The Treacherous 2015 Imdb
Released on May 21, 2015 The Treacherous (Korean title: ) is a South Korean historical drama directed by Min Kyoo-dong . It is based on the true historical events of the infamous King Yeonsan-gun
of the Joseon Dynasty, known for his tyranny and carnal excesses. Core Plot & Summary Tyranny and Lust
: The film follows the story of King Yeonsan, a ruler who exploits his subjects to satisfy his personal desires. He orders his beauty recruit officers to gather over 10,000 women from across the country for his court. The Power Behind the Throne : Seemingly loyal retainers, specifically the ambitious Im Sung-jae
, control the King and court dealings by manipulating his obsessions. A Quest for Vengeance
: Amidst the corruption, a mysterious woman enters the palace seeking revenge against the tyrant. Film Production & Style : The production utilized over 10,000 extras
and elaborate palace sets to recreate late 15th-century Korea. Visual Style : Reviewers on The Treacherous (2015) - IMDb
highlight its "outstanding production values," "great visual style," and "beautiful" cinematography. Controversy : The film is noted for its explicit content
, depicting severe sexual decadence, coerced acts, and political corruption, which drew both fascination and criticism. Cast & Crew : Min Kyoo-dong. Ju Ji-hoon as Im Sung-jae. Kim Kang-woo as King Yeonsan-gun. Lim Ji-yeon as Dan-hee. Lee Yoo-young as Seol-jung-mae. Reception & Performance Box Office : The film grossed approximately ₩8.92 billion (US$8.09 million) with 1.11 million admissions in South Korea. Critical Feedback
: Audiences described it as an "audacious" and "abrasive" film that balances being a historical drama with an "erotic art film" style. Parents Guide (Warning) ratings for content categorize it as for nudity, sexual violence, and graphic gore. or more details on the historical accuracy of King Yeonsan's reign? The Treacherous (2015) - IMDb
The Treacherous an audacious South Korean historical drama that explores the tyranny, sexual decadence, and political corruption of the Joseon court under King Yeonsan-gun . Directed by Min Kyu-dong
, the film is noted for its extreme content, visually opulent production, and controversial depiction of historical events. Core Production Details Min Kyu-dong.
Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Kang-woo, Lim Ji-yeon, Lee Yoo-young, and Chun Ho-jin. Release Date: May 21, 2015. Production Values:
Features elaborate costumes, large-scale sets, and over 10,000 extras. Box Office: Grossed approximately US$8.09 million with 1.11 million admissions in South Korea. Plot Summary
Set in the early 16th century, the film centers on the infamous tyrant King Yeonsan (Kim Kang-woo), who descends into madness following the death of his mother. The Scheme: The King appoints his longtime friend Im Sung-jae
(Ju Ji-hoon) and his father as "Beauty Scout Officers" to round up 10,000 beautiful women from across the country to serve as his concubines. The Training:
Abducted women, including commoners and noblewomen, undergo rigorous and degrading sexual training to compete for the King’s favor. The Conflict: Amidst this chaos, a vengeful woman named
(Lim Ji-yeon) infiltrates the palace with a hidden agenda, eventually leading to a complex web of love, betrayal, and political rebellion. Critical Reception & Viewer Discretion The Treacherous (2015) by Min Gyoo-dong Film Review - IMDb
Min Kyoo-dong’s 2015 film, The Treacherous, is an audacious and visually extravagant historical drama that dives into the darkest excesses of the Joseon Dynasty. Set during the reign of King Yeonsan-gun—widely regarded as one of Korea's most cruel and tyrannical rulers—the movie explores how power, when left unchecked, spirals into a morbid display of depravity and corruption.
The film centers on the infamous true historical event where the King ordered the recruitment of over 10,000 women from across the kingdom to serve his carnal desires. While the premise might suggest a typical erotic period piece, critics and audiences on IMDb note that the tone is far more dark and morbid, prioritizing a violent, high-stakes political narrative over simple titillation. Key Themes and Execution
Political Manipulation: The story follows a pair of sycophantic father-and-son advisors who use the King’s lust as a tool to consolidate their own power. They orchestrate the mass "recruitment" as a twisted means of controlling the kingdom, highlighting the "treachery" inherent in the title.
Visual Grandeur vs. Moral Decay: 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. the treacherous 2015 imdb
A Story of Revenge: Amidst the corruption, the plot introduces a woman seeking revenge against the tyrant. Her presence adds a layer of tension to the training sequences, where thousands of women are forced to compete for the King’s favor. Critical Reception
On IMDb, the film is frequently described as a difficult watch due to its explicit depictions of violence and sexual exploitation. However, its dedication to historical accuracy regarding the King's infamous purges and the sheer scale of its production make it a notable entry in modern South Korean historical epics.
Ultimately, The Treacherous serves as a grim meditation on the corruption of the human soul. It portrays a world where everyone—from the mad King to his scheming advisors—is trapped in a cycle of exploitation, making it a polarizing but intriguing cinematic experience. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more The Treacherous - Kviff.com
In 2015, the "treachery" on IMDb wasn't a corporate scandal, but a cinematic one. The South Korean film The Treacherous
was released that year, earning its title—and a lasting reputation—by chronicling the depravity of the Joseon Dynasty’s most infamous tyrant, King Yeonsan. A Tale of Real-World Tyranny
The film isn't just a fictional thriller; it is based on the historic Second Literati Purge of 1504. It follows the "most traitorous men alive," Minister Im Soon-jae and his father, who served as the king's retainers. To please the mad monarch, they rounded up over 10,000 women from across the country to serve as "pleasure-seekers" for the court, using this forced gathering to consolidate their own political power. The IMDb Reception: Visuals vs. Violence
On its IMDb title page, the film remains a lightning rod for debate. Its "treacherous" nature extends to its graphic content, which IMDb users frequently highlight in reviews and the Parents Guide:
Visual Grandeur: Critics and users on IMDb praise the "visually extravagant" production, featuring elaborate palace sets and authentic 15th-century costumes.
Graphic Content: The film earned a "Severe" rating for violence and sexual content. Reviewers often compare it to the controversial 1979 film Caligula, noting that while the story of vengeance is intriguing, the sheer brutality can make it a "difficult watch".
Historical Purge: IMDb’s trivia section details the grim historical reality the film depicts, including the King's brutal executions of concubines and court officials. Why 2015 Was a Turning Point for IMDb
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:
The Rise of Review Bombing: 2015 saw an increase in "blind voting," where fans or detractors would rate films 1/10 or 10/10 before they even premiered, a trend that continues to plague the platform's reliability.
The Message Board Liability: During this time, the infamous message boards—which would eventually be shuttered in 2017—were becoming increasingly toxic, with some critics labeling them "home to pointless and hateful commentary".
Design Shift: 2015-era users began to feel the first pushes toward a "mobile-first" layout that prioritized flashy visuals over the dense, data-heavy lists that researchers relied on. IMDb Is Shutting Down Its Discussion Boards - Variety
4. Analysis of IMDb Reception
The IMDb metrics for The Treacherous provide a fascinating case study in audience psychology.
A. The Demographic Split Data from IMDb typically shows a correlation between age, gender, and rating. Often, films with strong sexual violence or perceived misogyny show a split between male and female viewers. In the case of The Treacherous, the ratings suggest a struggle to categorize the film. Users expecting a traditional historical drama were bored by the lack of political nuance, while users expecting an erotic film were alienated by the underlying darkness.
B. The "User Review" Dichotomy A textual analysis of the top user reviews on IMDb reveals two distinct camps:
- The "Flesh" Critics: Many negative reviews
The Treacherous (2015) is an audacious South Korean historical drama
that delves into the decadence and corruption of the Joseon court under the infamous tyrant King Yeonsan Core Movie Details The Treacherous (Korean title: Release Date: 21 May 2015 IMDb Rating: 7.1/10 (based on roughly 2,000 user scores) Min Kyu-dong 2 hours 13 minutes Historical, Political Drama, Mature
Based on real historical events, the film follows the 10th King of Joseon, Yeonsan-gun, who is depicted as an insane tyrant Released on May 21, 2015 The Treacherous (Korean
. 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:
The film featured elaborate costumes, massive palace sets, and thousands of extras to recreate the 15th-century atmosphere. Mature Content: It carries a restricted (R) rating
due to its explicit depictions of sexual content, nudity, and violence, which drew both fascination and controversy upon its release. Box Office: It grossed approximately US$8.09 million in South Korea. of King Yeonsan or specific streaming options for this movie? The Treacherous (2015) - IMDb
The Treacherous (2015) is a visually opulent but highly polarizing South Korean historical drama that delves into the depravity of the Joseon court under the tyrant King Yeonsan. On IMDb, reviewers frequently describe it as a "mixed bag" that combines stunning production values with content that is often difficult to digest. Key Reviewer Highlights
Visual Grandeur: Many users praise the film's "audacious and visually extravagant" style, noting the elaborate costumes, large-scale palace sets, and beautiful cinematography.
Intense Performances: Kim Kang-woo’s portrayal of the "mad king" is often called "ridiculous" or "over the top," swinging between maniacal laughter and intense grief. Ju Ji-hoon is credited with a more restrained, solid performance as the lead retainer.
Extreme Content: The film is notorious for its "unflinching violence and sex". Some find the "training" sequences for the 10,000 recruited women to be "hilarious" or "captivating," while others view them as "excessively disturbing" and "abrasive".
Tonal Shifts: Reviewers frequently mention "wild tonal shifts," where the movie jumps from political intrigue to graphic horror and then to dark comedy. Content Advisory
According to the IMDb Parents Guide, the film contains severe depictions of: The Treacherous (2015) - IMDb
The 2015 South Korean period drama The Treacherous remains one of the most polarizing films in modern Asian cinema. Directed by Min Kyu-dong, this visually stunning yet unflinchingly brutal film delves into the reign of King Yeonsan, widely considered the worst tyrant in the history of the Joseon Dynasty. For viewers discovering the film today, its IMDb rating and user reviews offer a fascinating glimpse into a cinematic experience that pushes the boundaries of historical drama, eroticism, and psychological horror.
Here is a deep dive into The Treacherous, its historical context, and why its IMDb presence continues to generate passionate debate among film enthusiasts. 🎬 The Plot: Power, Madness, and 10,000 Women
Set in the early 16th century, the film follows the real-life historical figure King Yeonsan (played with terrifying intensity by Kim Kang-woo). Traumatized by the execution of his mother, the king descends into madness and extreme debauchery.
To exploit the king's instability, the treacherous courtier Im Sung-jae (Ju Ji-hoon) and his father propose a plan: they will scour the country to gather 10,000 beautiful women to serve the king. Under the guise of training them in the arts of pleasure, the courtiers manipulate the women and the monarch to seize ultimate control of the royal court.
At the center of this chaos is Dan-hee (Lim Ji-yeon), a mysterious woman who enters the palace with a hidden, vengeful agenda against the king. 📊 Decoding the IMDb Reception
On IMDb, The Treacherous holds a score that reflects its highly divisive nature. Rather than a universal consensus, the ratings are a battleground between those who view it as a masterpiece of dark historical drama and those who find it excessively graphic. 🌟 Why Fans Rate it Highly
Stunning Visuals and Cinematography: The film is undeniably gorgeous. From the intricate Joseon-era costumes to the meticulously designed palace sets, every frame is a work of art.
Powerhouse Performances: Kim Kang-woo’s portrayal of the deranged king is frequently cited as a career-defining performance. Ju Ji-hoon also receives immense praise for playing a complex, morally grey protagonist.
Uncompromising Narrative: Unlike many sanitized historical dramas, this film does not shy away from the horrific realities of absolute power and historical accounts of Yeonsan's reign. 🛑 Why It Gets Low Ratings
Extreme Graphic Content: The film contains intense violence, gore, and highly explicit sexual situations. Many IMDb users warn that it crosses the line into being deeply disturbing.
Melodramatic Tones: Some Western viewers find the shift between brutal political maneuvering and intense emotional melodrama to be jarring. 📜 Historical Fact vs. Cinematic Fiction The "Flesh" Critics: Many negative reviews
One of the reasons The Treacherous feels so extreme is that it is heavily based on true historical records. The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty document King Yeonsan's tyranny in vivid detail. He did, in fact, seize hundreds of women from across the country, converted a prestigious university into his personal brothel, and executed anyone who dared to criticize him.
While director Min Kyu-dong takes artistic liberties to craft a compelling cinematic narrative, the sheer scale of the king's madness depicted in the film is anchored in actual history. The film serves as a grim exploration of how absolute power corrupts absolutely. 🎭 More Than Just Shock Value
It is easy to dismiss The Treacherous as mere exploitation cinema due to its heavy focus on eroticism and violence. However, doing so ignores the film's deeper artistic merits.
