The Scandal marks one of the most anticipated prestige drama releases on Netflix, bringing a fresh, historical lens to Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s classic 1782 French epistolary novel, Les Liaisons dangereuses. Set against the rigid, patriarchal backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty, the series combines lavish period aesthetics with psychological intrigue, power dynamics, and forbidden romance. Premiering globally on September 18, 2026, the historical romance features a powerhouse cast led by acclaimed actress Son Ye-jin in her highly awaited return to the small screen, alongside heartthrob Ji Chang-wook and multifaceted star Nana.
Directed by veteran filmmaker Jung Ji-woo—renowned for his nuanced character studies in Eungyo (2012) and Tune in for Love (2019)—the series reimagines the timeless narrative of manipulation, vanity, and emotional awakening. Collaborating with screenwriters Lee Seung-young and An Hye-song, Jung breathes new life into a story that has seen numerous adaptations across global cinema and television over the past several decades.
Plot and Narrative Core
At the narrative center of The Scandal is Madam Jo, portrayed by Son Ye-jin. Madam Jo is a woman of striking beauty and exceptional intellect, navigating a world meticulously governed by strict Confucian norms. Despite possessing intellectual capacities that rival or exceed those of her male contemporaries, her sphere of influence and social mobility are severely curtailed by the deeply patriarchal laws of the Joseon era.
Frustrated by the systemic oppression and discriminatory frameworks of her society, Madam Jo channels her intellect into a dangerous, high-stakes game of psychological manipulation and seduction. To execute her intricate plans, she enlists Jo Won, played by Ji Chang-wook. Jo Won is a wealthy aristocrat known for his cynicism regarding true love, preferring to view romance as a superficial game of conquest rather than an emotional investment. Eager to win Madam Jo’s favor and respect, Jo Won accepts her audacious wager, setting the stage for a calculated campaign of seduction.
The primary target of their malicious game is Hee-yeon, portrayed by Nana. Hee-yeon is a young widow who has taken a solemn vow to preserve her chastity and honor following the death of her husband. Unyielding in her devotion to societal expectations of mourning and purity, she initially proves to be a formidable fortress against Jo Won’s advances.
However, as Jo Won relentlessly pursues her with calculated intensity, Hee-yeon’s psychological defenses begin to fracture. The relentless attention sparks a complex, internal emotional turbulence that she is ill-equipped to handle. What begins as a cynical parlor game designed to subvert and mock Joseon’s rigid social order soon transforms into an unpredictable emotional quagmire. As genuine, unexpected feelings take root among the participants, the line between manipulation and reality blurs, threatening to ruin Madam Jo, Jo Won, and Hee-yeon alike.
Historical Context and Adaptation Legacy
The adaptation of Les Liaisons dangereuses into a Joseon-era framework is not entirely unprecedented, yet The Scandal aims to set a new benchmark for production value and psychological depth in Korean historical dramas, commonly known as sageuks. By shifting the setting to the Joseon Dynasty, the narrative leverages the era’s famously strict adherence to Neo-Confucianism, which placed immense societal pressure on women regarding chastity, obedience, and social status. This historical backdrop heightens the stakes of the characters’ actions, as transgression in this period carried severe social and familial consequences.
The source material, Les Liaisons dangereuses, has a rich history of adaptation in both Western and Asian entertainment landscapes. The most notable South Korean film adaptation prior to this series was Untold Scandal (2003), directed by E J-yong and starring Bae Yong-joon, Lee Mi-suk, and Jeon Do-yeon. Upon its release, Untold Scandal became a massive commercial and critical success, finishing as the third highest-grossing film at the South Korean box office that year and earning international acclaim for its bold exploration of sexuality and power within a historical context.
Beyond South Korea, the narrative traveled to China in 2012 with Dangerous Liaisons, a cinematic co-production starring Zhang Ziyi, Jang Dong-geun, and Cecilia Cheung, which relocated the story to 1930s Shanghai. In the television sphere, the property was adapted into a modern South Korean youth drama titled Tempted (2018), starring Woo Do-hwan, Joy, Moon Ga-young, and Kim Min-jae. While Tempted experimented with a contemporary high-society setting, it faced mixed critical reception due to narrative pacing and character motivations. The release of The Scandal represents a return to the historical genre, offering a mature, lavishly produced alternative that leans heavily into the prestige drama format favored by global streaming platforms like Netflix.
Production Insights and Creative Vision
The creative team behind The Scandal faced the unique challenge of balancing historical authenticity with universal themes of power, gender politics, and human frailty. Director Jung Ji-woo is widely celebrated in the South Korean film industry for his delicate handling of intimacy and emotional complexity. His past works have consistently prioritized deep character psychological development over sweeping historical exposition, a directorial signature that heavily influences The Scandal.
According to pre-release insights from the production crew, the series invested heavily in historical accuracy regarding set design, costume tailoring, and aristocratic etiquette of the late Joseon period. The visual contrast between the restrained, formal interior spaces of aristocratic estates and the turbulent, unpredictable emotional lives of the characters serves as a primary narrative device.
Furthermore, the casting choices have received widespread praise from industry analysts. Son Ye-jin, returning to television following her globally successful run in Crash Landing on You and her subsequent marriage and motherhood, brings a gravitas and emotional maturity essential for a complex character like Madam Jo. Ji Chang-wook, known for his versatility in action and romance genres, steps into a more morally ambiguous role as Jo Won, showcasing a darker, more cynical acting palette. Nana, transitioning smoothly from idol status to a respected dramatic actress following acclaimed performances in Mask Girl and Glitch, provides a grounded, vulnerable portrayal of Hee-yeon’s emotional descent.
Broader Implications for the K-Drama Industry
The arrival of The Scandal on Netflix underscores the ongoing shift in South Korean television production toward high-budget, globally appealing limited series that bypass traditional terrestrial broadcast limitations. By leveraging classic Western literature and infusing it with distinctly Korean historical elements, production houses are successfully creating cross-cultural content that resonates with international audiences accustomed to sophisticated narrative structures.
Analysts note that historical dramas incorporating progressive themes—such as female autonomy within oppressive patriarchal societies—tend to spark extensive discourse among modern viewers. Madam Jo’s rebellion against Joseon’s patriarchal structures, albeit expressed through morally questionable manipulation, mirrors contemporary discussions surrounding agency, power dynamics, and the psychological toll of societal expectations on women.
As streaming services continue to dictate viewing trends, historical dramas are evolving past traditional sageuk tropes—such as royal court politics and factional warfare—to focus more intimately on human psychology, interpersonal conflict, and existential philosophy. The commercial and critical reception of The Scandal is expected to set a benchmark for future adaptations of classic literature within Asian markets, proving that timeless narratives of human vanity and desire remain universally compelling regardless of temporal or geographical settings.
With all episodes now accessible to international subscribers on Netflix, The Scandal stands as a major cultural event of the 2026 television calendar, offering audiences a masterclass in period aesthetics, intricate plotting, and powerhouse performances from three of South Korea’s most celebrated stars.
