Land of Happiness
Land of Happiness
Scenes repeatedly show Jeon Sang-du wiretapping the trial proceedings and exerting influence by sending notes to the presiding judge. Jeon Sang-du’s control of the trial using headphones, wiretapping equipment, and notes is visually emphasized. Park Tae-ju is a staunch man of principle and has various personal scenes with Jung In-hu and family members.
OVERALL TRUTH BASIS · Fact-based dramatization
A courtroom drama reconstructed around the military trial and execution of Colonel Park Heung-ju, who was involved in the October 26 Incident in 1979. The key real-life figures, including Park Heung-ju and Chun Doo-hwan, and the broad historical course of the trial are based on fact, but the protagonist, lawyer Jeong In-hoo, is a created, composite character rather than a direct portrayal of any specific real person. The courtroom interventions, relationships between characters, dialogue, and some scenes were dramatically reconstructed.
October 26 Incident
The incident in which Kim Jae-gyu, director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, killed President Park Chung-hee and Presidential Security Service chief Cha Ji-cheol, bringing Park Chung-hee's long rule and the Yushin system to an end.
Park Heung-ju's October 26 Military Trial and Execution
The military trial of Park Heung-ju, a defendant in the October 26 Incident. He was sentenced to death at the first-instance trial on December 20, 1979, and, unable to appeal because he was an active-duty soldier, his sentence became final. Despite the defense team's request for a retrial, he was executed on March 6, 1980.
December 12 Military Coup
A military coup in which the new military faction centered on the Hanahoe, including Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, illegally took Army Chief of Staff Jeong Seung-hwa into custody and mobilized troops to seize control of the military command.
FACT / FICTION
Verification 26
Fact / Fiction verification
26 records<Land of Happiness> is a 124-minute South Korean drama film released on August 14, 2024, and directed by Choo Chang-min.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- The KOFIC film database confirms the release date, running time, country, and director.
View 1 sources
- Land of Happiness (2024)KOFIC / KoBiz · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
The film's central historical backdrop is the October 26 Incident in 1979.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Park Tae-joo is tried for his involvement in the presidential assassination.
- Verified record
- The October 26 Incident was the killing of President Park Chung-hee by Kim Jae-gyu, director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, on October 26, 1979, and the film uses it as its direct backdrop.
View 2 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- 나는 김재규의 변호인이었다 - 170일간의 재판 기록으로 밝힌 10.26의 진실국사편찬위원회 한국사데이터베이스 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
Park Tae-joo is based on Colonel Park Heung-ju of the Republic of Korea Army.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Lee Sun-kyun plays Park Tae-joo, an aide to the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency.
- Verified record
- Yonhap News and remarks by the director confirm that Park Tae-joo was inspired by Park Heung-ju.
View 2 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- '행복의 나라' 조정석 "다른 영화엔 없는 故 이선균 모습 보실 것"연합뉴스 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
Jeon Sang-doo is based on Chun Doo-hwan.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Jeon Sang-doo appears as a powerful figure who influences the trial in his role as head of the Joint Investigation Headquarters.
- Verified record
- Yonhap News explicitly states that Jeon Sang-doo is a character inspired by Chun Doo-hwan, who was then commander of the Security Command and head of the Joint Investigation Headquarters for the October 26 Incident.
View 2 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- '행복의 나라' 조정석 "다른 영화엔 없는 故 이선균 모습 보실 것"연합뉴스 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
Jeong In-hoo is not a character who directly portrays any one specific real-life lawyer.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Jeong In-hoo appears as the protagonist of the courtroom battle to save Park Tae-joo.
- Verified record
- A Yonhap News review explicitly describes Jeong In-hoo as a fictional character not based on a real person.
View 1 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
Lawyer Tae Yun-ki took part in the defense of Park Heung-ju in the real case.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- A Yonhap News report marking the 40th anniversary of the October 26 Incident records that lawyer Tae Yun-ki and others even sought a retrial in an effort to save Park Heung-ju.
View 1 sources
- [10·26 40주년]③국내외 문건·증언으로 재구성한 10·26(2)연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
The first hearing of the first-instance trial in the October 26 Incident case began on December 4, 1979.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film depicts a military trial proceeding rapidly in the aftermath of the October 26 Incident.
- Verified record
- Records from the National Institute of Korean History list December 4, 1979, as the date of the first hearing.
View 1 sources
- 나는 김재규의 변호인이었다 - 170일간의 재판 기록으로 밝힌 10.26의 진실국사편찬위원회 한국사데이터베이스 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
The questioning of Park Heung-ju as a defendant took place at hearings on December 11–12, 1979.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- The Korean History Database records the prosecution's questioning of Park Heung-ju at the fourth hearing and the defense's cross-examination at the fifth hearing.
