- Lee Jung-won leads a failed couop in 1884 and then flees for his life to Japan. He returns to Korea years later after conspiring with the Japanese government to kill the queen of Korea and pave the way for Japanese occupation which would last until the end of World War II.
- When King Danjong proves incompetant in dealing with the affairs of state, a power struggle erupts within his family to see who can dethrone him and sieze control of the kingdom.
- Jin and Min, experts at fighting, get involved with a gang of smugglers. Min recognizes the nature of their activities and makes a break from the group, eventually establishing an orphanage. Jin, on the other hand, finds himself getting deeply involved with crime until it finally leads to murder.