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Yalkae, a Joker in High School (1976) movie poster

Plot Summary

Yalkae, a Joker in High School (1976) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
1976 · 90 mins · Korean
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Directed by
Seok Rae-myeong
Starring
Kim Jung-hoon, Lee Seung-hyeon, Jeong Yun-hui, Ha Myeong-jung, Kang Ju-hui

Nicknamed Yalkae, the notorious high‑school prankster Du Su (Lee Seung‑Hyun) constantly schemes with his sidekick Yong Ho (Jin Woo‑Young). Both have been held back a year, yet they ignore studies and keep harassing teachers and classmates. When Du Su pulls a joke on the tattling Ho Cheol, the prank backfires and Ho Cheol is injured, prompting Du Su to reconsider his antics.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Yalkae, a Joker in High School
  6. 6 Every angle
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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Yalkae, a Joker in High School: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Yalkae, a Joker in High School (1976) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Na Doo-su, Lee Seung-hyeon, nicknamed Yalkae (a cheeky, cocky person), is a second-year student at a Christian missionary high school who often acts like a troublemaker because of his rocky academic record. His everyday routine is upended when a new teacher arrives: Baek Sang-do, Kim Jung-hoon, a mentor who was once the father of Na Doo-su’s apprentice.

Na Doo-su, while running errands for Baek, finds his heart drawn to Insook, a convenient-store clerk and a Moran Girls High School student. In his bid to connect with her, he joins a biking club, hoping it will bring them closer together. Meanwhile, the Na family schemes to marry off Na Doo-su’s older sister, Na Du-ju, to Baek. Baek works as a private tutor for Na Doo-su, and through those tutoring sessions, Na Du-ju starts talking with him, adding another layer to the evolving dynamics.

Baek encourages Insook to keep a respectful distance from Du-su in the name of his academic improvement, setting up a quiet tension between affection and obligation. The tension thickens when Du-su pulls a prank on Hocheol, a diligent though poor student, by painting his glasses red, which leads to the glasses breaking. Baek’s anger flares, and he contemplates removing Du-su from the school, but a later teachers’ meeting ends with Baek pleading for forgiveness and saving Du-su from expulsion.

The following day, Hocheol is absent from class. Du-su goes to his home and finds Hocheol with a wounded leg, the result of a bike ride gone wrong due to poor eyesight. Feeling guilty, Du-su apologizes, and Hocheol responds with a powerful message about a brighter future. Inspired, Du-su decides to help by delivering milk to earn money, and as he does, his own grades begin to improve.

Du-su learns from Hocheol’s neighbor that the condition of Hocheol’s leg has worsened, and he makes a trip to the hospital to gift him a pair of new glasses. While delivering milk, Du-su himself is hurt in a traffic accident, yet his concern for Hocheol remains unwavering. The story also highlights the caring influence of Principal Richard Hudson and the support of Du-su’s family and friends.

In the end, the film resolves with a hopeful, celebratory note: Du-su and Insook’s relationship is officially acknowledged, and Baek’s betrothal to Na Du-ju is celebrated, bringing a warm sense of closure to their intertwined lives.

Last updated: February 18, 2026 at 23:46

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Plot questions answered

Yalkae, a Joker in High School Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Yalkae, a Joker in High School (1976): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Baek warn Insook to stay away from Du-su?

Baek discourages Insook from meeting Du-su because he wants Du-su to focus on his studies and improve his poor academic record. As Du-su's tutor, Baek is responsible for his educational progress and believes the romantic relationship is distracting Du-su from his studies.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Du-su joined the biking club specifically to get closer to Insook, showing how invested he had become in the relationship.

  • baek
  • insook
  • tutor
  • academic warning
  • romance
Q2

What happens after Du-su pranks Hocheol with red paint?

Du-su paints Hocheol's glasses red as a prank, which causes the glasses to break. Baek becomes furious and considers expelling Du-su from the school. However, at a teachers' meeting, Baek surprisingly pleads for forgiveness and manages to save Du-su from expulsion.

Foreshadowing: The prank was a continuation of Du-su's troublemaker behavior established early in the film.

  • prank
  • hocheol
  • expulsion
  • baek
  • teachers meeting
Q3

Why does Hocheol have a broken leg and miss school?

Hocheol is absent from class the next day because he got into a bike accident. Due to his poor eyesight (from not having proper glasses after the prank), he crashed and broke his leg. Du-su feels guilty upon learning this and visits Hocheol's home.

Foreshadowing: The broken glasses from Du-su's prank directly caused Hocheol's accident.

  • hocheol
  • broken leg
  • bike accident
  • glasses
  • guilt
Q4

What inspires Du-su to change his behavior and start working?

After visiting Hocheol and seeing his condition, Du-su apologizes sincerely. Hocheol responds with a speech about striving for a brighter future, which deeply inspires Du-su. This motivates him to take responsibility and start delivering milk to earn money for his family and to help Hocheol.

