A childhood pen pal turned rival. A widow caught in the crossfire of a wager she never asked to join. Netflix’s The Scandal just dropped its first character stills, and the tangled web at its center is exactly as seductive and dangerous as fans hoped.
Table of Contents
The Story So Far
Based on the acclaimed 2003 film “Untold Scandal,” the series reimagines a Joseon-era tale of forbidden desire, deception, and power — genres K-drama does better than almost anyone.
| Character | Actor | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Cho | Son Ye Jin | Talented noblewoman who defies the confines of her era |
| Cho Won | Ji Chang Wook | Joseon’s greatest playboy, driven by pleasure and risk |
| Hui Yeon | Nana | Widowed, chaste noblewoman drawn into their wager |
What the New Stills Reveal
Lady Cho and Cho Won share a complicated history as cousins who were once childhood pen pals — a bond that’s since curdled into a dangerous game between adults years later. The images show Lady Cho composed and modest within her quarters, contrasted sharply with Cho Won’s sly, calculating gaze as he sets his sights on his next target.
Hui Yeon, meanwhile, appears worn and isolated, dressed in plain hemp clothing while embroidering — a visual far removed from the seduction plot closing in around her. One striking still shows Cho Won leaning in as if about to kiss her, despite her earlier resistance to his advances, hinting at just how deep this manipulation will run.
The final set of images pairs Lady Cho and Hui Yeon together, raising real questions about how these two women — one holding power in the wager, the other dreaming of independence — will ultimately shape Cho Won’s fate.
Why This Cast Has Fans Buzzing
Pairing three of Korean entertainment’s most compelling actors was always going to generate excitement, and “The Scandal” has been on watchlists since it was first confirmed, as noted in TechnoSports’ rundown of the biggest Netflix K-dramas of 2026, which called it one of the year’s most anticipated historical romances.
When to Watch
“The Scandal” premieres September 18 on Netflix. While you wait, stream Son Ye Jin in “Something in the Rain” and Ji Chang Wook in “If You Wish Upon Me,” both on Viki.
FAQs
Q1. What is “The Scandal” based on?
It’s inspired by the 2003 film “Untold Scandal,” itself based on the French novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses.”
Q2. When does “The Scandal” release on Netflix?
The series premieres September 18, 2026.
