Ahn Eun-young, the protagonist of The School Nurse Files (2020), defies easy categorization. She possesses the magical ability to recognize and combat “jellies” that wreak havoc among humans. It may be necessary to reference similar cases to fully understand her character.
Based on a novel of the same title, The School Nurse Files divided audiences into two groups: those who understood its fictional universe and those who do not. At the heart of this bewildering world is Ahn Eun-young, a high school nurse whose workplace is built on a pond—a source of “jellies.” These jellies, manifestations of condensed emotions, take on various shapes, nest in human bodies, and disrupt their mental balance. Eun-young has the unique ability to see and destroy these malevolent entities using her plastic sword and BB gun, both charged with positive energy from friendly spirits.
This six-episode series became a generational divider. One blogger admitted to being baffled by his teenage daughter and her friends’ enthusiasm for the drama, whose appeal was entirely lost on him. The series blends multiple genres—horror, fantasy, romance, mystery, coming-of-age, and comedy—while deepening the mysteries surrounding the jellies and the enigmatic school nurse, Eun-young. It feels like standing on ever-shifting ground to watch the drama, being denied a fixed or reliable perspective. Perhaps the only way to get closer to understanding Eun-young and her magical world is to draw comparisons to other reference points.
1. Eung-young vs. Wonder Woman
Both possess superpowers that are bestowed rather than acquired. The Catwoman, by accident though, attains her super strength and agility. This distinction places them in a different class of superheroes and heroines. They are the “chosen ones,” fighting for grand causes such as saving the world from evil invasions. Their personal motives, such as seeking revenge, are challenges they must overcome to fulfill their noble purpose on Earth. To conceal their identities, they maintain day jobs; for Wonder Woman, it is as a secretary to General Steve Trevor.
Eun-young works as a school nurse in a high school teeming with “jellies”—manifestations of condensed emotions like teenage angst, frustration, jealousy, and heartbreak. These jellies are ready to attack students, causing abnormal behaviors. In one instance, a massive jelly attack drove students to the brink of madness, leading them to attempt jumping from the rooftop. Eun-young saved the day, neutralizing the jellies and restoring balance. Her heroic achievement lies in preventing the world from tipping into chaos, where jellies incite hatred and madness. Like elite superheroes, Eun-young stands as a guardian of the balance between good and evil.
Compared to Wonder Woman, an Amazonian princess sculpted from clay by her mother, Queen Hippolyta, Eun-young’s origin may seem too humble to mark her as a savior of the world. Yet, her modest background highlights the impact of her bravery and dedication.
2. Eun-young vs. Professor McGonagall
Professor McGonagall is the head of Gryffindor House and teaches Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As an Animagus, she can transform into a cat at will. When Dumbledore, the headmaster, is suspended by the Ministry of Magic, she steps into the role of headmistress. Professor McGonagall is not only a leader and a powerful witch but also a caring mother figure at Hogwarts. She delivers baby Harry to his aunt’s house with Dumbledore, discovers Harry’s talent as a Seeker for the Quidditch team, teaches her students how to dance for the Yule Ball, and provides moral support to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Just as Professor McGonagall wears her dress robes—a scholarly outfit symbolizing her authority at Hogwarts—Eun-young dons a white gown, embodying her role as a school nurse who cares for students. Whether the issues are jelly-related or not, she addresses their problems with compassion, as if her superpower lies in tending to the emotional and psychological well-being of others. Eun-young’s mission to save the world may ultimately hinge on her ability to care for the hearts and minds of those around her.
3. Eun-young vs. Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon is an ordinary schoolgirl with an extraordinary mission. As the reincarnation of Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, she was sent by her mother, Queen Serenity, to protect the Silver Crystal—a keystone that maintains the balance of power between good and evil. At school, she presents herself as Usagi but transforms into Sailor Moon using a wand imbued with magical powers to fight the evil forces seeking the Silver Crystal.
The resemblance between Sailor Moon’s magical wand and Eun-young’s plastic sword is strikingly uncanny, both resembling toy-like sticks in bright colors. Eun-young’s sword, much like Sailor Moon’s wand, evokes the cartoonish imagery of a magical girl as she swishes and flicks it against bouncing jellies, which make comical squeaking noises.
However, Eun-young’s efforts to eliminate the jellies reveal a deeper and more sinister layer of conflict rooted in a religious sect. It becomes evident that the jellies are mere pawns in a larger power struggle within the sect. Eun-young’s superpower begins to seem less “super,” as it may be manipulated by these larger forces.
While Sailor Moon seems perfectly content fighting a war inherited from her mother, one must ask: is Eun-young happy with her power being used by someone else? The answer to this question could provide critical insight into what kind of superhero Eun-young truly is.