In the late 19th century Catholicism was gaining a foothold on Jeju island, much to the horror of the Confucian community, who were seeing their influence diminishing as well as getting increased taxes from Catholic-friendly government officers. The conflict became a religious war that resulted in a rebel Confucian army massacring hundreds of Christians in little more than a matter of days. The Uprising details the events leading up to the assault, focusing on the story of Yi Jae-su, the young man destined to become the leader of the rebel army.

This film depicts the struggles of the Royal Party and the Old Party to obtain political power. In 1800, The Royal Party insisted that the political power should be centralized to the King, but the other party (The Old Party) insisted that the political power should be centralized to the majority of the ministers. One day, official Jang was ordered by the King to arrange and edit the record of the former King Yeongjo. All of a sudden, Jang dies. Soon it was disclosed that Jang was killed by the Old Party because of their connection with the book. For this incident , the King tried to get rid of key members of the Old Party, but the Old Party resists the King's will. What was in the book? Who was involved? Why? The political intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat.