The Scandal: Son Ye Jin & Ji Chang Wook Ignite Forbidden Romance in Netflix’s Joseon-Era Drama

When passion meets deception in Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, sparks fly in ways that could destroy reputations forever. Netflix’s The Scandal brings together award-winning talents Son Ye Jin and Ji Chang Wook for an eight-part period drama dripping with forbidden romance, dangerous games, and irresistible seduction. Arriving Q3 2026, this adaptation of the acclaimed 2003 film Untold Scandal promises to set hearts racing.

The Scandal: Overview

A Dangerous Love Game in Joseon Korea

Set during an era when passion was prohibited and propriety was paramount, The Scandal follows Lady Cho, whose exceptional skills far exceed the confines of women’s quarters. Enter Cho Won, Joseon’s greatest playboy, and the stage is set for a daring and dangerous love game. Their risky bet ensnares Hui-yeon, a widowed noblewoman, in escalating deceit that threatens to unravel them all.

The story explores forbidden love and irresistible seduction during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, where such passions could ruin lives and destroy families. Think of it as a Korean period take on Dangerous Liaisons—strategic, sultry, and utterly captivating.

Award-Winning Cast Brings Heat to History

Son Ye Jin as Lady Cho: Rom-Com Queen Turns Seductress

Son Ye Jin, beloved for her role in the global phenomenon Crash Landing on You, takes on her most daring character yet. The Baeksang Arts Award winner and multiple Blue Dragon Film Award nominee portrays Lady Cho, a woman of extraordinary intelligence and manipulation who operates from the shadows of patriarchal Joseon society.

This marks Son Ye Jin’s return to Netflix after Something in the Rain and Thirty-Nine. By the time The Scandal arrives, it will have been four years since her last K-drama series appearance, making this comeback especially anticipated. Her ability to convey complex emotions beneath a composed exterior—honed through romantic dramas—will serve her perfectly as she navigates this morally ambiguous character.

Fans will also see her in the upcoming Netflix series Variety, but The Scandal offers something completely different: a chance to witness Korea’s sweetheart play against type as a calculating seductress.

Ji Chang Wook as Cho Won: Playboy with Hidden Depths

Ji Chang Wook brings his charismatic intensity to Cho Won, Joseon’s most notorious playboy who seeks pleasure and excitement above all else. The actor, known for action-packed roles and romantic leads in The Sound of Magic and Welcome to Samdal-ri, adds another dimension here—a man whose pursuit of thrills masks deeper vulnerabilities.

A winner of the APAN Star Award and multiple Best Actor nominations, Ji Chang Wook has proven his versatility across genres. His recent work in Twelve, Fabricated City, and Gangnam B-Side demonstrates his range, but The Scandal lets him explore period drama romance with mature, complex undertones.

Nana as Hui-yeon: The Virtuous Woman Caught in Chaos

Nana, who captivated audiences in Mask Girl, plays Hui-yeon, a chaste widowed noblewoman whose virtue becomes the target of Lady Cho and Cho Won’s manipulative game. Her character represents traditional values clashing with desire, making her transformation throughout the series particularly compelling.

The actress has garnered critical acclaim, including recognition at the Asia Artist Awards, and her upcoming role in Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy shows her rising star power.

Supporting Excellence: Han Sun Hwa and Chani

Han Sun Hwa (Work Later Drink Now, My Sweet Mobster) makes her Netflix debut in an undisclosed but presumably significant role, while Chani of SF9 plays Kwon In Ho, adding K-pop crossover appeal alongside the veteran cast.

Visionary Director Jung Ji Woo’s Bold Adaptation

Director Jung Ji Woo brings an impressive filmography spanning multiple genres. Her work includes the romantic drama Tune in for Love, the controversial thriller Eungyo, and Netflix’s psychological series Somebody. This range suggests The Scandal will balance sumptuous period visuals with psychological complexity and emotional depth.

Jung’s ability to handle mature themes with artistic sensitivity—as seen in Happy End and her other works—makes her the perfect choice to navigate this story’s delicate balance between eroticism and emotion, scandal and sincerity.

From Film Classic to Series Sensation

The 2003 film Untold Scandal became a landmark of Korean cinema, praised for its gorgeous cinematography and fearless performances. The Netflix adaptation expands this story across eight episodes, allowing for deeper character development and richer exploration of the Joseon Dynasty setting.

For fans eager to explore more sumptuous period dramas, check out our guide to the best historical K-dramas currently streaming.

Why This Period Drama Stands Apart

Unlike typical historical K-dramas focused on palace intrigue or political machinations, The Scandal centers on intimate psychological warfare between flawed, fascinating characters. The Joseon Dynasty setting provides gorgeous costumes and sets while the mature themes offer something rarely seen in mainstream K-dramas.

The series joins Netflix’s ambitious 2026 Korean lineup, showcasing the platform’s commitment to diverse storytelling that pushes boundaries while honoring Korean historical aesthetics.

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