Love, Lies

A gisaeng-in-training at a gwonbeon whose natural talent and beauty make her the center of attention. She is fiercely loyal to those she loves, yet finds herself trapped between tradition and personal desire. So-yul’s sense of dignity drives her decisions as rivalries and betrayals unfold around her. Her arc ends in a destructive act born from heartbreak and perceived betrayal.

A new arrival who becomes So-yul’s best friend. She leaves the gwonbeon to pursue a career as a pop singer, embracing a modern path that clashes with the old order. Yeon-hee’s rising fame unsettles the established hierarchy and sparks tension with So-yul. Her choices underscore the lure and cost of breaking with tradition.

A top pop songwriter whose talent makes him a sought-after figure. He initially supports So-yul but becomes enamored with Yeon-hee, writing a song to empower the people. His shifting affections and professional ambitions pull him into a conflict between personal life and political conscience. He embodies the tension between romance and responsibility.

So-yul’s mother and the headmistress of the gwonbeon, a figure of authority and tradition. She enforces discipline and upholds the school’s dignity, while protecting the family’s reputation. Ok-hyang’s choices reflect the burdens of leadership within a rigid social system. Her presence anchors the film’s exploration of duty and sacrifice.

A symbol of colonial power who maneuvers within the occupation’s political constraints. He acts as an external pressure on the gwonbeon and its inhabitants, representing control over art and life. His presence intensifies the stakes for the characters as they navigate authority and resistance.

The younger version of So-yul, shown in early training and early hints of the talent that will define her later life. Her childhood foreshadows the intense pressures of the gwonbeon and the weight of expectations placed on young women in this world.