The year is 1901. In order to pay war indemnities, the royal government in Seoul has just decided to levy high taxes ail over Korea.
On Cheju, a poor, rocky volcanic island off the kingdom’s southern border, discontent is growing among the population. Tax collectors deprive inhabitants of the little money they have. Tensions are increased by the actions of the local Catholic community which supports the tax collectors. The suicide of an old scholar humiliated by a group of Christians sparks off the crisis. A group of Confucian scholars decides to set up a rebel army to fight royal injustice. One night, the Christians attack the rebel camp and arrest the rebel leaders…
