The Accidental Detective 2: In Action
A comic book storekeeper, Dae-man, and the legendary homicide detective, Tae-su, who met on previous case quit their jobs to open a private detective agency.
The film earned $24.2M 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%)
The Accidental Detective 2: In Action (2018) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Lee Eon-hee's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Dae-man runs his comic book shop while Tae-su works as a homicide detective; their previous detective partnership has dissolved into ordinary civilian life.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when A high-profile kidnapping case directly affects someone connected to Dae-man, forcing him to confront the limitations of staying on the sidelines.. 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 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Dae-man and Tae-su actively decide to reform their detective partnership and pursue the kidnapping case together, combining amateur sleuthing with inside police access., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: they locate the victim or identify the main suspect, believing they're close to solving the case, but the stakes suddenly escalate when they realize the conspiracy goes deeper., 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 (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The victim appears to be killed or the partnership fractures completely; Dae-man or Tae-su faces career-ending consequences; a mentor figure or innocent bystander dies., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. A crucial piece of evidence or insight emerges; they realize how amateur intuition and professional resources must work together; they reunite with a clear plan for the final confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Accidental Detective 2: In Action'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 The Accidental Detective 2: In Action against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Eon-hee utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Accidental Detective 2: In Action within the comedy genre.
Lee Eon-hee's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Lee Eon-hee films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Accidental Detective 2: In Action takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lee Eon-hee filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Lee Eon-hee analyses, see Love in the Big City.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Dae-man runs his comic book shop while Tae-su works as a homicide detective; their previous detective partnership has dissolved into ordinary civilian life.
Theme
A character mentions that real justice requires both professional authority and amateur passion - neither works alone.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the mundane lives of our protagonists, the comic shop business, Tae-su's police work, and the introduction of a mysterious kidnapping case that begins to emerge in the news.
Disruption
A high-profile kidnapping case directly affects someone connected to Dae-man, forcing him to confront the limitations of staying on the sidelines.
Resistance
Dae-man debates whether to get involved; Tae-su resists partnering again; they gather initial clues and consider the risks of amateur investigation versus official police work.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dae-man and Tae-su actively decide to reform their detective partnership and pursue the kidnapping case together, combining amateur sleuthing with inside police access.
Mirror World
Introduction of a new partner or informant who represents the theme - someone who bridges the gap between official and unofficial investigation methods.
Premise
The fun detective work begins - following leads, comic misunderstandings, action set pieces, close calls, and the duo using their complementary skills to get closer to the kidnappers.
Midpoint
False victory: they locate the victim or identify the main suspect, believing they're close to solving the case, but the stakes suddenly escalate when they realize the conspiracy goes deeper.
Opposition
The kidnappers strike back; official police pressure Tae-su to stop; Dae-man's amateur status becomes a liability; their methods clash; evidence disappears; the villain stays one step ahead.
Collapse
The victim appears to be killed or the partnership fractures completely; Dae-man or Tae-su faces career-ending consequences; a mentor figure or innocent bystander dies.
Crisis
The partners separately process their failure and loss, questioning whether their partnership was a mistake, before finding renewed determination in their shared mission.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
A crucial piece of evidence or insight emerges; they realize how amateur intuition and professional resources must work together; they reunite with a clear plan for the final confrontation.
Synthesis
The finale: infiltrating the villain's stronghold, rescuing the victim, combining Dae-man's street smarts with Tae-su's tactical training in an action-packed climax, defeating the criminal conspiracy.
Transformation
Dae-man's comic shop now features a detective agency sign; Tae-su visits as an equal partner; they've found balance between professional and amateur worlds - transformed from reluctant partners to true collaborators.