In 1994, the people of rural mountain village of Doomealee engaged in a heated struggle against the goverment′s extreme measures to consolidate small scale schools. The school was eventually closed yet the villagers made the most of this situation by putting the true meaning of ′grassroots democracy′ into practice. Four years later, like any other rural village, the daily routines of farming life has repeated its course, and the moments of brilliance have been forgotten while the children, now grown up, have left the village. Doomealee, the Very First Step presents life at the village after Doomealee, A New School Is Opening. If the previous work gives its focus on the school,′ this film places its weight on ′issues of time and life.’ The villagers rise again, in hopes to set up an alternative school called Banditbul Hakgyo (School of Firefly Glow) but such hopes become stranded without results. However, as one of the villagers states, "the fight is won as soon as it has begun." Doomealee, the Very First Step is a dazzling account of these individuals putting everything they have on the line in order to fight an unachievable cause. (Nam In-Young)