The Scandal K-drama 2026 Review
Netflix's The Scandal arrives with an unusually tempting combination: a Joseon-era setting, forbidden romance, manipulation, social restrictions and three major stars at the centre of a dangerous emotional game.
The South Korean limited series stars Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook and NANA and premiered globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026. It has eight episodes, with individual episodes ranging from about 48 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes on Netflix's official listing.
For viewers searching for a The Scandal Kdrama 2026 review, the important thing to know is that this is not a conventional sweet historical romance. The story revolves around desire, control, reputation and a wager that gradually becomes much more emotionally complicated than its players expect.
The series is directed by Jung Ji-woo and written by Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song. Netflix describes it as a period romance drama based on the classic story Dangerous Liaisons, while the series also follows the Korean adaptation tradition established by the 2003 film Untold Scandal.
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
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What Is The Scandal About?
Set in Joseon-era Korea, the drama centres on Lady Cho, a highly intelligent noblewoman who finds herself restricted by the social rules surrounding women of her position.
She turns to her cousin Cho Won, a wealthy and notorious womanizer, and proposes a dangerous game involving seduction.
Their wager eventually brings Hui-yeon, a young widow, into the middle of their scheme.
What begins as a game of manipulation becomes increasingly difficult to control when genuine emotions enter the equation. Netflix's official trailer establishes the central wager and shows Cho Won approaching Hui-yeon while Lady Cho watches the situation develop from the shadows.
That setup gives the series its main source of tension. The characters are not simply trying to fall in love; they are trying to control one another while operating inside a society where reputation and social status can have serious consequences.
The Story: Desire, Manipulation and Forbidden Love
The strongest part of the premise is the conflict between what the characters want and what Joseon society allows them to openly pursue.
Lady Cho is frustrated by the limitations placed on her. Rather than simply accepting them, she uses intelligence and manipulation to create a situation in which she can exercise some control.
Cho Won initially approaches romance almost like a game. His reputation as a seducer makes him confident that Hui-yeon will eventually become another conquest.
But Hui-yeon is not presented as someone who simply exists to complete their wager. Her own beliefs, grief and emotional responses become increasingly important as the story develops.
This makes the central triangle more interesting than a straightforward love story.
The series is also clearly connected to the tradition of Les Liaisons dangereuses, the 1782 French novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The 2003 Korean film Untold Scandal previously relocated that basic story to Joseon-era Korea, and the Netflix series reworks the material again for a longer television format.
Is The Scandal a typical romantic K-drama?
Not really.
While romance is central, the show is equally interested in power, social expectations, deception and emotional control.
That gives it a darker and more mature atmosphere than a conventional romantic K-drama.
Netflix categorizes it under romantic TV dramas, Korean dramas, period pieces and television adaptations of books. The Indian Netflix listing carries an A certification, while ratings vary by country.
The Scandal Cast and Characters
Son Ye-jin as Lady Cho
Son Ye-jin leads the series as Lady Cho, an intelligent noblewoman who refuses to be completely defined by the restrictions surrounding her.
The character is particularly important because she is neither presented simply as a victim nor as a traditional villain. Her decisions are driven by frustration, desire and a need to regain some control over her circumstances.
Son Ye-jin's performance is one of the main reasons the character works. Early reviews have highlighted the emotional complexity she brings to Lady Cho, particularly the contrast between her outward control and the feelings underneath it.
Ji Chang-wook as Cho Won
Ji Chang-wook plays Cho Won, a wealthy Joseon aristocrat known for his romantic exploits.
At first, Cho Won appears to approach the wager with confidence. Seduction is familiar territory for him, and he believes he understands how the game will unfold.
The problem is that real emotion gradually interferes with the rules of the wager.
Ji Chang-wook gets to move between charm, confidence, vulnerability and emotional turmoil, making Cho Won more complicated than his initial reputation suggests. India Today specifically praised his ability to communicate emotional shifts without relying heavily on dialogue.
NANA as Hui-yeon
NANA plays Hui-yeon, a young widow who becomes the unexpected centre of Lady Cho and Cho Won's dangerous game.
Her character is important because she is not simply a passive target. As the story progresses, Hui-yeon's own feelings and decisions become increasingly significant.
NANA brings a quieter quality to the character, which creates an interesting contrast with the more calculated Lady Cho and the confident Cho Won. Early critical discussion has particularly noted how the three leads work together as the emotional centre of the series.
Supporting Cast
The supporting ensemble includes Han Seon-hwa, Kang Chan-hee and Shin Youn-ha, among others. Netflix's episode and cast listings also identify characters such as So-ok and Kwon In-ho within the wider story.
