[Walking the Exile Trails of "King and Man"] From Dasimyeon in Naju to Gangjin... The Roots of Practical Learning Etched into the Paths of Exile in the Southern Provinces

Revisiting Exile Sites in Southern Korea Amid the Craze for "The King and the Man" <1>
The Value of Public-Centered Governance Nurtured by Jeong Dojeon and Jeong Yakyong
A Land Where Despair Was Transformed into Blueprints for Reform Through C

Editor's NoteThe film "The Man Who Lives With the King" has surpassed 13 million viewers, sparking a "culture of exile" phenomenon throughout South Korea. The isolation and despair faced by those banished from the center of power to the periphery paradoxically blossomed into great scholarship and art within the generous embrace of the southern provinces. The Honam News Bureau of The Asia Business Daily goes beyond the film's narrative to explore the main exile sites of Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, where the breath of real history still lingers. Over the course of six features, we will focus on the spirit of the scholars who turned barren land into a foundation of hope, and the value of the exile culture that became the root of today's "Land of Art, Namdo."

The birthplace of Sambong Jeong Dojeon’s exile site located at the foot of Baekryongsan in Dasimyeon, Naju City, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Min Hyunki

The film "The Man Who Lives With the King" (hereafter "The King and the Man"), which has surpassed 12 million viewers, is rekindling interest in the exile trails of the southern provinces beyond the silver screen. The narrative of isolation and despair experienced by the film's protagonist closely mirrors the lives of the greatest intellectuals of their time, who were sent into exile centuries ago—raising the new topic of "creative isolation." Jeong Dojeon and Jeong Yakyong, who laid the foundations for the philosophies of "putting the people first" and "practicality," were exiled to Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, the farthest peripheries from Hanyang during the Joseon era, places tantamount to a political death sentence. Yet paradoxically, these places became the crucible for designing the nation's future—a true "melting pot of intellect."

"The People Are the Foundation of the State"... Sambong's 'Revolution' Took Root in a Thatched Hut in Dasimyeon, Naju

On March 18, we visited the Shinsuk Village area of Dasimyeon, Naju, Jeollanam-do. This was the site where Sambong Jeong Dojeon lived in exile in 1375 (the first year of King U of Goryeo). Today, with the Yeongsan River flowing nearby, this area exudes a tranquil rural atmosphere, but for Sambong, who was exiled here after conflicts with the privileged aristocracy, it was nothing more than a barren outpost.

At the time, Sambong was a defeated figure ousted from the central political stage. However, his three years of exile in Dasimyeon became the decisive turning point that transformed him from a reformer into a revolutionary. The abstract politics he once debated while reading classics in the study rooms of Hanyang collapsed before the realities of this place. In his cramped hut, he drank with nameless farmers and listened firsthand to the cries of commoners struggling under forced labor and burdensome taxes.

"The state is founded on the people, and the people consider food as their heaven." The essence of the "putting the people first" philosophy, which later became the foundation of Joseon's establishment, was not completed in a magnificent palace but on the dirt ground of Naju. Here, Sambong designed a country where the people would be the true masters, and his blueprint became the cornerstone of the new nation, Joseon, some ten years later. The Dasimyeon historic site is regarded as the practical birthplace of the national vision Sambong conceived at that time.

Monument commemorating the exile site of Sambong Jeong Dojeon located at the foot of Baekryongsan Mountain in Dasi-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Hyunki Min

The "Yuljeongjeom" Marked by the Tears of the Jeong Brothers... Turning the Pain of Parting into Scholarship

Following the national highway from downtown Naju toward Gangjin, one reaches the site of "Yuljeongjeom" near Ichang-dong, Naju. During the persecution of Catholics in 1801, this inn was where Jeong Yak-yong and his second eldest brother, Jeong Yak-jeon, spent their last night together before heading into exile.

Records indicate that the brothers held each other's hands and wept throughout the night. At dawn the next day, the elder brother, Jeong Yak-jeon, followed the Yeongsan River westward to board a boat for Heuksando Island, while the younger, Jeong Yak-yong, crossed the mountain pass heading toward Gangjin. Yuljeongjeom was more than just a place of sorrowful parting; it was the turning point where the brothers, the greatest intellectuals of Joseon, separated to each complete the two pillars of "practical learning": practicality and fieldwork.

The Wooden Veranda of Dasan Chodang in Gangjin... The Essence of Practical Studies Born From 18 Years of Solitude

The image of Dasan Chodang, where Dasan Jeong Yak-yong blossomed his studies during his exile, located at Mandeoksan Mountain in Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do. Provided by Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

Dasan Chodang, located at the foot of Mandeoksan Mountain in Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, is where Jeong Yak-yong spent 10 out of his 18 years in exile and produced over 500 volumes of writings. The path leading up to the cottage is known as the "Path of Roots," where the tangled tree roots emerge roughly above the ground.

At the beginning of his exile, Dasan lived in a small inn called "Saijae" in downtown Gangjin, where he disciplined himself. Later, he moved to the cottage, trained local disciples, and dedicated himself to prolific writing. During this period, Dasan produced monumental works such as "Mokminsimseo" and "Gyeongse Yupyo," which aimed to reform the entire national system. Beyond the cottage's wooden veranda, the tranquil view of Gangjin Bay stands as a testament to the years of hardship he endured and the sublime spirit of a true scholar.

"It Was Not Hell, But a School"... The Exile Culture Revisited Amid the Film Craze

Recently, thanks to the popularity of "The King and the Man," Dasan Chodang in Gangjin and the historic site in Dasimyeon, Naju, have seen a steady stream of visitors even on weekdays. A visitor encountered at the site, Mr. Lee (38), said, "The isolation felt by the film's protagonist overlapped with these historical places, which is why I came here," adding, "I was deeply moved by the scholar's spirit that blossomed into great scholarship at the edge of despair."

In response to this trend, Jeollanam-do plans to systematically preserve exile sites and accelerate the development of humanities content that allows visitors to experience the emotional impact of the film firsthand at the actual locations.

An official from Jeollanam-do stated, "Exile was a source of suffering in the past, but today it has become an unparalleled cultural treasure for Jeollanam-do," adding, "We will cultivate the humanities value of exile culture as a tourism brand."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.