(Full Synopsis)

Set in early 17th-century Joseon during the reign of King Gwanghae, the musical unfolds amid rigid social hierarchies, where illegitimate sons struggle against systemic discrimination and dream of a more just society.

In the aftermath of the Imjin War, Joseon society remains deeply stratified, with illegitimate sons (seoja) denied opportunities despite their abilities and contributions. Seven such men, who have passed the state examination but are denied official positions due to their birth status, gather by the Namhan River in Yeoju, forming a fragile community bound by shared resentment and hope.

Their lives change when Heo Gyun, a progressive thinker and writer, approaches them with a secret proposal. Disillusioned by the existing order, he sees in them the potential to challenge the system and imagines a new world free from rigid class distinctions.

As the group begins to organize and envision reform, tensions rise within both the group and the broader political landscape. Their movement is tied to historical unrest, including the Gyechuk Purge, a moment of violent suppression against perceived threats to royal authority.

Despite their aspirations, the revolution ultimately fails. The seven men become victims of history, erased or reduced to footnotes in official records. However, their spirit survives through Heo Gyun’s literary work, as their lives become the inspiration for the iconic figure of Hong Gildong.

The musical frames their story as both a tragedy and a legacy, emphasizing the forgotten dreams of those who sought change but were denied recognition.