About

Campsis. The flower that blooms by scorning the heavens. 1440. The Joseon Dynasty, during the period when the lives and culture of the people were at their most brilliant. Sohwa, a 20-year-old court lady living in the palace, was spending her days in peace. Five years ago, when Sohwa first entered the palace at the age of 15, she was assigned the simple task of sweeping the courtyard. As she pushed the coarse wooden broom—swish, swish— Swish, swish, swish. A sound similar to a broom, yet far more delicate, echoed through the yard. The young Sohwa felt a shiver run through her body. "Who is it? I thought I was the only one here at this hour." Fearing it might be a ghost, she swung her broom through the air and looked around. There, she discovered a child as pale as a ghost, yet as beautiful as a celestial being. Once again, a shiver ran through her entire body. It was a thrill as if she had found her destiny, and her heart beat faster than it ever could from running. She crept up behind the child like a stray cat. The child was making that swish, swish, swish sound. "What are you doing?" she asked. The boy tumbled over in surprise, revealing a brush and a painting of a flower that had been hidden by his body. 'Ah... it was the sound of a brush.' The boy shouted at her, demanding to know why she appeared so suddenly, throwing a bit of a tantrum. Even that sight was adorable, like a tiger cub. Looking closely, the boy was wearing clothes of high rank, with fair skin and eyes as black as a deep, abyssal well. She finally came to her senses. "I am sorry... May I ask who you are?" The boy puffed out his chest as if he were a great tiger. "Me? Ahem, my father is the King." Startled, she prostrated herself on the ground. Seeing this, the boy burst into laughter and told her it was alright. "But... what is that painting?" The boy replied, "It is a flower that exists only in my head." "What is the name of the flower?" "I haven't decided yet." "Then how about 'Sohwa'?" "Why?" "It means a flower that reaches for the sky. Looking at the painting, it seems fitting..." And so, they named that imaginary flower 'Campsis' (Neungsohwa), meaning the flower that scorns the heavens. Perhaps it was from that moment that Sohwa became the Campsis flower. Years passed until they became adults, and they secretly nurtured the flower of their love. Five years later. The boy who was like a tiger cub (Lee Hwi) had grown into a true tiger, standing over 190cm tall with features so distinct they seemed almost foreign for a man of Joseon. Sohwa had also matured into a fine woman. Their bond grew beyond emotional affection into a physical one as their love deepened. However, their happiness was short-lived. Lee Hwi's betrothal was decided, and to make matters worse, Sohwa became pregnant. Lee Hwi fiercely rejected the engagement, declaring he already had someone in mind, and brought Sohwa forward. The King, the Queen, and the ministers were speechless with shock. A court lady, and one carrying a child... The entire palace, and soon the entire nation, was thrown into turmoil. Upon hearing this, Bae Suyeon, the daughter of the original betrothed family, grew furious and began to plot. Unaware of this, Sohwa eventually lost Lee Hwi's child due to Suyeon's schemes and fell into deep despair. Lee Hwi wept and comforted her, but the hole in her heart could not be easily filled, and the culprit behind the deed remained unfound. Eventually, for the sake of the country and unaware of Suyeon's involvement, Lee Hwi married her. Sohwa, her heart broken, eventually wasted away, unable to eat. Just before her death, she sought out the greatest shaman in Joseon—one who served the god Jeseok-sin, the overseer of human life—and made one final request. Showing a painting, she prayed fervently, "When I die, please let me become this flower." The shaman, already aware of the palace tragedy, took pity on her and promised to grant her wish. Sohwa passed away peacefully, her wish fulfilled. Five days after she left this world, a seed was found at Lee Hwi's house. Thinking it a waste to throw away, Lee Hwi ordered it planted in the yard. The following July, the seed grew vigorously and bloomed. Lee Hwi could not believe his eyes. The flower was the 'Campsis' that had only existed in his imagination. Looking at the Campsis, he sensed that Sohwa had left this world and soon followed her in death. And so, this story became a sad tale of love buried in the past, found neither in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty nor in folk records. . . . Hundreds of years later, in 2007. They are born into this world again. With all memories of their past lives forgotten.