I Can Speak
A grumpy old woman befriends a young civil servant and learns English from him. She then reveals to him her shocking past.
The film earned $23.3M 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%)
I Can Speak (2017) showcases precise story structure, characteristic of Kim Hyun-seok's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ok-bun is introduced as the neighborhood's notorious "Goblin Granny," filing countless civil complaints at the district office. She's a persistent activist for local issues but isolated and abrasive.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Ok-bun discovers Min-jae speaks fluent English. She approaches him with an unexpected request: teach her English. Min-jae is horrified and refuses, disrupting their antagonistic equilibrium.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Min-jae chooses to become Ok-bun's English teacher, meeting her at a café for their first lesson. This active choice moves him from antagonist to reluctant ally, entering a new relationship world., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Ok-bun reveals her true purpose for learning English: she wants to testify at the U.S. Congress about being a comfort woman during WWII. The stakes raise dramatically as Min-jae understands the weight of what he's helping her achieve., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ok-bun suffers a health crisis (stroke/collapse) from the emotional and physical stress of reliving her trauma while preparing. Min-jae fears she won't recover in time, and that he's pushed her too hard. Her dream seems to die., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Ok-bun makes the definitive choice to proceed to Washington D.C. Despite her health. Min-jae commits to accompanying her. They synthesize her painful past with her hard-won English skills for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
I Can Speak'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 I Can Speak against these established plot points, we can identify how Kim Hyun-seok utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish I Can Speak 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
Ok-bun is introduced as the neighborhood's notorious "Goblin Granny," filing countless civil complaints at the district office. She's a persistent activist for local issues but isolated and abrasive.
Theme
A colleague tells Min-jae that "everyone has their own story" when he complains about difficult civil petitioners, foreshadowing the deeper pain behind Ok-bun's persistence.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Min-jae as a by-the-book civil servant obsessed with being promoted, Ok-bun as his antagonist constantly filing complaints, and the district office hierarchy. Ok-bun also helps neighborhood children with homework, showing her caring side.
Disruption
Ok-bun discovers Min-jae speaks fluent English. She approaches him with an unexpected request: teach her English. Min-jae is horrified and refuses, disrupting their antagonistic equilibrium.
Resistance
Ok-bun persistently pursues Min-jae, offering to stop filing complaints in exchange for lessons. Min-jae debates and resists, but she wears him down with relentless determination. He finally agrees to teach her.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Min-jae chooses to become Ok-bun's English teacher, meeting her at a café for their first lesson. This active choice moves him from antagonist to reluctant ally, entering a new relationship world.
Mirror World
Through teaching Ok-bun, Min-jae begins to see beyond her difficult exterior. Their student-teacher relationship deepens into mutual respect, with Ok-bun showing unexpected dedication and Min-jae displaying patience he didn't know he had.
Premise
The fun and games of English lessons: Ok-bun's earnest attempts to learn, comedic misunderstandings, her surprising progress, and the growing bond between teacher and student. Min-jae discovers Ok-bun's intelligence and determination.
Midpoint
Ok-bun reveals her true purpose for learning English: she wants to testify at the U.S. Congress about being a comfort woman during WWII. The stakes raise dramatically as Min-jae understands the weight of what he's helping her achieve.
Opposition
Pressure intensifies: Ok-bun must master English well enough for congressional testimony, face her traumatic memories, and overcome societal shame. Min-jae faces his own career pressures but commits to helping her. Time is running out.
Collapse
Ok-bun suffers a health crisis (stroke/collapse) from the emotional and physical stress of reliving her trauma while preparing. Min-jae fears she won't recover in time, and that he's pushed her too hard. Her dream seems to die.
Crisis
Ok-bun recovers but is weakened. Min-jae grapples with guilt and fear. The darkest emotional moment as both question whether pursuing this testimony is worth the cost. The journey seems impossible.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ok-bun makes the definitive choice to proceed to Washington D.C. despite her health. Min-jae commits to accompanying her. They synthesize her painful past with her hard-won English skills for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The finale: Ok-bun travels to Washington, prepares for testimony, and delivers her powerful statement to Congress in English, speaking her truth about the comfort women atrocities. Min-jae supports her throughout.
Transformation
Ok-bun returns home transformed: no longer the isolated "Goblin Granny" but a woman who found her voice and spoke for the voiceless. Min-jae is transformed from career-obsessed bureaucrat to someone who understands the power of human connection and justice.