Burning
Deliveryman Jongsu is out on a job when he runs into Haemi, a girl who once lived in his neighbourhood. She asks if he'd mind looking after her cat while she's away on a trip to Africa. On her return, she introduces to Jongsu an enigmatic young man named Ben, who she met during her trip. One day Ben tells Jongsu about his most unusual hobby.
The film underperformed commercially against its limited budget of $7.3M, earning $6.6M globally (-9% loss).
54 wins & 144 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Burning (2018) exhibits strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Lee Chang-dong's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lee Jong-su
Ben
Shin Haemi
Main Cast & Characters
Lee Jong-su
Played by Yoo Ah-in
An aspiring writer and part-time delivery worker who becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery of Haemi's disappearance and Ben's true nature.
Ben
Played by Steven Yeun
A wealthy, enigmatic young man with mysterious habits who becomes romantically involved with Haemi and befriends Jong-su.
Shin Haemi
Played by Jun Jong-seo
A free-spirited young woman who reconnects with Jong-su, travels to Africa, and mysteriously vanishes after introducing him to Ben.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Jong-su works as a deliveryman in Seoul, living a solitary, directionless existence in his tiny apartment, disconnected from meaningful relationships or purpose.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The First Threshold at 37 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Haemi returns from Africa with Ben, a wealthy and enigmatic young man. Jong-su chooses to engage with them both despite his jealousy, entering a new triangular dynamic that will consume him., moving from reaction to action.
At 75 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Haemi disappears without a trace. Jong-su cannot find her anywhere - her phone is disconnected, her apartment emptied. What seemed like a romantic triangle becomes something far more sinister., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 112 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Jong-su realizes there is a greenhouse near his family's farm that has vanished - burned away. He understands that Ben killed Haemi, that she was the "greenhouse" he burned, and that there will be no justice or proof., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 119 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Jong-su lures Ben to a remote location and murders him, burning his body and car. He executes his plan methodically, filling the void of Haemi's absence with decisive, violent action., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Burning's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Burning against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Chang-dong utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Burning within the drama genre.
Lee Chang-dong's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Lee Chang-dong films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Burning represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lee Chang-dong filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Lee Chang-dong analyses, see Secret Sunshine.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Jong-su works as a deliveryman in Seoul, living a solitary, directionless existence in his tiny apartment, disconnected from meaningful relationships or purpose.
Theme
Haemi tells Jong-su about the Bushmen's "Great Hunger" versus "Little Hunger" - the metaphysical hunger that can never be satisfied, introducing the film's central theme of longing, emptiness, and searching for meaning.
Worldbuilding
Jong-su reconnects with Haemi, a childhood acquaintance. He learns about her life, struggles, and upcoming trip to Africa. We see his isolated world, his troubled relationship with his father, and his aspirations to be a writer.
Resistance
Jong-su cares for Haemi's cat and apartment, contemplates their relationship, and waits for her return. He begins to open up emotionally, imagining a future with her.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Haemi returns from Africa with Ben, a wealthy and enigmatic young man. Jong-su chooses to engage with them both despite his jealousy, entering a new triangular dynamic that will consume him.
Mirror World
The three visit Jong-su's family farm. Haemi dances topless at sunset in a moment of transcendence while Ben and Jong-su watch - establishing the thematic relationship where Haemi represents spiritual searching and Ben represents emptiness.
Premise
Jong-su navigates his complex feelings as he observes the relationship between Haemi and Ben. Ben reveals his hobby of burning greenhouses, speaking cryptically about things that are useless and forgotten. Tensions simmer beneath polite surfaces.
Midpoint
Haemi disappears without a trace. Jong-su cannot find her anywhere - her phone is disconnected, her apartment emptied. What seemed like a romantic triangle becomes something far more sinister.
Opposition
Jong-su becomes obsessed with finding Haemi and investigating Ben. He searches desperately for clues, follows Ben, discovers he has a collection of women's accessories. The mystery deepens as no one else seems to care that Haemi is gone.
Collapse
Jong-su realizes there is a greenhouse near his family's farm that has vanished - burned away. He understands that Ben killed Haemi, that she was the "greenhouse" he burned, and that there will be no justice or proof.
Crisis
Jong-su sits with this horrifying knowledge in darkness and isolation. He must decide whether to accept this void or act. The world is indifferent; the system will not help him.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Jong-su lures Ben to a remote location and murders him, burning his body and car. He executes his plan methodically, filling the void of Haemi's absence with decisive, violent action.
Transformation
Jong-su drives away in the snow, his face vacant. He has transformed from passive observer to murderer, but the Great Hunger remains - he is as empty as Ben was, having become what he hated.