In the remote mountainous region of Gangwon, Seung-bok attends Gyebang Elementary School, a branch of Soksa Elementary School. He dreams of becoming a soldier. Although his family is not well-off, they live a harmonious and righteous life. In the village, events occur such as the disappearance of Jun-ho, who grows up without a mother, the celebration of Grandpa Kang's 60th birthday, and his friend Young-yi's move to Samcheok. Seung-bok goes to the market with his father to buy a birthday present. Upon hearing the news of armed infiltrators appearing in Samcheok, he worries about Young-yi. One evening, when armed infiltrators appear at Seung-bok's house and begin spreading false propaganda, Seung-bok shouts, "I hate the Communist Party!"