Untold Scandal is a Korean version of the French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses. The novel has been filmed several times – the version that comes to mind is Stephen Frear’s 1988 Dangerous Liaisons with the megastar cast of Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves.

What makes Untold Scandal different is the Korean settings. The perfectly recreated 18th century buildings and costumes cost a fortune, and it really shows on the screen. This version is also quite a bit more spicy, than Frear’s version, which undoubtably helped in making the film a big hit in Korea. If you want the DVD, you should try to get hold of the Limited Special Edition, which includes a very nice little hardcover book with original sexy/erotic paintings.

For those of you, who are not familiar with the story: This is the end of the Chosun dynasty. A period when rigid Confucianism clashed with new beliefs.

Lady Cho resents the limited life a woman must lead, even a brilliant one. A devoted wife, who has secret affairs. Her cousin Jo-won just wants sex with as many women, as he can seduce – even though he is an accomplished scholar. His first love, Lady Cho asks him to deflower innocent young Soh-ok, who is to become her husbands concubine. But he finds the virtous widow Lady Sook (who has remained celibate for nine years after her husbands death) much more of a challenge. How will it end, when the greatest playboy sets out to conquer the most virtous woman?

Uffe Stegmann
March 17, 2004

GALLERY