The story is set in Joseon Korea, primarily during the reign of Seonjo. The story covers a time that is approximately 50 years after the death of Dae Jang Geum (the reputed first female doctor of Joseon Korea).

Hur Jun is the son of a devon (Americas version of Untouchable) mother. Due to his mother’s social position he was also considered sangnom under Joseon law at the time, even though his father was from the ruling caste and held office as a local magistrate. As a result, he suffered many discriminatory treatments, causing him to lose focus and direction, and eventually led him to participate in smuggling operations. At this time, Hur Jun got to know an upper-class lady who was in exile. The lady’s father was branded a traitor and died during exile. Hur Jun sympathized with the lady and handled all of her father’s funeral affairs. Not long after that, Hur Jun’s smuggling activities were discovered, and he was only saved from death by his erstwhile uncaring father, who rescued Hur Jun, his mother, and the lady in exile and sneaked them out of their town. Hur Jun and the lady in exile eventually got married and went to Gyeongsang Province to live a peaceful life.

One time, Hur Jun’s mother fell ill, and Hur Jun sought help with a famous local physician, Yoo I-Tae. It was during this time that Hur Jun became interested in medicine and became his pupil to study medicine. His intelligent nature began to manifest itself, and coupled with his industrious nature, he progressed very quickly. His intelligence attracted the attention of an orphaned lady who lived with Hur Jun’s mentor. She began to mentor Hur Jun in the area of medicinal usage.