Tuition (수업료)

Tuition was produced in 1940 by Lee Chang-yong of Goryeo Film Company

and was directed by Choi In-gyu and Bang Han-joon

The original work was written by Wu Su-yeong,

a fourth-grade student from Bukjeong Elementary School in Gwang-ju

He received the Joseon Governor-General's Award for his story

The film was discovered in the following manner:

In November 2013, the Korean Film Archive noted that there was a film entitled Tuition Fee

among a list of Korean films obtained from the China Film Archive

and immediately confirmed the film was still in existence and preserved at the China Film Archive

In June 2014, the 35mm film was copied from the China Film Archive,

and it was discovered that the entire collection of eight reels was in excellent condition

Korean Film Archive is grateful

to the China Film Archive for providing the film

Goryeo Film Company Namdaemun Studios

Winner of the Joseon Governor-General's Award

Tuition Fee

Gyeongseong Ilbo material

Producer Lee Chang-yong Planner Nishiki Motosada

Adaptation Yagi Yasutaro

Original Story Wu Su-yeong

Dialogue Yu Chi-jin

Music Ito Senji Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Cinematography Lee Myeong-u Sound Recording Yang Ju-nam

Costumes Gyeongseong Mitsukoshi

Theme Song Japanese Polidor Record

Japanese Supervision Ijima Tadashi

Starring:

Teacher Dashiro: Susukida Kenji

Wu Yeong-dal: Jeong Chan-jo An Jeong-hui: Kim Jong-il

Lee Byeong-jun: Lee Dong-seong

Park Jae-myeong: Lee Gi-Dae Kim Gyeong-hak: Huh Hyeong

Grandmother: Bok Hye-suk Father: Kim Han

Mother: Mun Ye-bong Gwi-ran: Kim Sin-jae

Landlord: Dok Eun-gi Postman: Kim Il-hae

Goldfish Seller: Jeon Taek-yi Ox Cart Driver: Choe Un-bong

Directed by: Choi In-gyu Bang Han-joon

Goryeo Film Company

Hey, what did you do that for?

Because I can.

Who said you could?

You should thank me for not kicking it far.

What? Do you want a beating?

You wouldn't dare.

You're going to be sorry!

Stop it!

What's going on?

What are you guys doing? Are you fighting?

She's asking for it!

-Hit her! -Just hit her!

Go ahead, hit me if you can!

What?

You'll learn geography when you enter the fifth grade.

You'll study it in more detail then,

but can anyone locate Suwon

on this map?

Does anyone know what this city is called?

-Me! -Me!

Wu, what's it called?

It's Gyeongseong.

Where is Suwon in relation to Gyeongseong?

-We are south of Gyeongseong. -Teacher.

An Jeong-hui, do you know where Suwon is?

Please come up here and mark it on the map.

Good, that's right.

This part here where it dips in is Incheon.

That's right.

When I was young, I took the train there with my dad.

I remember my dad drawing a map like this.

Is that right? Good job.

Look at her showing off.

An Jeong-hui! You've really been on a train before?

What are you going to do if I haven't?

You liar! You lied to the teacher!

She just saw it in an old magazine and pretended she's been on one.

Are you jealous because you don't have a magazine to look at?

That girl thinks she's so great.

And she's trying to beat Yeong-dal these days

so that she can become the top student.

How will she beat Yeong-dal? She can try, but she can't.

-Isn't that right, Isato? -Of course, she can't beat him.

Still, she's pretty tough.

Doing the laundry, I see?

Oh, it's hot. What have you got there, Grandma?

Oh my, it's hot.

What's the old woman going to do? It's enough to make you worry.

How is she going to put food on the table with her son gone away to make money?

Yes, how is she going to survive?

"Our country is

the Japanese Islands, which are the center of Asia

past the Joseon peninsula

stretching

from Manchuria to Gwandong

the Japanese Islands..."

Oh, it's you, Grandma!

I thought the landlord was back to collect the rent.

You mean he came again while I was gone?

Yes. He left, saying he'd be back.

Oh, my back.

It sure is hot, isn't it?

Oh, that reminds me. I found something nice for you.

Here!

A fountain pen!

That's right. I saw it in the garbage. Now wasn't that a big waste?

-It doesn't work. -I know.

But can't you fix it somehow?

Hmm, it's not working.

-Yeong-dal. -Yes, Grandma?

What is it?

Oh, running shoes!

That's right. Try them on.

They fit just right.

You found these, too?

Where would I get something this nice

for free?

I got them for 5 jeon.

-Go bring my pipe, will you? -5 jeon?

You'd probably have to pay 15 jeon at the store.

Yes, How do they fit?

Great. Although this side is a little big.

That's all right.

When your mom and dad come back,

I'm sure they'll buy you new ones.

I wonder how they're doing.

They haven't sent any letters or money lately.

They're probably busy with their business.

If they're busy with business, doesn't that mean they're making a lot of money?

And the tuition is due in a few days.

Yeong-dal, let's just wait a few more days, all right?

What if my grades drop

because I can't pay the tuition?

Oh, that would never happen.

I'm sure the teacher knows our situation.

But I haven't paid for three months already.

Tuition for June due today

All rise!

Bow!

Be seated!

You were kicking up quite a storm.

You think I don't know who's doing what? I know everything.

So no one's absent?

We will collect the tuition before we begin our lessons today.

The tuition is due today.

Everyone has remembered to bring it, right?

Teacher.

It slipped my mind.

Those of you who forgot, please stand up.

Ko, your mother came and dropped it off,

so you can take a seat.

Lee, why did you forget?

You didn't remind us...

You should be aware of the collection date.

That's your responsibility.

I shouldn't have to remind you of every little thing.

Yes, Teacher. I'll bring it tomorrow.

You may sit.

How about you, Park?

My father said we can't afford it right now,

but he'll be sure to pay it next month.

All right.

How about you, Wu?

-You haven't heard from your father yet? -No.

How long has he been away?

Six months now.

I see.

Go ahead and sit down.

-How about you, An Jeong-hui? -I didn't tell my parents.

-Why not? -Even if I did, there's no money.

Is that right? Okay, then.

For those of you who brought the tuition,

come up in single file and hand it in.

In single file!

In order!

In single file!

What's this? I like science class better.

Me too. I like science class.

Suwon Maehyang Shimsang Elementary School Practicum

Carefully observe the cucumber flowers.

Boys, stop horsing around!

Look carefully.

A lot of flowers have bloomed, haven't they?

What is the shape of the flowers?

Who knows what function the stem plays?

Lee, why don't you tell us?

It fights hard so that it won't snap in two.

Not fights.

It supports itself so that it won't collapse.

You idiot.

Why don't you observe the flowers this time?

Do all the flowers look the same?

-No, they're different. -How are they different?

There are flowers that produce cucumbers and flowers that don't.

I see that you're sketching.

That's good. You've differentiated them very well.

An Jeong-hui, do you like science?

No, I like drawing.

An Jeong-hui thinks she's all that.

Did you see how hard she tried to get the teacher to notice her?

She wants to be the top student, that's why.

On our way home, let's follow her and show her a thing or two!

But she's a girl...