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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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