Synopsis: Bullies (2018)

 







Synopsis:

Park Yong Ho and his mother and sister Chanmi move from a small village to a crowded city, which requires beginning anew at new schools. Yong Ho is enrolled in an all-boys school, and Chanmi is enrolled in an all-girls school. On his very first day, Jin Soo finds himself the subject of a bullying incident initiated by the school’s signature troublemaker, Ki Tae, and his boys, but Yong Ho does nothing to step in. His seatmate is ironically Jin Soo, whose life is further complicated by constant bullying.

Half expecting a boo, Yong Ho stands undeterred. His chance meeting with an old acquaintance, Ki Tae, and the subsequent finding of a boxing gym become his new raison d’etre. For Yong Ho, his love of boxing is his outlet to direct this build-up of anger, while also embracing his growing body for these forthcoming battles.

Back home, Yong Ho’s sister Chanmi is pushing back against his protective impulse — and their mother is dealing with unwanted advances from customers at her shop. The pressure at home compounds Yong Ho’s burden but he perseveres with his training and builds a coalition with classmates Sang Hoon and Hak Soo, who also abhor Ki Tae’s despotism.

The story bows down to Ji Soo being hospitalized after being severely beaten by Ki Tae's gang. This incident causes Yong Ho and his friends to find their voice. In a duel with Ki Tae and his crew, they manage to win and get an image that prevents them from getting bullied again. But this success attracts the attention of fiercer foes, raising the stakes.

As Yong Ho navigates relationships, familial duties, and the moral complexities of his actions, the personal and the political are crisscrossed in his battles, making the work most poignantly of all about what we sacrifice to live our lives. Spoiler without spoiling: as he gets tougher inside and outside the ring, he learns that fighting for justice in comic book world means less punching and more heart.

 

Character Details:

  • Park Yong Ho: The protagonist, Yong Ho, is a resilient and determined student who takes up boxing to defend himself and his friends from bullies. Despite his initial hesitation, he becomes a formidable fighter and a symbol of resistance against oppression.
  • Chanmi: Chanmi is Yong Ho's sister and goes to an all-girls school, which means she has a tense relationship with her older bro — his overprotective tendencies don't really help, either. She embodies the family troubles that Yong Ho deals with outside of his school experience.
  • Jin Soo: A geeky student and victim of Ki Tae's bullying, Jin Soo forms a bond with Yong Ho, becoming a catalyst for Yong Ho's transformation from a passive observer to an active defender.
  • Ki Tae: The primary antagonist, Ki Tae, is a bully who enjoys tormenting weaker students. His history with Yong Ho from elementary school adds a personal dimension to their conflict.
  • Sang Hoon: A classmate and ally of Yong Ho, Sang Hoon despises bullies and be comes an important ally in the battle against Ki Tae’s crew. He suggests starting an anti-bully support group.
  • Hak Soo: Another Yong Ho ally, Hak Soo respects Yong Ho’s chutzpah and steps up to take on the bullies. His support is key in their showdowns.
  • Hye Jin: Ki Tae’s girlfriend who then begins to fall for Yong Ho. She has a complicated relationship with both Ki Tae and Yong Ho.
  • Chun Gil: A senior bully who exerts influence over Ki Tae and his gang. His interactions with Yong Ho escalate the conflicts and add to the challenges Yong Ho faces.
  • Seong Tae: A successor to Chun Gil, Seong Tae is a fearsome enemy who attempts to induct Yong Ho into his gang. His leadership and fights with Yong Ho show how the fight with bullying still gets going.
  • Minjung: A schoolgirl who develops a crush on Yong Ho after he saves her. Her presence introduces a romantic subplot into the story.
  • Dae Chun: A new student with a mysterious past and impressive martial arts skills. His previous ties to Seong Tae– and his role in navigating the school janus face– both add layering to the narrative.

The story of "Bullies" (2018) thinks about the students' struggles, friendship, survival, and what they would or could fight against in a tumultuous state of oppression.

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