Why is Teacher Dong-ju in the movie Wandeuk a good school social worker? Summary of roles and qualities

Wandeuk is a movie released in 2011 based on a young adult novel by author Kim Ryeo-ryeong. The process by which homeroom teacher Dong-ju changes Wan-deuk's life little by little resembles school social welfare practice and is often discussed in related classes. I will organize the plot, role analysis, and how to write a report.

What kind of story is Wandeuk?

Wandeuk, a high school student, lives in a rooftop with his disabled father and uncle who live together, closing his heart to the world. Dong-ju, the homeroom teacher who lives next door, intervenes in Wan-deuk's life in rough ways, such as calling and bothering Wan-deuk from time to time and taking away his supplies.

Through Dong-ju, Wan-deuk learns that his long-lost mother is an immigrant woman, and he meets his mother for the first time. As she starts kickboxing, she discovers what she likes and gradually opens her heart to her family and the world.

What role did Dongju play?

Dongju’s actions are meaningful in that they move the relationships among the family, school, and region surrounding a student together. The framework for dividing the multi-layered environment surrounding Wandeuk is Bronfenbrenner Ecological System Theory can be summarized in the wiki article.

헷갈리는 이론은 만든 사람과 시대를 같이 보면 왜 다른지 이해가 되더라고요. 표 뒤에 해석 문장 두세 줄을 붙여 두면 훨씬 읽기 좋은 것 같아요.

What difficulties did Wandeuk's family experience?

Wandeuk's family simultaneously experiences various difficulties such as economic poverty, prejudice against the father's disability, and the absence of the mother. In these situations, teenagers often close their hearts and endure it alone rather than asking for help.

My mother, as an immigrant woman, has a story of having to leave her family due to language and discrimination barriers. The movie shows that the difficulties that multicultural families experience are not individual problems, but stem from society's prejudice and lack of support.

What qualities are needed for a school social worker?

First, patience and sincerity are needed to wait for students to open their hearts and build a steady relationship. Second, it is important to know and be able to connect with local resources that students need. Third, we need an attitude of respect for students and their families without prejudice against multiculturalism and disabilities.

However, Dongju's corporal punishment and harsh words should not be imitated in real life practice. In the report, it would be good to point out Dong-ju's good points as well as his actions that go against professional ethics and suggest what an actual school social worker would do differently.

What should you include in the review report?

In the first paragraph, briefly state why you chose the work and the questions you had in the school field. Next, it is easier to read by reducing the plot to about three sentences, choosing three scenes involving Wan-deuk's situation and Dong-ju, and pairing them to see what role each scene corresponds to. At the end, end with a plan for what you would do in the first week if you were the case worker in that classroom.

To compare peer intervention with formal procedures, read the Case Management document and fill out the blank space for each scene in the movie. It is also good practice to find and write down the recording, consent, and evaluation stages.

This article was compiled by the Campus Down editorial department by comparing the descriptions of standard textbooks. · Review 2026-10-26. References: Kim Ryeo-ryeong, Wan Deuk-i (2008); Movie Wandeuk (2011, director Lee Han); School social welfare theory textbook; Korean Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. The operation status of the school social welfare system varies by region, so please check with the latest data from the relevant office of education and association.