Young-mi loses her parents early and lives under the care of Mr. Lee Jang-saeng, a branch manager on a remote island, along with her brother Moon-gu. She moves to Seoul to continue her studies. Young-mi, who always prepared for the entrance exam with a virtuous attitude, becomes disillusioned with her doctor mother who values money over personality. She goes astray, associates with delinquents, and loses her virginity to Ji-hwan, a student retaking his exam. Young-mi, with strong notions of chastity, attempts suicide out of the injustice of her noble purity being violated, becoming vegetative. At this time, Moon-gu and Mr. Lee Jang-saeng hear the news and travel to Seoul. Mr. Lee Jang-saeng feels guilty for having taught that chastity is more precious than life and nurses her with regret. Moon-gu is disillusioned with Ji-hwan's mother, who tries to bargain the most sacred purity for money. Seeing the increasingly turbulent lives of Ji-hwan and Young-mi, Mr. Lee Jang-saeng takes them back to the island to attempt to shape their personalities and foster their integration.