The film is set during the reign of King Yeonsan (played with terrifying volatility by Kim Kang-woo), widely regarded as one of the cruelest tyrants in Korean history. The King, disillusioned and traumatized by the execution of his mother, turns his court into a playground of excess and violence. He enlists his trusted servant and lover, Im Sung-jae (Jang Hyuk), and a scheming politician, Soong Ja-hyun (Lim Ju-hwan), to execute a grand plan: the selection of 10,000 beautiful women from across the nation to serve as the King’s concubines and imperial guards.
Released in 2015 and directed by Min Kyu-dong, The Treacherous is a historical drama/thriller that strips away the romance often associated with the Joseon Dynasty. Instead, it presents a gritty, often shocking portrayal of absolute power and the depths of human depravity. treacherous korean movie dramacool
Unlike Western period dramas that often romanticize royalty, The Treacherous shows the ugly truth. The movie features scenes of mass executions, torture, sexual assault, and animal cruelty (simulated, but realistic). It earned a "Rated R" equivalent in South Korea (19+), meaning no one under 19 could legally watch it in theaters. The film is set during the reign of