Honest Candidate
Politician Joo Sang-Sook (Ra Mi-Ran) is a member of the national assembly. She has been elected 3 times and she is now running for her 4th term. She is also a habitual liar, but, suddenly, she is unable to tell a lie.
The film earned $10.5M 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%)
Honest Candidate (2020) demonstrates precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Jang Yoo-jung's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 44 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Joo Sang-sook is introduced as a charismatic but corrupt three-term assemblywoman who effortlessly lies to constituents, manipulates the media, and maintains a polished public image while being ruthlessly self-serving behind the scenes.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when After visiting a mysterious statue and making an insincere wish, Joo Sang-sook wakes up the next morning completely unable to lie. Every thought that enters her head comes out of her mouth as brutal, unfiltered truth.. 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 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Joo Sang-sook decides she cannot quit or hide. She must continue her campaign despite being unable to lie, committing to find a way to win the election while speaking only the truth—a seemingly impossible task for a politician., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat A false victory: Joo Sang-sook's poll numbers unexpectedly rise as her honesty becomes a viral sensation. She appears to be winning despite (or because of) her inability to lie. But this success is built on spectacle, not genuine transformation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Joo Sang-sook's brutal honesty destroys her most important relationship or reveals a truth that devastates her campaign completely. She faces the death of her political career and recognizes that she's lost something more valuable than the election—genuine human connection., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 83 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Joo Sang-sook realizes that the curse was actually a gift. She synthesizes her political skills with newfound authenticity, understanding that real leadership requires honest connection with people. She chooses to speak truth not because she must, but because she wants to., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Honest Candidate'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 Honest Candidate against these established plot points, we can identify how Jang Yoo-jung utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Honest Candidate within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Joo Sang-sook is introduced as a charismatic but corrupt three-term assemblywoman who effortlessly lies to constituents, manipulates the media, and maintains a polished public image while being ruthlessly self-serving behind the scenes.
Theme
A supporter or aide mentions how "honesty is the foundation of democracy" or questions whether politicians can ever be trusted, establishing the thematic tension between truth and political ambition.
Worldbuilding
We see Joo Sang-sook's world: her campaign team, her comfortable relationship with deception, her popularity built on false promises, and her upcoming election campaign. Her staff enables her lies, and she's skilled at avoiding accountability.
Disruption
After visiting a mysterious statue and making an insincere wish, Joo Sang-sook wakes up the next morning completely unable to lie. Every thought that enters her head comes out of her mouth as brutal, unfiltered truth.
Resistance
Joo Sang-sook tries to resist and hide her condition, attempting various methods to stop speaking the truth. Her team scrambles to control the damage as she accidentally insults voters, reveals scandals, and destroys her carefully crafted image. She debates whether to withdraw from the election.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Joo Sang-sook decides she cannot quit or hide. She must continue her campaign despite being unable to lie, committing to find a way to win the election while speaking only the truth—a seemingly impossible task for a politician.
Mirror World
Her relationship with her honest, principled aide Park Hee-cheol deepens. He represents the integrity she lacks, and their dynamic becomes the emotional core that will teach her about authentic connection versus manipulation.
Premise
The "honest politician" premise plays out: Joo Sang-sook's brutal honesty creates chaos but also unexpectedly resonates with some voters tired of political lies. Her campaign becomes a media sensation. She navigates debates, public appearances, and campaign events while accidentally revealing truths about herself and others.
Midpoint
A false victory: Joo Sang-sook's poll numbers unexpectedly rise as her honesty becomes a viral sensation. She appears to be winning despite (or because of) her inability to lie. But this success is built on spectacle, not genuine transformation.
Opposition
Her opponents weaponize her honesty against her, setting traps to make her reveal damaging truths. Her past corruption surfaces. The people closest to her are hurt by her unfiltered honesty. Her relationships strain, and the campaign team fractures. The novelty wears off as the consequences of truth-telling mount.
Collapse
Joo Sang-sook's brutal honesty destroys her most important relationship or reveals a truth that devastates her campaign completely. She faces the death of her political career and recognizes that she's lost something more valuable than the election—genuine human connection.
Crisis
Alone and defeated, Joo Sang-sook reflects on who she has become. She confronts the emptiness of her previous life built on lies and manipulation. This is her dark night, processing the loss of her old identity.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Joo Sang-sook realizes that the curse was actually a gift. She synthesizes her political skills with newfound authenticity, understanding that real leadership requires honest connection with people. She chooses to speak truth not because she must, but because she wants to.
Synthesis
Joo Sang-sook executes her final campaign push with authentic honesty, not as a gimmick but as genuine transformation. She confronts her opponents, makes amends with those she hurt, and delivers a speech that embodies both her political acumen and her new integrity. The election results are revealed.
Transformation
Joo Sang-sook, whether she won or lost the election, is shown as a transformed person—genuinely connecting with people, speaking truth by choice, and valuing relationships over power. The image mirrors the opening but shows authentic presence instead of calculated performance.