Taking place in a fictional setting of the Joseon Dynasty, this historical drama depicts the life of a royal family with a tragic history. Yeongjo, as the king of Joseon, wielded absolute authority and exerted sovereignty over his people, and was a stern leader who believed in the power of royal authority. However, his very own son was a strong believer in equity and fairness, wanting his country to be a place for every man and woman regardless of their social status. As the plot develops, the father and son clash against each other because of the differences in their values. In defending his reign, King Yeongjo ends up killing his own son, the crown prince, by locking him in a rice chest. The drama portrays the prince crown as a bright and capable idealist who believes ultimate power resides with the people. It tells the story of the prince’s last eight years before he was put to death.