Tuition (1940) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A boy's determination to continue his education is tested by poverty, loss, and a difficult search for help.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Weight of Unpaid Fees

Tuition is demanded, but Wu's family cannot afford it. With no news from his father and Grandmother struggling to support him, Wu feels ashamed and stops attending school.

Key Events

• Tuition Is Demanded — A teacher demands tuition, and pupils say their families cannot afford it. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: School
• Six Months Without News — Wu has gone six months without hearing from his father. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal, Father Location: Home
• Grandmother Struggles — Grandmother struggles to support Wu amid the family's hardship. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal, Grandmother Location: Home
• Fees Remain Unpaid — Wu's tuition has gone unpaid for months. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: School
• Shame Keeps Him Away — Ashamed of the unpaid fees, Wu stops attending school. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Home
• Lessons Continue at Home — Wu and Grandmother try to keep up his studies at home. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal, Grandmother Location: Home

Help and Another Setback

Wu and Grandmother try to continue his education at home while the teacher learns of their hardship and sends tuition money. A classmate brings medicine for Grandmother, but the house owner takes the funds before Wu can return to school.

Key Events

• Lessons Continue at Home — Wu and Grandmother try to keep up his studies at home. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal, Grandmother Location: Home
• Absence Weighs on Them — Wu's absence from school troubles both him and Grandmother. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal, Grandmother Location: Home
• Grandmother Blames Herself — Grandmother worries that she is the cause of Wu's troubles. Characters: Grandmother Location: Home
• Help Reaches the Teacher — The teacher learns about Wu's family's hardship. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: School
• Tuition Money Is Sent — The teacher sends money to help pay Wu's tuition. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Home
• Medicine Arrives — A classmate visits and brings medicine for Grandmother. Characters: Grandmother Location: Home
• Hope of Returning — Encouraged by the help, Wu is eager to return to school. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Home
• Money Is Taken — The house owner takes the money sent for Wu's tuition. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal, House owner Location: Home
• Tuition Is Lost Again — Wu is left without the money needed to return to school. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Home

The Walk for Tuition

Determined to find another way, Wu walks alone to his aunt in Pyeongtaek. She welcomes him, gives him tuition money and rice for Grandmother, and arranges his bus trip home.

Key Events

• Tuition Is Lost Again — Wu is left without the money needed to return to school. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Home
• A Journey to Pyeongtaek — Wu sets out alone on foot to visit his aunt in Pyeongtaek. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Road to Pyeongtaek
• Aunt Welcomes Wu — Wu's aunt welcomes him after his journey on foot. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Aunt's home in Pyeongtaek
• Money and Rice Given — His aunt gives Wu tuition money and rice for Grandmother. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Aunt's home in Pyeongtaek
• Bus Journey Home — His aunt arranges for Wu to travel home by bus. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: Bus journey home
• Wu Returns Home — Wu tells Grandmother what happened and brings the help from his aunt. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal, Grandmother Location: Home

A Return to School

Wu tells Grandmother about his journey and takes the money to school. He explains his absence, and the teacher praises his commitment to study and care for Grandmother.

Key Events

• Wu Returns Home — Wu tells Grandmother what happened and brings the help from his aunt. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal, Grandmother Location: Home
• Wu Returns to School — Wu heads to school with the money for his tuition. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: School
• He Explains His Absence — Wu explains his absence and his walk to his aunt's home. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: School
• A Student Is Praised — The teacher praises Wu's devotion to study and care for Grandmother. Characters: Wu Yeong-dal Location: School

Story Breakdown

• Tuition Hardship — Unpaid fees and family poverty keep Wu from attending school.
  • Fees Are Demanded — The teacher demands tuition, and pupils report that their families cannot afford it.
  • Father Is Absent — Wu has not heard from his father for six months.
• Life at Home — Wu and Grandmother try to manage the consequences of his absence from school.
  • Shameful Absence — Wu stops attending school because he is ashamed of unpaid fees.
  • Home Study — Wu and Grandmother try to keep his studies going at home.
• Support Arrives — The teacher and a classmate offer help as they learn of the family's hardship.
  • Tuition Assistance — The teacher sends money to help Wu pay his fees.
  • Medicine for Grandmother — A classmate visits with medicine for Grandmother.
• Money Is Lost — The house owner's action undoes the initial financial help and leaves Wu searching for another solution.
  • Hope to Return — Wu is eager to go back to school after assistance arrives.
  • House Owner Takes Funds — The house owner takes the tuition money, leaving Wu without it.
• Journey to Pyeongtaek — Wu makes a determined trip to seek help from his aunt.
  • Walks to His Aunt — Wu sets out alone on foot for Pyeongtaek.
  • Aunt Provides Help — His aunt gives him tuition money and rice for Grandmother.
• Return and Recognition — Wu returns with support and explains his actions at school.
  • Home by Bus — His aunt arranges bus travel for Wu's journey home.
  • Praised at School — The teacher praises Wu's devotion to his studies and care for Grandmother.

Directed by

Choi In-kyu, Baek Un-haeng

Key Cast

• Kenji Susukida — Mr. Tashiro
• Jeong Chang-jo — Wu Yeong-dal
• Bok Hye-suk — Grandmother
• Kim Han — Father
• Mun Ye-bong — Mother