The story begins this way..
Once there was a boy who could not claim his father.

In this classic tale from early seventeenth-century Korea, Hong Kil Dong, the son of a powerful minister, is not entitled to a birthright because his mother is a commoner. After studying the martial arts, divination, swordplay, the uses of magic, and the wisdom of the I Ching, the Book of Changes, Hong Kil Dong sets off on a quest for his destiny. He leads a band of men to right the injustices shown to the peasants by some powerful and corrupt merchants, ministers, and monks. Hong Kil Dong can then claim his rightful role and become a wise and just leader.

This graphic novel captures the drama and pageantry of Korea during the Chosun dynasty and pays tribute to the adventure story that became the first novel written in the Korean language.

From the dust jacket