A nurse in a Japanese women's POW camp during World War II masterminds an escapee.

The villagers of a remote fishing village on the west coast of Korea have a belief that if someone drowns in the sea, his spirit cannot depart until the next person dies. The drowning of one fisherman sets in motion a series of tragic events.

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...

In an effort to erase his disgrace, the mischievous Kim Hwan starts a movement to build birdnests but the old park keeper gets injured in his efforts. In order to get money for the park keeper's hospital fees, Hwan gets on his friend Chil-sung's boat to catch some fish. However, Hwan gets caught up in the tide and drifts off to sea where he is rescued by a Chinese ship. The Chinese ship tries to take Hwan to North Korea but Hwan resists with an anti-Communist will so strong he's willing to die. Hwan is safely returned to his home country. At the airport, Hwan's friends bring the old park keeper who is in a cast. They receive Hwan with beautiful music and performances.