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The Taste of Money (2013) movie poster

Timeline

The Taste of Money (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 115 min · Korean
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Directed by
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.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle
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12 events in order · contains spoilers

The Taste of Money Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Taste of Money (2013) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Gathering of the Elite

    The upper echelon of South Korean society gathers in a lavish mansion just outside Seoul. This gathering includes Yoon, the company president, his formidable wife Geum-ok, their estranged daughter Nami, and son Chul, setting the stage for a tale of power struggles and family drama.

    Where
    Seoul
  2. The Power Dynamics Unfold

    Geum-ok emerges as the true authority figure within the family, having married Yoon to secure wealth and influence for her family. As tensions rise within the household, her commanding presence begins to dictate the dynamics of their relationships.

    Where
    Mansion
  3. Young-jak's Diligent Secretarial Work

    Joo Young-jak, a devoted secretary, tirelessly works behind the scenes to ensure Robert Altman, a U.S. businessman, remains satisfied. His clandestine efforts are crucial for securing a high-stakes deal that is vital to the family's financial stability.

    Where
    Mansion
  4. Geum-ok's Merciless Surveillance

    Geum-ok's meticulous surveillance leads her to discover Yoon's secret affair with Eva, their Filipina maid. Consumed by rage at this betrayal, she begins to tighten her grasp on the family's affairs, prepared to retaliate against any perceived threat to her authority.

    Where
    Mansion
  5. Betrayal and Complications

    In a shocking turn, Geum-ok engages with Young-jak, complicating the already fragile dynamics of the household. This entanglement not only threatens Yoon's authority but also deepens the complexities of loyalty and betrayal among the family members.

    Where
    Mansion
  6. Chul's Legal Troubles

    Chul faces serious issues when he is arrested due to his connections with Altman's slush fund. His predicament puts additional pressure on the family, as Geum-ok scrambles to maintain control amidst the chaos.

    Where
    Police Station
  7. Geum-ok's Extreme Measures

    In her desperate bid for power, Geum-ok takes drastic steps that threaten Eva's life. Her actions grow increasingly ruthless, showcasing the lengths to which she will go to secure her family's reputation and avoid scandal.

    Where
    Mansion
  8. Yoon's Tragic Downfall

    The culmination of Geum-ok's machinations leads to Yoon's tragic demise, marking a turning point for the family. His death reverberates throughout their lives, creating a power vacuum that shifts the dynamics within the household.

    Where
    Mansion
  9. Young-jak's Breakaway

    In the aftermath of Yoon's death, Young-jak decides to sever ties with the dysfunctional family. This pivotal moment signifies his desire to escape the chaos that has engulfed their lives and seek a new path forward.

    Where
    Mansion
  10. The Journey of Remembrance

    Young-jak embarks on a poignant journey to escort Eva's coffin back to her homeland. This trip is filled with reflection and the complexities of loss, leading him to unexpected connections and realizations.

    Where
    Eva's Homeland
  11. Finding Companionship

    During the journey back, Young-jak unexpectedly finds companionship with Nami. This bond forms in the wake of tragedy, offering both characters a chance to heal and forge a new beginning amidst their shared grief.

    Where
    Eva's Homeland
  12. Transformative Chapter

    The journey back marks a transformative chapter in Young-jak and Nami's lives. They navigate the aftermath of their tumultuous family saga together, leading to personal growth and newfound prospects for the future.

    Where
    Eva's Homeland

Last updated: November 21, 2024 at 13:15

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Timeline questions answered

The Taste of Money Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Taste of Money (2013): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Geum-ok marry Yoon if she held all the power?

Geum-ok married Yoon to secure her family's wealth and influence. While Yoon held the title of company president, Geum-ok was the true authority figure who controlled the family's financial empire. The marriage was a calculated move to give her a respectable public face while she wielded actual power behind the scenes.

  • geum-ok
  • yoon
  • marriage
  • power
  • wealth
  • matriarch
Q2

Why did Geum-ok become involved with Young-jak?

Geum-ok entangled herself with Young-jak as revenge after discovering her husband Yoon's affair with Eva, their Filipino maid. Enraged by the betrayal, she used Young-jak not only to satisfy her own desires but also to inflict psychological damage on Yoon by involving his own secretary.

  • geum-ok
  • young-jak
  • affair
  • revenge
  • betrayal
Q3

What caused Chul's arrest?

Chul was arrested due to his connections to Robert Altman's slush fund. As part of the high-stakes deal Young-jak was managing, Altman had established an illegal financial operation, and Chul's involvement in these funds led to his detention.

  • chul
  • arrest
  • altman
  • slush fund
  • police
Q4

Why did Yoon die in the film?

Yoon's downfall resulted from Geum-ok's ruthless campaign after discovering his affair with Eva. As she tightened control over the family's affairs to protect her reputation, her extreme measures, including threatening Eva's life, led to the chain of events that caused Yoon's tragic demise.

  • yoon
  • death
  • geum-ok
  • downfall
  • affair
  • eva
Q5

Why did Young-jak decide to leave the family?

After witnessing Yoon's death and the family's complete moral collapse, Young-jak chose to sever ties with the dysfunctional household. The toxic environment of corruption, betrayal, and ruthless power plays became unbearable, prompting him to seek a new path away from their world.

  • young-jak
  • leave
  • escape
  • family
  • morals
Q6

Why did Young-jak take Eva's coffin to her homeland?

Young-jak escorted Eva's coffin back to the Philippines as a meaningful journey following the tragedy. This pilgrimage represented his attempt to find meaning after the chaos, and it became a transformative experience that allowed him to process the events and seek personal redemption.

  • young-jak
  • eva
  • coffin
  • journey
  • homeland
  • philippines
Q7

How did Young-jak and Nami become close?

Young-jak and Nami found companionship during the journey to return Eva's coffin to her homeland. Sharing the experience of loss and grief while navigating the aftermath of their family's collapse created an unexpected bond between them, leading to a new relationship formed through mutual understanding.

  • young-jak
  • nami
  • relationship
  • journey
  • grief
  • bond
Q8

What was Robert Altman's role in the story?

Robert Altman was an American businessman whose satisfaction Young-jak was tasked with maintaining through various clandestine arrangements. Securing Altman's pleasure was essential to closing a high-stakes deal vital to the family's financial prosperity, making him a crucial figure in the family's schemes.

  • robert altman
  • businessman
  • deal
  • secretary
  • financial
Q9

Why was Eva's life in jeopardy?

Eva became a target because Geum-ok, consumed by rage over Yoon's affair with her, used Eva as a weapon to maintain control. Geum-ok's extreme measures to protect her family's reputation and avoid scandal put Eva's life directly at risk.

  • eva
  • threat
  • geum-ok
  • danger
  • maid
  • affair
Q10

Why was Nami estranged from her family?

The summary indicates Nami was estranged from her family before the main events unfolded. The precise reason for this estrangement is not detailed in the provided summary, though it likely stems from the toxic family dynamics and moral corruption that pervade the household.

  • nami
  • estranged
  • family
  • daughter
  • conflict

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Taste of Money, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Taste of Money tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

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.

  • cynical
  • oppressive
  • morally ambiguous
  • greed-driven
  • claustrophobic
  • sordid
  • Tone: dark, cynical, oppressive
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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 ambiguous
  • psychological
  • tragic
  • bittersweet
  • seduction
  • internal conflict
  • Tone: morally ambiguous, tragic, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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.

Every angle

The Taste of Money (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Taste of Money in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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