The training sequences of the women, while highly sexualized, are shot with a clinical, almost athletic rigor that highlights the tragedy of their objectification. The film masterfully uses the female body as a symbol of the battlefield where men fight for political supremacy. It holds up a mirror to the grotesque nature of feudal patriarchy and the lengths to which people will go to survive under a madman. 🏁 The Verdict
The Treacherous (2015) is not a film for the faint of heart. It is a dark, opulent, and disturbing masterpiece that demands a strong stomach. If you are looking for a standard, romanticized K-drama or a light historical romp, you will likely agree with the film's harsher IMDb critics.
However, if you appreciate bold filmmaking, exceptional acting, breathtaking aesthetics, and a fearless dive into the darkest corners of human history, this film is a must-watch. It stands as a unique achievement in South Korean cinema that will leave you thinking about it long after the credits roll.
To help you decide if this film is right for your watchlist, let me know:
Do you prefer historically accurate dramas or fictionalized retellings?
Are you comfortable with highly graphic/explicit content in cinema? What are some of your favorite South Korean films?
Title: The Treacherous
Logline: In the cutthroat world of 2015 independent filmmaking, a desperate director sells his soul—and his star actress—to a predatory financier, only to discover that the real betrayal is the one he commits against his own art.
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Showbiz Noir
Tagline: Everyone wants a piece of the dream. No one survives the cutting room floor.
3. Visual Aesthetics and Tone
The film is visually striking, characterized by a saturated color palette that emphasizes the opulence of the court while contrasting it with the grotesqueness of the King’s actions. Min Kyu-dong utilizes a style reminiscent of erotic thrillers of the early 2000s, focusing on the aestheticization of the male gaze.
The film’s portrayal of sex is intentionally disturbing. Unlike Western films like The Favourite (2018), which use intimacy to explore vulnerability, The Treacherous uses it to explore domination. The "erotic" elements are frequently punctuated by violence, creating a tone of unease. This juxtaposition is central to understanding the film's divided reception on IMDb; casual viewers seeking titillation are often met with the harsh reality of the film's tragic conclusion.
How to Find The Treacherous on Streaming (IMDB’s "Watch Now")
If you are reading the 2015 The Treacherous IMDb page to find where to watch it, you will notice the "Watch Now" section is sparse. Rights to this film are famously fractured.
- In the US: It occasionally pops up on Tubi or AsianCrush with ads. It is rarely on Netflix or Prime.
- In South Korea: Available on Wavve and TVING.
- Physical Media: The uncut DVD (region-free, but with English subtitles) is the preferred version, as streaming versions often cut 7–10 minutes of graphic content.
Warning for IMDB users: Do not watch the YouTube uploads. They are usually cropped, sped up, or missing subtitles for the complex political dialogue.
1. The "R" Rating is an Understatement
While IMDb lists the film simply as "R," the reality is that The Treacherous contains some of the most unsimulated-looking violence and sexual assault scenes in commercial Korean cinema. Many Western viewers were caught off guard. One top user review on IMDb warns: "This is not 'The King's Speech.' This is torture porn dressed in Hanbok." Another argues: "The brutality is historically accurate to Yeonsan's reign."
Historical Accuracy vs. The IMDB Trivia Section
The Trivia page for The Treacherous on IMDb is a treasure trove for history buffs. It notes that while King Yeonsan did commit purges during the First and Second Literati Purges (1498 and 1504), the film exaggerates his depravity for dramatic effect.
One fascinating IMDb trivia entry states: "The royal banquet where dancers are forced to perform while wearing 'slave' tattoos is entirely fictional, but based on written accounts of Yeonsan's humiliation of Confucian scholars." This mix of fact and vicious fiction is why historians hate the film, but horror fans love it.
What Works
- Ju Ji-hoon’s Performance: A chameleonic lead—innocent, vicious, broken, and seductive. He carries the film’s moral collapse on his shoulders.
- Visceral Action: Choreographed sword fights are brutal, fast, and bloody, reminiscent of Oldboy’s raw energy.
- Production Design: Lavish sets and costumes capture the decadent decay of Yeonsan’s court, from opulent feasts to torture chambers.
- Lim Ji-yeon as the concubine brings tragic vulnerability amid the film’s over-the-top excess.