The Night Watchman

***Diary of a Night Watchman*** (Korean: 야경꾼 일지; RR: '**Yagyeongkkun Ilji'**; lit. ***Night Watchman's Journal***) is a 2014 South Korean television series starring Jung Il-woo, Ko Sung-hee, U-Know Yunho and Seo Yea-ji. It aired on MBC from August 4 to October 21, 2014 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 for 24 episodes.

## Description

Young watchmen of the Joseon Dynasty fight demons in this "Ghostbusters"-like story. Set in the backdrop of the royal palace, the good guys vanquish demons while the bad guys use them for their purposes. The palace is rife with sinister plans to seize power and usurp the king. Through this story of young people who hunt demons, the tribulations and joys of life are shown in all their glory.

## Cast

* Jung Il-woo as Rin/Wolgwang
	+ Kim Hwi-soo as young Rin

The "bad boy" legitimate heir to the throne who rejects his wealth and honor to live a rebellious life. When Lin gains the ability to see ghosts, he becomes a night watchman. In chasing ghosts and experiencing the plight of citizens firsthand, he eventually learns to be a good prince.
* Ko Sung-hee as Do-ha
	+ Lee Chae-mi as young Do-ha

She is imbued with supernatural energy from Mt. Baekdu]and can communicate with nature. Her older sister is Yeon-ha.
* U-Know Yunho as Kang Moo-seok
	+ Yoo Seung-yong as young Kang Moo-seok

A night watchman who is a cold-hearted man of few words but popular with the ladies.
* Seo Yea-ji as Park Soo-ryeon
	+ Kang Joo-eun as young Park Soo-ryeon

A young noblewoman who will stop at nothing to become the crown prince's bride. She is the daughter of the Prime Minister and Moo-seok's cousin.
### Supporting characters

* Yoon Tae-young as Jo Sang-heon

Head of the Night Watchmen crew.
* Kim Heung-soo as Gi-san
	+ Lee Tae-woo as young Gi-san

An illegitimate prince who challenges his younger brother Lee Rin for power and makes a political play for the throne. Capricious and vile, he often sees another self who accuses him of being inadequate as king, and instills doubts about the loyalty of his subjects.
* Kim Sung-oh as Sadam

A psychic who worships a serpent monster deep in the heart of Mt. Baekdu. The serpent monster, an imugi, is a mythological creature that starts out as a giant serpent and amasses power to become a dragon. Sadam tries to raise the dormant imugi and harness its power to take over the world.
* Lee Jae-yong as Park Soo-jong

The ambitious Prime Minister, he is the mastermind behind queen Min's death.
* Ko Chang-seok as Fat Minister Jung-seung

Former Prime Minister, killed by Park Soo-jong. He watches over Lee Rin as a ghost.
* Lee Se-chang as Eunuch Song

A eunuch who was in charge of Lee Rin before he was killed by king Haejong. He watches over Lee Rin as a ghost.
* Kang Ji-woo as Rang

A ghost girl who watches over Lee Rin. Later revealed as Queen Min.
* Seo Yi-sook as Dowager Queen Chungsoo

Rin and Gi-san's grandmother.
* Moon Bo-ryung as Mo Yeon-wol

A merchant who helps Sadam.
* Jung Woo-sik as Ho-jo

Sadam's servant.
* Shim Eun-jin as Ok-mae

Owner of an inn, she's in love with Sang-heon.
* Ah Young as Hong Cho-hee

A waitress at Ok-mae's inn.
* Ahn Jung-hoon as Mr. Chun

He works at Ok-mae's inn.
* Jo Dal-hwan as Maeng Sa-kong

Sang-heon's friend, he once was a Night Watchman and is in love with Ok-mae.
* Kim So-yeon as Kang In-hwa

Moo-seok's younger sister, she died of smallpox.
* Lee Ha-yool as Dae-ho

Moo-seok's friend.
### Guest/cameo appearances

* Yoo Da-in as Yeon-ha

Do-ha's older sister and a shaman. She fell in love with king Haejong and offered her soul to Sadam in exchange for the king's heart, becoming the reason why he turned evil. Sadam embodied her soul in the corpse of a woman, who became Mo Yeon-wol.
* Choi Won-young as King Haejong

In his youth, he was once a legendary hero of the people after he and his fellow night watchmen defeated an imugi in Mt. Baekdu. In his days as a warrior, he saves a woman who preserves the energy of Mt. Baekdu, and she falls in love with him at first sight. Haejong is a good king and father to his sons, but the ghost-seeing gift-curse eventually turns him into an evil tyrant.
* Song Yi-woo as Queen Min

Rin's mother.
* Jeon Hye-young as Sa-wol

Soo-ryeon's maid.
* Cho Seunghee as Young-geun

Spy woman, appeared in episode 8.
* Hwang Seok-jeong as Dangkol Eomi

Do-ha's spiritual mother.
* Alice as Mae-hyang

A gisaeng, all her customers are mysteriously killed.
* Kim Kyul as Ghost of unmarried bachelor

A student who loved Mae-hyang, he died without being able to confess his feelings and now kills Mae-hyang's customers.

## Awards

* 2014 MBC Drama Awards
	+ **Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama** (Jung Il-woo)
* 2014 MBC Drama Awards
	+ **Best New Actress** (Ko Sung-hee)

## Navigation

 **Dramas** | "Ad Genius Lee Tae Baek" • "Jang Ok Jung, Lives In Love" • "Fantasy Tower" • "Strange Day" • "Infinite Power" • "Wild Chives and Soy Bean Soup: 12 Years Reunion" • "**The Night Watchman**" • "Love Frequency 37.2" • "PLAY GUIDE" • "The Time We Were Not in Love" • "Everyday, New Face" • "Home for Summer" • "Lonely Enough to Love" • "Birthcare Center" • "Mint Condition" • "Life, Her" • "Strange Day"