The Last Princess
"The Last Princess" is both a drama and an action film that is based upon the life of Princess Deok-hye (1912-1989) who was born into Korea's last royal family in 1912 as the youngest and only daughter of the last King of Jo-seon, ex-Emperor Gojong and his concubine Yang Gui-in. In truth, her sad and tragic life was shaped at the highest levels of the Japanese Imperial family and its government, and carried out by their Korean collaborators - a path that led to Japanese political ends at the expense of her personal happiness. Two years before her birth, the Japanese Imperial Army surrounded Gwang-bok-gong Palace with artillery batteries with orders to shoot while Japanese officials inside the Palace coerced Emperor Su-jong's (King Go-jong's son) cabinet to approve Korea's annexation to the Japan Empire. After her beloved father suddenly died from poisoning in 1919 - allegedly by the occupying Japanese - the Japanese forced Princess Deokye to leave Korea and her family for an education in Japan - a move that started an endless spiral of disappointment, unfulfilled hopes and dreams, and profound sadness until she was able to return to Korea thirty-seven years later in 1962. The fictionalized portion, based upon Kwon Bi-young's 2009 novel, is seamlessly woven into the film and includes several fictional characters whose roles add to the drama, tears, action and excitement. Princess Deokhye lived out the rest of her years at Chang-deok Palace until she passed away in 1989. She is buried at Hong-ryu-reung outside of Seoul.
The film earned $39.7M 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 Last Princess (2016) showcases carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Hur Jin-ho's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Princess Deokhye plays freely in the palace gardens of Korea, beloved daughter of Emperor Gojong, living in royal innocence before Japanese occupation tightens its grip.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Emperor Gojong dies under suspicious circumstances, and the Japanese forcibly take young Deokhye to Japan, separating her from her homeland and loved ones.. 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 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Deokhye accepts that she cannot immediately return to Korea and must survive in Japanese captivity. Kim Jang-han decides to go to Japan to protect her., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat The Japanese force Deokhye into an arranged marriage with a Japanese count, a false defeat that strips away her autonomy and tightens their control over her., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 93 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Deokhye suffers a complete mental breakdown and is institutionalized. Kim Jang-han is killed while working for her freedom, a literal death that represents the death of her hope., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 101 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Korea gains independence from Japan, and news reaches Deokhye that she might finally be able to return home, rekindling hope and purpose., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Last Princess's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Last Princess against these established plot points, we can identify how Hur Jin-ho utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Last Princess within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Princess Deokhye plays freely in the palace gardens of Korea, beloved daughter of Emperor Gojong, living in royal innocence before Japanese occupation tightens its grip.
Theme
Kim Jang-han tells Deokhye that "home is where you belong, where your heart lives" - foreshadowing her lifelong struggle to return to Korea from forced exile.
Worldbuilding
Establishes Princess Deokhye's life in the Korean royal family, her relationship with Kim Jang-han, the Japanese colonial presence, and the political tensions threatening her world.
Disruption
Emperor Gojong dies under suspicious circumstances, and the Japanese forcibly take young Deokhye to Japan, separating her from her homeland and loved ones.
Resistance
Deokhye resists her new life in Japan, attempts to maintain her identity, while Kim Jang-han struggles with whether to follow her to Japan or join the independence movement.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Deokhye accepts that she cannot immediately return to Korea and must survive in Japanese captivity. Kim Jang-han decides to go to Japan to protect her.
Mirror World
Kim Jang-han reunites with Deokhye in Japan, representing her connection to Korea and her true identity, embodying the theme of loyalty and belonging.
Premise
Deokhye navigates life as a political hostage in Japan, maintaining secret communications with Korean independence fighters while being watched by Japanese handlers.
Midpoint
The Japanese force Deokhye into an arranged marriage with a Japanese count, a false defeat that strips away her autonomy and tightens their control over her.
Opposition
Deokhye's mental health deteriorates under the pressure of her captivity and forced marriage. The independence movement faces setbacks, and her isolation deepens.
Collapse
Deokhye suffers a complete mental breakdown and is institutionalized. Kim Jang-han is killed while working for her freedom, a literal death that represents the death of her hope.
Crisis
Deokhye exists in darkness, institutionalized and broken, seemingly having lost everything - her country, her identity, her protector, and her sanity.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Korea gains independence from Japan, and news reaches Deokhye that she might finally be able to return home, rekindling hope and purpose.
Synthesis
Activists and supporters fight for Deokhye's repatriation. After years of bureaucratic struggles, she finally returns to Korea, though diminished by her ordeal.
Transformation
An elderly, mentally fragile Deokhye stands on Korean soil, finally home. Though broken, she has survived and returned, embodying tragic resilience and the cost of colonialism.