that against Confucian ethics? (I don’t know). So the king was portrayed to be unloving and unreasonable, but in truth, everything was actually done out of love?! O.o errr~ ok. If that’s the case, then I think the king is a loving but stupid father. So I liked the movie at first but hated it when it finished because the logic of the conclusion really pissed me off. …It’s been nominated and won many Awards, good for them :D Congratulations!

star May 24 2016 7:56 am I cried so hard in this movie. How could a father kill his own son. very heartbreaking but worth watching. believe me hehehe

Jer Apr 28 2016 8:35 am After watching Jang Ok Jung, I have a hard feeling to watch another historical drama and feel another torture at the end. But because of Yoo ah In, I should give it a try.

samuna Apr 07 2016 4:09 pm @jungiiee They can definitely be similar if both of them are very close to the historical facts. But just because of that I wouldn't call it a remake.

jungiiee Apr 05 2016 2:53 pm Wait am i the only one who thinks it was a remake of korean drama SECRET DOOR but they just change little details about the plot?

Lyss Mar 26 2016 7:55 am Great sageuk film ever from Korean Film Industry. Before watching this film had I been learned by reading some articles and searching in web that Crown Prince Sado was framed by Noron, and King YeongJo afraid that if Sado ascended to the throne, he would be kick out by Sado and we were clearly know that King YeongJo was the son of Choi Suk Bin, a supporter of Queen Inwon. Queen Inwon & Choi Suk Bin also a Noron party. Many of Sado supporters is Soron party. The party who supporting Queen Hui Bin and his son. There was a scene where Queen Jongsun, his father, brother and other ministers meeting talked about Sado. They were Noron. The scene of Na Gyeung Eun meeting King YeongJo condemned about Sado was also true. Noron enlisted 10 misdeeds of Sado and avoiding Sado from facing that man. I don't think Sado is a mental illness. Time has passed by but his story will be remembered even after 200 years. It was recorded as tragic and cruel way.

5* for this great film and its storylines, all the actor Yoo Ah In, Song Kang Ho,Moon Geun Young, So Ji Sub and Lee Hyo Je. Crying for this history..

kaojiwon Mar 22 2016 4:41 am i had high hopes after watching the trailer but it was boring to me. didn't like how prince sado was portrayed even though yoo ah-in's acting was good. watch six flying dragons if you haven't. this is hands down my favorite sageuk series. yoo ah-in better win an award for this drama!

Kelly Mar 18 2016 4:27 am Yoo Ah In is really fit with the character of King & Crown Prince. Amazing acting in Sado & Six Flying Dragons. One of the best actor in Sageuk Film or drama. Not comparing him with another actor but he's a next generation in the sageuk. Acting well, great face impression, full of feeling while acting. Daebak Yoo Ah In.

GG Deser Mar 15 2016 12:05 am Absolutely BRILLIANT! Kudos of course to Yoo Ah-in who so deserved "Best Actor" Award and to Song Kang-ho as King Yeongjo as well as all the actors/actresses involved. As usual in all the Korean films and dramas I have seen, the child actors were truly amazing. Magnificent direction, production and cinematography. Many thanks to YOU TUBE for getting it online and subbed in English so quickly for those of us in America who have fallen in love with Kdramas and Korean films. Every time I see another version of Prince Sado's death I wonder what the real story was but this version really was the most poignant of all. BRAVO!

the commentator Mar 10 2016 10:26 am Yoo ah in so amazing.. I love him very much.. excellent acting..great actor... His acting in drama saeguk always amazinggg.... one million thumbs up!

may Feb 12 2016 3:13 am yoo ah in.. is a brilliant actor

jungle_fish Feb 06 2016 3:23 pm Wow yoo ah in.. he's always fit with this kind of character.. someone who is full of rage, anger, revenge.. and song kang ho as a king and father who has pride over the top.. I'm so surprise coz the next little prince played by so ji sub ahaha it's like my first time seeing him in saeguk.. well also thumbs up for the make up artist, how come the eternally young moon geun young beccomes granny perfectly, the wrinkle, the spots, it's like real.. ahaha can't imagine how many NG so ji sub and moon geun young made when they had to act in their current old look.. great movie... great (true) story

redwatchestv @ wordpress Jan 02 2016 6:14 pm @Yesyesyea Yes!! It's confirmed that The Throne is nominated at the 2016 Oscar :D

redwatchestv @ wordpress Jan 02 2016 6:10 pm I have watched the movie already and YAI was damn good! It was revealed in Kim Gura's show "Pumpkin Seed" that the blood dripping from YAI's forhead was his real blood O_O Just how hard he banged his head. Overall, the movie is really great. The editing, cinematography, music, acting all blend beautifully.

Anpan Dec 23 2015 1:20 am I really love this movie. I love Yoo Ah In when play in saeguk drama, he was fit to be the crown prince or king, and please make drama version of this movie ..

finallyanoppatostan Dec 17 2015 2:41 am Wow King Jeongjo kid version really looks like So Ji Sub!! They sync!! hahahah

Movie.reviewer Nov 24 2015 3:20 pm One of the best korean historical dramas I have ever seen so far. Before it started the director of the movie told us that only 10% is fiction and the rest 90% is all actual history. Enchanting music, great acting with feelings and the background of the movie is what made it for me. Reccomend it!!!