They help expand the story beyond its central triangle and show how individual romantic decisions can affect families, reputation and social relationships.
Performance and Acting
The performances are one of the most convincing reasons to watch The Scandal.
The series depends heavily on subtle interactions because much of the tension comes from glances, hesitation, manipulation and things the characters do not openly say.
Son Ye-jin has to make Lady Cho simultaneously calculating and emotionally vulnerable. Ji Chang-wook needs to make Cho Won's transformation believable without making him instantly sympathetic. NANA, meanwhile, has to show Hui-yeon's emotional awakening while preserving the character's independent identity.
Early reviews have been broadly appreciative of this central trio. India Today praised the performances of Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook and highlighted NANA's contribution to Hui-yeon's character. South China Morning Post also gave the series 4/5 stars, describing the three leads as anchors of the adaptation.
There is already some disagreement over the overall execution, particularly the pacing, so the performances appear to be one of the more consistent strengths in the early critical response.
Direction and Screenplay
Jung Ji-woo directs the series, with Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song credited as writers. Netflix's 2026 Korean slate also lists MOVIEROCK and CINE FOREST Inc. as producers.
The directing approach puts considerable emphasis on atmosphere and physical detail.
Instead of treating romance purely through dialogue, the series often uses distance, facial expressions, movement and visual composition to communicate attraction and tension.
This suits the story because the characters live in a society where openly expressing desire can have consequences.
The eight-episode format gives the story considerably more room than a feature film. That is useful for developing the three central characters, although it also creates a pacing issue for some viewers.
One early review praised the show's carefully controlled narrative, while another found that the series could feel slow and stretched.
That difference is worth keeping in mind before starting the series.
Genre and Themes
At its core, The Scandal combines several genres:
- Historical romance
- Period drama
- Korean drama
- Forbidden romance
- Relationship drama
- Psychological manipulation
- Social drama
The most important themes are:
Desire versus social rules
The characters live in a world where social position and reputation heavily influence personal choices.
Women's limited freedom
Lady Cho's story particularly explores what happens when an intelligent woman finds herself trapped by expectations about gender and social behaviour.
Love as a game
Cho Won initially treats romance as entertainment and competition. The story becomes more complicated once emotional consequences appear.
Manipulation and trust
The central wager raises an uncomfortable question: can genuine love develop from deliberate deception?
Reputation and consequences
The characters' decisions do not happen in isolation. Their social positions make personal mistakes potentially dangerous.
These themes give the series more substance than a simple period romance.
Visual Style, Cinematography and Production
The visual presentation is one of The Scandal's obvious attractions.
Netflix's promotional material emphasizes Joseon high society, traditional clothing, elaborate interiors and the contrast between restrained social behaviour and forbidden desire. The trailers and promotional posters use rich colours and carefully composed period imagery to establish that atmosphere.
The production design also plays an important storytelling role. The characters' clothing and surroundings constantly reinforce their social positions.
Rather than presenting Joseon simply as historical decoration, the visual environment becomes part of the conflict.
The Scandal 2026 Release Date and Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Scandal |
| Year | 2026 |
| Release Date | September 18, 2026 |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Genre | Period Romance, Drama, Historical Romance |
| Director | Jung Ji-woo |
| Writers | Lee Seung-young, Ahn Hye-song |
| Production | MOVIEROCK, CINE FOREST Inc. |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Main Cast | Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, NANA |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Episode Runtime | Approximately 48–80 minutes |
| Format | Limited Series |
| India Certification | A |
| Source Material | Inspired by Dangerous Liaisons and the 2003 Korean film Untold Scandal |
Netflix officially released the series globally on September 18, 2026, and its Indian page confirms the title, cast, genre and trailers. The official episode listing confirms eight episodes with runtimes ranging from 48 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
The Scandal Trailer Review
The official trailer does a good job of explaining the basic conflict without revealing the entire story.
It begins with Lady Cho making a private proposal to Cho Won. She challenges him to seduce So-ok, while Cho Won responds by proposing a different challenge involving Hui-yeon.
The trailer then shifts toward the consequences of their wager.
Hui-yeon initially resists Cho Won, while Lady Cho observes the developing relationship. As the trailer progresses, the emotional boundaries between the three characters become less clear.
Visually, the trailer focuses on traditional Joseon settings, elaborate costumes, close-up expressions and romantic tension rather than action.
It successfully sells the series as a mature historical romance with psychological and emotional conflict.
The Scandal OTT Release: Where Can You Watch It?
