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

Timeline

Yalkae, a Joker in High School (1976) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1976 · 90 mins · Korean
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 (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (13)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like Yalkae, a Joker in High School
  5. 5 Every angle

13 events in order · contains spoilers

Yalkae, a Joker in High School Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Yalkae, a Joker in High School (1976) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Baek Sang-do arrives as new teacher

    A new teacher, Baek Sang-do, arrives at the Christian missionary high school. He is a former apprentice of Na Du-su's father, which raises expectations and tension among staff and students. Na Du-su, already a cheeky troublemaker, watches as a strict authority figure steps into his classroom.

    When
    Start of term
    Where
    School
  2. Du-su meets Insook and falls in love; joins biking club

    While running errands for Baek, Na Du-su encounters Insook, a Moran Girls High School student who works at a nearby convenience store, and feels a spark. He then joins a biking club to get closer to her and spends more time around town. The budding romance begins to influence his choices and priorities.

    When
    Early in story
    Where
    Convenience store / neighborhood
  3. Na family proposes marriage to Baek for Na Du-ju

    The Na family tries to arrange a marriage between Baek and Na Du-ju, the elder sister of Na Du-su, hoping to secure Baek's future. Baek's tutoring duties become entangled with family expectations, complicating his relationship with Na Du-su. The move adds pressure but also foreshadows future alliances.

    When
    Early stage
    Where
    Family home
  4. Baek tutors Du-su; discussion with Na Du-ju; warns Insook

    Baek works as a private tutor for Na Du-su, guiding his studies. During tutoring sessions, Na Du-ju and Baek exchange conversations that reveal family dynamics and expectations. Baek also discourages Insook from meeting Du-su to improve his grades, creating strain in the romance.

    When
    During tutoring phase
    Where
    Na family home / tutoring space
  5. Prank on Hocheol leads to broken glasses; Baek considers abandonment

    Du-su plays a prank on Hocheol by painting his glasses red, which ends with the glasses broken. Baek is furious about the disruption and considers abandoning the troublesome student. The incident threatens Dusu's standing at school and the tutoring arrangement.

    When
    Following prank
    Where
    School
  6. Teacher meeting; Baek pleads for forgiveness; saved from expulsion

    In a teachers' meeting, Baek pleads for forgiveness and for a second chance for Dusu. The school decides not to expel him, recognizing Baek's intervention. This moment marks a turning point in Dusu's relationship with the school and with Baek.

    When
    After prank
    Where
    School staff room
  7. Hocheol is absent; Dusu visits to find him injured

    On the next day, Hocheol is absent from class. Dusu goes to Hocheol's home to check on him and finds him with a broken leg from a bike accident caused by his bad eyesight. The accident prompts Dusu to reflect on the consequences of their actions.

    When
    Next day
    Where
    Hocheol's home
  8. Dusu apologizes; Hocheol inspires with a brighter future speech

    Feeling guilty, Dusu apologizes to Hocheol. Hocheol responds with a speech about a brighter future, inspiring Dusu to rethink his priorities. The exchange deepens their bond and motivates Dusu to make better choices.

    When
    After apology
    Where
    Hocheol's home
  9. Dusu starts delivering milk to earn money

    Moved by the conversation, Dusu begins delivering milk to earn money for school and family. The duty teaches him responsibility and steady work habits, while giving him practical experience beyond the classroom. His dedication also strengthens his resolve to improve academically.

    When
    Shortly after speech
    Where
    Milk route / neighborhood
  10. Dusu's grades improve as he helps Hocheol

    As Dusu assists with deliveries and responsibilities, his grades begin to improve, showing a direct link between discipline and academics. The new routine stabilizes his life and earns him respect from peers. His renewed focus benefits his relationships with Insook and with Baek.

    When
    During this period
    Where
    School
  11. Hocheol's condition worsens; hospital visit and glasses gift

    Hocheol's neighbor reveals that his leg is worsening. Dusu goes to the hospital to comfort him and brings along his own glasses as a thoughtful gift. The gesture reinforces the care between them and underscores Dusu's growing responsibility.

    When
    When informed of worsening condition
    Where
    Hospital
  12. Milk delivery accident; Dusu is injured but worries about Hocheol

    While delivering milk, Dusu is injured in a traffic accident. Even after the collision, he remains focused on Hocheol's well-being. The accident tests his resilience but does not deter his concern for friends. The incident deepens the emotional stakes of the story.

    When
    During milk route
    Where
    On the road / delivery route
  13. Ending: Insook and Dusu relationship; Baek and Na Du-ju marry

    The film closes with a happy ending: Dusu and Insook's relationship is officially acknowledged, and Baek's arrangement with Na Du-ju leads to their marriage. Families and friends celebrate the unions, bringing the story to a hopeful close.

    When
    Ending
    Where
    School and family homes

Last updated: February 18, 2026 at 23:46

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Timeline questions answered

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

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Yalkae, a Joker in High School (1976): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with 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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