My Boss, My Teacher
A mobster must complete college and spend some time as an ethics teacher in order to receive a promotion to a coveted territory.
The film earned $30.6M 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%)
My Boss, My Teacher (2006) showcases deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Kim Dong-won's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Doo-sik is established as a feared gangster boss, running his criminal organization with an iron fist. He commands respect and fear in the underworld.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Doo-sik's boss orders him to go back to high school to earn a diploma as part of a scheme to legitimize the organization. This is a humiliating demand that disrupts his status as a feared gangster.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. 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 reveals the protagonist's commitment to Doo-sik arrives at high school for his first day, disguised as a student. He actively chooses to commit to this charade despite his reservations, entering a world completely foreign to him., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 93 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Doo-sik's true identity is exposed at school. His teacher and fellow students learn he's a gangster. He loses the respect and trust he'd built, and his girlfriend is endangered by rival gangs. Everything he'd gained crumbles., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Doo-sik confronts the rival gang to protect the school. He uses both his fighting skills and the lessons he's learned about teamwork and integrity. His students and teacher see him fight for something beyond himself. Final confrontation and resolution., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
My Boss, My Teacher's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping My Boss, My Teacher against these established plot points, we can identify how Kim Dong-won utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish My Boss, My Teacher within the action genre.
Kim Dong-won's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Kim Dong-won films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. My Boss, My Teacher exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Kim Dong-won filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Kim Dong-won analyses, see City of Damnation.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Doo-sik is established as a feared gangster boss, running his criminal organization with an iron fist. He commands respect and fear in the underworld.
Theme
A character mentions that real power comes from education and legitimacy, not violence. This plants the seed of the film's central theme about transformation and redemption.
Worldbuilding
We see Doo-sik's gang operations, his relationships with his underlings, and his girlfriend who dreams of a legitimate life. His criminal empire is shown in detail, including his violent methods and territorial disputes.
Disruption
Doo-sik's boss orders him to go back to high school to earn a diploma as part of a scheme to legitimize the organization. This is a humiliating demand that disrupts his status as a feared gangster.
Resistance
Doo-sik resists the idea of going back to school, arguing and debating with his boss. He tries to find ways out but ultimately realizes he must comply. His men prepare him for this new world.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Doo-sik arrives at high school for his first day, disguised as a student. He actively chooses to commit to this charade despite his reservations, entering a world completely foreign to him.
Premise
Fish-out-of-water comedy as Doo-sik navigates high school life. He struggles with classes, deals with bullies using his gangster skills, bonds with misfit students, and tries to maintain his cover while managing gang business.
Opposition
Rival gangsters discover Doo-sik's situation and threaten to expose him. His double life becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. His gang duties conflict with school obligations, and his teacher grows suspicious of his behavior.
Collapse
Doo-sik's true identity is exposed at school. His teacher and fellow students learn he's a gangster. He loses the respect and trust he'd built, and his girlfriend is endangered by rival gangs. Everything he'd gained crumbles.
Crisis
Doo-sik experiences genuine regret and shame. He realizes he's changed and no longer wants to be just a gangster. He reflects on what he's learned about honor, education, and legitimate respect versus fear.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Doo-sik confronts the rival gang to protect the school. He uses both his fighting skills and the lessons he's learned about teamwork and integrity. His students and teacher see him fight for something beyond himself. Final confrontation and resolution.