The Taste of Money

The Taste of Money is a 2012 South Korean erotic thriller film about a conglomerate-owning family. It triggered controversy and hype with its portrayal of the lives of the privileged in Korean society, exploring themes of sex and money, greed and ambition. A decadent and sensational film that presents biting commentary on the rich and famous, it is Im Sang-soo's seventh film. Plot In a luxurious house outside Seoul lives one of the country's richest families: company president Yoon, his wife Baek Geum-ok, their divorced daughter Nami, and son Chul. Yoon is company president but the reins of power are held by his wife Geum-ok, whose aged father was once a powerful businessman, and whom Yoon married for her money and influence. Yoon's private secretary is Joo Young-jak, from humble origins. His current job is making sure a U.S. businessman, Robert Altman, is kept happy with hookers, as part of a major business deal that could prove crucial to the family's fortunes. When Geum-ok sees Yoon having an affair with their Filipina maid, Eva, on her hidden CCTV, she beds Young-jak in revenge. When Chul is arrested for organizing a slush fund for Altman, Geum-ok decides to further punish her husband for his "mistake" in bringing the family's name into public disrepute, by having Eva killed. At the same time, Nami and Young-jak, start an affair. Yoon commits suicide over Eva's death (and takes the blame for his son's activities). After his funeral, Young-jak quits the family, glad to be rid of their influences. He accompanies Eva's coffin to the Philippines, where he is joined on the plane by Nami. Cast Kim Kang-woo as Joo Young-jak Youn Yuh-jung as Baek Geum-ok Baek Yoon-sik as Chairman Yoon Kim Hyo-jin as Yoon Nami On Joo-wan s Yoon Chul/Charlie Maui Taylor as Eva Kwon Byung-gil as Noh, Geum-ok's father Hwang Jung-min as Noh's assistant Darcy Paquet as Robert Altman Kal So-won as Ri-ni