At the end of his life, The King of Masks (Chu Yuk), a master of an ancient and revered form of mask making, seeks to pass on his craft. However, tradition dictates that he can only teach the form to a male heir. Desperate to preserve his art, and in some sense himself, the heirless old man purchases a destitute child on the black market. When the boy reveals an unexpected secret, The King of Masks is torn between filial affection and ancient customs.