To understand the film, it's helpful to know the original story, Chunhyangjeon (The Tale of Chunhyang), a classic Korean folklore often compared to Romeo and Juliet . In the original, the noble son Lee Mong-ryong secretly marries the beautiful Chunhyang, the daughter of a courtesan. When Mong-ryong is forced to leave for Seoul, a corrupt new official tries to force Chunhyang to become his mistress. Mong-ryong returns in disguise, defeats the official, and they live happily ever after.