Ai Da Gan in Kingdom: Ashin of the North Explained

Shadows of the Northern Border: Unpacking Aidagan and the Pajeowi in Kingdom: Ashin of the North

Kingdom: Ashin of the North serves as a gripping, atmospheric side-story to Netflix’s acclaimed historical zombie thriller Kingdom. While the main series focused on Crown Prince Lee Chang fighting political corruption and a spreading epidemic in Joseon’s heartland, this 2021 special turns its gaze toward the freezing, lawless northern frontier. At the center of this harsh geopolitical landscape stands Aidagan, a commanding and formidable figure whose actions help ignite the tragic destiny of the title character, Ashin.

Who is Aidagan?

In the lore of the Kingdom universe, Aidagan is the fierce and calculating chieftain of the Pajeowi tribe, a powerful clan of Jurchen warriors. Operating along the volatile borders of the Joseon dynasty, Aidagan commands absolute loyalty from his people and poses a constant, looming threat to neighboring territories.

• Pragmatic Leadership: Aidagan is portrayed as a pragmatic and powerful leader who understands the shifting balances of power between the various Jurchen tribes and the Joseon military.
• A Force of Authority: His interactions with Joseon officials are tense, defined by mutual distrust, border skirmishes, and high-stakes political posturing.

The Crucible of Conflict: Pajeowi and Joseon

The narrative of Ashin of the North thrives on systemic cruelty, betrayal, and the harsh realities of border politics. Ashin, a member of a marginalized village of Jurchen people who lived within Joseon territory, finds herself and her family caught in the crossfire of political scapegoating.