Perfect Proposal

Perfect Proposal

Year: 2015

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Yoon Jae-goo

CrimeDramaThriller

A young woman burdened by debt concocts a clever plan. She accepts a marriage proposal from a charming man who arranges for her to work on a luxury yacht. Her mission is to gain the trust of the yacht’s owner, the elderly and demanding chairman of a major corporation, and subtly influence him to secure a share of his considerable wealth.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Perfect Proposal 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 – Perfect Proposal (2015)

Trace every key event in Perfect Proposal (2015) 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

Debt drives Ji-yeon into a new life as Jenny Yoo

Ji-yeon, a recent Korean university graduate, loses her money after a coworker steals her credit card. Facing mounting debt, she takes a job as a waiter in a Macanese bar under the alias Jenny Yoo. This setback sets the plot in motion by pushing her toward a high-risk arrangement.

early story Macau, Macanese bar
2

A bold plan through a staged interview

A Macanese friend sets up a job interview with Sung-yeol, the son of a powerful casino chairman. Sung-yeol proposes that Ji-yeon marry Seok-gu to secure a fortune, a scheme designed to change her life in one stroke. Ji-yeon agrees, aware of the danger and the stakes involved.

shortly after first encounter Macau
3

Ji-yeon becomes Seok-gu's bride-to-be

Sung-yeol's plan takes shape as Ji-yeon accepts her new role to inherit Seok-gu's property. She moves deeper into his world, balancing her feigned loyalty with growing doubts. The arrangement sets the stage for a life-changing inheritance.

shortly after interview Macau
4

Entering the inner circle: the yacht entourage

Ji-yeon arrives on Seok-gu's yacht and joins his close circle, including Captain Park, the pet caretakers, and loyal guards. She endures Seok-gu's sharp tongue while learning his routines. The setting reveals the opulence and danger surrounding the plan.

immediately after joining entourage Seok-gu's yacht
5

Ji-yeon imitates Seok-gu's rituals, earning trust

Under Seok-gu's constant berating, Ji-yeon begins mirroring the rhythms and rituals of his late wife. Her gradual adherence to the old patterns awakens a gentler side in him, including a piano hobby he had shelved after family tragedy. The transformation deepens their uneasy bond.

weeks into arrangement Seok-gu's yacht
6

A forbidden romance blooms

As Ji-yeon settles into her charade, she finds solace and begins to fall for Sung-yeol. Their secret affection complicates the ruse and adds personal risk as Khan quietly watches from the shadows. The romance raises the emotional stakes for everyone involved.

during arrangement Seok-gu's yacht
7

The wedding proposal and a will that includes her

Seok-gu unexpectedly proposes to Ji-yeon and reveals that his will has been modified to include her name. Sung-yeol's remark that he has 90% work but 10% luck hints at deeper envy and a ruthless plan to secure control. The proposal seals the commitment but sows the seeds of betrayal.

the day after confession Seok-gu's yacht
8

The Cinderella nickname at the wedding

At the wedding reception, Seok-gu nicknames Ji-yeon 'Cinderella,' a label that sits uncomfortably with the mounting tension. The celebration masks the ominous undercurrents of the inheritance scheme. The moment foreshadows the tragedy to come.

after wedding Seok-gu's yacht
9

Seok-gu dies; the plan races toward Busan

The night after the wedding, Seok-gu dies under mysterious circumstances. Ji-yeon and the entourage hurry to Busan so Sung-yeol can sign his father's modified will, trying to salvage the inheritance scheme. The sudden death plunges the operation into a crisis of truth and cover-up.

night after wedding En route to Busan
10

Ji-yeon is arrested; the murder plot unravels

Ji-yeon is arrested and accused of murder, realizing that Sung-yeol planned to exploit her position to claim a 90% stake of the estate while giving only a token portion to charity. The trap tightens as she confronts the possibility that she has been manipulated from the start. The investigation marks a turning point in the power struggle.

shortly after Seok-gu's death Busan, police station
11

The truth surfaced: dog's camera and Khan's death

The chihuahua's hidden camera reveals the real killer: Sung-yeol, not Ji-yeon. Khan, the only witness who might expose the truth, is silenced and dies, removing his ability to testify. The evidence is concealed, keeping Sung-yeol's scheme intact for the moment.

after arrest Yacht and surrounding area
12

Inheritance secured; prison visit and confession

With Khan dead and the truth largely hidden, Ji-yeon receives Seok-gu's casino empire as her inheritance. She eventually visits Sung-yeol in prison, where he admits he never loved her and that he orchestrated Cinderella to seize power. Ji-yeon walks away with a quiet smile, having secured her future as Sung-yeol faces consequences.

after final confrontation Macau / prison

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:45

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Characters trapped in luxurious settings, forced to maintain a dangerous facade.If you liked the tense dynamic of Perfect Proposal, explore more movies where characters are trapped in a 'gilded cage'. These films feature outsiders who must gain the trust of the wealthy and powerful through deception, leading to high-stakes psychological pressure.

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These narratives typically follow an outsider who, driven by desperation or ambition, gains entry into an opulent but restrictive environment (a mansion, a corporation, a luxury vessel). Their survival depends on manipulating a powerful figure, creating a constant state of high-stakes psychological tension as they balance their true motives with the persona they've constructed.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character's descent into a criminal or deeply unethical scheme as a solution to extreme desperation. While the plan may technically succeed, the emotional journey involves betrayal, loss, and moral decay. The conclusion offers material gain but is shadowed by the heavy emotional and ethical price paid, resulting in a victory that feels like a defeat.

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These movies are united by their exploration of the cost of ambition and desperation. They deliver a specific, complex emotional payoff: the protagonist gets what they wanted, but not what they needed, leaving the audience with a feeling of poignant emptiness rather than clear-cut triumph.

Unlock the Full Story of Perfect Proposal

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Perfect Proposal Summary

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Perfect Proposal Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Perfect Proposal

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Perfect Proposal

Perfect Proposal Spoiler-Free Summary

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Perfect Proposal Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Perfect Proposal

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