The Scandal

Amazing redo

I read a few of the reviews and not certain why this series received such a low rating. The story line about deception and how trapped all three of the main characters were was well written. Others mentioned erotica, which was an important part of the story line, and also well done there’s symbolism in the vulnerability in the mature scenes. There’s playfulness to other sexually explicit scenes, but well intended to the overall story. These actors deserve a better critique than what’s written, well acted, well written and the music was exquisitely added to the overall composite of the drama. For those that didn’t get it when watching the first time try to read into what’s being told in the story and I think you will get more from a second viewing.

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A Cinematic Masterpiece Misunderstood

The drama ( in my opinion) is a Cinematic Masterpiece Misunderstood by the Masses While many casual viewers fast-forward through the slow-burn pacing or get distracted by the explicit rating, The drama (Again in my opinion) is a brilliant, layered masterpiece of psychological tension. Director Jung Ji-woo did not create a commercial, fast-paced K-drama; he crafted a meticulous, character-driven tragedy that explores the dark, messy corners of human desire, jealousy, and social constraints within the rigid Joseon era. The plot execution is precise, treating physical distance, fleeting glances, and subtle touches as an entirely separate language. For those on kisskh who complain about a "lack of plot," confusion should not be mistaken for a lack of direction. The narrative web is tightly spun, and every single scene serves a structural purpose
A Masterclass in Acting: The Main Trio at Their PeakThe true pulse of the drama lies in its phenomenal cast. Ji Chang-wook, Son Ye-jin, and Nana deliver absolute acting masterclasses, providing subtle, understated performances that require the viewer’s full attention to appreciate:

Ji Chang-wook (Cho Won): His transformation into the ultimate Joseon libertine is spectacular. He balances the playful charm of a notorious playboy with an intense, vulnerable undercurrent. The shifting layers of his performance—especially as he begins to realize he is drowning in genuine, dangerous emotions—are breathtaking.

Son Ye-jin (Lady Cho): She portrays her character's internal contradiction beautifully. There is a chilling calculation in her gaze, yet a profound, aching loneliness beneath it. She manipulates an entire room without ever raising her voice, breaking away from conventional, loud drama villains to give us a multi-dimensional, brilliant noblewoman stifled by her era.

Nana (Hui-yeon): Nana infuses the virtuous young widow with a quiet vulnerability that completely elevates the character. She is not just an innocent, helpless pawn in a game; Nana plays her with her own distinct desires and emotional agency. Her gradual emotional awakening and the complex "push-and-pull" chemistry she shares with Ji Chang-wook are among the most gripping elements of the show.

An Example of Brilliant Symbolism: The Widow's Room (Confucianism vs. Christianity)To truly understand how deep and complex these characters are, one only needs to look at the powerful, symbolic set design in Hui-yeon's room. Pay close attention to her wall: it is covered in wallpapers of Confucian texts, representing the suffocating conservatism, rigid social expectations, and moral duties forced upon her from the outside as a widow in that era.Yet, hidden beneath that layer is Catholic Christianity. In Joseon at that time, Christianity symbolized the underground, the yearning for freedom, and a faith born from the heart rather than establishment dictates. This wall is a perfect reflection of her psyche: outwardly, she is completely imprisoned by the public expectations demanded of her, but deep down, her heart is somewhere else entirely, longing to break free and experience genuine emotion. This is visual storytelling at its finest.

The Pansori Soundtrack: Cho Won’s Hidden Monologue (Episode 4)Another brilliant creative choice in this adaptation is how Director Jung Ji-woo anchored the show's entire sonic palette in Pansori—the classic Korean musical storytelling medium.A prime example of this genius is found in Episode 4. Instead of using conventional, lazy voiceovers or forced dialogue to explain Cho Won’s inner world, the director uses the rhythmic, aching cadence of the Pansori singer as a direct proxy for Cho Won's internal monologue. As Cho Won pursues Hui-yeon, his playboy facade begins to crack, revealing a hollow void and a desperate longing. The Pansori doesn't just play in the background; it acts as the raw, unfiltered voice of his subconscious—vocalizing the intense emotional conflict and hidden desires that he cannot speak aloud. It is pure cinematic poetry that demands a patient, attentive audience.Bottom Line: If you watch this drama at 2x speed or look only for conventional, comforting K-drama tropes, you will miss the brilliant nuances in speech delivery, musical metaphors, and micro-expressions. The Scandal is an artistic triumph meant for audiences who appreciate high production values, complex grey characters, and raw human emotions.

