The Himalayas
Based on true events, renowned mountaineer Um Hong-gil sets out on a mission to Everest to retrieve his late junior climber's body and faces the greatest challenge of his life.
The film earned $50.5M 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%)
The Himalayas (2015) showcases strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Lee Suk-hoon's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Um Hong-gil is introduced as Korea's legendary mountaineer, living a life dedicated to conquering peaks and training younger climbers in his established routine.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Park Moo-taek dies in a sudden avalanche during the Kangchenjunga expedition. His body is lost in a crevasse, and the team must abandon him on the mountain, devastating Um Hong-gil.. 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 illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Um Hong-gil makes the definitive decision to return to the Himalayas to recover Moo-taek's body, assembling a team and committing to the perilous mission despite all warnings., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The team locates Park Moo-taek's body in the crevasse—a false victory. They've found him, but extracting the body proves far more dangerous than anticipated, raising the stakes dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A team member dies during the recovery attempt, and Um Hong-gil faces the horrifying reality that his quest to honor one friend has cost another life. The mission appears doomed and morally devastating., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Um Hong-gil realizes the mission isn't about conquering death but honoring life and brotherhood. The team commits to one final attempt, understanding what they're truly fighting for—keeping their promise., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Himalayas'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 Himalayas against these established plot points, we can identify how Lee Suk-hoon utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Himalayas within the adventure genre.
Lee Suk-hoon's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Lee Suk-hoon films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Himalayas exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Lee Suk-hoon filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Bad Guys and Zoom. For more Lee Suk-hoon analyses, see The Pirates.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Um Hong-gil is introduced as Korea's legendary mountaineer, living a life dedicated to conquering peaks and training younger climbers in his established routine.
Theme
Park Moo-taek expresses his philosophy about mountains and brotherhood: "We climb together, we come down together." This establishes the theme of loyalty and the bonds formed through shared struggle.
Worldbuilding
The world of elite mountaineering is established, showing Um Hong-gil's team dynamics, their preparation for Kangchenjunga, the relationships between climbers, and the inherent risks they face together.
Disruption
Park Moo-taek dies in a sudden avalanche during the Kangchenjunga expedition. His body is lost in a crevasse, and the team must abandon him on the mountain, devastating Um Hong-gil.
Resistance
Um Hong-gil wrestles with guilt and grief, debating whether attempting a recovery mission is possible or insane. He faces opposition from authorities, family, and his own doubts about the dangerous undertaking.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Um Hong-gil makes the definitive decision to return to the Himalayas to recover Moo-taek's body, assembling a team and committing to the perilous mission despite all warnings.
Mirror World
Park Moo-taek's widow and young daughter are introduced more deeply, representing what drives the mission beyond ego—the human need for closure and honoring those we've lost.
Premise
The recovery expedition begins. The team navigates treacherous terrain, faces brutal weather, and bonds through shared hardship. Flashbacks reveal the depth of Um and Moo-taek's friendship, delivering the emotional core promised by the premise.
Midpoint
The team locates Park Moo-taek's body in the crevasse—a false victory. They've found him, but extracting the body proves far more dangerous than anticipated, raising the stakes dramatically.
Opposition
The mountain fights back. Extreme weather closes in, oxygen runs low, team members suffer injuries and altitude sickness, and the extraction becomes increasingly impossible. Every gain is met with greater resistance.
Collapse
A team member dies during the recovery attempt, and Um Hong-gil faces the horrifying reality that his quest to honor one friend has cost another life. The mission appears doomed and morally devastating.
Crisis
Um Hong-gil confronts his deepest guilt and questions whether his loyalty has become destructive obsession. The surviving team members must decide whether to abandon the mission or risk more lives.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Um Hong-gil realizes the mission isn't about conquering death but honoring life and brotherhood. The team commits to one final attempt, understanding what they're truly fighting for—keeping their promise.
Synthesis
In a desperate final push, the team successfully recovers Park Moo-taek's body and begins the harrowing descent. They execute their plan with skill earned through experience and unity forged through loss.
Transformation
Park Moo-taek is returned to his family. Um Hong-gil, once driven by guilt, has transformed into someone who understands that true brotherhood means accepting loss while honoring promises, no matter the cost.