View 1 sources
- 나는 김재규의 변호인이었다 - 170일간의 재판 기록으로 밝힌 10.26의 진실국사편찬위원회 한국사데이터베이스 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
The first-instance judgment was delivered on December 20, 1979, just 16 days after the first hearing.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film emphasizes how abnormally quickly the trial proceeds.
- Verified record
- The Hankook Ilbo and the Kyunghyang Shinmun report that the first-instance judgment was delivered on December 20, just 16 days after the first hearing.
View 2 sources
- 79년 12월20일 '사형' 일곱 번, 19분 만의 폐정한국일보 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- [의혹과 진실 - 한승헌의 재판으로 본 현대사](32) 김재규의 10·26 사건 (中)경향신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
Park Heung-ju was sentenced to death at the first-instance trial on December 20, 1979.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The death sentence handed down to Park Tae-joo forms the film's central conclusion.
- Verified record
- The Korean History Database and reports summarizing the judgment at the time confirm that 7 people, including Park Heung-ju, were sentenced to death.
View 2 sources
- 나는 김재규의 변호인이었다 - 170일간의 재판 기록으로 밝힌 10.26의 진실국사편찬위원회 한국사데이터베이스 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
- 79년 12월20일 '사형' 일곱 번, 19분 만의 폐정한국일보 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
Because Park Heung-ju was an active-duty soldier, unlike the other defendants he could not appeal, and his sentence became final with the first-instance judgment.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film emphasizes the injustice of Park Tae-joo being sentenced to death after only a single trial.
- Verified record
- The Hankook Ilbo and the Kyunghyang Shinmun report that, because Park Heung-ju was an active-duty soldier, his sentence became final with the first-instance judgment under the military court law in force at the time.
View 2 sources
- 79년 12월20일 '사형' 일곱 번, 19분 만의 폐정한국일보 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- [의혹과 진실 - 한승헌의 재판으로 본 현대사](32) 김재규의 10·26 사건 (中)경향신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
Park Heung-ju's lawyers sought a retrial in an effort to prevent his execution.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Jeong In-hoo uses every available means during the trial to save Park Tae-joo.
- Verified record
- Yonhap News reports that lawyer Tae Yun-ki and others sought a retrial on December 26, 1979.
View 2 sources
- [10·26 40주년]③국내외 문건·증언으로 재구성한 10·26(2)연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- [의혹과 진실 - 한승헌의 재판으로 본 현대사](32) 김재규의 10·26 사건 (中)경향신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
Park Heung-ju's death sentence was carried out on March 6, 1980.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film reaches its tragic conclusion with the execution of Park Tae-joo.
- Verified record
- The Hankook Ilbo, the Kyunghyang Shinmun, and Yonhap News all give March 6, 1980, as the date of the execution.
View 3 sources
- 79년 12월20일 '사형' 일곱 번, 19분 만의 폐정한국일보 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- [의혹과 진실 - 한승헌의 재판으로 본 현대사](32) 김재규의 10·26 사건 (中)경향신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- [10·26 40주년]③국내외 문건·증언으로 재구성한 10·26(2)연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
Park Heung-ju was executed before the Supreme Court's final rulings on the other major defendants in the October 26 Incident.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- Yonhap News reports a lawyer's explanation that Park Heung-ju was executed before the Supreme Court issued final rulings on the other defendants.
View 1 sources
- [10·26 40주년]③국내외 문건·증언으로 재구성한 10·26(2)연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
The December 12 military coup actually took place on December 12, 1979, while Park Heung-ju's trial was underway.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film juxtaposes the trial with Jeon Sang-doo's efforts to seize control of the military.
- Verified record
- A Yonhap News review and materials documenting the trial connect the trial period with the occurrence of the December 12 Incident.
View 2 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- 나는 김재규의 변호인이었다 - 170일간의 재판 기록으로 밝힌 10.26의 진실국사편찬위원회 한국사데이터베이스 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
Chun Doo-hwan was head of the Joint Investigation Headquarters at the time of the October 26 Incident.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film's Jeon Sang-doo also appears as head of the Joint Investigation Headquarters.
- Verified record
- Yonhap News identifies Chun Doo-hwan's positions at the time as head of the Joint Investigation Headquarters and commander of the Security Command.
View 1 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
The October 26 military trial was criticized at the time as a "note-passing trial."
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Scenes repeatedly show Jeon Sang-doo wiretapping the trial and influencing the presiding judge by sending notes.
- Verified record
- A NoCut News timeline summarizes that the trial was criticized as a "note-passing trial" because discreet notes were passed several times during the actual hearings.
View 1 sources
- 10·26 사건은 어디서 시작해 김재규 사형까지 이어졌나[타임라인]노컷뉴스 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
The specific scenes in which the film's Jeon Sang-doo wiretaps the trial in real time from a private room and directly controls individual verdicts are dramatic reconstructions based on historical records.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- The film visually emphasizes Jeon Sang-doo controlling the trial with headphones, wiretapping equipment, and notes.