I've already seen it twice to get to the bottom of the little nuances. I recommend not rushing to dismiss it or criticize it because of the comments. 10/10

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Storyline could be better

I absolutely loved temped and cruel intentions, so when watching this my expectations were at peak. However I realised that each directors approach to these type of films are different. My No.1 is still Tempted.

I though that the drama was more sensual amd not really erotic. The drama depected more 'feeling through sense' than sexual desire . Which was very well portrayed. However the chemistry between the leads were not what i was expecting... it seemed they were still playing it safe in a sense

While the "chase game" seemed a bit off for me...Cho Won trying to seduce Hul Yeon.. it seemed redundant.

It wasn't great but it was not bad ... i just wish there were more 'on the edge of my seat' plots. Over all the acting was good and the premise was good...

I don't really like Ji Chang Wook acting , i think I've watched maybe 2 of his dramas. But this was not one of those shows that I'd rather skip because of the cast.
And the ending was a bit bland for me ... when you start high end high to .. this happens a lot in kdramas I've watched
Well done crew , I think shooting a film like this isn't easy , and they did well..

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Honest review

Its a masterpiece, especially because of Ji Chang Wook's performance. He perfectly portrays a man deeply in love who simply cannot let go of the woman he loves.

Lady Cho was, in my view, the most selfish character in the story. Beneath her sweet words and elegant appearance was a cunning woman who neither wanted Cho Won in her life nor wanted him to be happy with someone else. She made her own choices, chose her marriage, and lived the life she wanted, yet she could not let go of her hold over him. What disappointed me most was that when two people's lives were at stake, she seemed more concerned about protecting her reputation and clearing her name before His Majesty than the pain she had caused others.

Cho Won is a reminder that when you cannot let go of the past and fail to stand up for what is right, you can easily become trapped in someone else's game. His love was genuine, but his inability to break free ultimately led to tragedy.

Hui-yeon, the widow, was the true victim. She suffered because of a game she never chose to be part of. Sadly, that's often how real life works. Innocent people get hurt when others are busy manipulating situations for their own desires.

The story was heartbreaking because almost everyone paid the price for Lady Cho's actions. Personally, I wish the writer had given Lady Cho a harsher consequence and a different ending. It felt unfair that the people who loved sincerely suffered the most, while the person who started the game did not suffer enough for the damage she caused.

💔 A beautiful, emotional, and tragic drama that will stay with me for a long time.

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Not the terrible drama that some of the reviews make it out to be.

Seeing all the negative reviews, and being a huge JCW fan, I initially started to feel disappointed. But then I decided to just sit down, watch the drama, and judge it for myself instead of letting other people’s opinions influence me.

And honestly? I’m glad I did.

The first two episodes immediately caught my attention, and I also found the story quite clear. I genuinely don’t understand some of the comments saying that they “don’t understand what’s going on.” To me, the story is actually pretty straightforward. There are layers to the characters and their motivations, but that doesn’t mean the plot itself is confusing.

I also think the main leads have quite a lot of chemistry considering the characters they are playing. This is not a classic romance or a straightforward love story, and I think that’s precisely what makes it interesting. There is something deeper going on between the characters than simply “who is going to end up with whom.” If you’re expecting a conventional romance, then I can understand why you might be disappointed, but that doesn’t mean the drama itself is confusing or badly written.

Another thing I really appreciated is the way the drama shows aspects of everyday life and professions from that period. We get to see things such as silk and paper production, as well as everyday habits and subjects that might have been considered taboo at the time, such as smoking and sex and even religions. I found those details interesting because they added something to the world-building and made the historical setting feel more alive.

I should also mention that I haven’t watched the older Korean adaptation, nor have I read the original French novel, so I’m judging this drama entirely on its own. I’m not comparing it to the previous adaptation or to the original story.

And no, I also don’t think the drama is as slow as some people claim. I’ve watched Korean historical dramas with 16 episodes where the plot barely moved forward for most of the drama, so compared to those, I really didn’t find the pacing here particularly problematic. There are flashbacks, side characters, and slower moments, but that’s hardly unusual for a Korean historical drama.

For me, this was a well-structured story with beautiful cinematography, great aesthetics, and solid direction. I especially enjoyed the way the drama created its atmosphere.

Now, for the negatives.

The character that annoyed me the most was Nana’s character. And just to clarify, I knew who Nana was, but I honestly had no idea she was such a big name or that she was so well known as both an idol and an actress. That said, I found her character to be the most annoying, monotonous, and sometimes simply uninteresting character in the drama.

I also have to say that, personally, I don’t think her particular look fits a historical drama very well. I know that many Koreans, especially actors and celebrities, have had cosmetic procedures, but sometimes you see a face in a historical setting and it just feels a little out of place. That was unfortunately the impression I got with her.

