Jacob, an 11-year-old boy searching for kokdu dolls to preserve his final memories with his grandmother, accidentally stumbles into the world of these dolls.
The "kokdu," literally meaning "funeral doll," is a central element of the work. It is a wooden doll that once adorned the bier—a carriage carrying a coffin—in the funeral customs of the Joseon Dynasty. These dolls were regarded as beings that accompanied and protected the deceased, ensuring they would not feel lonely on their journey to the afterlife. Appearing in various forms such as warriors, servants, clowns, and guides, the kokdu embody the Joseon-era Korean philosophy that death is not something to be feared, but rather a warm farewell and a new beginning.