The loyal, high-ranking chief of the King’s royal guard.
| Actor | Character | Role Description | Notable Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Hong-rim | Commander of the royal guard "Kunryongwe," the king's lover. | Zo In-sung's performance is often cited as the tragic core of the film, portraying a character torn between loyalty and newfound desire. | | Joo Jin-mo | The King of Goryeo | The ambitious king, whose love for Hong-rim leads him to make a devastating decision. | Joo Jin-mo won the Best Actor award at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards for this role, praised for his portrayal of a fragile, obsessive, and ultimately brutal leader. | | Song Ji-hyo | The Queen | The Yuan Dynasty princess who becomes a pawn in the king's plan. | Song Ji-hyo brings a quiet strength to the queen, transforming her from a political pawn into a woman claiming the right to love and desire. | | Shim Ji-ho | Seung-ki | A loyal and trusted member of the Kunryongwe. | Shim Ji-ho's character serves as a poignant figure of loyalty who is caught in the crossfire of the king's obsession. | | Im Ju-hwan | Han-baek | Another member of the royal guard, whose fate is tied to the court's intrigue. | Im Ju-hwan is part of the ensemble cast that adds depth and complexity to the royal guard. | | Yeo Jin-goo | Young Hong-rim | A young actor who portrays a younger version of Hong-rim in flashback sequences. | Yeo Jin-goo's brief but impactful appearance highlights the deep, long-standing bond between the king and his future bodyguard. | A Frozen Flower Dramacool