The 1930s, during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Na Ye-gyeon — a young but troublesome teacher at an evening school, who also works as a resistance agent. The girl, the last in Kyonsan to wear a hanbok, is principled to the point of propriety. Son U-van — a playboy and a slacker, the son of wealthy parents and, by profession, a reporter; he lives in a brothel. Lee Su-hyeon — a former childhood friend of U-van, now a sworn enemy and traitor, an investigator for the Japanese police. Cha Song-ju — the most famous kisaeng of Kyonsan, a beautiful and intelligent woman.