The Taste of Money
Year: 2013
Runtime: 115 min
Language: Korean
Director: Sang-soo Im
Within Seoul's affluent elite, a lavish mansion serves as the epicenter of power and indulgence. Madame Baek, a shrewd and dominant matriarch, holds considerable influence, with her husband’s political position acting as a facade. Young-jak, an ambitious secretary, finds himself drawn into the family's morally ambiguous world, where the pursuit of wealth and status blurs the lines between right and wrong. He must then grapple with the temptation of easy success and the conflict with his own values.
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The Taste of Money (2013) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Taste of Money (2013), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In a vast mansion just outside Seoul, South Korea, the upper echelon of society convenes under one roof. This includes Yoon, the company’s president; his formidable wife, Geum-ok; their estranged daughter Nami; and their son Chul. Within this glamorous yet tumultuous environment, the delicate balance of power shifts, with Geum-ok reigning as the true authority, having married Yoon to secure her family’s wealth and influence.
Amidst this family drama, Joo Young-jak, a diligent secretary, works tirelessly in the shadows, tasked with keeping Robert Altman, a U.S. businessman, pleased through various clandestine arrangements—an essential maneuver in a high-stakes deal critical to the family’s financial prosperity.
As Geum-ok tightens her hold on the family’s affairs, her meticulous surveillance exposes Yoon’s secret affair with their Filipina maid, Eva. Enraged by the treachery, Geum-ok retaliates by entangling herself with Young-jak, further complicating the household’s already fraught dynamics. The story escalates dramatically when Chul finds himself in trouble with the law, arrested for connections to Altman’s slush fund. In a desperate bid for control, Geum-ok is forced to take extreme actions, placing Eva’s life in jeopardy, ultimately leading to Yoon’s tragic downfall.
After Yoon’s demise, Young-jak takes a decisive step to cut ties with the dysfunctional family. He embarks on a poignant journey, escorting Eva’s coffin back to her native land, where he unexpectedly finds companionship in Nami. This journey marks a transformative chapter in their lives, forever altering their destinies as they navigate the aftermath of their tumultuous family saga.
Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 13:15
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Movies about wealth and corruption like The Taste of Money
Stories where immense wealth and power lead to moral decay and tragic consequences.If you enjoyed the dark exploration of power and moral decay in The Taste of Money, this thread features similar dramas about corrupt elites, political intrigue, and the destructive nature of wealth. These movies share a heavy emotional weight and a cynical, oppressive mood.
Dangerous Liaisons
2022
Secret Things
2004
Dangerous Liaisons
1988
The Taste of Money
2013
Billionaire Boys Club
2018
Cruel Intentions
1999
Dark Streets
2008
All the King's Men
2006
Dangerous Liaisons (2012)
2012
Wild Things: Foursome
2010
Cruel Intentions
2016
The Truth Beneath
2016
Dangerous to Know
2020
Cast a Dark Shadow
1955
Desire Under the Elms
1958
Narrative Summary
Narratives in this thread typically follow characters drawn into or born within powerful, corrupt systems—be they corporate, political, or familial. Their journeys involve confronting the seductive nature of wealth and status, often leading to profound moral compromise, betrayal, and a tragic loss of innocence or life.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped by their shared focus on the oppressive atmosphere of immense power, their dark tone, and their thematic exploration of how wealth corrupts individuals and institutions. They create a claustrophobic, morally ambiguous world where traditional values are upended by the pursuit of money.
Movies with a moral descent arc like The Taste of Money
Character-driven stories where an outsider is seduced by a toxic world of power.Fans of Young-jak's journey in The Taste of Money will appreciate this collection of films about characters tempted by power and wealth. These stories feature a steady pacing, a bittersweet or bleak ending, and a heavy focus on the psychological cost of moral compromise.
Me and Orson Welles
2009
Bel Ami
2012
The Taste of Money
2013
Matinee
2012
Poisons or the World History of Poisoning
2001
Stolen Holidays
2007
Another Country
1984
Edge of Doom
1950
The Detective
1968
Darling
1965
Once Is Not Enough
1975
The Root of All Evil
1947
Herod’s Law
1999
The Proposition
1998
An Awfully Big Adventure
1995
Narrative Summary
The central pattern is the character arc of an observer or newcomer who serves as the audience's entry point into a corrupt system. The plot revolves around their gradual seduction and moral compromise, creating a slow-burn tension as they must eventually choose between assimilation or a painful escape.
Why These Movies?
These movies share a specific character journey and emotional trajectory. They are united by a steady pacing that allows for a nuanced exploration of temptation, a morally ambiguous tone, and endings that are often bittersweet, reflecting the high price of the protagonist's choices.
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The Taste of Money Timeline
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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Taste of Money
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