Yesyesyea Sep 24 2015 4:41 pm Hopefully it will be nominated at the Oscars!!!!

kez Sep 01 2015 4:06 pm MGY and JJH in one drama......aaah..mazing! And I have to wait, how long to see it? YAI will be busy this season, FIGHTING!

PikaPika Aug 28 2015 7:53 am MGY and YAI interaction on Naver Movie Talk yesterday was soooo sweeeetttt.... YAI teased so much... <3

emilymariee Aug 20 2015 6:33 pm The main trailer looks so good! It feels like forever since I've seen Moon Geun-Young in something that looks promising. Yoo Ah-In is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Looking forward to this!

Darkness Jul 14 2015 5:21 am Moonie Fighting ,can't wait see ya in September ^^

gfdh Jul 14 2015 4:39 am why there's no moon geun young in the trailer??? this movie for sure will be daebak!! awesome cast..

nion Jul 14 2015 4:18 am This make me remember the "secret door"

Joyce Smith-Yagoda Jul 14 2015 12:44 am Extremely intense and extremely well played out!

gp Jul 07 2015 1:48 am Obviously his character will die. Hae has a tendency to pick roles that have tragic endings!

Cindipotpot Jun 14 2015 2:19 pm When will this be showing?

mellissa chen Apr 27 2015 8:46 am What so jisub just appears as cameo in this drama?so jisub dont you know how much i miss u??please become lead male at drama again

Keiko Mar 31 2015 11:58 pm YES!!! MOON GEUN-YOUNG IS COMING BACK!!!!!!!!! Oh gosh! I love her sooooo much!!!! I look forward to seeing you even if its for a glimpse! Ah but I'm not a stalker! Just you go girl!!!! I love your acting and how amazing you are!!!! HWAITING!!!

masa07 Mar 29 2015 10:47 am Waiting for comeback again of moon geun young . I really don't know? What are you doing? Had what's plan?now. Will I wait for you a new kdrama. Anyway I hope see you soon.(^^) sado fighting!! Take care of yourself...^^

mayang Mar 29 2015 1:32 am I love your tandem with park shi hoo in cheongdamdong. I hope you will have a kdrama tv series again with him or with another leading man.. take care

mkl Mar 16 2015 12:53 am Yo Ah-In, I miss you too! Please pick up another drama with the lead role!! :-(

mkl Mar 16 2015 12:52 am Why, why, why.....such a tease to have So Ji Sub ONLY as a cameo!! We miss you, please pick up another drama lead role soon!!!

firstlove Mar 13 2015 3:18 pm Darn. So Ji-Sub is only cameo. Means I don't get to see him a lot :(

lee cat-nip Nov 20 2014 10:09 am Uh-oh, this is getting sooo hyped. I'm eager to watch this...just as how I follow Secret Door (w/c is based on the same historical event)!

goldfish Nov 03 2014 4:42 am @Veronica Tubbins I've always been a bit curious about the story as well -- if anything, it's unusual that history would be so belligerent towards a royal (they usually try to cover things up.) You may be interested to know that many people are suspicious as well and I remember reading that they had the water at his palace tested for traces of toxic minerals. But they didn't find anything. Other scenarios have been considered -- such as contamination from cooking containers or serving vessels. Also, did you notice in one of the episodes there is a "tonic" given to the King which he throws on the floor? It's also suspicious that both the Prince's and the King's mental illness started at the same time -- not the same age -- the Prince being more effected because of his young age. At any rate, you may find the book: Memoirs of a Korean Queen, http://www.amazon.com/dp/0710302487/ref=cm_wl_huc_continue, interesting and helpful.

Veronica Tubbins Oct 24 2014 12:31 pm Listen, I don't believe the stories about Crown Prince Sado mental state because I believe it was all lies to cover up his father killing him and the Noron framed him to cover up all there doings too. I am really looking deeper in him, but I know I may have to die to find out the real truth. I pray no time soon, but I am not believing this story and seen other stories that shows a different person to me. Waiting to see this version of Sado you feel.

JJP Sep 21 2014 11:53 am @Jamaica: I don't know if Song Kang Ho's character is that evil, Sado was believed to be a horrible person

Yoo Ah-In's Fan Aug 06 2014 12:50 pm Waiting to watch this just because Yoo Ah-In. I'll be waitinggggg <3.

miharbi Jul 18 2014 12:44 am kang ho song my favory actor. i cant wait this movie

Jamaica Jul 11 2014 3:35 pm Wonderful cast. I hope it provides Song Kang-Ho with a lot of interesting contradictions. I hope he's not going to be *just* evil. Loved Yoo Ah-In in "Punch," and simply adore Moon Geun Young!

anney Jun 06 2014 10:49 pm cnt wait!!! love moon geun young and yoo ah in

redson Jun 03 2014 7:39 am Yoo Ah In!

Uki May 29 2014 6:35 am Moonie Fighting ~ ^o^

The Throne

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