Hwang Jin-yi herself, was a famous Joseon era Gisaeng (similar to Japanese Geishas), possessing exceptional beauty, intellect and talents in the arts. She was also noted for her assertive and independent nature, which was even more uncommon for her era. The film “Hwang Jin Yi” was adapted from the 2002 novel of the same name by North Korean author Hong Seok-jung, which gives a fictionalized account of her life.

In the film, Hwang Jin-yi grows up as a privileged daughter of a high ranking aristocrat family. She leads a sheltered life, rarely able to leave the confines of her family home. Her closet friend since her early childhood years, is a male servant named Nom-yi. They are also in love but because of their social class differences their love is unspoken. Now as an adult, Jin-yi is set to marry into another powerful aristocratic family in Han-Yang. That is until her world suddenly comes crashing down.

Jin-yi learns that her father raped a family servant, which resulted in her birth. Her biological mother was banished from their home after giving birth to Jin-yi and eventually became a gisaeng. To avoid further scandal, the mother of the house promised to bring Jin-yi up as her own daughter. This family secret was well kept until Nom-yi comes across Jin-yi’s biological mother, sitting on a cliff overlooking the family estate.

A few days after Nom-yi’s discovery, the wedding is suddenly canceled by the groom’s family. Hwang Jin-yi now realizes that her true family lineage will be known by all the residents in her hometown of Song-Do. She then makes the decision to leave her family’s home and become a gisaeng, following in the footsteps of her mother.