Minari
N/A
Despite its small-scale budget of $2.0M, Minari became a commercial juggernaut, earning $12.9M worldwide—a remarkable 545% return. The film's fresh perspective connected with viewers, showing 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%)
Minari (2021) showcases precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Lee Isaac Chung's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 55 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 The Yi family arrives at their new mobile home in rural Arkansas. Young David explores the trailer while his sister Anne watches. The cramped, worn space and isolated location establish their struggling immigrant reality and Jacob's dream of starting fresh.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Monica's mother Soon-ja arrives from Korea. David is disappointed she doesn't fit his image of a "proper" grandmother - she smells like Korea, doesn't bake cookies, and curses. Her presence disrupts the family's fragile equilibrium and forces everyone to adapt.. At 11% 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Jacob finds a natural spring with Paul and successfully plants his crops. Despite Monica's continued concerns, Jacob commits fully to the farm, investing everything. The family collectively chooses to stay and make it work rather than return to California., moving from reaction to action.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Soon-ja suffers a stroke. The medical emergency exposes the family's vulnerability and isolation. Jacob's dream suddenly seems secondary to Monica's fears about healthcare, safety, and David's heart condition. The stakes shift from "will the farm succeed?" to "will this family survive?"., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 86 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The barn catches fire, destroying all of Jacob's produce and equipment. Soon-ja, confused from her stroke, had accidentally started the fire. Jacob's entire dream literally goes up in flames. Monica prepares to leave with the children. Everything Jacob worked for is ash., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. David and Soon-ja go to harvest the minari by the creek. The water celery has thrived, growing abundantly without cultivation. David realizes what Soon-ja taught him: family, like minari, can grow anywhere if the roots are strong. Jacob and Monica choose to stay and rebuild together., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Minari's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Minari against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Isaac Chung utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Minari within the short genre.
Lee Isaac Chung's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Lee Isaac Chung films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Minari exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lee Isaac Chung filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional short films include This Is England, Chloe and What Remains. For more Lee Isaac Chung analyses, see Twisters.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Yi family arrives at their new mobile home in rural Arkansas. Young David explores the trailer while his sister Anne watches. The cramped, worn space and isolated location establish their struggling immigrant reality and Jacob's dream of starting fresh.
Theme
Monica's mother Soon-ja will later say "You need to be strong" - but the theme emerges early when Monica challenges Jacob about the well, asking "What if this doesn't work?" The film explores what family and home truly mean versus chasing the American Dream.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the family dynamics: Jacob's determination to farm, Monica's anxiety about David's heart condition, the children's adjustment to rural life. Jacob and Monica work at the chicken hatchery sexing chicks. Jacob clears land and hauls water from a distant well despite Monica's concerns.
Disruption
Monica's mother Soon-ja arrives from Korea. David is disappointed she doesn't fit his image of a "proper" grandmother - she smells like Korea, doesn't bake cookies, and curses. Her presence disrupts the family's fragile equilibrium and forces everyone to adapt.
Resistance
The family navigates Soon-ja's integration. Jacob hires eccentric Paul, a Korean War veteran who carries a cross. Soon-ja bonds with David through card games and mischief. Tension builds between Jacob and Monica over priorities - farm versus family stability. The well begins to run dry.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Jacob finds a natural spring with Paul and successfully plants his crops. Despite Monica's continued concerns, Jacob commits fully to the farm, investing everything. The family collectively chooses to stay and make it work rather than return to California.
Mirror World
Soon-ja plants minari (Korean water celery) by the creek, telling David it grows anywhere and is resilient. This relationship between grandmother and grandson becomes the heart of the film, teaching David - and Jacob - about roots, adaptability, and what truly sustains a family.
Premise
The farm begins to flourish. Jacob secures a Korean produce buyer. The family experiences moments of joy: church gatherings, Soon-ja's care for David, small victories in the garden. But cracks show: Monica and Jacob argue about money and priorities. David's relationship with Soon-ja deepens despite his initial rejection.
Midpoint
Soon-ja suffers a stroke. The medical emergency exposes the family's vulnerability and isolation. Jacob's dream suddenly seems secondary to Monica's fears about healthcare, safety, and David's heart condition. The stakes shift from "will the farm succeed?" to "will this family survive?"
Opposition
Soon-ja requires constant care, straining everyone. Jacob's crops are ready but the buyer is unreliable. Monica demands they return to California. Jacob refuses, doubling down. Paul quits due to Sunday work conflicts. David takes on responsibility for Soon-ja, their bond strengthening even as her health deteriorates.
Collapse
The barn catches fire, destroying all of Jacob's produce and equipment. Soon-ja, confused from her stroke, had accidentally started the fire. Jacob's entire dream literally goes up in flames. Monica prepares to leave with the children. Everything Jacob worked for is ash.
Crisis
In the aftermath, Jacob sits devastated in the charred remains. David fears Soon-ja will be blamed and sent away. Monica must decide whether to stay or go. The family processes the loss in isolation, each contemplating what home and family mean beyond material success.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
David and Soon-ja go to harvest the minari by the creek. The water celery has thrived, growing abundantly without cultivation. David realizes what Soon-ja taught him: family, like minari, can grow anywhere if the roots are strong. Jacob and Monica choose to stay and rebuild together.
Synthesis
The family begins again, this time united. Jacob and Monica work together hauling water. Soon-ja recovers enough to help. David, no longer ashamed of his grandmother or afraid of his heart condition, finds strength. They plant new seeds with the minari as a symbol of their resilience.
Transformation
David carries bundles of minari from the creek - abundant, thriving, deeply rooted. The family works the land together, no longer Jacob's solitary dream but a shared home. The image mirrors the opening but transformed: not arrival at an uncertain future, but cultivation of belonging.