AllMovie

Korean filmmaker Im Kwon-Taek continues the story that began in his critically acclaimed 1993 drama Sopyonje with this belated follow-up that finds actress and singer Oh Jung-hae reprising her role from the previous film. Former pansori drummer Dong-ho (Cho Jae-hyun) has decided to take a trip back to the village where he spent his childhood. When Dong-ho was a young boy the streets of his village were bustling with merchants and travelers, but now the streets are quiet and all traces of life seem to have vanished. Drifting through the memories of his past, Dong-ho recalls the time when he was adopted by an itinerant musician (Im Jin-taek) and raised as the brother of the enchanting Song-hwa. It was during that time that Dong-ho learned the ancient art of traditional drumming while forming a bond with Song-hwa that went far beyond the love shared by traditional siblings. But Dong-ho was an arrogant boy, and after clashing with his stepfather one too many times the strong-willed youth left his family behind in search of a better life. Through it all, however, Dong-ho never forgot the love he shared with the beautiful Song-hwa.