The Taste of Money

The Taste of Money

Year: 2013

Runtime: 115 min

Language: Korean

Director: Sang-soo Im

Drama

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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Taste of Money yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Taste of Money (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Taste of Money (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film does not specify an exact time period but reflects modern-day societal dynamics. It explores contemporary themes such as wealth disparity, family loyalty, and the moral complexities of power and control in a capitalist society, which resonate with current global issues.

Location

Seoul

The movie is set in a lavish mansion just outside Seoul, South Korea. This city is known for its vibrant culture and economic prowess, serving as a hub for technology and commerce. The mansion symbolizes both wealth and the façade of a harmonious family life, contrasting sharply with the underlying tensions and conflicts.

🏙️ City 🏰 Mansion

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:30

Main Characters – The Taste of Money (2013)

Meet the key characters of The Taste of Money (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Geum-ok

Geum-ok is the formidable matriarch of the family, wielding control with an iron fist. Her ambition to maintain wealth and influence drives her actions, often leading to destructive decisions. As a character, she embodies the ruthless nature of those at the top of the societal ladder, willing to sacrifice personal relationships for the sake of power.

👑 Authority 💔 Betrayal

Joo Young-jak

Young-jak is the diligent secretary caught in the web of family intrigues and financial dealings. His loyalty to the family contrasts sharply with his moral dilemmas, prompting him to make significant decisions that affect his life and those around him. Young-jak represents the silent struggles of individuals who are enmeshed in the desires of others.

📑 Loyalty ⚖️ Morality

Nami

Nami, the estranged daughter, grapples with her family's legacy and personal identity. Her tumultuous relationship with her parents creates a sense of alienation, pushing her towards self-discovery. Throughout the film, Nami seeks connection and understanding, ultimately forging a new path influenced by her family's chaos.

🌱 Growth 💔 Estrangement

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:30

Major Themes – The Taste of Money (2013)

Explore the central themes of The Taste of Money (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Wealth and Power

The struggle for wealth and its accompanying power dynamics are central to the plot. Characters engage in schemes and manipulations, highlighting the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of financial stability and dominance. The pursuit of wealth leads to betrayal and moral decay, showcasing the dark side of affluence.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Dynamics

The film delves deep into the complexities of family relationships, showcasing the tension between loyalty and ambition. Geum-ok's manipulation and the family's dysfunction create a volatile atmosphere where betrayal lurks beneath the surface. This theme highlights the challenges faced by individuals within the family unit, often leading to tragic outcomes.

🌍 Cultural Identity

The journey of Young-jak and Eva's return to her homeland represents a search for cultural identity amidst personal turmoil. As they navigate through their struggles, the contrast between their current lives and their cultural roots becomes a source of reflection. This theme emphasizes the significance of heritage and belonging in shaping one's identity.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:30

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

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.

cynicaloppressivemorally ambiguousgreed-drivenclaustrophobicsordidtragicpower-dynamics

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.

morally ambiguouspsychologicaltragicbittersweetseductioninternal conflictdownfallawakening

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.

Unlock the Full Story of The Taste of Money

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Taste of Money in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Taste of Money is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Taste of Money Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Taste of Money, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Taste of Money Summary

The Taste of Money Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Taste of Money with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Taste of Money Timeline

The Taste of Money Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Taste of Money that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Taste of Money Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Taste of Money

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Taste of Money: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Taste of Money