The Treacherous
The story of Joseon's tyrant king Yeonsan who exploits the populace for his own carnal pleasures, his seemingly loyal retainer who controls him and all court dealings, and a woman who seeks vengeance.
The film earned $6.9M 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 Treacherous (2015) exemplifies deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Min Kyu-dong's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes King Yeonsan's court is already corrupt and decadent. The king indulges in excessive pleasures while officials plot and scheme around him, establishing a world of moral decay and political treachery.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Im Soong-jae witnesses the king's violent purge of officials suspected of disloyalty. He realizes the old order is collapsing and sees his chance to rise by becoming the king's enabler rather than his victim.. 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 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Im Soong-jae makes the active choice to present the beautiful Dan-hee (Lady Yoon) to the king, fully committing to his role as the royal procurer and crossing into a world of moral compromise., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False victory becomes false defeat: Im Soong-jae reaches peak influence but discovers Dan-hee is playing her own game of manipulation. The king's paranoia intensifies dramatically, and Im realizes he may have created a monster he cannot control., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The king discovers betrayal within his inner circle and executes several close associates in a blood purge. Im Soong-jae realizes his own life hangs by a thread - the whiff of death is literal as bodies pile up and the tyrant turns on his enablers., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 107 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Im Soong-jae accepts that survival requires one final act of treachery. He synthesizes everything he has learned about manipulation and power, preparing to make his final move against or for the king., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Treacherous'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 Treacherous against these established plot points, we can identify how Min Kyu-dong utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Treacherous within the crime genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
King Yeonsan's court is already corrupt and decadent. The king indulges in excessive pleasures while officials plot and scheme around him, establishing a world of moral decay and political treachery.
Theme
An official comments on how power and desire corrupt absolutely, warning that those who enable a tyrant's appetites will eventually be consumed by them - the film's central thematic statement.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Joseon court under Yeonsan, showing his paranoia, the palace's atmosphere of fear, the scheming ministers, and the introduction of Im Soong-jae, an ambitious lower official who recognizes opportunity in the king's depravity.
Disruption
Im Soong-jae witnesses the king's violent purge of officials suspected of disloyalty. He realizes the old order is collapsing and sees his chance to rise by becoming the king's enabler rather than his victim.
Resistance
Im Soong-jae schemes to gain the king's favor by procuring entertainers and women. He debates whether to fully commit to enabling the king's excesses, knowing it could mean wealth and power or destruction.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Im Soong-jae makes the active choice to present the beautiful Dan-hee (Lady Yoon) to the king, fully committing to his role as the royal procurer and crossing into a world of moral compromise.
Mirror World
Dan-hee becomes the king's favorite concubine. Her relationship with both the king and Im Soong-jae creates a complex triangle that will mirror the film's themes of manipulation, desire, and power.
Premise
The "fun and games" of court debauchery: Im Soong-jae rises in power and wealth, organizing increasingly elaborate entertainments. The king spirals deeper into paranoia and excess. Palace intrigue intensifies as the promise of the premise plays out.
Midpoint
False victory becomes false defeat: Im Soong-jae reaches peak influence but discovers Dan-hee is playing her own game of manipulation. The king's paranoia intensifies dramatically, and Im realizes he may have created a monster he cannot control.
Opposition
The opposition closes in from all sides: reformist officials plot against the king, Dan-hee manipulates both men for her own survival, the king's violence becomes unpredictable, and Im Soong-jae struggles to maintain control as the court descends into chaos.
Collapse
The king discovers betrayal within his inner circle and executes several close associates in a blood purge. Im Soong-jae realizes his own life hangs by a thread - the whiff of death is literal as bodies pile up and the tyrant turns on his enablers.
Crisis
Im Soong-jae faces his dark night of the soul, recognizing the full horror of what he has enabled and that his ambition has destroyed countless lives. Dan-hee also confronts the consequences of her manipulations.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Im Soong-jae accepts that survival requires one final act of treachery. He synthesizes everything he has learned about manipulation and power, preparing to make his final move against or for the king.
Synthesis
The finale: Political forces converge, the king's reign reaches its climax of violence and depravity, betrayals are revealed, and the consequences of unchecked power play out. Im Soong-jae and Dan-hee face their fates.
Transformation
The closing image shows the aftermath of tyranny: bodies, destruction, and the inevitable fall. Im Soong-jae survives but is transformed into a hollow shell, having gained power but lost his humanity - a dark mirror of the opening.