Ji Chang Wook has opened up about working with Son Ye Jin in Netflix’s newly released historical drama The Scandal, describing their on-screen encounters as suffocating in the best possible way. The actor, who plays the role of Joseon’s most notorious romantic, revealed that every single moment shared between his character Cho Won and Son Ye Jin’s Lady Cho carries intense psychological weight.
The eight-episode series premiered globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026, and has quickly become one of the most talked-about Korean dramas of the month. The show is a remake of the 2003 Korean film Untold Scandal, which itself was adapted from the 1782 French novel Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.
What Ji Chang Wook Said About Working With Son Ye Jin
In a recent interview with Elle Korea, Ji Chang Wook spoke in detail about the dynamic between his character and Lady Cho. He explained that their scenes together required extensive preparation to get the tension just right.
“There isn’t a single scene where Lady Cho and Jo Won meet that doesn’t feel suffocating. Every moment is completely packed.”
The actor added that the two performers invested significant time in rehearsals to ensure the emotional weight of their interactions felt natural on screen.
“We always put a lot of effort into rehearsals, and I think viewers will be able to fully feel the carefully expressed tension between the two even through the screen.”
Ji Chang Wook also shared his approach to playing Cho Won, a character known across Joseon for his charm and romantic escapades. He said he deliberately avoided making the character’s reputation feel exaggerated or forced.
“I tried not to deliberately emphasize or add to his image as a great lover. I wanted it to naturally come through in his attitude and actions.”
He described Cho Won as a complicated figure whose true intentions remain hard to read throughout the series.
“Jo Won is a complicated and difficult man. You can’t easily tell what he’s thinking until the end, so he was fun to portray, but there were also difficult parts.”
A Story of Desire and Restriction in Joseon Era
The Scandal is set during the Joseon Dynasty and follows Lady Cho, a talented noblewoman frustrated by the strict social rules that limit women’s lives. She proposes a dangerous wager to her childhood friend and distant relative Cho Won, asking him to seduce Hui Yeon (played by Nana), a young widow who has chosen to remain chaste.
What begins as a calculated game of manipulation becomes increasingly complicated when real emotions enter the picture. The series explores themes of desire, power, reputation, and the consequences of playing with people’s feelings.
Director Jung Ji-woo explained at the September 9, 2026 press conference in Seoul that the series reinterprets the classic story through a modern lens. He also shared that the production borrowed structural elements from pansori, a traditional Korean form of musical storytelling.
Son Ye Jin Returns to Historical Drama After 24 Years
For Son Ye Jin, The Scandal marks her return to a historical drama after 24 years. The actress, widely known for her role in Crash Landing on You, said she was drawn to the complexity of Lady Cho.
“I was charmed by Lady Cho as I read the script and also felt that I was at an age where I could express her feelings well.”
She also spoke about the pressure of taking on a role previously played by Lee Mi-sook in the 2003 film.
“The fact that the series talks about human desire and is set in an era where such desires are considered taboo, as well as returning to historical drama after a long time, were all reasons I decided to accept the role.”
Director Jung praised Son Ye Jin’s performance, saying she carried the entire story on her shoulders and shaped Lady Cho into a powerful presence.
Nana’s First Historical Drama Role
Nana, a former member of the K-pop group After School, plays Hui Yeon, a widow who has maintained her chastity for years. This marks Nana’s first time acting in a historical drama. She described the experience as meaningful and spoke about the visual appeal of the traditional hanbok costumes.
Director Jung noted that all three main characters have a significant gap between the self they show to the world and the self they hide. He said the process of the characters being caught or peeking into each other’s hidden selves creates visual tension through push-and-pull dynamics.
How to Watch The Scandal
The Scandal is available exclusively on Netflix worldwide. All eight episodes were released together on September 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM KST. The series carries a 19+ rating in Korea and is rated R21 on Netflix in Singapore.
For viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other global markets, the series can be streamed with subtitles in multiple languages. The show runs for a total of approximately 8 hours across its eight episodes.
What Viewers Are Saying
The Scandal has sparked divided reactions since its release. The series quickly entered Netflix’s global top 10 list for the week of September 15-21, 2026. Many viewers have praised the chemistry between the lead actors, while others have criticized the show’s pacing and its frequent intimate scenes.
A social media user wrote on X: “Ji Chang-wook and Lim Jin-ah reportedly deliver their most daring scenes yet in the new 19+ Korean drama.”
Another viewer commented: “I think I finally understand why The Scandal could never have aired on any TV station. Never. It’s simply too scandalous.”
Some viewers expressed disappointment with the series, with one comment noting: “It’s fine to stan an actor and still admit their drama is trash.”
The series has also drawn attention for its bold approach to intimacy, with director Jung Ji-woo confirming at the press conference that the explicit content is “worth the anticipation.”
Related:
The Scandal Cast and Characters
- Son Ye Jin as Lady Cho: A gifted noblewoman who refuses to accept the limitations placed on women in Joseon society.
- Ji Chang Wook as Cho Won: Joseon’s most famous romantic, known for his charm and complicated personality.
- Nana as Hui Yeon: A young widow who has chosen a life of chastity and becomes entangled in Lady Cho and Cho Won’s dangerous game.
- Han Sun-hwa, Kang Chan-hee, and Shin Youn-ha also star in supporting roles.
The series was written by Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song, with Jung Ji-woo serving as director. The production features elaborate hanbok costumes, detailed art direction, and a visual style that aims to capture both the elegance and the restrictive atmosphere of the Joseon era.
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more in-depth coverage of the biggest Korean drama releases and streaming updates from around the world.
Leave a Reply