Hwang Jin yi 1986 Magistrate Hwangs daughter Jin yi, is jilted before her wedding because a shoe maker was smitten with her and commits suicide Jin yi becomes a courtesan, and becomes famous for her wits and beauty She falls for Byuk Kye su, but hes chosen to be an envoy to a far off kingdom When he leaves she feels so betrayed she takes to a life of wandering She meets Lee Saeng, a destitute scholar, and stays with him until she discovers hes going to sell her to a group of itinerate clowns Instead, she joins them willingly