Ai Da Gan in Kingdom: Ashin of the North Explained

The Catalyst of Chaos: Unpacking Ai Da Gan and His Role in Kingdom: Ashin of the North

Released in 2021 as a feature-length special episode of Netflix’s critically acclaimed zombie thriller series Kingdom, Kingdom: Ashin of the North serves as a dark, harrowing origin story. It traces the roots of the resurrection plant and the tragic transformation of Ashin (played by Jun Ji-hyun as an adult and Kim Shi-a as a child) into a vengeful anti-hero.

Amidst the geopolitical tensions of the northern border, political conspiracies, and flesh-eating hordes, one character stands out as a major catalyst for the bloodshed: Ai Da Gan (also spelled Aidagan), brilliantly brought to life by actor Koo Kyo-hwan.

Who is Ai Da Gan?

Ai Da Gan is introduced as the formidable and fierce chieftain of the Pajeowi tribe, a powerful faction of the United Jurchen people residing near the northern border of Joseon. Characterized by his imposing presence, unpredictable temperament, and ruthless leadership, Ai Da Gan commands immense authority over his warriors.

Portrayed with an unsettling, magnetic intensity by Koo Kyo-hwan, Ai Da Gan is not a simple, one-dimensional villain. While he is capable of extreme brutality, his actions are heavily influenced by the delicate, volatile political tightrope walk between the Jurchen tribes and the Joseon military commanders.

The Catalyst of the Tragedy: Manipulation and Massacre

The core tragedy of Ashin of the North hinges on a catastrophic misunderstanding engineered by Joseon military officer Min Chi-rok.

When a group of Pajeowi hunters illegally cross the border and are subsequently killed, Min Chi-rok desperately tries to cover up an international incident. To throw the blame off Joseon, he manipulates Ashin’s father—the leader of a local Seongjeoyain (subjugated Jurchen) village loyal to Joseon—into spreading a false rumor that the hunters were mauled by a fierce tiger.

Unfortunately, Ai Da Gan and the Pajeowi discover the truth—or rather, a distorted version of it—believing that the Seongjeoyain villagers murdered their kinsmen. Fueled by rage and a desire for retribution, Ai Da Gan leads a merciless attack on Ashin’s village.

The resulting massacre is a turning point for the entire Kingdom universe. Ai Da Gan’s raiders slaughter nearly everyone in the village and take Ashin’s father captive, destroying young Ashin’s world entirely and sparking the unquenchable thirst for revenge that drives the narrative.

The Fate of Ai Da Gan

Despite his terrifying reputation, Ai Da Gan ultimately becomes a pawn in a much larger, bloodier game orchestrated by a traumatized Ashin.

Having discovered the resurrection plant—the mystical purple flower capable of raising the dead—Ashin uses her knowledge to systematically dismantle those who destroyed her life. Ai Da Gan, who had imprisoned and tortured Ashin’s father, eventually falls victim to Ashin’s calculated wrath. In a chilling and definitive climax, Ashin executes Ai Da Gan by driving an arrow straight through his head, ending the reign of the Pajeowi chieftain and completing another crucial step in her path of vengeance.

Why Ai Da Gan Matters to the Kingdom Legacy

Though Ai Da Gan’s screen time is relatively short, his character leaves a massive imprint on the lore of Kingdom:

• The Human Element of Horror: Like many villains in the Kingdom universe, Ai Da Gan highlights a recurring theme by creator Kim Eun-hee: human cruelty is far more terrifying than the undead. The zombie apocalypse in Kingdom is rarely born of supernatural malice alone; it is almost always cultivated by human greed, political betrayal, and tribal warfare.
• Koo Kyo-hwan’s Performance: Koo’s portrayal injected a layer of raw unpredictability and striking visual presence into the Pajeowi leader, making him a memorable foil to both the Joseon officials and the brooding, silent terror of adult Ashin.

Ultimately, Ai Da Gan serves as the violent bridge connecting Joseon’s political corruption with Ashin’s descent into darkness—proving that in the brutal northern frontier, a single lie can unlock an era of unending nightmares.