The tragic true story of King Danjong, from ‘The King's Warden’

South Korea seems to have a new hit movie. On Monday, March 2, distributor Showbox announced that the historical drama ‘The King’s Warden’ reached the milestone of 9 million viewers on its 27th day in Korean theaters.

The film, directed by Jang Han Jun (Traces of a Kidnapping), stars Park Ji Hoon (Class of Weak Heroes), actor and former member of the K-pop boy band Wanna One. The plot tells the story of King Danjong, monarch of the Joseon Dynasty who ascended to the throne at only 10 years of age, but ended up being deposed by his own uncle and exiled to the borders of the kingdom. With a moving story that has been winning over audiences, what many people may not know is that the events in the production are actually based on the real life of the monarch who ruled Korea from 1452 to 1455.

The real story of King Danjong

The grandson of King Sejong the Great, considered one of the most famous and respected rulers of the Joseon Dynasty, Danjong had a short and sad life. He was born on August 18, 1441, during his grandfather’s reign, with the name Yi Hong Wi. Unfortunately, due to complications during childbirth, his mother, Crown Princess Consort Gwon (who was posthumously given the title Queen Hyeondeok), passed away one day after his birth, leaving him to live only with his father and his two sisters, Princess Gyeonghye and Princess Gyeongsuk.

In 1450, his father, Munjong, assumed the throne after Sejong’s death. However, despite being the heir to the crown as the king’s eldest son, Danjong’s father was also a man in poor health. As a result, he passed away in June 1452, at only 37 years of age, leaving the throne to his 10-year-old son. According to the Korea Science portal, researchers believe that the cause of the sovereign’s death was sepsis caused by infected boils.

Because he was still very young, the kingdom came to be ruled by a kind of “regency,” led mainly by two figures: the Left State Councilor, General Kim Chongsŏ, and the Chief State Councilor, Hwangbo In. In addition, his older sister, Princess Gyeonghye, became his official guardian. Unfortunately, his days on the Korean throne began to be complicated very early on. In 1453, his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (later known as King Sejo), led a coup to seize power. With strong ambitions, the man persuaded numerous court officials and scholars to support him, managing to have Hwangbo In and Kim Chongsŏ captured and killed.

The following year, Danjong married Song Hyeon-su, Lady Song, who became known as Queen Jeongsun. He was only 14 years old. Once again, the peaceful times did not last long. In 1455, he was forced to abdicate the throne because he was considered a threat to the stability of the monarchy by members of the court who were persuaded by his uncle. Becoming the King Emeritus of Joseon and later being demoted to Prince Nosan, Danjong was exiled to Yeongwol, a county in Gangwon Province. His wife became Queen Dowager Uideok (later Princess Consort Nosan) and was also expelled from the palace.

In 1457, King Danjong was killed at the age of 16. According to the Korea Times website, the cause of his death differs between historical records. In the chronicle “Joseon Wangjo Sillok,” for example, which documents five centuries of state affairs and royal history, it is reported that the monarch took his own life after discovering that some of his supporters had been killed. However, other documents suggest that Danjong may have actually been murdered at the behest of his uncle, King Sejo. A statement given by a high-ranking official of the usurper’s reign states that “A royal inspector was sent to Yeongwol to administer the poisoned drink (to King Danjong), and the record of the incident remains in the State Court.”

Legends also point out that Sejo ordered his nephew’s body to be thrown into the river, threatening his subjects with execution if anyone gave him a proper burial. However, one of the late king’s supporters is said to have recovered his remains and held a respectful funeral, disappearing shortly thereafter to avoid being caught by the government. In the book “Yeollyeosil Gisul,” a collection of unofficial stories compiled by the 18th-century scholar Yi Geung-ik, the version told is that the young monarch was killed by a court assistant who served him in exile. To this day, there is no specific conclusion about the cause of his death.