- Verified record
- The director said that he drew extensively on courtroom records and documentaries for scenes and dialogue, while a Yonhap News review also explains that the film "reconstructs the Park Heung-ju trial through imagination."
View 2 sources
- '행복의 나라' 조정석 "다른 영화엔 없는 故 이선균 모습 보실 것"연합뉴스 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
A considerable amount of the film's courtroom dialogue includes material drawn from actual records and documentaries rather than being made up entirely.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Historical trial arguments are reflected in the courtroom exchanges between Park Tae-joo and Jeong In-hoo.
- Verified record
- Director Choo Chang-min said that he made extensive use of courtroom scenes, records, and documentaries for the film's scenes and dialogue.
View 1 sources
- '행복의 나라' 조정석 "다른 영화엔 없는 故 이선균 모습 보실 것"연합뉴스 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
One of the central issues in Park Heung-ju's trial was whether he had acted with the aim of insurrection or had obeyed a superior's order.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Jeong In-hoo and the prosecutor dispute whether Park Tae-joo intended insurrection and whether he obeyed a superior's order.
- Verified record
- A Yonhap News review describes this as one of the central issues in the actual Park Heung-ju trial.
View 1 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
Although Park Tae-joo is based on the real Park Heung-ju, not all of the film character's personality, family relationships, and personal episodes with the lawyer can be treated as fact.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Park Tae-joo is a principled man of integrity and has various personal scenes with Jeong In-hoo and his family.
- Verified record
- The film imaginatively reconstructs Park Heung-ju's trial, and the director said he sought to maintain balance by basing it on records.
View 2 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- '행복의 나라' 조정석 "다른 영화엔 없는 故 이선균 모습 보실 것"연합뉴스 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
It is inaccurate to treat Jeong In-hoo as the same person as the real lawyer Tae Yun-ki.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- Jeong In-hoo leads the story as Park Tae-joo's dedicated lawyer.
- Verified record
- Although Tae Yun-ki took part in efforts to save Park Heung-ju in real life, a Yonhap News review explicitly states that Jeong In-hoo is a fictional character not based on any specific real person.
View 2 sources
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- [10·26 40주년]③국내외 문건·증언으로 재구성한 10·26(2)연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
Director Choo Chang-min said he wanted to use the film to inform people about the unfair treatment Park Heung-ju received.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- At the production presentation, the director said he hoped Park Heung-ju would be introduced to the world and that the unfair treatment he received would be somewhat mitigated.
View 1 sources
- '행복의 나라' 조정석 "다른 영화엔 없는 故 이선균 모습 보실 것"연합뉴스 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
<Land of Happiness> began filming on October 1, 2021, wrapped filming on January 29, 2022, and was released in 2024.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- The KOFIC web magazine's production status records the start and end of filming and the release date.
View 1 sources
- Land of Happiness (2024)KOFIC / KoBiz · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
<Land of Happiness> is currently available to watch on Netflix's Korean page, which labels it a "film based on a true story."
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- Netflix's official Korean title page currently provides a viewing page and identifies it as a film based on a true story.
View 1 sources
- 행복의 나라Netflix · Other · Grade AOpen source →
The audio listed on Netflix's Korean page is Korean [Original], and the subtitles are in Korean.
On screen · Verified record
- On screen
- —
- Verified record
- Netflix's official details list Korean [Original] and Korean subtitles.
View 1 sources
- 행복의 나라Netflix · Other · Grade AOpen source →
CHARACTER ↔ PERSON
Characters and real people
박태주
Historical Person RenamedBased on a real personPark Heung-ju →
전상두
Historical Person RenamedBased on a real personChun Doo-hwan →
정인후
Fictional composite characterOther related people
Tae Yun-ki
LawyerKim Jae-gyu
Director of the Central Intelligence AgencyPark Chung-hee
PresidentSources used
- Land of Happiness (2024)KOFIC / KoBiz · Specialist database · Grade AOpen source →
- 대한민국 격동 한복판 10·26 재판 속으로…영화 '행복의 나라'연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- 나는 김재규의 변호인이었다 - 170일간의 재판 기록으로 밝힌 10.26의 진실국사편찬위원회 한국사데이터베이스 · Government source · Grade AOpen source →
- '행복의 나라' 조정석 "다른 영화엔 없는 故 이선균 모습 보실 것"연합뉴스 · Creator interview · Grade AOpen source →
- [10·26 40주년]③국내외 문건·증언으로 재구성한 10·26(2)연합뉴스 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- 79년 12월20일 '사형' 일곱 번, 19분 만의 폐정한국일보 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- [의혹과 진실 - 한승헌의 재판으로 본 현대사](32) 김재규의 10·26 사건 (中)경향신문 · Major news · Grade AOpen source →
- 10·26 사건은 어디서 시작해 김재규 사형까지 이어졌나[타임라인]노컷뉴스 · Major news · Grade BOpen source →
- 행복의 나라Netflix · Other · Grade AOpen source →