(Full Synopsis)

Set in a fictional Joseon where Sijo poetry has been banned for 15 years, the musical unfolds across marketplaces, secret gathering spaces, and royal arenas, where oppressed citizens struggle to reclaim freedom of expression.

In this imagined society, Sijo was once the core of national ideology, but following a rebellion, its use has been outlawed. The people, stripped of both voice and joy, live under strict control. A young street orphan, known for boldly reciting Sijo, encounters a hidden network of performers called Golbindang, who secretly preserve poetry and resist authority through underground performances.

As the king announces a nationwide Sijo competition for the first time in years, Golbindang sees an opportunity to reveal the truth behind the regime. However, Hongguk, the powerful minister who controls the state, plans to use the event to expose and eliminate them.

Through a series of performances and confrontations, hidden truths emerge — including past betrayals and political manipulation. The group is captured, but through sacrifice and unexpected alliances, evidence of corruption is revealed. Ultimately, Hongguk’s power collapses, and the king restores the people’s right to express themselves through Sijo, fulfilling the protagonists’ wish for freedom.