Original: 오월의 청춘
A budding love story between a medical student and a nurse takes place in May 1980, during a time of civil unrest and military oppression in Gwangju.
Hwang Hui-tae heads to Gwangju to fulfill a patient's last wish. Kim Myeong-hui gets a chance to study abroad, but is short on airfare.
Myeong-hui attempts to leave a bad impression on Hui-tae, hoping to never see him again. Hui-tae, rather enjoying the act, seeks to prolong the affair.
Hui-tae and Lee Su-ryeon keep up the charade a little longer, using the situation to their advantage. Hwang Gi-nam keeps track of his son's whereabouts.
When Myeong-hui is unable to make time for Hui-tae on her day off, he volunteers to follow her wherever she goes. Su-ryeon gets a mysterious phone call.
Upon Myeong-hui's request, Hui-tae makes a surprising announcement to Su-ryeon's family. Myeong-hui finds help getting her passport processed on time.
Myeong-hui's choice to follow her heart is met with strong pushback. Lee Su-chan calls Hui-tae up for drinks, but offers a word of warning instead.
Myeong-hui's dreams drift further out of reach. Hui-tae tries to persuade his father to leave Myeong-hui alone, but it only provokes him to double down.
Myeong-hui stays occupied with extra chores and hours at work. Hui-tae also carries on as if nothing happened, until Su-ryeon breaks her silence.
Overnight, Gwangju is overcome with violence, and victims pour into the hospital. Hui-tae and Myeong-hui put their plans on hold to help.
Once patients with gunshot wounds fill the ER, Hui-tae realizes that they'll have to leave now or never, but devastating news holds Myeong-hui back.
Myeong-hui decides to stay put at the hospital, despite her family's plea to get away together. Hwang Jeong-tae witnesses a horrifying sight at home.
In a simple ceremony with just the two of them, Hui-tae and Myeong-hui exchange prayers as wedding gifts. The tender moment is cut short by tragic news.
