影片改编自朝鲜民间传统小说《兴夫传》,该小说与《沈清传》、《春香传》并称朝鲜三大古典名著。讲述朝鲜宪宗年间,兴夫(郑宇饰)与贵族赵赫(金柱赫饰)帮助贫困百姓的故事。Yeon Heung Bu is an author of popular novels. He writes a novel to find his lost older brother. Heung Bu then meets Jo Hyuk. Jo Hyuk is a nobleman and takes care of people. Heung Bu finds enlightenment from Jo Hyuk. Meanwhile, Jo Hyuk's older brother is Jo Hang Ri. He is completely different from Jo Hyuk. He will do anything to gain more power. Heung Bu decides to write a story about the brothers Jo Hyuk and Jo Hang Ri . Heung Bu completes the novel "Heungbu and Nolbu" and the novel is a success. It's popularity soon spreads all across Joseon. Jo Hang Ri takes advantage of the situation and plots to gain absolute power in Joseon.