Confidential Assignment
When a crime organization from North Korea crosses borders and enters South Korean soil, a South Korean detective must cooperate with a North Korean detective to investigate their whereabouts.
Despite its tight budget of $8.5M, Confidential Assignment became a massive hit, earning $56.1M worldwide—a remarkable 558% return. The film's unconventional structure found its audience, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
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%)
Confidential Assignment (2017) exemplifies meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Kim Sung-hoon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes North Korean detective Im Chul-ryung operates in his rigid, controlled world, showing his elite skills and unwavering loyalty to his country.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when North Korean defector Cha Ki-sung, a former army officer turned criminal, escapes to South Korea with stolen North Korean currency plates, threatening both nations.. 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 shows the protagonist's commitment to Jin-tae and Chul-ryung officially agree to work together, setting aside their differences to pursue Cha Ki-sung. The unlikely partnership begins., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The partners score a major victory, getting closer to Cha Ki-sung and seizing evidence. It appears they're winning, but this false victory raises the stakes as the criminal becomes more desperate., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 93 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Cha Ki-sung's attack puts Jin-tae's family in danger, and the partnership appears destroyed when Chul-ryung's secret orders are exposed. The mission seems lost and the fragile trust between North and South shatters., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Chul-ryung chooses to defy his orders and returns to help Jin-tae. They reunite with new understanding, combining North Korean precision with South Korean improvisation for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Confidential Assignment's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Confidential Assignment against these established plot points, we can identify how Kim Sung-hoon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Confidential Assignment within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
North Korean detective Im Chul-ryung operates in his rigid, controlled world, showing his elite skills and unwavering loyalty to his country.
Theme
A character mentions that despite borders and differences, criminals are the same everywhere and cooperation transcends politics.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to both Im Chul-ryung's disciplined North Korean world and Kang Jin-tae's chaotic South Korean detective life. Establishes the divided Korea context and each detective's methods and personalities.
Disruption
North Korean defector Cha Ki-sung, a former army officer turned criminal, escapes to South Korea with stolen North Korean currency plates, threatening both nations.
Resistance
Im Chul-ryung is ordered to South Korea for an unprecedented joint operation. Both sides debate the wisdom of cooperation. Jin-tae resists working with a North Korean, suspicious of hidden motives.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jin-tae and Chul-ryung officially agree to work together, setting aside their differences to pursue Cha Ki-sung. The unlikely partnership begins.
Mirror World
Chul-ryung meets Jin-tae's family and experiences South Korean life, creating a personal connection that humanizes the "enemy" and introduces the relationship subplot that will carry the theme.
Premise
The fun of the premise: mismatched partners navigate cultural differences while tracking down Cha Ki-sung. Action sequences, comedic moments from their contrasting styles, and growing mutual respect.
Midpoint
The partners score a major victory, getting closer to Cha Ki-sung and seizing evidence. It appears they're winning, but this false victory raises the stakes as the criminal becomes more desperate.
Opposition
Cha Ki-sung strikes back violently. Political pressure mounts from both governments. Trust issues surface as secrets are revealed. Jin-tae questions Chul-ryung's true mission, while Chul-ryung faces orders that conflict with the partnership.
Collapse
Cha Ki-sung's attack puts Jin-tae's family in danger, and the partnership appears destroyed when Chul-ryung's secret orders are exposed. The mission seems lost and the fragile trust between North and South shatters.
Crisis
Both detectives separately process their failure and betrayal. Chul-ryung must choose between orders and friendship. Jin-tae confronts his prejudices and what matters most.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Chul-ryung chooses to defy his orders and returns to help Jin-tae. They reunite with new understanding, combining North Korean precision with South Korean improvisation for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
Final showdown with Cha Ki-sung. The partners execute a plan that uses both their strengths, proving that cooperation transcends politics. Action-packed finale resolves the criminal threat.
Transformation
Chul-ryung returns to North Korea, but the bond formed with Jin-tae remains. A final moment shows mutual respect across the border, proving that human connection can bridge even the deepest divides.