Hansan: Rising Dragon
In 1592, admiral Yi Sun-sin and his fleet face off against the might of the invading Japanese navy and its formidable warships. As the Korean forces fall into crisis, the admiral resorts to using his secret weapon, the dragon head ships known as geobukseon, in order to change the tide of this epic battle at sea.
The film earned $57.5M at the global box office.
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%)
Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022) showcases strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Kim Han-min's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 10 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Yi Sun-sin
Wakizaka Yasuharu
Junsa
Kato Yoshiaki
Na Dae-yong
Im Jun-young
Todo Takatora
Main Cast & Characters
Yi Sun-sin
Played by Park Hae-il
Brilliant Korean naval commander who leads the defense against Japanese invasion using innovative tactics and the turtle ship.
Wakizaka Yasuharu
Played by Byun Yo-han
Ambitious Japanese naval commander leading the invasion fleet, confident in overwhelming Korean forces through superior numbers.
Junsa
Played by Ahn Sung-ki
Skilled pirate and naval warrior who joins Yi Sun-sin's fleet, bringing street-smart combat experience to the Korean navy.
Kato Yoshiaki
Played by Kim Sung-kyun
Ruthless Japanese general supporting the naval campaign, advocating for aggressive tactics and total domination.
Na Dae-yong
Played by Kim Sung-kyu
Yi Sun-sin's loyal and brave subordinate officer who commands forces on the front lines with unwavering dedication.
Im Jun-young
Played by Park Ji-hwan
Young Korean naval officer serving under Yi Sun-sin, learning leadership while proving himself in battle.
Todo Takatora
Played by Kim Kang-hoon
Experienced Japanese commander who recognizes Yi Sun-sin's tactical genius and warns of underestimating the Korean navy.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Admiral Yi Sun-sin oversees the Joseon naval forces in a tense standoff with Japan. The Korean navy is outmatched and defensive, showing the precarious status quo before the decisive battle.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Intelligence reports arrive that the Japanese fleet under Wakizaka Yasuharu is advancing with overwhelming force toward the Hansan Straits, threatening to destroy the Korean navy and open a path to the capital.. 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 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Yi Sun-sin makes the decisive choice to engage the Japanese fleet at Hansan Island using unconventional tactics. He commits his forces to the plan, crossing the point of no return and entering the strategic battle phase., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The crane wing formation is successfully deployed and the Japanese fleet is caught in the trap. False victory: the Korean forces gain the upper hand and the battle seems won, but the enemy's full strength has yet to be revealed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 98 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A trusted Korean commander is killed in action and multiple ships are critically damaged. Yi Sun-sin faces the real possibility of defeat and the annihilation of his fleet—the darkest moment where death touches the narrative., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 104 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Yi Sun-sin receives intelligence about the Japanese fleet's weakened formation and realizes the enemy commander's fatal flaw. He synthesizes his strategic knowledge with renewed resolve, seeing the path to final victory., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hansan: Rising Dragon'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 Hansan: Rising Dragon against these established plot points, we can identify how Kim Han-min utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hansan: Rising Dragon within the war genre.
Kim Han-min's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Kim Han-min films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Hansan: Rising Dragon takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kim Han-min filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional war films include Fury, Shenandoah and More American Graffiti. For more Kim Han-min analyses, see War of the Arrows, The Admiral: Roaring Currents and Paradise Murdered.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Admiral Yi Sun-sin oversees the Joseon naval forces in a tense standoff with Japan. The Korean navy is outmatched and defensive, showing the precarious status quo before the decisive battle.
Theme
A commander speaks about the difference between strength in numbers and strength in strategy, stating that true victory comes from understanding one's enemy and using wisdom over brute force—the thematic core of the film.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the historical context of the Imjin War, the Japanese naval superiority, the Korean court's politics, and Yi Sun-sin's character as a strategic thinker. Establishes the naval warfare dynamics and the geopolitical stakes.
Disruption
Intelligence reports arrive that the Japanese fleet under Wakizaka Yasuharu is advancing with overwhelming force toward the Hansan Straits, threatening to destroy the Korean navy and open a path to the capital.
Resistance
Yi Sun-sin debates with his officers about whether to engage or retreat. He studies maps, consults with advisors, and weighs the risks. His officers express doubt about facing a superior force, but Yi begins formulating his crane wing formation strategy.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Yi Sun-sin makes the decisive choice to engage the Japanese fleet at Hansan Island using unconventional tactics. He commits his forces to the plan, crossing the point of no return and entering the strategic battle phase.
Mirror World
Introduction of the relationship between Yi Sun-sin and his trusted subordinate commanders who embody loyalty and trust. Their bond represents the thematic counterpoint to the Japanese command's arrogance and division.
Premise
The preparation and early execution of Yi's strategy. Naval maneuvering, the baiting of the Japanese fleet, deployment of the turtle ships, and the promise of the premise—watching Yi's tactical genius unfold against a formidable enemy.
Midpoint
The crane wing formation is successfully deployed and the Japanese fleet is caught in the trap. False victory: the Korean forces gain the upper hand and the battle seems won, but the enemy's full strength has yet to be revealed.
Opposition
The Japanese counterattack with desperate ferocity. Wakizaka's elite forces fight back, Korean ships take damage, casualties mount, and Yi's strategy is tested to its limits. The tide threatens to turn as the enemy refuses to break.
Collapse
A trusted Korean commander is killed in action and multiple ships are critically damaged. Yi Sun-sin faces the real possibility of defeat and the annihilation of his fleet—the darkest moment where death touches the narrative.
Crisis
Yi Sun-sin grieves the loss and confronts the weight of command. His officers look to him for direction as morale wavers. The emotional low point where the cost of war and leadership becomes painfully clear.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Yi Sun-sin receives intelligence about the Japanese fleet's weakened formation and realizes the enemy commander's fatal flaw. He synthesizes his strategic knowledge with renewed resolve, seeing the path to final victory.
Synthesis
The final assault. Yi executes the decisive maneuver, the Korean navy breaks the Japanese formation, Wakizaka's fleet is routed, and the Battle of Hansan Island concludes with a historic Korean victory. The strategic genius proves triumphant.
Transformation
Yi Sun-sin stands on his ship surveying the aftermath, transformed from a cautious defender to a legendary naval commander. The image mirrors the opening but shows a commander who has proven that wisdom and strategy triumph over brute force.