The Scandal

Too Much Going On, Despite Excellent Acting by Leads

I have to preface the following comments by saying that I don't like these types of stories in general, the ones where you squirm as characters make mistakes and wrong decisions and pointlessly do bad things to each other. But the real difficulty that I had with the show is that it spent an extraordinary amount of time trying to be both a tragic love story between the ML and FL and a story of innocence and corruption and revenge within the prison of social convention. It is hard to do both. For the tragic love-story, we have to feel empathy for both parties, but that went on for so long, it messed with the corruption story. I imagine that they were trying to ensure both lead actors had robust, complex parts, but it messed things up. (If I thought that the US movie "Dangerous Liaisons" was trying to do a lot, this show unfortunately tripled the effort.)
Trying to lean into both the love story and the corruption gave the leads so much to do, that it seemed difficult for them to really lean into the aspects of the characters. One minute they were good, the next bad, with some redundancy. If the director didn't film in chronological order, I don't really know how the two leads were able to do it. It seems they are both focusing on meaty roles that expand, deepen, and challenge their acting skills. Great applause for both of them; they did a great job here.

One benefit of the complexity is that you don't know who the ML will wind up with in the end and you can go back to rewatch having a better understanding of what the ML and FL were actually feeling in the moment. I would definitely recommend rewatching to really see the acting of the two leads. I can say that the story is significantly changed from the book and movies on which it is based, with much of the change made to tell the story within historic Korean society structures, rather than French society.

Here and there, this show uses a movie technique of a God-like humorous narrator watching the futile, ineffectual efforts of man. It is ostensibly the voice of the town story-teller, delivered in a traditional Korean sing-song style, to narrate certain parts of the show. Unfortunately for people like me, it was intolerable and I had to turn off the audio when it came on. Worse, the frequently vulgar narrator, accompanied by comedic music, was used in some of the scenes showing the ML's sexual playboy lifestyle. I think this was to help shy, perhaps Korean, audiences overcome their embarrassment watching such scenes. But it was a total scene destroyer, and needless for the plot, which is essentially a tragedy, not a comedy. The use of this was a giant misstep by the producers and really prevented folks from feeling the true aching futility of the storyline. It created a distance from the characters that inhibited the viewers' emotions from being stirred.

Yes, there was some nudity, but it was not vulgar or extreme. It was there to reveal the ML's true feelings towards the two 2FLs and his actual humanity. This is because, since he was trying to fool people throughout, it was his behavior that revealed more than his words. And both of these two female actresses seemed a bit miscast to me, and didn't seem to fully inhabit their characters in a deeply relatable way. But this may be due to the complex script or because it may have been hard to find actresses willing to take on the nudity in these roles for fear of being penalized in the future.

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A Masterpiece of Psychological Tension and Aesthetic Brilliance Beyond Genre Clichés

Despite the heated controversies dividing audiences, The Scandal stands out as a high-caliber artistic achievement. Director Jung Ji-woo has delivered a bold, mature, and visually hypnotic series that deliberately breaks away from the conventional tropes and comforting clichés of traditional K-Dramas.

The performances from the cast are nothing short of masterclass level. Ji Chang-wook delivers one of the most daring and layered performances of his career. Stepping completely out of his usual "good hero" comfort zone, he masterfully explores the darkest, most ambiguous depths of his character. Alongside him, the extraordinary Son Ye-jin proves once again why she is a master of her craft, commanding the screen with a chilly, subtle, and captivating psychological tension.

The widely criticized slower pacing is, in reality, a deliberate and sophisticated directorial choice. It provides the necessary breathing room to unravel the complex backstories of the leads and to fully immerse the viewer in the rigid, unforgiving social hierarchy of the Joseon era.

