A Tale of Legendary Libido

An aging widow prays to a Jangseung totem, hoping to summon a life partner. The totem unexpectedly lends its nose, a magical tool linked to sexual pleasure in the story's parody. The scene establishes a whimsical, fantastical tone for the film.

An old monk explains that a forest-hidden potion can cure Gang-soe's condition, but it must be used in moderation. He warns that drinking it all at once could bring disaster to the village. The warning frames the potion's dangerous power at the heart of the plot.

Gang-soe finds the potion, drinks it, and experiences a surge in libido. The change is rapid and visible, affecting his relations with others. The event marks a turning point for his life in the village.

Kang-mok is drafted to war, leaving his wife Dal-gaeng lonely in the village. Gang-soe's newfound vitality complicates his feelings toward her. The brother's absence heightens Dal-gaeng's vulnerability and sets the stage for ensuing conflicts.

Village women seduce Gang-soe, testing his resolve and loyalty to Dal-gaeng. He yields to their advances, but guilt about Dal-gaeng's loneliness lingers. The tension between desire and duty drives the plot forward.

A massive fire erupts in the village, fueled by the yin energy from Gang-soe's excessive libido. The blaze scorches fields and homes, triggering a severe drought that strains everyone. Dal-gaeng falls ill as the village's balance destabilizes.

A physician reluctantly tells Gang-soe that the only cure for Dal-gaeng's heat is sexual relief. The suggestion creates moral and social tension as the village debates the remedy. The moment deepens the ethical complexity of the quest to control desire.

Kang-mok returns alive, though everyone thought him dead. Dal-gaeng has become pregnant, creating awkward tension with Kang-mok. It is revealed that Kang-mok had intended Dal-gaeng as a wife for Gang-soe.

Rumors about Gang-soe's immense libido reach government officials, who assign him a ceremonial duel in front of Western delegates to prove the village's claims. The scene satirizes bureaucratic spectacle and exoticism. Gang-soe prepares for the public test of his potency.

Gang-soe undertakes a final quest to ease the desires of an ungnyeo bear woman through his libido, paired with a rain-dance performed by the villagers. The ritual triggers rain and helps quell the drought. The journey tests his restraint and reliance on communal ritual.

Rain arrives and the drought ends, bringing relief to the village. The community celebrates the unusual solution to their crisis. The episode links magical desire with collective healing.

An epilogue reveals that the offspring of the women Gang-soe slept with show signs of a huge libido. The film closes on a cheeky note about future generations and the lasting impact of his appetite. The coda hints at ongoing consequences of his actions.