One day in the early 1960’s, Dongho, a man in his thirties (Kim Kyu-Chul) arrives at a village inn.  He is absorbed in deep thought while listening to a Pansori song by a woman of the inn.  In his childhood, Yubong, a vagabond singer of Pansori (Kim Myung-Gon), comes to his village.  Yubong falls in love with Dongho’s widowed mother.  He leaves the village with Dongho, the widow, and his adopted daughter Songhwa (Oh Jung-Hae).  However, the widow dies while delivering Yubong’s baby.  Yubong teaches Songhwa Pansori music, and teaches Dongho the drum.  Songhwa and Dongho are raised as a pair of Pansori singer and drummer.  They wander about doing Pansori for a living, but their lives are getting harder during and after the Korean civil war.  With the influence of western culture, Pansori gradually becomes less appreciated and favored, even despised by people.  Dissatisfied with his miserable life, Dongho leaves home after having a dispute with Yubong.  Broken hearted, Songhwa refuses to do Pansori.  Yubong makes her go blind in an attempt to complete her Pansori.  Blind Songhwa manages to lead a pitiable life after Yubong’s death.  Time passes and Dongho comes back with guilty feelings to look for Songhwa and Yubong.  He finally encounters Songhwa.  Songhwa sings her Pansori at his request with the accompaniment of his drum.  After spending one night together, they separate again.  Songhwa leaves to continue her vagabond life. 

<AWARDS> 
 -Shanghai Int’l Film Festival  : Best Director, Best Actress 
 -Singapore Film Festival : Grand prix 
 -Berlin Film Festival  : Panorama