Come, Together
Beom-goo, an honest man in his 40s working as an engineer is fired from his work. His wife, Mi-yeong, a salesperson for a credit card company works even harder to make a living for the entire family. Their daughter, Ha-na, a college entrance exam prepare for the second time feels extremely nervous as she is waiting for the announcement of additionally accepted students.
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%)
Come, Together (2017) reveals meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Shin Dong-il's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 2 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The protagonist is introduced in their ordinary world, establishing their current life situation and relationships before the story's central conflict begins.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when An unexpected event disrupts the status quo, creating a problem or opportunity that demands the protagonist's attention and response.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes an active choice to commit to a new path, crossing into Act Two and entering unfamiliar territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat A false victory or major reveal raises the stakes and shifts the story's direction, marking the transition from exploration to consequence., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 92 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The protagonist reaches their lowest point with a whiff of death, experiencing a major loss or defeat that seems insurmountable., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 98 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. New insight or information synthesizes the protagonist's learning, providing clarity and the tools needed for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Come, Together's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Come, Together against these established plot points, we can identify how Shin Dong-il utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Come, Together within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The protagonist is introduced in their ordinary world, establishing their current life situation and relationships before the story's central conflict begins.
Theme
A supporting character articulates the thematic question about connection and togetherness that will be explored throughout the narrative.
Worldbuilding
The setup establishes the protagonist's world, relationships, daily routines, and the underlying tensions that will soon be disrupted.
Disruption
An unexpected event disrupts the status quo, creating a problem or opportunity that demands the protagonist's attention and response.
Resistance
The protagonist debates whether to engage with the new situation, receives guidance or preparation, and gradually moves toward making a decision.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes an active choice to commit to a new path, crossing into Act Two and entering unfamiliar territory.
Mirror World
A key relationship or subplot is introduced that will carry the thematic exploration and provide emotional counterpoint to the main plot.
Premise
The protagonist explores the promise of the premise, experiencing the new world and what the story is fundamentally about, before complications intensify.
Midpoint
A false victory or major reveal raises the stakes and shifts the story's direction, marking the transition from exploration to consequence.
Opposition
External and internal pressures intensify as obstacles mount, the antagonist gains ground, and the protagonist's flaws become liabilities.
Collapse
The protagonist reaches their lowest point with a whiff of death, experiencing a major loss or defeat that seems insurmountable.
Crisis
The dark night of the soul where the protagonist processes the collapse and searches for meaning or resolution before finding renewed purpose.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
New insight or information synthesizes the protagonist's learning, providing clarity and the tools needed for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The finale where the protagonist executes their plan, applies their transformation, and resolves the central conflict of the narrative.
Transformation
The closing image mirrors the opening but demonstrates the protagonist's transformation, showing how they have changed through the journey.