The 17th century in ancient Korea. The mighty Khan of the Jurchen tribe of Manchuria, who battles the Ming dinasty for control of China, becomes the first ruler of the Qing dinasty and demands that King In-jo of Joseon bow before him; however, he refuses since he is loyal to the Mings. The Qing horde invades Joseon on December 14th, 1636, so King In-jo and his court take refuge in Namhan, a mountain castle, and prepare to defend the kingdom.