16th Century, Joseon Dynasty

Once upon a time, in a castle upon a shining moon, there lived a fair maiden. Her name was Jin-Yi. She had pale, rice powder skin; perfectly crafted brows and bow-shaped, peach lips. Her long hair was the darkest of black silk, spun like ebony satin, flowing like an onyx river.

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She lived alone on the moon, her celestial palace, feeling so lonely, always looking down on the lush Earth, which was teeming with life, full of creatures of all kinds, from majestic tigers to pretty does. One creature in particular fascinated her the most: man. Man was a beautiful species, but was prone to violence. She had witnessed many wars from her palace, seeing the bloodshed and destruction of mankind. But she also saw compassion.

A young boy would come to a lake every night, looking up at the pale moon, looking so sad. He had fallen in love with the moon, her lovely face visible through the wispy mist of clouds. He would visit faithfully, blossoming into a handsome young man, growing taller, his shoulders broader. A man accomplished in the fighting arts with sad, sad eyes. Jin-Yi’s heart melted. He had captivated her, moved by his faithfulness. She would recite poetry to him, play her gayageum (long zither with twelve strings), yearning to touch him.

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Then one night, on a full moon, she descended from her celestial palace, dressed in silk and brocade, her hair opulently coiffed, her beauty radiating as she walked down the invisible stairs. The young man eye’s opened wide in stunned silence, completely in awe.

“What is your name,” Jin-Yi demurely asked, her lovely dark-eyes upon him.

“My name is Nom-Yi,” he replies, looking so utterly smitten.

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He takes a step back, as she steps into his arms. He holds her in an intimate embrace, their lips meeting in an tender, urgent kiss. Slowly they drop to the ground, as silk and brocade falls away, revealing bare skin. Cries of lovemaking resonates in the night air, the pale moon shining so bright.

Every full moon she would descend the invisible steps to her lover, into his waiting arms, feeling so much pleasure and joy. For the first time she felt truly happy and free…until one night she was captured by a group of armed palace guards, sent by a corrupt king.

On a full moon the king had caught sight of the exquisite Jin-Yi, enchanted by her beauty. He had wanted her for himself, completely held captive by her charms. She was taken to his sumptuous palace and held prisoner. When she refused his advances, he beat her, utterly infuriated. No woman would ever refuse him. He would make her suffer.

Jin-Yi wanted to die…but then there were loud, angry shouts as Nom-Yi came crashing into the castle, knocking down the guards, rage blazing in his eyes. He charges at the king, slaying him in a single strike, his primal anger boiling over. He then takes Jin-Yi into his arms, spiriting her away from the castle and back to the lake.

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He ascends the invisible stairs, taking her back to her moon palace. He gently lays her down on her bed, softly kissing her forehead. He then descends the stairs, never to be seen again, for killing the king was a grave offense, punishable by death. Jin-Yi awakens, completely heartbroken. Therefore, the shining moon forever weeps, eternally alone, pining away for her mortal lover.

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