Writing
While on his way to the local temple to ring an ancient bell which will grant his dying mother safe passage to the afterlife, Jong-du's father is killed by a Japanese soldier who was looting the temple. Out of respect for his father and grandmother and to help their spirits rest in peace, Jong-du tries to join the temple and cast a new bell to replace the one that was stolen however his obsessive behavior gets him kicked out of the temple. He marries Suk-hie who helps him scrounge for copper so he can make a new bell on his own.
Forced to leave their home because of the construction of a new dam which will flood their village, the eldest son in the family prepares land and money to construct a new house in Seoul for his family. However, he shirks his duty shortly after and leaves overseeing the construction of the house to his younger brother while he goes to live separately.
When the head of a powerful criminal organization is released from prison, he must take steps to squash the small gangs that sprang up during his absence.
Choi Seok, a historian, raises Jeong-im after her parents pass away. But when her gratitude turns into feelings for him, he is criticized and so leaves the school. When Jeong-im is hospitalized, he gives her a lump sum of money and leaves for Hokkaido, Japan. When Jeong-im finds out the truth, she and Oh Jin-wu, an admirer of hers, go to Choi Seok who's now fighting brain tumor...
