Be a Wicked Woman (1998)

Scornful Woman

Just this morning, I listened to Oliver Anthony's new song, "Scornful Woman," about his difficult divorce, and now I've seen this movie, which perfectly suits the theme of human wickedness in relationships. At first, it seemed like it would be a feminist movie about men mistreating their women and causing them to become evil, but it was so much deeper than that. It explores theology, acts of evil, and human morality in a brutal and often shocking way, while still managing to—at least in my opinion—convey a Christian message. It reminds me a lot of Kim Ki-duk's movies.

One characteristic of the devil’s moral theology is the exaggeration of all distinctions between good and evil. No longer is there any sense that we might be more or less at fault, or take upon our own shoulders the wrongs of others by forgiveness, acceptance, patience, and love—and thus help one another to find the truth. On the contrary, in the devil’s theology, because we all fail sometimes, we consider everyone evil, and then there is no salvation for anyone. The movie showed this, but still offered a resolution in which a person can carry the burden of others and find redemption. The Korean title of the movie says: 천사여 악녀가 되라! That could mean: Angel, become a wicked woman!—as an invitation. But still, you have the freedom to choose good!

This movie was made in 1990, but the director postponed its release. It was submitted to the censors between 1990 and 1995 but shelved. It had its public premiere at the Busan Festival in 1998, and was only truly released in 2021 in a restored version. What a history!

This is not a movie for everyone, but it certainly inspired me to reflect on all of us wicked humans.

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