Norigae (2013)

"Only mold grows in the shade"

The Secret Scandal was infuriating and discouraging. Loosely based on actress Jang Ja Yeon’s maltreatment and suicide, it caused this film to be even more painful because behind this sordid fictional story of abuse of power was a real woman who was let down by everyone. If you have triggers, please read the tags carefully.

“Why is one actress so important to you?”
Lee Jang Ho has become an internet reporter after being fired from his television job. He’s diligently covering the trial of men accused of “coercion” and “abetting coercion” for an incident that happened in a club one night. Actress Jung Ji Hee committed suicide after being repeatedly coerced into sexual acts by her manager for himself and other men in power. Bound by a punitive contract, she was unable to get out of it unless she repaid 30 TIMES what the agency had spent on her. A new prosecutor’s mettle is tested when the good old boys draw ranks in order to thwart justice.

“Why would I remember your name?
Ma Dong Seok played Lee Jang Ho in a role where the only thing he fought was injustice. The famous ahjussi hitter did a good job as the reporter fighting to find and reveal the truth, one of the only positive male roles in the film. Lee Seung Yeon felt out of place as the tenacious prosecutor with a baby voice. I would have preferred an actress with a more dynamic screen presence. The film’s execution wasn’t as taut as it could have been. Jumping from character to character and also with numerous flashbacks, it had a tendency to feel disjointed which reduced its emotional punch.

“She’s just a girl”
The Secret Scandal’s story is an important one because 11 years later, the #MeToo movement has petered out against the solid wall erected by authoritative men. A 2010 report claimed that 62.8% of Korean actresses had been asked to perform sexual favors. Since this film came out there's been the Burning Sun scandal and now female acquaintances, co-workers, even family members are being turned into AI porn with few consequences. Men’s reputations and careers are too often valued over the careers and well-being of women’s as this film painfully pointed out. One particularly disturbing scene reminded me of a real-life rape that occurred on camera during the filming of Fatal Vacation (1990). Maybe when there are more women lawmakers, judges, film directors and producers, etc. something will change. It’s just taking too damn long. RIP Jang Ja Yeon, your suffering and life are still inspiring people to fight for the right to be safe and not be treated as a sexual commodity.

12 September 2024

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