| Native Title | 스캔들 |
| Also Know as | Seukaendeul, Scandal: Joseon Namnyeo Sangyeoljisa, 스캔들 - 조선남녀상열지사, 스캔들: 조선남녀상열지사 |
| Director | Jung Ji-Woo |
| Writer | Lee Seung-Young, Ahn Hye-Song |
| Content Rating | Not Yet Rated |
| Runtime | 8 episodes |
| Genre | Historical, Romance, Melodrama |
| Language | Korean |
| Country | South Korea |
The 2026 Korean series "The Scandal" is a period romance drama that has generated significant anticipation. Set in the waning years of the Joseon dynasty, this Netflix original reinterprets themes of forbidden desire, manipulation, and emotional turmoil in a historical context.
"The Scandal" (native title: "스캔들") is an eight-episode series directed by Jung Ji-woo and written by Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song. Produced by Movierock and Cine Forest, it draws inspiration from the 2003 Korean film "Untold Scandal", which itself adapts the classic French novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The drama blends elements of historical fiction, romance, melodrama, and intrigue, focusing on a dangerous game of seduction and temptation that challenges societal norms. It is scheduled for release on Netflix in the third quarter of 2026.
In the rigid Confucian society of late Joseon, Lady Cho (also referred to as Madam Cho), a talented and composed noblewoman, chafes under the constraints placed on women. Beneath her devoted wife facade lies resentment and a desire for more. She enters into a risky wager with Cho Won, Joseon's most notorious playboy and a refined scholar skilled in martial arts and seduction, who harbors unspoken feelings for her. Their scheme involves manipulating romantic entanglements for personal gain and excitement. When Lady Cho learns of her husband's plan to take the innocent and chaste young widow Hui Yeon as a concubine, she enlists Cho Won to seduce Hui Yeon. This act draws the unsuspecting Hui Yeon into their web, sparking jealousy, betrayal, passion, and unintended emotional consequences that unravel their carefully laid plans.
"The Scandal" has built early buzz through its star-studded cast and first-look previews. The captivating stills and teasers highlight intense character dynamics, elegant visuals, and the promise of steamy, intimate storytelling within a period setting. Anticipation centers on the leads' chemistry and the fresh take on a classic tale of manipulation and desire.
This marks a return to the historical genre for Son Ye-jin, with emphasis on restrained beauty, traditional hanbok, hanok settings, and subtle visual elegance rather than flashy spectacle.
The first-look images from the "Next on Netflix 2026 Korea" event showcased the trio in striking Joseon-era attire, emphasizing allure and tension.
Principal photography wrapped after starting in March 2025 and concluding in September 2025.
The series is described as featuring irresistible dynamics, with themes of forbidden love, cunning schemes, and emotional upheaval in a sageuk framework.
"The Scandal" promises to deliver a sophisticated blend of romance, drama, and psychological intrigue, elevated by its talented cast and director's genre-spanning style. Fans of historical romances with complex characters and high-stakes relationships will find much to anticipate in this bold adaptation. Its exploration of desire against societal boundaries could make it a standout in Netflix's 2026 Korean lineup.
"The Scandal" is set to premiere exclusively on Netflix in the third quarter of 2026.
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