The Scandal is officially streaming on Netflix.
The series premiered globally on September 18, 2026, and all eight episodes are listed on Netflix. The Indian Netflix page also provides Korean original audio along with additional audio/subtitle options.
So viewers in India do not need to wait for a separate OTT announcement—the Netflix release is already official.
What Works in The Scandal
1. Strong central trio
Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook and NANA give the story three contrasting personalities, which keeps the central relationship dynamic.
2. Interesting Joseon setting
The historical setting is not merely decorative. Social rules directly affect the characters' choices.
3. Mature relationship drama
The series explores manipulation, desire and emotional consequences instead of presenting romance as completely uncomplicated.
4. Strong visual identity
The costumes, locations, colours and controlled cinematography give the drama a polished period look.
5. More emotional depth than the basic premise suggests
What begins as a seduction game gradually becomes a story about genuine feelings, trust and the consequences of treating relationships as entertainment.
What May Not Work
The biggest potential issue is pacing.
The eight-episode format allows the story to develop, but some reviewers have felt that the series occasionally takes too long to move its central conflict forward. One early review described the show as dragging for long stretches, while other reviews found the pacing controlled and focused.
Another consideration is the show's mature romantic premise. Viewers expecting a light historical love story may find the manipulation and darker emotional dynamics uncomfortable.
There is also a built-in challenge in adapting a story as well known as Dangerous Liaisons: audiences familiar with previous versions may find some of the broad relationship dynamics familiar.
Who Should Watch The Scandal?
The Scandal is a good fit for viewers who enjoy:
- Korean historical dramas
- Mature romance K-dramas
- Forbidden-love stories
- Joseon-era dramas
- Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook
- Complicated love triangles
- Psychological relationship dramas
- Period dramas with beautiful costumes and production design
- Netflix Korean original series
- Stories involving manipulation, desire and social restrictions
It may be less suitable for viewers looking for a light, wholesome romance with a simple relationship arc.
The Scandal Kdrama 2026 Review: Final Verdict
The Scandal takes a familiar story of seduction and manipulation and gives it a strong Joseon-era identity.
Its biggest strength is the central trio. Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook and NANA bring enough emotional contrast to make the relationship dynamics worth following, while Jung Ji-woo's direction gives the drama a polished visual identity.
The series is also more interested in power and social restrictions than its romantic marketing might initially suggest. Lady Cho's frustration, Cho Won's confidence and Hui-yeon's vulnerability create three different perspectives on desire and freedom.
The main weakness is pacing. With eight episodes and several long instalments, the story sometimes has to work harder to justify its extended format. Early reviews have therefore differed on whether the slower sections add useful character depth or simply delay the central conflict.
Overall, the completed series is a stylish and mature historical romance that works particularly well when its three leads are allowed to carry the emotional tension.
Overall Rating: 4/5 ⭐
This is an independent editorial rating for this article, not an official Netflix, IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes rating.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Scandal Kdrama 2026
1. What is The Scandal Kdrama 2026 about?
The Scandal is a Joseon-era romantic drama about Lady Cho, Cho Won and Hui-yeon. A dangerous wager involving seduction draws the three characters into a complicated relationship filled with desire, manipulation and emotional consequences.
2. When was The Scandal released?
The Scandal premiered globally on September 18, 2026.
3. Where can I watch The Scandal?
The series is officially available to stream on Netflix.
4. How many episodes are there in The Scandal?
The series has 8 episodes. Netflix's official listing includes all eight episodes.
5. Who is in The Scandal cast?
The main cast includes Son Ye-jin as Lady Cho, Ji Chang-wook as Cho Won and NANA as Hui-yeon. The supporting cast includes actors such as Han Seon-hwa and Kang Chan-hee.
6. Who directed The Scandal?
The Scandal was directed by Jung Ji-woo.
7. Who wrote The Scandal?
The series is credited to writers Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song.
8. Is The Scandal based on a book or another movie?
Yes. The series is based on the tradition of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' Dangerous Liaisons and reimagines the story through the Joseon setting. It is also connected to the 2003 Korean film Untold Scandal, which adapted the same classic source.
9. Is The Scandal a romance K-drama?
Yes. Netflix categorizes it as a romantic TV drama, Korean drama and period piece. However, the story also focuses heavily on manipulation, social restrictions and psychological relationship conflicts.
10. Is The Scandal worth watching?
If you enjoy mature historical romance, complicated relationships, Joseon-era settings and strong lead performances, The Scandal is worth considering. Its slower pacing may not appeal to everyone, but the central performances and visual presentation give the eight-episode series a strong identity.