Korea's tragic boy king Danjong remembered in Year of the Snake

The Lunar New Year began on January 29, 2025, marking the Year of the Snake in Korea and other East Asian countries. Unlike Western associations of the snake with evil, East Asian traditions attribute both positive and negative qualities to the animal. The article draws a parallel between the snake's dual symbolism and the tragic fate of King Danjong of Joseon, who became king as a child and died as a teenager in exile. His story continues to move people in Korea today.