“A daring and dangerous love game set in Joseon-era Korea.”
That is how streaming giant Netflix described the upcoming Korean series entitled The Scandal, which is top-billed by some of the biggest names in “K-dramaland.”
Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana will be joining forces in the production that reimagines Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s classic 1782 novel Dangerous Liaisons.
The series infuses a modern sensibility into a period drama, where “characters defy social taboos to pursue their deepest desires.”
At its center are Lady Cho (Son Ye Jin), a woman too extraordinary to be confined to women’s quarters; Jo-won (Ji Chang Wook), the greatest playboy in Joseon; and Hui-yeon (Nana), a lady who becomes entangled in their wager.
The accompanying teaser posters offer a captivating portrait of the three leads bound together by a dangerous game of temptation.
Seated in her inner quarters amidst a riot of crimson blossoms, Lady Cho leaves viewers questioning why a virtuous noblewoman would propose such a risky wager — and what hidden motives lie beneath her calm façade.
Meanwhile, Cho Won, true to his reputation as Joseon’s ultimate playboy, finds himself surrounded by beauty, raising the stakes on whether he will win the bet and claim his prize.
Standing forlornly among blooming plum blossoms, Hui-yeon gazes wistfully into the distance, foreshadowing her unwitting descent into their perilous web of deceit.
The newly unveiled teaser trailer offers a glimpse into the wager that threatens to upend Bukchon, the heart of Joseon’s high society.
Intercut shots showcase Lady Cho proposing the bet with a piercing gaze, Cho Won accepting it with eyes ablaze with desire, and Hui-yeon looking reluctant yet mesmerized. As Cho Won approaches Hui-yeon to secure his victory while Lady Cho watches from the shadows, tension mounts, leaving viewers eager to see the catastrophic fallout of this seductive game.
Helmed by director Jung Ji-woo, The Scandal blends a classic tale with a modern narrative lens, immersive Korean aesthetic, and an alluring cast and will premiere on September 18 on Netflix.
