Based on a true story. The king falls in love with Jang Hie-bin, a woman of low birth and makes her his second wife. Shel plots against the queen, the king's first wife, and has her driven from the palace. Hie-bin is unpopular among the nobles, however, who fear her power and she soon finds herself fending off conspiracies to have her removed from the throne.—Anonymous

King Sukjong exalts a greedy concubine to the status of Bin, which is next to that of the Queen. The new Bin, who is now called Jang Hui-bin, drives out the Queen through a coup and takes her place. But thanks to loyal court officials, the King finds out what has been going on. He demotes Jang to Bin again and reinstates his Queen. Jang, now vindictive, conspires with her mother to kill the queen and reclaim her place. But the conspiracy is brought to light, and Jang is executed.