While it is somewhat understandable that such a sharp departure from traditional Korean drama boundaries caught some viewers off guard, the widespread disappointment regarding the mature content is difficult to fully defend. Given that this series is an explicit adaptation of the classic epistolary novel Dangerous Liaisons, how could anyone realistically expect a story stripped of its sensuality and nudity? Intimacy and physical seduction are the very engine of the original plot's dramatic conflict.

In this adaptation, the passionate scenes never devolve into cheap, gratuitous voyeurism. Instead, every intimate sequence serves as a vital battleground for the ruthless psychological warfare and power dynamics between the protagonists.

The Scandal is certainly not a show tailored for everyone. However, for those who appreciate a narrative proud of its own distinct identity and artistic freedom, it is a highly rewarding, unforgettable experience.

Pros:

Masterclass Acting: Ji Chang-wook and Son Ye-jin deliver career-defining, deeply complex performances.

Artistic Departure: A refreshing break from standard K-Drama tropes, offering a mature and gritty psychological narrative.

Stunning Aesthetics: Exceptional cinematography, meticulous Joseon-era set designs, and a brilliant musical score that amplifies the tension.
Faithful Adaptation: Boldly respects the core themes of the original source material, Dangerous Liaisons, without watering down its essence.

Cons:

Deliberate Pacing: The slow, atmospheric rhythm requires patience and might not appeal to viewers looking for a fast-paced plot.

High Maturity Level: The heavy focus on explicit sensuality and power dynamics makes it less suitable for audiences expecting a traditional, light-hearted romance.

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BEST ENDING

I have watched a few versions of this story, and this show has one of the best endings. Most of the other versions were grim and tragic. This one was sad, but I was satisfied with it. In fact, the ending for the widow here was one of the best. She was not made out to be a pathetic, weak loser at the close of the show, and I also like that Cho Won’s affection for his cousin was quite consistent right till the end.

Some of the dialogues were a bit draggy, especially in episode 3, but otherwise, the overall pacing wasn’t too bad. There was sufficient backstories so there was a lot of emotional depth to the characters, and I thought the art direction and storytelling were brilliant. The show was also beautifully shot and is one that should be savored, not rushed through.

There is nothing vile about this show like how some have commented. I would say it's classy. The story is naughty and twisted yes but that's how the original story is. The way it is told in this adaptation IMO is very tastefully done. The scenery, the poetic dialogues, the psychological conflicts, etc are all very well stitched together as a piece of exquisite art. The actors and actresses are professionals doing their job, so there is no need to attack them for their choices. If you cannot handle erotic scenes, then this show is simply not for you. The rating is there for a reason. Anyway, honestly, the erotic scenes probably took up less than 15 mins of the 8 episodes. There is much more to the story than skin showing.

All the actors were great. Initially, I wasn’t used to how Nana portrayed the widow, but her performance grew on me and got better toward the end.

I personally like this story and have thoroughly enjoyed watching this interpretation. Yes, would recommend it, provided you're open-minded to twisted stories and can handle watching some nudity. Also, remember this is set in the Joeson era, based on the 2003 movie. This explains some of the differences between how some characters/situations are portrayed compared to the original novel.

Oh, one more thing...if you’re not watching it on Netflix, but on some illegal platform, and then complaining about the aspect ratio, I think you’re being unfair to the show. Don't blame the production or quality.

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will stand the test of time

I had neither read the french novel nor seen any of the film adaptations. So I watched this as a standalone piece.
Time will tell, but I think it is a solid show, worth watching and very memorable. It is a very sad show, but if you love kdrama sadness is one of the requirements.

This is not the French novel, although literacy is still a wonderful part of the show. It is not a romance either.
The plot is about emotions and memories.

A boy falls in love with a wildly intelligent girl cousin. She dominates him, plays literary games with him and then gives him up when she is married off. He never, ever gets over her. He never matures. And when he actually comes face-to-face with his love, who has also been fantasizing about him all these years, she manipulates him into another game. A selfish, stupid. callous game. But they are now grownups and actions have consequences.

The acting is phenomenal -- within 2 episodes the emotional premises of the show were clear as day.
The costumes and lighting echo Jang Ok Jung -- resonating themes.
The obsessive fugues of baroque music are broken up by some pansori and a very bucolic soundscape.
That constant background of barnyard noise, mainly mooing cows. oddly makes the s** scenes much less shocking.
And there is a lot of fooling around, mostly in flashbacks.

Son Hye Jin's character, Lady Cho, is older, a married but childless woman running a silk business. She seems to be suffocating. The interweave of the flashbacks from her brilliant teenage past with her current intense frustration is incredibly sad. When Cho Won is near her she begins to glow, as if the years peel back. But the pansori singer in the final scenes has a lot to say about old beans that will never sprout.

Ji Chang Wook's character, Cho Won, is an investigative advisor to the king. Heart-broken after Lady Cho marries, he becomes a seducer of women, distracted as a dragonfly. JCW plays him in a precise and delicate way as a man always at the edge of desperation. His life is actually ruined by the consequences of the wager that Lady Cho pressures him into making.

The wager is horrific. JCW is expected to share all the details of a planned seduction with Lady Cho, give written proof that the deed is done, all this so that he will be rewarded by a night with Lady Cho. He chooses as his target a widow living across the way from Lady Cho. She is being pressured psychologically to commit suicide as a 'virtuous woman'.

Nana's character, the widow HuiYeon, is a secret Catholic, so that although Lady Cho keeps suggesting that she kill herself, she shows much more resilience than one would expect.
In fact although the action of deceiving the King could have resulted in a lot of damage, it is contained and limited to the two main protagonists. Cho Won's life is destroyed and Lady Cho loses him forever.

Call me crazy but I think this will be a good rewatch.

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the ending changed everything

let's start with acting, it was brilliant. no surprise there.
now the story,
I ALWAYS believed in something:
it doesn't matter if the drama is gold and plot is good if the ending is bad (not necessarily sad ending) then the entire drama I think is bad. now the reverse is true too, when the drama and the plot is trash if the ending is good (not necessarily a happy ending) then the drama is good.
kinda the same thing happened here, this drama was not good honestly the plot was all over the place and a mess, but the last two episodes was actually really good, it was filled with emotions and the plot suddenly moved forward. I really enjoyed the last 2 episodes. the ending especially was good too.
I don't know if i can recommend it to others but IF YOU STARTED watching it, don't drop it and watch it till the end, you won't regret.

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Stop lying, the acting was great...

!!!!! Beware: Spoilers ahead !!!!

1. A story being old does not make it deep. Dangerous Liasons (I have read it, I watched its adaptations, I know what I'm talking about) is not deep. Complex but not deep.
This adaptation was complex. It didn't have to dissect human existance coz that's not what it's here to do; the whole book was just to say "Hey, vanity and promiscuity will be your downfall" and this adaptation delivered on that.
2. This particular story needed to have sex scenes even if you don't like them. Sex is the literal foundation of why we follow these characters. All their adaptations build on this foundation (even FL had no sex,)
3. Yes, the story dragged. So does the book. This was a good adaptation even though some liberties were taken. But it was clear, I watched it all in one sitting coz I was excited to see how they executed the next 'obstacle'
4. The acting was good. The acting was good. Dear god, the acting was good, a lot of these reviewers are putting their dislike for actors in spaces they don't belong as if to say "Gotcha". Everyone delivered as they should have. I didn't see any other way this particular script would have been acted out. Much of its lack is due to the writers, the actors did well.


Now here it wobbled:
1. SJY not being a seductress was sad (understandable but sad)
2. There wasn't enough time given to JCW and Nana's romance and that made his death a lot less distressing coz it didn't feel like a scarifice but more like he was just leaving. If the script had allowed him to love her, the rejection would be deeper, his death would be deeper, he inability to go would be understandable.
3. I didn't like that they buffed a lot of the charaters' edges. In Ho was supposed to kill Cho Won. SO-OK is supposed to return home in disgrace. Cho yun (dear lord they changed everything about this woman) is supposed to lose her marriage; she's supposed to be vain, she's loses all her power at the end so even if they didn't make her sexual as the books and its adaptations have, they should have at least given us an ending where she falls from grace in a materialistic way. Cho Won is supposed to ruin Cho Yun before he dies as an act of love for Hui Yeon. There's a lot... this script got too afraid to venture into that darkness.

Overall: Not a bad show, would definitely reccomend. Would rewatch. 10/10? No, but definitely above 7.

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A Masterpiece of Acting and Exquisite Artistry

The Scandal is not your conventional K-drama family romance or a period romance; it is a masterclass in psychological tension, repression, and hidden desire..It does have explicit sex scenes but ones that are necessary for the story. The slow, laid-back pace of the drama reflect the boring, slow-paced everyday lives of the elites of the Joseon Era, especially the women. This could very well be one of the most misunderstood K-dramas, until one looks beyond the surface.

While some may find the relationship dynamics as a "lack of chemistry," the show's brilliance actually lies in its calculated restraint. The bond between Lady Cho and Cho Won is defined by a heavy, palpable longing masked behind rigid societal facades. Ji Chang-wook delivers an incredibly nuanced, multilayered performance, doing the heavy lifting largely through his highly expressive eyes. He seamlessly transitions from witty and mischievous to chillingly predatory, only to later reveal a profound, heartbreaking vulnerability. Opposite him, Son Ye-jin commands the screen with flawless micro-expressions, perfectly capturing a ruthless intellect hidden beneath a calm exterior, while Nana provides a heartbreaking, raw emotional anchor as the virtuous widow.

Beyond the stellar acting, the drama is a visual and auditory triumph. The production team treats Joseon-era craftsmanship as an active narrative device-using traditional silk-making, paper-making, and symbolic landscape paintings to beautifully foreshadow the plot and mirror the intricate, slow-burn manipulations of the characters. The creative use of pansori music acts as a powerful emotional chorus, heightening the tension where words fail. Bathed in gorgeous, candlelit cinematography and meticulous costuming, The Scandal demands to be watched for its artistic depth rather than surface-level tropes. It is an exquisite, haunting character study that lingers long after the credits roll.

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Dangerous Liaisons retold

The cast delivered phenomenal performances, but the writing is where things fell apart for me. Dangerous Liaisons is, at its core, a story about upper‑class boredom, greed, and the redemption of a man who finally understands the purity of genuine human love. Unfortunately, this adaptation tries to humanize the female antagonist, Lady Cho Yun, and ultimately pushes the viewer to sympathize with her. Writers, please understand: audiences can grasp a character’s motivations without having their darker traits softened. When you blur those lines, the story loses its bite — and I hated that.

And then there’s the ending. Cho Won (played by Ji Chang Wook) throws himself off a boat because he’s torn between two women and sees no escape from the life he’s built or the desires that trap him. That choice undermines what could have been a powerful redemptive arc — one where he chooses innocence and sincerity over manipulation and sadistic games.

This show had so much potential, but the muddled storyline really derailed it. The only reason it earned a 7.5 from me was the acting, which was a solid 10. Otherwise, I’d probably still be ranting.

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A Bridgerton Kdrama

From the stunning imagery, to the music, to the steam, to even the background speaker, this drama is very much giving Bridgerton.

JCW and SYJ were just ok- not my favorite work of these two and the reason I wanted to watch in the first place.

The star really was the newcomer who played So-ok- she carried this show and did more with a side character than the mains.

Even though there's various feelings and ratings because of the explicit content, the bottom line is the story was not told very well. It had the potential to be incredibly intriguing and legitimately scandalous but there were so many plot holes it was filmed and told as if you knew the story was an adaptation already.

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