UrbanWire

Behind rolled screen doors and beneath layers of Hanbok fabric lie a tale of an yet unexposed scandal, of the amorous wanton sexual desires among the noble class during the Choson Dynasty in Korea. Untold Scandal is a very sexy Oriental version of Choderlos de Laclos's 18th century classic novel Dangerous Liaisons[originally Les Liaisons Dangereuses].

Lady Cho (Lee Mi-Sok) plots her revenge on her husband for taking a 16-year-old concubine Soh Ok (Lee Soh Yeon). She approaches her notoriously lascivious scholar-artist cousin Lord Jo-Won (Bae Yong-Jun) to conspire and seduce the wide-eyed virgin.
However, a teen maiden with high sexual curiosity is too easy to deflower for the experienced Casanova and he initially drops Lady Cho's offer to hunt the extremely shy and reserved widow Lady Sook (Jeon Do-Yeon) whose husband passed away unfortunately before consummation of their marriage instead. Lord Jo Won tries to coax his way through her ferociously guarded virginity; known in the movie as "The Gates of Chastity".

The story takes a turn for an even more scandalous route when the concubine-to-be, falls prey to Jo Won's smooth talking and tumbles straight into his bed. At the same time, Lady Cho works her charms with much ease on the young admirer of Soh Ok, ensnaring the 2 innocent lovers into her conspiracy web.

The film, an Asian update of the Glenn Close-John Malkovich-Michelle Pfeiffer production in 1988, debuted in Korea with 1.12 million viewers, setting a new record in Korea's movie industry for the most online and theatre pre-order sales and best weekend box office. Considered to be director E J-Yong's most daring movie since his debut breakthrough in An Affair 1998, Untold Scandal features stunning art direction in its painful attempts to capture the beauty of the 18th century period.
A lavish court meal is served in identical mini silver platters, separating the 30 dishes into a feast of colour and texture. In a similar detailed replication, Lady Cho applies her make-up from a tray of exquisitely polished porcelain containers containing vibrant coloured pigments with a row of delicate sable-hair brushes.
The traditionally sombre colours of the Hanbok are put away and the entire setting is brought to life with vibrant reds and yellows, rich purples and greens set against the traditional Korean backdrop of white paper screens, straw mats and a lush garden landscape.

With all the efforts in recreating a compelling sexual tale in a period film, perhaps it isn't surprising that The Straits Times reported an astounding approximate S$3 million was spent on props and costumes alone. Set in quiet surroundings with the occasional water droplet and swish of the Hanbok, the scandalous on-goings in the noble houses are directed with such flawless grace that all the elements flow with impeccable poise into a peaceful tapestry of intense mixed emotions.
Korean television heartthrob Bae Yong Jun is highly convincing in his debut big screen performance as a talented scholar and lead actresses Lee Mi Sok and Jeon Do Yeon portray their characters with accurate expressions and elegance, earning their roles as the leading ladies of the film.

Lee Mi-Sok plays the villainess character with equal spite, repose and grace as seen in Glenn Close as the Marquise De Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons. Jeon Do Yeon and Lee Soh Yeon flow into their roles swift as Michelle Pfeiffer and Uma Thurman do as virtuous, unsuspecting victims to the elaborate conspiracies among the aristocracy.
Untold Scandal is a seductive peek into the restless sexual desires of the Korean nobility and the intense passion that seethes beneath seemingly cold and aloof facades.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars