Netflix has set a September 18, 2026 global premiere date for its upcoming Korean drama “The Scandal,” starring Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana. The streaming platform dropped the first teaser and posters on August 25, giving viewers a look at the dangerous love game set in the Joseon era.
The series reimagines the classic French novel “Dangerous Liaisons” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, transporting the story of manipulation and forbidden desire to Korea’s Joseon Dynasty.Director Jung Ji-woo, known for films like “Tune in for Love” and the thriller series “Somebody,” helms the project.
Three Characters Trapped in a Dangerous Wager
The story centers on Lady Cho (Son Ye-jin) , a noblewoman whose skills and ambitions go far beyond the limits placed on women of her time.She proposes a risky wager to Cho Won (Ji Chang-wook) , the greatest playboy of Joseon.The bet? Seduce Hui Yeon (Nana) , a virtuous widow who has sworn to remain faithful to her late husband.
What starts as a game of temptation soon turns into something far more complicated. As Cho Won gets closer to Hui Yeon, she finds herself drawn to him despite her efforts to resist.Lady Cho watches from the shadows, and the tension among the three characters builds throughout the series.
Director Jung Ji-woo explained his approach to the story: “I didn’t simply want a romance structure. I built the story around protagonists who possess the modern self-awareness of ‘Who am I?’”
What the Teaser Reveals
The one-minute teaser gives viewers a glimpse of the game that could turn Bukchon, the heart of Joseon’s high society, upside down.Lady Cho is shown proposing the wager with a piercing gaze, while Cho Won accepts it with desire in his eyes. Hui Yeon appears frightened yet mesmerized as she gets caught up in their scheme.
The teaser posters capture the three characters like figures in a Korean-style painting. Lady Cho sits in her inner quarters surrounded by red flowers, leaving viewers wondering why a virtuous noblewoman would propose such a risky bet.Cho Won sits confidently among beautiful women, raising questions about whether he will win the wager.Hui Yeon stands among plum blossoms with a sorrowful expression, hinting at the fate that awaits her.
The tagline “Desire what is forbidden” runs throughout the promotional materials, pointing to how the characters defy the taboos of their era.
The Classic Story Behind The Scandal
“The Scandal” takes inspiration from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 French novel “Dangerous Liaisons,” a story that has remained famous for its dark take on love, desire, and manipulation.The novel has been adapted into plays and films over the years.
This is not the first time the story has been set in Korea. The 2003 film “Untold Scandal,” starring Bae Yong-joon, Jeon Do-yeon, and Lee Mi-sook, was a box office success, drawing over 3.5 million viewers despite its restricted adult rating.
Director Jung Ji-woo has reinterpreted the original work from a modern perspective, centering on characters driven by their own desires and selfhood.The series aims to portray in a multidimensional way how these characters forge their own choices amid the taboos and constraints of Joseon society.
Star-Studded Cast Brings the Drama to Life
Son Ye-jin , known for her roles in “Crash Landing on You,” “Something in the Rain,” and “Thirty-Nine,” takes on the role of Lady Cho.She also starred in Park Chan-wook’s 2025 black comedy film “No Other Choice.”
Ji Chang-wook , who has appeared in romance dramas like “The K2,” “Lovestruck in the City,” and “Welcome to Samdal-ri,” as well as action series including “Gangnam B-Side,” plays Cho Won.
Nana , whose Korean name is Im Jin-ah, first rose to fame as a member of K-pop girl group After School before moving into acting.She has starred in series such as “Mask Girl” and “My Man Is Cupid,” as well as the film “Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy.”In “The Scandal,” she plays Hui Yeon, a widow who vows to remain chaste after losing her husband but finds herself conflicted by her emotions and attraction toward Cho Won.
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When and Where to Watch The Scandal
“The Scandal” will premiere globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026 .The series consists of eight episodes.It will be available to viewers worldwide, including in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions.
The release is timed around the Chuseok holiday, the Korean harvest festival that falls on September 25 this year.
Fans have already taken to social media to share their excitement about the series. One viewer wrote, “JI CHANGWOOK’S VOICE MODULATION FUCK (Netflix, you better treat him right this time before he goes back to being a disney prince again.)”Another commented, “Omg!! JCW as a sleaze bag!! I can’t!! I’ve never seen him like this. I’m scared! He’ll kill per usual! Omg I can’t wait!!”One fan noted, “Oh damn i know how the story gonna go we gonna hate him than love him than cry for him but damn im still gonna watch it.”
With its blend of classic literature, Korean historical setting, and a cast of top-tier actors, “The Scandal” is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about K-dramas of the year.
Also Read: The Scandal Teaser Drops: Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana Enter a Dangerous Love Game
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