A group of commoner mercenaries fight to the death to defend their country in Warriors of the Dawn. Marathon director Jeong Yun Cheol returns to the directorial chair after nine years for the period epic set in 16th century Korea. Lee Jung Jae ( Operation Chromite) leads a group of proxy soldiers protecting the Crown Prince, played by Yeo Jin Gu ( The Long Way Home), from an invading army. The blockbuster also features Kim Moo Yeol ( Northern Limit Line), Kim Myung Gon ( The Admiral: Roaring Currents), Park Won Sang ( The Throne) & Esom ( Scarlet Innocence).
Before fleeing to Ming China to escape Japanese invaders, King Seonjo appoints Prince Gwanghae (Yeo Jin Gu) as the Crown Prince & interim ruler. The sheltered prince has no choice but to take his fathers seat & set out on the task of creating a new army. He is accompanied on his journey by a group of poor commoner proxy soldiers, led by To Woo (Lee Jung Jae), who were hired to fight in the place of others. However, conflicts arise between the proxy soldiers & the royal court when Prince Gwanghae gets ambushed by Japanese troops.