Lee, Seon-ok is murdered while her husband is performing in a play. Detectives investigating the case, learn that their are several reasons why someone might want him dead.

An actor looks around him and is disgusted by the greed and materialism he sees in those whom he used to respect.

In-ho becomes paralyzed due to cerebral palsy. His mother takes care to give him as normal a life as possible and eventually he learns to type and paint using his mouth.

An elite group of soldiers serving during the Korean War is sent deep into enemy territory to destroy the fortress at area 598, knowing all too well that most or all of these brave men will be lost.

His mother having died while giving birth to his younger brother, and his father mentally incapacitated due to a serious car accident, 13-year old Yeong-cheol must look after his yoyng siblings. His neighbors, however, feel that it would be a kindness to have the children sent to an orphanage.

After failing three times to enter a university, Ha-rim decides to reflect on his personal history and rediscover his roots as a way of finding maturity.

Bae Tae-ok was a patriotic Korean who resisted Japanese occupation. After liberation, her husband brainwashes her into accepting the communist philosphy. During the Korean War, she was appointed to lead the Women's League For Communism but was later arrested for her anti-capitalism activities and tried for treason.