Untold Scandal

Star Review

An adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses playing out in Korea, thus proving beastly behaviour knows no boundaries. “Books are just books,” one character in Untold Scandal insists, but the sensual qualities of the cinema are uniquely suited to the retelling of stories like these.
Once again, it’s the tragi-romantic tale of two people who can only express their love for one another by screwing other people over.

The plan to besmirch the good name of several female court rivals is here concocted by Lady Cho (Lee Mi-Sook) and carried out by Cho Won (Bae Young-Jun), a serial swordsman in a phallic stove hat. Cue a series of seductions, in which every line has a second or hidden meaning to be addressed or undressed.

In its emphasis on custom and formalities - the painting of lips, the pomading of hair - E-J Yong’s film often resembles The Age of Innocence more than the last Laclos adaptation, the American teen pic Cruel Intentions. It may be that this story translates especially well to Korean society - traditionally “polite”, where even the act of lying on
one’s stomach in company is considered unseemly - because the eventual rips in the social fabric are all the more apparent.

Suitably for a film about desire, everyone looks fantastic framed against natural settings in full blossom. Bae Yong-Jun and Lee Mi-Sook are imperious, but the acting honours are taken by Jun Do-Youn as Lady Sook, making her character’s chastity interesting and principled rather
than teasing or a turn-off.

Untold Scandal is, nonetheless, a sexier version of this story than any of the Cruel Intentions films, with some of the bawdiness of another recent Korean period piece, Chihwaeseon, but it has a real cold snap of tragedy in its final scenes as the protagonists’ hearts freeze over with the realisation of what’s been done to them.

Mike McCahill on 10th July 2005

View all 124 of Mike McCahill’s reviews

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Film Description

A sumptuous adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses set in aristocratic 18th century Korea towards the end of the Chosun Dynasty. Lady Cho sets a challenge for her sexually predatory cousin to seduce a young virgin who is to become her husband's concubine. If he succeeds, she will offer herself up as a prize. If he fails, he must live out his life as a monk. Erotic, mysterious and poignant.

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DVD Extras

• Theatrical trailer
• Stills gallery.

Film Details

Cast

Bae Young-jun

Technical Details