Character Relationship Map: Shark: The Beginning

Characters

• Cha Woo-sol (played by Kim Min-seok) — protagonist

  A seasoned veteran of the underground fighting circuit. Serves as a pivotal veteran figure whose combat experience and conflicts help establish the brutal reality of the world the protagonist navigate...

• Jeong Do-hyeon (played by Wi Ha-jun) — protagonist

  The central protagonist and a young, fiercely determined fighter. His journey through the brutal underground scene marks the beginning of his legendary transformation into the figure known as Shark.

• Lee Won-joon (played by Bae Myeong-jin) — supporting

  A supporting fighter who participates in the underground matches. Helps establish the scale and intensity of the combat world through ensemble interactions.

• Han Seong-yong (played by Lee Jung-hyun) — supporting

  A supporting character involved in the fighting ecosystem. Likely serves as a trainer, manager, or seasoned participant providing contextual depth to the fighters' lives.

• Jeong Sang-hyub (played by Cha Yeob) — supporting

  A supporting fighter featured prominently in the action choreography. Adds depth to the ensemble of competitors navigating the brutal underground scene.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Jeong Sang-hyub → Cha Woo-sol (Power Guard And Inmate) — Jeong Sang-hyub is among the guards who stop Cha Woo-sol's fight and direct the inmates to the ground.

  When Cha Woo-sol and Jeong Do-hyeon fight, guards including Jeong Sang-hyub rush in and order everyone to the ground.

• Jeong Sang-hyub → Jeong Do-hyeon (Power Guard And Inmate) — Jeong Sang-hyub helps enforce prison authority by intervening in the fight and ordering Jeong Do-hyeon and the others to the ground.

  During the dangerously intense fight between Jeong Do-hyeon and Cha Woo-sol, guards including Jeong Sang-hyub rush in and order everyone to the ground...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Jeong Do-hyeon → Han Seong-yong (Conflict Rival Powerholders) — Han holds authority as a prison captain, while Jeong is established as the prison's strongest inmate.

  Han Seong-yong is described as a bakery captain who commands fear and respect, but the account says he does not compare with Jeong Do-hyeon in strengt...

• Jeong Do-hyeon → Lee Won-joon (Conflict Rival Powerholders) — Lee commands fear in the prison hierarchy, while Jeong's strength places him above the established captains.

  The prison hierarchy identifies Lee Won-joon as a violent carpentry captain, but states that neither he nor Han Seong-yong compares with Jeong Do-hyeo...

• Jeong Do-hyeon → Cha Woo-sol (Alliance Reluctant Mentor And Friend) — Jeong trains Cha and intervenes when he is in danger; their relationship shifts from harsh distance and rivalry toward mutual regard.

  Cha Woo-sol asks Jeong Do-hyeon to help him become stronger, and Jeong agrees on the condition that Cha accepts exhausting training. Jeong later inter...

Story Analysis

Inside a prison governed by force, Cha Woo-sol trains under Jeong Do-hyeon and changes from a vulnerable target into someone willing to face violence.

Plot Progression

1. Prison Hierarchy and Arrival — News coverage establishes Jeong Do-hyeon's imprisonment and his position as the strongest inmate. Cha Woo-sol arrives, becomes a target, and is moved into Jeong's room, heightening tensions.
2. A Choice to Become Stronger — Cha asks Jeong to train him so he will not keep running from violence. The exhausting routine tests Cha, who persists despite pain and humiliation.
3. Training Meets Prison Conflict — Cha grows more confident and less willing to submit to bullies. Inmates use him to provoke Jeong, and Jeong's intervention exposes the fragile balance between prison groups.
4. A Fight and a Truce — Cha challenges Jeong over a promise linked to their rivalry, and their fight becomes dangerously intense. Guards stop them, after which Cha, Jeong, Lee, and Han agree to stop fighting until release.