Foreshadowing: The guilt from seeing Hocheol injured, combined with Hocheol's hopeful message, becomes the turning point for Du-su's character development.

  • hocheol
  • inspiration
  • milk delivery
  • character change
  • future
Q5

How does Du-su's academic performance improve?

Du-su's grades improve as he takes on new responsibilities. By delivering milk regularly and helping Hocheol, he develops discipline and a stronger work ethic. This new maturity and time management skills translate into better focus on his studies during tutoring sessions with Baek.

Foreshadowing: His decision to work and help Hocheol creates the foundation for his academic improvement.

  • grades
  • academic improvement
  • discipline
  • tutoring
  • baek
Q6

What happens when Du-su visits Hocheol at the hospital?

Du-su learns from Hocheol's neighbor that his leg condition is worsening. He visits the hospital to comfort Hocheol and brings a pair of new glasses as a gift. The gesture shows Du-su's genuine care and responsibility for his friend's wellbeing.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Du-su caused Hocheol's eyesight problems through the prank, so this gift represents his attempt at redemption.

  • hospital
  • glasses gift
  • hocheol
  • care
  • redemption
Q7

Why does Du-su get injured during milk delivery?

While delivering milk as part of his new job, Du-su is involved in a traffic accident and gets injured. Despite his own injury, his main concern remains Hocheol's wellbeing, showing his continued growth and concern for others.

Foreshadowing: This accident tests Du-su's resilience but does not deter his commitment to his new responsibilities.

  • traffic accident
  • milk delivery
  • injury
  • concern for others
Q8

Why does Baek plead for Du-su to not be expelled?

Although Baek is angry about the prank on Hocheol, he chooses to advocate for Du-su because he sees potential in the student and believes in giving him a second chance. As Du-su's tutor, Baek has developed a connection with him and wants to help rather than abandon him.

Foreshadowing: This decision reflects Baek's role as a mentor, which was established when he arrived as the new teacher who was once connected to Du-su's family.

  • baek
  • expulsion
  • teachers meeting
  • forgiveness
  • mentor
Q9

How does the marriage arrangement between Baek and Na Du-ju work out?

The Na family initially schemes to arrange a marriage between Baek and Na Du-ju, the older sister. Through Baek's tutoring sessions, Na Du-ju and Baek get to know each other better. By the film's end, their arrangement leads to an actual marriage, and the family celebrates their union.

Foreshadowing: The family proposed this match early in the story, and the developing conversations during tutoring sessions built toward this resolution.

  • baek
  • na du-ju
  • marriage
  • family arrangement
  • wedding
Q10

Why does Du-su join a biking club?

Du-su joins a biking club to get closer to Insook, a Moran Girls High School student who works at a convenience store. He hopes that by joining the same activity, he can spend more time around her and develop their relationship.

Foreshadowing: This is Du-su's first major action motivated by genuine romantic interest rather than just mischief.

  • biking club
  • insook
  • romance
  • convenience store

Movie threads

More Movies Like Yalkae, a Joker in High School, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Yalkae, a Joker in High School tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Redemptive School Day Comedies like Yalkae, a Joker in High School

Class clowns learn responsibility through heartfelt misadventures and friendship. If you enjoyed the blend of comedy and redemption in Yalkae, a Joker in High School, you'll like these movies. This thread features coming-of-age stories where pranksters and misfits learn valuable life lessons, set against the familiar backdrop of school life.

  • youthful
  • redemptive
  • comedic
  • lighthearted
  • sentimental
  • rebellious
  • Tone: hopeful, comedic, sentimental
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a carefree, often rebellious protagonist whose pranks or irresponsible behavior lead to a significant incident. This event forces them to re-evaluate their actions, leading to a period of reflection, growth, and ultimately redemption, often supported by loyal friends.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here by their shared focus on a specific character arc—the journey from immaturity to responsibility—wrapped in a lighthearted school comedy format. They balance humor with moments of genuine sentiment and emotional consequence.

Lighthearted Comedies with a Sentimental Heart like Yalkae, a Joker in High School

Humorous stories that earn their heartfelt moments without becoming overly heavy. Fans of Yalkae, a Joker in High School will enjoy these similarly toned movies. This thread highlights comedies that blend laughs with genuine emotion, creating a feel-good experience that is funny yet meaningfully sentimental.

  • lighthearted
  • comedic
  • sentimental
  • hopeful
  • feel-good
  • youthful
  • Tone: hopeful, comedic, sentimental
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a steady flow of comedic situations, punctuated by key events that introduce emotional weight or consequence. However, the overall mood remains hopeful, and the story resolves positively, ensuring the viewer is left feeling uplifted.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their masterful balance of humor and heartfelt emotion. They prove that comedy can have depth without sacrificing its fun, lighthearted core, making them perfect for viewers seeking an engaging but not overly intense experience.

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Every angle

Yalkae, a Joker in High School (1976) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Yalkae, a Joker in High School in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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