Untold Scandal (2003)

87% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(2,154 ratings)

Writer/director E J-Yong transposes Choderlos de Laclo's novel Dangerous Liaisons to Korea during the repressive 18th century Chosun Dynasty for his costume drama, Untold Scandal. Lady Cho (Lee Mi-Suk, who also starred in Yong's debut, An Affair) decides to get revenge on her husband when he… More Writer/director E J-Yong transposes Choderlos de Laclo's novel Dangerous Liaisons to Korea during the repressive 18th century Chosun Dynasty for his costume drama, Untold Scandal. Lady Cho (Lee Mi-Suk, who also starred in Yong's debut, An Affair) decides to get revenge on her husband when he procures the services of a young, virginal concubine, Lee Soh-ok (Lee So-yeong). She asks her womanizing cousin, Jo-won (Korean television superstar Bae Yong-Jun, in his first starring role in a feature film), to seduce the girl and impregnate her. Cho-won doesn't see this as enough of a challenge. He has his sights set on an honorable young widow, Lady Sook (Jeon Do-Yeon), nicknamed "The Gate of Chastity." Lady Cho makes a wager with Jo-won, offering herself to him if he provides proof that he has succeeded in seducing the widow. While Jo-won struggles to ingratiate himself to Lady Sook, manipulating her handmaiden, and donating money to her Catholic church, Lady Cho works to get the innocent Soh-ok in trouble. But things take an unexpected turn when Lord Jo-won begins to develop genuine feelings for his prey. Untold Scandal was a huge box-office success in Korea, and it was shown at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art as part of the 2004 edition of New Directors/New Films. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 4 min.
Directed By: Je-yong Lee, E J-Yong
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 13, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Jun 7, 2005
Studio: Kino

Critic Reviews

Michael Booth, Denver Post
Adds a vibrant cultural framework to a familiar story, and it turns out nothing becomes a legend like an Asian makeover.
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Pictorially sumptuous and sexually provocative.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Of all the Liaisons adaptations, this may be the most sentimental.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Choderlos de Laclos' novel has survived this long for a reason, and Untold Scandal shows us exactly what that is.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Every attempt I have seen to adapt it on film -- Dangerous Liaisons, Cruel Intentions, even the trashy 1959 Roger Vadim version -- has resulted in an entertainment of agreeable nasty elegance. Until now.
Robert Dominguez, New York Daily News
Korean director Je-yong Lee puts a compelling cross-cultural spin on a familiar plot in this erotic, Eastern adaptation of the Chodelos de Laclos' 1782 French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
If you've never seen another version and love costume drama, this is the one to see. If you have, you'll probably find it frustrating.
Matthew Smith, Film Journal International
Untold Scandal, the latest screen adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses is a stylish, cool and detached interpretation of an overworked text.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Handsome production values, solid ensemble performances and explorations of Far Eastern civilization.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
Among the many movie versions of this tale, Untold Scandal is one of the most visually arresting.
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
A Frenchman may have thought of the story first, but this Korean film pays tribute to the original while perfectly standing on its own.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
A gorgeous setting and ferociously charming cast add unexpected depths to this scalding saga of manipulation.
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
An elegant yet unassuming variation [Les Liaisons Dangereuses].
James Verniere, Boston Herald
Doesn't have anything new to add to de Laclos' text, but it is an interesting and worthwhile cultural variation on his immortal theme.
Wade Major, Boxoffice Magazine
Anyone coming to the tale for the first time will not be disappointed--the fierce emotions and devious plot machinations are every bit as effective here as in either the Frears or Forman films.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Dangerous Liaisons...Japanese version. Much better than the American version. Beautifully done.
Antony S

A marvellous adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the best so far. Steady assured direction and brilliant performances help to elevate this Korean version very highly. Also the only one that really slashes deep with regards to the characters' despicable, but wholly human,… More
A marvellous adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the best so far. Steady assured direction and brilliant performances help to elevate this Korean version very highly. Also the only one that really slashes deep with regards to the characters' despicable, but wholly human, motives. Advised viewing.
Mark A

A very sensual, and beautifully filmed version of the Dangerous Liaisons story, with a Romeo and Juliet twist, from Korean director, Je-Yong Lee. The cast is superb, the script is crisp, and the cinematography is just breathtaking. Scene after scene unfolds, revealing the depth of… More
A very sensual, and beautifully filmed version of the Dangerous Liaisons story, with a Romeo and Juliet twist, from Korean director, Je-Yong Lee. The cast is superb, the script is crisp, and the cinematography is just breathtaking. Scene after scene unfolds, revealing the depth of depravity of the two main leads, Lady Cho (Lee Mi-Suk) and Cho-won (Bae Yong-Jun), as they play their games for keeps. And yet, not all is darkness and intrigue. We get to see their humanity as well, although in Lady Cho's case, it is only a brief tiny glimpse. One can easily imagine Melody Gardot's song, "Your Heart is as Black as Night" would be a fitting theme song for this. Strangely, as others have mentioned the soundtrack draws heavily on Western Classical music. Surprisingly, it fits. Nearly perfect.