To fully appreciate the IMDB criticisms, one must understand the history. The real King Yeonsan-gun (1476-1506) was indeed deposed for tyranny. He conducted two major purges of scholars (the 1498 and 1504 literati purges). He also reportedly turned the royal palace into a private pleasure ground.

The film features a strong ensemble cast and was directed by .

The primary point of contention lies in the film’s sexual content. The Treacherous does not shy away from the hedonism of Yeonsan’s court. There is nudity, sensuality, and violence. For some IMDb users, this crossed the line into soft-core pornography, distracting from the historical narrative. Negative reviews often cite the "gratuitous" nature of these scenes.

To explore more, visit the official IMDB page for The Treacherous (tt5066556). Read the user reviews, check the trivia, and decide for yourself if this treacherous tale is worth your time.

The film is anchored by powerful performances that bring the dark history of the Joseon court to life:

Don't watch this for the romance. The title isn't just about the King. Every single character betrays someone else by the 45-minute mark. The swordsman betrays his morals. The wife betrays her husband (depending on how you read the scenes). The concubines betray each other.

To understand the weight of The Treacherous , one must understand the man at its center: King Yeonsan. The tenth king of the Joseon Dynasty, Yeonsan-gun, is historically recorded as one of Korea’s most notorious tyrants. His reign was marked by bloodshed, purges of intellectuals, and a descent into madness spurred by the traumatic discovery of his mother’s fate.

This is a hard R/NC-17 equivalent. Do not watch this with children or anyone uncomfortable with graphic sexual violence.