[Culture&] 'The King’s Affection' Surges to 10 Million... Re-examining 'This Place' Where Tears Were Shed Daily for the Deposed King

Director Jang Hang-jun's film 'The King’s Affection' (hereafter referred to as 'The King’s Affection') is on the verge of surpassing 10 million viewers, creating a box office sensation. Amid this, the natural heritage of Jecheon, Chungbuk, related to the film's background, has rapidly emerged as a must-visit destination for viewers.

According to Jecheon City on the 4th, 'Gwanranjeong', located in Jangok-ri, Songhak-myeon, is a place imbued with the loyalty of Won Ho (元昊·1397∼1463), a Six Martyred Scholar who maintained his integrity while longing for the deposed King Danjong throughout his life. Recently, the popularity of the film has led to an increase in visitors to this site.

Originally from Wonju, Won Ho is said to have built a platform by the Seogang River flowing towards Cheongnyeongpo in Yeongwol, where King Danjong was exiled, and to have bowed towards the king while shedding tears morning and evening. The distance from Gwanranjeong to Cheongnyeongpo is only about 11.4 km on the map, hinting at his deep sorrow.

In honor of Won Ho's loyalty, his descendants and Confucian scholars erected a pavilion and memorial tablet in the 11th year of King Heonjong's reign (1845). Named after Won Ho's pen name, Gwanranjeong has been recognized for its historical value and was designated as a Natural Heritage of Chungcheongbuk-do last February.

As 'The King’s Affection' gained attention, Jecheon City seized the opportunity to boost local tourism and actively promoted it. A representative example is the video titled 'Danjong Over-Immersed Public Official', released on their official Instagram on the 27th of last month.

The video features the phrase "Experience being a Six Martyred Scholar of Danjong at Gwanranjeong" along with a scene of Public Official Yoo Jae-hyun bowing at Gwanranjeong, dressed in traditional attire, providing both laughter and emotion.

Kim Chang-kyu, the mayor of Jecheon, emphasized, "The section between Baegun-myeon in Jecheon and Sinrim-myeon in Wonju is known as the path taken by Danjong during his exile," and added, "It is necessary to uncover hidden stories, such as the places where Danjong rested, and develop them as storytelling tourism resources." He also expressed delight at the achievements of Director Jang Hang-jun, who is the executive chairman of the Jecheon International Music and Film Festival, stating, "It will be a great asset for our region."

Meanwhile, the film 'The King’s Affection', which deals with the last moments of the deposed King Danjong Lee Hong-wi (played by Park Ji-hoon) spent with the villagers at his place of exile, Cheongnyeongpo, is expected to reach 10 million viewers this week.