Overall, I really don’t think this drama deserves all the negativity surrounding it.

It’s not perfect. It has its flaws, and I can understand why some people might not connect with it. But it is definitely not the terrible drama that some of the reviews make it out to be.

Honestly, I think if people stopped reading all the reviews beforehand and simply watched it with an open mind, they might enjoy it much more. Maybe some viewers were expecting a straightforward melodrama with lots of romance and cute kisses on the cheek, and this simply wasn’t that kind of drama.

Personally, I found it interesting, beautifully made, and much more enjoyable than I expected after seeing all the negative reviews.

So yes, I’m very glad I decided to judge it for myself instead of letting the internet do it for me.

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One word... manipulation at its prime.

The Scandal is, in a single phrase, manipulation at its finest.

It was a refreshing departure from the typical K-drama formula, where relationships tend to remain chaste and physical intimacy is often limited to a single kiss. This drama embraced beauty and sexuality openly, which made it a welcome change of pace. The performances were exceptional—Son Ye-jin as Lady Cho, Ji Chang-wook as Cho Won, and Nana as Hui-yeon each portrayed their characters with precision and depth.

As the story progressed, my feelings toward Lady Cho evolved into genuine disdain. She was calculating and manipulative, exploiting everyone around her to achieve her objectives. Ji Chang-wook's portrayal of a womanizer was a pleasant surprise, and his character Cho Won undergoes a compelling arc, gradually revealing a more nuanced and sympathetic side. Since the narrative is set in motion by a wager, the audience knows from the outset that it cannot end well—yet I still found myself hoping for a glimmer of redemption.

For me, the most satisfying resolution was Lady Cho's—she ultimately reaps what she sows. I was delighted for the servant couple, Bun-hui and Kwon In-ho, who earned their happy ending. Conversely, I felt a deep sense of pity for Cho Won. His transformation is evident, yet he remains trapped by his cousin's relentless ambition, unable to escape her grasp. The chemistry between Cho Won and Hui-yeon was a highlight, and their scenes together were among the most captivating.

The drama spans only eight episodes, yet the pacing occasionally faltered, particularly in the later installments, where it felt unnecessarily prolonged. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the series.

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One Word - Ho hum

Ho hum.

That’s not a shrug. It’s a diagnosis.

Netflix’s The Scandal premiered on September 18, 2026, shot to No. 1 in South Korea, and became a global talking point for its 18+ scenes and star-studded cast. It has Son Ye-jin. It has Ji Chang-wook. It has Nana. It has Joseon-era hanbok, a dangerous wager, and a story descended from Les Liaisons dangereuses. It should be a decadent, backstabbing, silk-robed disaster. Instead, it’s a beautifully lit waiting room.

The plot is sturdy enough. Lady Cho, a brilliant noblewoman pinned under Confucian rules, makes a bet with Cho Won, Joseon’s most notorious playboy. The target: Hui-yeon, an innocent young widow. If that sounds like Dangerous Liaisons in hanbok, that’s because it is. Good. Great. Except the show treats the wager like a museum exhibit: interesting to look at, hard to feel.

The cast is not the problem. Son Ye-jin is commanding and striking as Lady Cho, a woman who can ruin a life with a raised eyebrow. Ji Chang-wook is magnetic and complex as Cho Won, especially when he stops smirking and remembers he has a soul. Nana brings a quiet, aching vulnerability to Hui-yeon, and she’s clearly enjoying the bolder, riskier territory. These three deserve a script that gives them something to chew on besides the scenery. They act like the fate of Joseon depends on it. The script acts like it’s already been renewed.

The real issue is the pacing. The show moves like a nobleman’s sedan chair: ornate, slow, and carried by people who seem tired. Eight episodes, and the plot still feels like it’s clearing its throat. Supporters praise the gorgeous historical visuals, the A-list performances, and the morally gray character dynamics. Fair. Critics and some viewers find it slow, unfocused, and more provocative in marketing than in substance. Also fair. The 18+ scenes generated buzz, but they often land with a thud. The most scandalous thing here is a letter being read aloud by fully clothed people. That should be thrilling. Here, it’s often the only time the show has a pulse.

And the discourse? Predictably split. Half the internet is praising the visuals and the cast. The other half is asking how they finished all eight episodes. Somewhere, one person is still typing “Explain the ending” into the void. That person has a point. The finale leaves Cho Won’s fate ambiguous: he jumps into a river, his body is never found, and there are hints he may have started a new life far away. Lady Cho keeps her wealth and status but loses the man who loved her. Hui-yeon survives, but she must practice her faith in hiding, cut off from the society that briefly celebrated her as a martyr. It’s bittersweet. It’s also frustrating. Ambiguity can be depth. Here, it sometimes feels like the writers couldn’t decide, so they let the river choose.

