Character Relationship Map: Punch

Characters

• Do Wan-deuk (played by Yoo Ah-in) — protagonist

  Eighteen-year-old protagonist and young brawler who never knew his mother. Lives with his hunchback father and stuttering uncle, former cabaret clowns now working in open-air markets. Channels his agg...

• Lee Dong-joo (played by Kim Yun-seok) — supporting

  Unconventional high school teacher who lives on the rooftop next door and treats all students with equal harshness. Takes guardianship of Wan-deuk temporarily, reveals the location of Wan-deuk's long-...

• Wan-deuk's Father (played by Park Soo-young) — supporting

  Hunchbacked former cabaret clown forced to work in open-air markets after the nightclub closure. Asks Lee Dong-joo to watch over his son Wan-deuk when he and his brother leave to seek employment elsew...

• Wan-deuk's Mother (played by Lee Jasmine) — supporting

  Filipina woman who abandoned her family seventeen years ago. Currently works in a restaurant in Seongnam. Her identity and whereabouts are revealed by Dong-joo, leading to an emotional first reunion w...

• Nam Min-gu (played by Kim Young-jae) — supporting

  Stuttering uncle of Wan-deuk and former cabaret clown. Works alongside Wan-deuk's father in open-air markets. Travels with him to search for new work opportunities, leaving Wan-deuk in the teacher's c...

• Jeong Yun-ha (played by Kang Byul) — supporting

  The brightest pupil in Wan-deuk's class, Yun-ha develops a liking for him after breaking up with her boyfriend, Hyeok-ju. When Wan-deuk takes up kickboxing to channel his aggression, she helps him wit...

• Hyeok-Ju (played by Kim Dong-young) — supporting

  Hyeok-ju is Jeong Yun-ha's boyfriend before their breakup. The summary mentions him only in connection with Yun-ha's changed feelings toward Wan-deuk and provides no further actions or relationship de...

• Dong-joo's Father (played by Jo Sang-geon) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Dong-joo's Father → Lee Dong-joo (father)
• Wan-deuk's Mother → Do Wan-deuk (mother)
• Wan-deuk's Father → Do Wan-deuk (father)
• Hyeok-Ju → Jeong Yun-ha (Romantic Former Boyfriend) — Hyeok-ju is Yun-ha's former boyfriend; their breakup precedes her taking an interest in Wan-deuk.

  The plot identifies Hyeok-ju as Yun-ha's boyfriend and says she has split with him.

• Jeong Yun-ha → Do Wan-deuk (Romantic Interest) — Yun-ha develops feelings for Wan-deuk and supports his kickboxing training.

  The plot says Yun-ha takes a liking to Wan-deuk after splitting with her boyfriend and helps him with kickboxing.

• Nam Min-gu → Do Wan-deuk (Family Uncle And Nephew) — Min-gu is Wan-deuk's uncle and part of his household; he leaves with Wan-deuk's father when they go seeking work.

  The plot identifies Min-gu as Wan-deuk's uncle and says he lives with Wan-deuk and his father. Min-gu leaves with Jeong-bok to look for work.

Story Analysis

A young brawler navigates family separation, a first meeting with his mother, and new support while growing closer to his teacher.

Plot Progression

1. A Household Under Strain — Wan-deuk lives with his father and uncle, whose former cabaret work has given way to open-air market jobs. He is a young brawler who has never known his mother.
2. An Unwanted Guardian — Wan-deuk's father and uncle leave to seek work, and his father asks the teacher to watch over him. The teacher and student gradually grow closer.
3. The Family Secret — Wan-deuk learns that his mother is a Filipina working in Seongnam. With the teacher's help, he meets her for the first time.
4. Training and New Affection — After her breakup with Hyeok-ju, Yun-ha takes an interest in Wan-deuk. She helps him as he takes up kickboxing to channel his aggression.
5. Guidance Interrupted — Wan-deuk has come to rely on his teacher's tutorship. The teacher's arrest for helping undocumented immigrant workers disrupts that growing bond.