The dirge singer is paid to attend funerals and mourn for the dead. They are viewed as belonging to the lowest class. Yeon-Sim is brought up by her mother to become a dirge singer like herself.Yun-Su was born out of wedlock and is only half a noble person. Because of his birth status, he can't attain the stature that his brother has. Yun-Su and Yeon-Sim meet at a delicate moment in their lives.