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Bae Yong-jun, Mi-suk Lee, Jeon Do-yeon, Jo Hyeon-jae, Lee So-yeong ... see more see more... , Ha-kyeong Kim , Lee Mi Suk , Ban-ya Choi , Sang-wu Pyo , So-yeon Lee

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... read more read more..., 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

Flixster Users

64% liked it

2,154 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

30 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 4 min.

Directed by: Je-yong Lee, E J-Yong

Release Date: October 13, 2004

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DVD Release Date: June 7, 2005

Stats: 137 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (137)

  • itsjustme2004
    September 5, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    Dangerous Liaisons...Japanese version. Much better than the American version. Beautifully done.
  • guttersnipe28
    October 4, 2006
    guttersnipe28
    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, moti... read moreves. Advised viewing.
  • fb1144932598
    August 13, 2010
    fb1144932598
    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 o... read moref 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.
  • jusstpete
    May 13, 2012
    jusstpete
    A good version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. The people are prim and proper with wacky hairdos and and funny hats. All of them are beautiful, which makes it more fun and more engaging. It's also interesting as a peek into Korean historical values as they discover Catholicism
  • shanaym12
    September 10, 2011
    shanaym12
    umm, so , a lot of nudity, sex and devious schemes, it's a hole new Gossip girl gone Korean!!!
    I know you are supposed to start to sympathize with Jo-won, but I couldn't, he was still a jerk, just because he finally fell for someone doesn't make him OK, the same goes with Lady... read more Sook, exactly how stupid can a person be? apparently the bar for being stupid was pretty high in 18th century Korea. But Lady Cho deserved worse if you ask me.

    Pardon my slang review or thoughts of the movie, it's just that I expected much more from this movie based on reviews and ratings. I should admit though the movie was well made, the camera angles and lighting, costume design and make up were pretty good, the acting was really good as well, I just wasn't sold on the characters in the story. I would have given it more stars if I didn't find characters somewhat irritating!
  • Catieliz
    June 14, 2010
    Catieliz
    Pretty good retelling on Dangerous Liaisons, but with a Korean twist. Very nicely done, Has some very steamy parts. A must see if you don't mind subtitles.
  • sitenoise
    February 10, 2009
    sitenoise
    A much better version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses than the USA version. The people are prim and proper with wacky hairdos and and funny hats. All of them are beautiful, much better looking, which makes it more fun and more engaging. It's also interesting as a peek into Korean his... read moretorical values as they discover Catholicism. Do-yeon Jeon is fabulous.
  • lkj43
    May 7, 2007
    lkj43
    Dangerous Liasons set in Korea during the 1700's. An interesting take, very well done. It also gives some interesting insights to the time it is set. The confusion the Korean culture sees in how Catholicism is practiced - they don't get that men are seperated from women during wo... read morership and are even more shocked that people aren't seperated by class. Very enjoyable film with some really interesing points to think about.

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Critic Reviews

Michael Booth
January 7, 2005
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. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
December 24, 2004
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Pictorially sumptuous and sexually provocative. Full Review

Ty Burr
November 12, 2004
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Of all the Liaisons adaptations, this may be the most sentimental. Full Review

Kenneth Turan
October 22, 2004
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. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
October 20, 2004
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. Full Review

Robert Dominguez
October 15, 2004
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. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
October 14, 2004
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Worth seeking out.

Derek Elley
October 14, 2004
Derek Elley, Variety

A 10-course treat for the eyes and ears. Full Review

Ed Park
October 12, 2004
Ed Park, Village Voice

E J-Yong's transposition illuminates, with satisfying crispness, the hyper-Confucian high society of the time, as well as the underground Catholic movement. Full Review

Richard James Havis
April 9, 2004
Richard James Havis, Hollywood Reporter

Pallid acting and a general lack of spirit ultimately result in a bland costume drama.

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