AllMovie

An epic tale of one woman shunted from pillar to post by repressive 15th-century Korean social customs, this engrossing period drama is about the fictional Kil-rye (Won Mi-kyong) who is banished to the home of her cruel in-laws when her husband-to-be dies before their wedding. From the moment the wedding was set, Kil-rye was considered to be a part of her future husband's family. Virtually an indentured servant at their home, she is raped repeatedly by a man who breaks into her room at night. When he is finally caught, she is thrown out onto the street, and he is killed. Kil-rye ends up at a monastery where she meets a gentle, caring man, and the two eventually marry. But their happiness does not last long -- the head priest tries to rape Kil-rye and is murdered by her husband as a consequence. The couple then escape to the husband's home -- a wealthy estate -- and even though they find refuge there, Kil-rye's ordeals are not yet over. Her story is told in a series of slightly confusing flashbacks, through the eyes of someone who is clearly a survivor.