| Director | Im Kwon-taek |
|---|---|
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Box office | $798,977 |
The film is told through pansori, a traditional Korean form of storytelling that narrates through song. It is based on Chunhyangga, a traditional Korean folktale, and is set in 18th century Korea.
Lee Mongryong, a governor's son living in Namwon falls in love and marries Chunhyang Sung, the daughter of a courtesan. Their marriage is kept a secret from his father who would disown Lee if he found out that he had married beneath him. The governor is posted to Seoul and so Mongryong has to leave his wife behind, promising to return for her when he passes the official exam.
After Mongryong and his father leaves, the new governor, Byun Hakdo, desires Chunhyang. When she refuses, stating that she is married and will remain faithful, the governor punishes her by flogging. Meanwhile, in Seoul, Lee passes the exam with the top score and becomes an officer. After three years, Mongryong returns to the town on a King's mission. There, he finds that his wife is to be beaten to death on the governor's birthday as a punishment for rejecting him. Mongryong arrests the governor for his corruption and avarice. The two lovers are finally united.