Double Agent

Double Agent

Year: 2003

Runtime: 125 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Kim Hyeon-jeong

ActionThriller

A North Korean diplomat defects to the South during the Cold War, but the South Koreans have their suspicions as to whether he is an actual defector or a double agent.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Double Agent yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Double Agent (2003)

Trace every key event in Double Agent (2003) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Defection attempt at Checkpoint Charlie

In June 1980, Rim Byeng-ho tries to defect to South Korea by crossing Checkpoint Charlie. He is shot and wounded by North Korean guards who try to stop his escape. South Korean agents retrieve him from no-man's land and congratulate him on his freedom.

June 1980 Checkpoint Charlie, East Berlin
2

Initial reception by South Korean Intelligence

A week after his defection attempt, Rim is subjected to brutal interrogation by South Korean Intelligence, who suspect he might be a spy despite his denials. The questioning takes place in South Korea, where Rim maintains his innocence. The process leaves him under serious scrutiny but not yet definitiva.

July 1980 South Korea (Intelligence facilities)
3

Decision to recruit Rim into SK Intelligence

Senior leadership decides to recruit Rim after the North Korean files he brought are authenticated. Rim is to work for South Korean Intelligence, effectively becoming a double agent. This marks the start of his long undercover career.

July 1980 South Korean Intelligence Headquarters
4

Posted to Gangwon to train spies

In December 1982, Rim is posted to Gangwon province to help train South Korean spies who will infiltrate North Korea. During his downtime, he listens to Yun Su-mi's classical music radio program, contributing to his cover routine. The assignment expands his role beyond raw intelligence work.

December 1982 Gangwon Province, South Korea
5

Rim promoted to analyst; Baek arrives

Baek Seung-cheol arrives in Gangwon to inform Rim that he has been promoted and will return to Seoul as an analyst. The promotion signals a shift toward higher-level responsibilities within the intelligence apparatus. Rim contemplates the pressures of elevated trust from the organization.

December 1982 Gangwon Province
6

Rim earns trust but remains outside sensitive materials

By February 1983, Rim has begun to assimilate with his fellow agents and earns their trust, though he is kept away from highly sensitive materials. He continues to listen to Yun's radio program, which becomes a critical link in his cover and operations. The balance between belonging and exposure defines his daily routine.

February 1983 Gangwon Province
7

Yun's program ends; code; Rim's contact

The last musical piece on Yun's program serves as a coded signal, revealing its role in North Korean sleeper operations. Rim is to contact Yun, who has become a double agent, and their relationship begins to deepen under the cover of ordinary life. The dynamic complicates loyalties on both sides.

February 1983 Radio program location; Yun's residence
8

Rim passes intel about fishing-boat mission

Rim passes intelligence about an upcoming mission to insert South Korean spies into North Korea via a fishing boat to Yun. Yun informs her own handler, 'Blue River', who is a doctor named Song Kyeong-man. The disclosure tightens the web of double agents surrounding Rim.

February 1983 Gangwon Province; Yun's communications
9

Fishing boat mission fails; crew presumed drowned

The fishing-boat insertion mission fails when the boat sinks and all men on board are presumed drowned. The failure triggers a scramble to recover intelligence and reassess sources working with Yun and Rim. The incident deepens the suspicions of both sides toward Rim.

1983 Sea of Korea vicinity
10

Innkeeper alerts police; Song arrested

Returning supplies to a hidden cache, Song and Yun are followed by an innkeeper who becomes suspicious and is killed by Song. The police are alerted, and Song is arrested and captured as part of the widening investigation into North Korean operatives.

1983 Rural South Korea
11

Rim interrogates Song; suicide attempt

Rim interrogates Song, the ranking North Korean agent in South Korea, who resists questioning. Rim beats Song into unconsciousness, and Song later attempts to kill himself, resulting in his hospitalization. The interrogation marks a turning point in Rim's credibility within SK Intelligence.

1983 South Korea; interrogation room and hospital
12

Crackdown and doubts about Rim's reliability

Baek becomes head of South Korean Intelligence and pledges harsher actions against radicals. Rim interrogates a student who had been to East Berlin; the student confesses to being a North Korean agent, but the coerced nature of the confession raises doubts about Rim's reliability and methods. The operation's control metrics come under scrutiny.

1983 South Korea, SK Intelligence HQ
13

Loyalty questioned; Yun's doubts emerge

A North Korean agent questions Rim's commitment to the cause, while Yun begins to have second thoughts about their status as mere tools. It becomes clear that both are being used by their superiors, and their personal loyalties are increasingly at odds with the political agenda.

1983 Seoul / SK Intelligence facilities
14

Yun escapes; Rim's documents; escape plan

Yun is identified by Baek and must escape the country with help from Sean Howard, a British reporter. Rim retrieves secret documents from headquarters and hands them over to Howard, who then arranges Rim's escape to Nagasaki, Japan, and onward to another country. Rim realizes he cannot return to either North or South Korea.

1983 Seoul; Nagasaki, Japan
15

Reunion and death in Rio de Janeiro

In 1985, Rim and Yun reunite in Rio de Janeiro under new identities; Rim works as a fishing-boat crewman while Yun is pregnant. A Brazilian assassin shoots Rim as he stops to help a man with a broken-down car, and Yun waits for his return, left to face an uncertain future.

1985 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:22

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Double Agent

Don't stop at just watching — explore Double Agent in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Double Agent is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Double Agent Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Double Agent, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Double Agent Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Double Agent

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Double Agent. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Double Agent

Double Agent Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Double Agent that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Double Agent Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Double Agent

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Double Agent: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Double Agent

Similar Movies to Double Agent

Discover movies like Double Agent that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.