In mid-19th Century Korea, the people of Joseon Dynasty embrace the new religion Donghak. After the founder is executed, Choi Si-hyeong becomes Donghak’s second-generation leader and successfully propagates the religion, but in doing so becomes the object of oppression by the royal court.
Na-young becomes a prostitute when her heart is broken and then she is sexually violated by Jung-han, a street thug.
Mi-kyeong is kidnapped while travelling and taken to an island near Busan where she is forced to work as a prostitute. Her attempts to escape result in being tortured at the hands of the cruel madame. Her only hope lies in a young customer named Jae-hyeon.
