(played by Ju Ji-hoon) and his father, who manipulate the king's madness to seize power. Core Narrative and Historical Context Set in the early 16th century during the Joseon Dynasty
History confirms that the king turned the prestigious Sungkyunkwan royal academy into a personal pleasure house, matching the level of corruption depicted on screen. 💬 The IMDb Audience Divide
While The Treacherous was shocking audiences, the year 2015 also marked a shift in how users experienced the site itself. This period was the beginning of the end for the "Old IMDb" that many veterans miss today:
Full frontal nudity and highly choreographed group intimacy. Intense psychological and physical coercion. Depictions of extreme royal cruelty and execution methods. the treacherous 2015 imdb
and elaborate palace sets to recreate late 15th-century Korea. Visual Style : Reviewers on The Treacherous (2015) - IMDb
Delivers a terrifying performance as a ruler teetering between childlike vulnerability and monstrous sadism.
: The production utilized a massive budget to recreate 15th-century Korea, featuring elaborate costumes, large-scale palace sets, and over 10,000 extras. This visual opulence stands in jarring contrast to the moral decay of the characters, creating a "disturbing yet you cannot look away" atmosphere. (played by Ju Ji-hoon) and his father, who
"The Treacherous" (2015) is a cinematic masterpiece that has left an indelible mark on Korean cinema and IMDB. With its engaging narrative, impressive production values, and memorable performances, the film has become a cult classic, enthralling audiences and inspiring new perspectives on Korean history and culture.
Another user, while also rating it 6/10, argues that the visual directing deserves higher praise. They highlight how elements like water and the color red are used effectively throughout the film. And a third reviewer, writing in Hindi on IMDb, notes: “The mood is dark and morbid … the story itself was intriguing and makes you want to finish the movie”.
. He appoints a seemingly loyal retainer, Im Sung-jae, to round up over 10,000 beautiful women from across the country for his own pleasure. Among these women is Dan-hee, a low-class butcher seeking vengeance, who enters the palace and becomes entangled in a dangerous game of lust and political manipulation Cast & Crew Ju Ji-hoon as Im Sung-jae Kim Kang-woo as King Yeonsan Lim Ji-yeon as Dan-hee Lee Yoo-young as Seol-jung-mae Chun Ho-jin as Im Sa-hong Production & Controversy Visual Extravagance: This period was the beginning of the end
The real treasure of the film might not be in its story, but in the discourse it creates. In the end, whether it's a masterpiece or a mess is for you to decide.
, often cited as the most tyrannical ruler in Korean history. Directed by Min Kyu-dong , the film centers on the "treacherous subjects" Im Sung-jae
The film has even been compared to notorious productions like Caligula —a label that, in many film circles, carries as much stigma as praise. One German-language reviewer on Letterboxd described it as “Caligula auf Koreanisch – UNCUT!”.
