The Tiger
In 1925 Korea, Japanese rulers demand the last remaining tiger be killed. The tiger easily defeats his pursuers until a legendary hunter takes him on.
The film earned $11.1M 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 Tiger (2015) exhibits meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Park Hoon-jung's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 19 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Chun Man-duk, once the greatest hunter in Joseon, now lives a quiet life in the mountains with his young son Seok, having renounced hunting after his wife was killed by the Mountain Lord tiger.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Japanese forces led by Governor Maezono demand Man-duk join a hunting expedition to kill the Mountain Lord, as the tiger threatens Japanese authority and construction projects. Man-duk refuses, but they threaten his son's safety.. 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 34 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Man-duk makes the agonizing choice to join the hunting party to protect his son, picking up his rifle for the first time in years and entering the mountains where the Mountain Lord dwells., moving from reaction to action.
At 69 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The Mountain Lord kills several Japanese soldiers in a devastating attack, and Man-duk realizes the tiger is specifically targeting those who threaten its territory and cubs. The Japanese double their efforts and Man-duk understands this hunt will only end in death—his, the tiger's, or both., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 104 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The Japanese forces kill the Mountain Lord's cubs in a brutal ambush. Man-duk arrives too late to stop it, witnessing the aftermath. The tiger, now driven by pure grief and rage, becomes a true killing machine. Man-duk realizes he has enabled this tragedy by participating in the hunt., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 111 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The final confrontation unfolds as Man-duk faces off against Ryu and the Japanese forces to give the Mountain Lord a chance to escape. A climactic battle in the snow where Man-duk uses all his skills not to hunt, but to protect. The resolution of both the external conflict with the Japanese and the spiritual journey of Man-duk and the tiger., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Tiger's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Tiger against these established plot points, we can identify how Park Hoon-jung utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Tiger within the action genre.
Park Hoon-jung's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Park Hoon-jung films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Tiger represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Park Hoon-jung filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Park Hoon-jung analyses, see The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, The Witch: Part 2. The Other One.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Chun Man-duk, once the greatest hunter in Joseon, now lives a quiet life in the mountains with his young son Seok, having renounced hunting after his wife was killed by the Mountain Lord tiger.
Theme
A village elder tells the story of how man and beast are bound together by fate and respect, suggesting that some conflicts can only be resolved through mutual understanding, not dominance.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to 1925 Korea under Japanese occupation, the dying tradition of Korean hunters, Man-duk's peaceful existence with his son, and the legend of the Mountain Lord tiger that has killed many hunters including those who took Man-duk's wife.
Disruption
Japanese forces led by Governor Maezono demand Man-duk join a hunting expedition to kill the Mountain Lord, as the tiger threatens Japanese authority and construction projects. Man-duk refuses, but they threaten his son's safety.
Resistance
Man-duk resists joining the hunt, struggling with his vow never to hunt again. He observes the Japanese military's brutal methods and meets Ryu, a Korean hunter serving the Japanese who represents what Man-duk refuses to become. Growing threats to his son force Man-duk to reconsider.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Man-duk makes the agonizing choice to join the hunting party to protect his son, picking up his rifle for the first time in years and entering the mountains where the Mountain Lord dwells.
Mirror World
Man-duk has his first encounter with the Mountain Lord tiger, and instead of shooting, he locks eyes with the beast. In this moment, he recognizes a kindred spirit—both are the last of their kind, surviving in a world that no longer has a place for them.
Premise
The hunt proceeds through the mountains as Man-duk tracks the tiger while grappling with his conflicted feelings. Multiple encounters with the Mountain Lord reveal the tiger's intelligence and dignity. The Japanese forces use increasingly brutal tactics, while Man-duk begins to see the hunt as desecration rather than duty.
Midpoint
The Mountain Lord kills several Japanese soldiers in a devastating attack, and Man-duk realizes the tiger is specifically targeting those who threaten its territory and cubs. The Japanese double their efforts and Man-duk understands this hunt will only end in death—his, the tiger's, or both.
Opposition
The hunt intensifies as winter sets in. The Japanese bring in more weapons and men. Man-duk discovers the tiger has cubs, raising the stakes. Ryu becomes increasingly ruthless, fully embracing the Japanese cause. Man-duk's son is placed in greater danger as leverage. The tiger becomes more desperate and dangerous.
Collapse
The Japanese forces kill the Mountain Lord's cubs in a brutal ambush. Man-duk arrives too late to stop it, witnessing the aftermath. The tiger, now driven by pure grief and rage, becomes a true killing machine. Man-duk realizes he has enabled this tragedy by participating in the hunt.
Crisis
Man-duk faces his darkest moment, understanding that he has betrayed everything he believed in. The tiger, now with nothing left to lose, begins systematically hunting the hunters. Man-duk must decide whether to continue serving those who destroyed both their worlds, or make a stand for what little dignity remains.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final confrontation unfolds as Man-duk faces off against Ryu and the Japanese forces to give the Mountain Lord a chance to escape. A climactic battle in the snow where Man-duk uses all his skills not to hunt, but to protect. The resolution of both the external conflict with the Japanese and the spiritual journey of Man-duk and the tiger.