What makes it different from others?

Purely Joyful Movie!

From my favorite movies..

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Now this movie is based on "Les Liaisons dangereuses". And the story this movie takes place is in Joseon Dynasty in Korea. But I couldn't help but think of the movie "She's All That" except this one goes in a more serious and sexual direction. Which the book has and this delivers for the most part. But falls flat in other areas as well. But did a good job of incorporating the classic sexual tale into taking place during the 18th century Korea. Bae Yong-jun plays the flirtatious seducer that picks on the weak minded girls and woman. I am not a fan of Bae Yong-jun and this movie didn't make me have a different thought about the actor. But I still think he fit the this role quite nicely. Bae Yong-jun's character pulls all the tricks up his sleeves in order to seduce someone for a bet. Who is a this virtuous woman that is difficult to tempt. But the chemistry between the two leads just didn't seem all that strong or leaves a presence. Even if it's one sided for quite a while. The build up is a bit weak for the most part. And thus made the ending less impactful and believable. As a matter of fact a lot of the areas just seemed a bit rushed and not developed well, especially the ending. It's a tragedy shown in a kinda bleak manner, it's a alright watch at least once.4.6/10

Moving this story from the French aristocracy to the Korean during Chosen dynasty when everyone held up a mask of decency in daytime and let it fall together with the hanbok at night was quite the trick to re-liven this story. Everything is done so well from the flow to the brilliant actresses/actors. Most notably is Lee Mi-suk as the sly older cousin/fox. The backdrop of Korean castles is quite fitting, and as they sneak around at night like teenagers we sit on the edge of the seat hoping they wouldn't get caught. The charm of "Jeon-sama" is lost on me, but I know it wouldn't be for hordes of "women in their best age". So if you're one of those, catch it!! Must be a big hit in all of East-Asia now.

*** May contain spoilers. ***Certainly, serious talent and skill came to bare in producing SCANDAL - JOSEON NAMNYEO SANGYEOLJISA (UNTOLD SCANDAL). The photography and direction are far above average. Set design, costumes, acting and music are all blended together with polish and flare. Unfortunately, the story does not ring true. Surely in his life the seducer would have come across young ladies far, far, more innocent and sincere than the lady he sort of comes to love. There was nothing unique or special about her. In fact, she was so distrustful that she seemed more worldly than many. And that the seducer left her to seek sex with his kissing cousin points more to him never loving her at all.Another problem is that all of the seduced young people in this film are always exactly dumb enough or inert enough to be tricked at every turn. The seduced people were boring puppets.The story is introduced from a fictional book, and is told from the dead seducer's point of view (using his voice over at the end). The story is clearly presented as a unbelievable fantasy. Professional reviewers see UNTOLD SCANDAL as being a comedy? I agree with the amateur reviewers -- UNTOLD SCANDAL is a comedy for sadists. The fantasy is ugly and unpleasant. It is entertainment for the cruel.Apply the photography, direction, acting, set design, costumes and music to a better story, and then we could have a world class movie.

"Untold Scandal (Joseon namnyeo sangyeoljisa)" is the best all-around adaptation of "Les Liaisons dangereuses." Others have struck the right note with singular elements, but went flat on others. This has terrific, believable, very attractive casting -- from the young love-struck innocents to the older central cynics; an appropriate mise en scene of a rigid society with strict, hypocritical rules about women's behavior, here 18th century Korea; the epistolary format of the original to drive the machinations, helped by beautiful calligraphy and even writing positions; a varying tone that ranges from Shakespearean romantic comic bashing of human foibles to the diabolical thrusts that playing with people's hearts can really hurt, particularly communicated through the changing tone of the music. This very frank version is particularly good at closely examining the full ramifications of lust vs. love, chastity vs. celibacy, experience vs. naivete, foreplay vs. consummation, and of course, men vs. women. This is a battle of the sexes with a lot of sex. While it is a bit slow, the lush costumes, production design and settings fill the eye. Though the opening credits are translated into English, the closing ones aren't -- but you must stay past them as the plot concludes devilishly with closing images that demonstrate that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I wasn't sure about the accuracy of the English subtitles in describing the familial relationships among the characters as I was a bit confused about who was an in-law of whom how.