Character Relationship Map: Tuition

Characters

• Wu Yeong-dal (played by Jeong Chang-jo) — supporting

  He is the central child in the story, whose family cannot afford his tuition. Ashamed of the unpaid fees, he stops attending school and studies at home with Grandmother. After the money sent by his te...

• Grandmother (played by Bok Hye-suk) — supporting

  She is Wu Yeong-dal's elderly grandmother and struggles to support him while his father is absent and the family cannot pay his tuition. She and Wu try to continue his studies at home, and she worries...

• Father (played by Kim Han) — supporting

  Wu Yeong-dal's father has not contacted him for six months. His prolonged absence forms part of the hardship Wu and Grandmother face, though the summary gives no further details about his actions or w...

• House owner (played by Dog Eun-gi) — supporting

  The house owner takes the money that the teacher sent to help pay Wu Yeong-dal's tuition. This leaves Wu without the funds he needs to return to school and prompts him to set out alone to seek help fr...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Father → Wu Yeong-dal (Family Absent Father) — His father's prolonged silence is part of the financial and emotional hardship Wu and Grandmother face.

  Wu Yeong-dal has gone six months without hearing from his father.

• Wu Yeong-dal → Grandmother (Family Grandson And Grandmother) — They share the hardship of his unpaid tuition: Grandmother worries that she is causing his troubles, while Wu takes steps to resume his education and support her.

  The plot identifies Grandmother as Wu Yeong-dal's elderly grandmother. They try to continue his studies at home, and he seeks tuition money and rice t...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• House owner → Wu Yeong-dal (Conflict Takes Tuition Money) — The house owner's taking of the tuition money blocks Wu's return to school and prompts him to seek help from his aunt.

  After the teacher sends money for Wu Yeong-dal's tuition, the house owner takes it, leaving Wu without the funds.

Story Analysis

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

Plot Progression

1. 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.
2. 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...
3. 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.
4. 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.