Set towards the end Chosun Dyansty period, Madam Joh (Lee Mi-Suk) lives as a devoted wife, but secretly she resents the restrictions placed upon her by society. Madam Joh has held many discrete relationships with other men.

Jo-Won (Bae Yong-Joon) is an accomplished scholar and skilled in martial arts. His real passion though is seducing other women. Madam Joh is his first love. Since that time they have engaged in high stake games of seduction and love. They both hide their true feelings for each other.

Madam Joh then sets Jo-Won upon the innocent So-Ok (Lee So-Yeon), who will become her husband's concubine. Meanwhile, Jo-Won's attention falls upon Lady Sue (Jeon Do-Yeon). Lady Sue is a devout Catholic and has remained chaste since her husband's death nine years earlier.