So yes: ho hum.

Not terrible. Not unwatchable. Just strangely inert. The Scandal is a show with a delicious premise, a tremendous cast, and a script that keeps forgetting to be interesting. It’s beautiful, well-acted, and deeply unexciting.

Watch it for Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana. Stay for the hanbok. Don’t stay for the plot. It might not notice.

Rating: 2.5/5

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Excellent acting with over-sexualized production

This series was very mixed for me. I likely would have skipped it except I am a great fan of Son Ye Jin, Ji Chang Wook and Nana. They did a tremendous job. I loved how the drama flipped the usual roles by having Ji Chang Wook do the heavy lifting with the explicit emotional scenes while Son Ye Jin's character was the one with the stoic expression … yet still spoke volumes via her eyes, micro-expressions and tone of voice. Their scenes together made the entire series worth it for me.

Because of their acting, the story became interesting. While it starts off rather slow, as the web of lies and deceit is spun, spreads, unravels and spun again became great to watch … in a somewhat horrific manner considering the underlying evil.

The actual production was somewhat of an issue for me … mainly because of the gratuitous explicit scenes that it contained. Some were completely gratuitous such as the feet to back pan of So Ok as she was being dressed or Chil Seung / Eun-sil sexual activity while those that could be justified by the story tended to be more explicit than necessary. As with lingerie, less revealing is often more appealing. Those scenes went for explicit shock rather than subtle art.

As for shock, at least the drama did not follow thru with the consummation of So Ok and Cho Won's interaction considering the underlying relationship that was, while never confirmed, subtlety hinted at.

The ending fit the entire series. While not how I'd have liked it to go, it really was the only way for it to go. Anything else would have been a disservice to everything that had come before. And it did provide probably my favorite scene as the only actual romance in the series – when Cho Won's servant comforts Hui Yeon with”... [Cho Won] would have me bring you a warm cup of tea.”.

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What happens when suppression, obsession, and desire, combine.

September 2026.
Lots of mixed reviews over this drama, and given how often many actively seek 'hotter' productions, I genuinely wonder whether some (not all of course), of that wasn't due to the cast, and specifically JCW, being seen as never before.

Other relatively recent dramas with adult themes haven't created this divide.
It's also clearly summarised as containing sex and nudity... why would anyone watch it and then complain about that?!!! Any how....

It sticks pretty much to the classic novel, in terms of the agreement made between exes; driven by selfish needs. From the start, they manipulate one another, as much as they do their chosen victims... Lady Cho due to frustration, resentment and bitterness; Cho Won due to his obsession.

It starts off pretty low key, as the deal is struck and a second element is brought into their game.

Cho Won also has a servant whom he genuinely cares for. That servant's relationship, with their counterpart of An Hui-yon, has some comical, and touching scenes. The 'relations' between these 2 I found very amusing.

Out the 2 foremost characters, it is Lady Cho who is the catalyst for almost everything. Under the frosty, calm exterior I saw a woman hanging on to her status and beauty.

Seduction is the name of the game, and Cho Won's first success, I found so funny at times, as well as pretty hot. Most definitely consensual (as were all the adult scenes between characters).

It's so incredibly tangled; other's actions thwarting the twisted plans of the main pair, leading to more and more convoluted situations.

The cruelty of both is lost to them, however, in their own selfish, pity-me worlds.

It's very clever, how the often light-hearted score and moments of wit, just about keep the drama from being overly dark. The gossipy and jaunty narration, shouted throughout the story, is so naughty, funny, and genius.

The drama overall, is no walk in the park, however.

The culmination of Cho Won's ultimate, self-imposed challenge, was beautifully filmed, I thought. Not OTT, but as passionate as the character, although driven by the desire for his promised prize.

One obsessed, the other driving the obsession, at any cost. The Cho cousins are quite the pair.

I felt Cho Won really lost himself by the end, as a realisation dawned on him. JCW conveyed the character really well. I never felt certain of his feelings, and I don't think the character fully understood them either.

In the end, I personally believe he was protecting one woman, whilst knowing he'd never truly escape the other.

Bitterness, oppression, a decision based on feelings of filial duty, and then jealousy ~ out the two, Cho Yun was the most cruel in my eyes.

A well made series, with a slightly different representation of the story, yet keeping to the structure of it.

Not sure I'll watch it again, but I certainly don't regret having done so. It's mature; the rating? Well if I were 15 (which it's rated on Netflix), I wouldn't want to watch it with mum & dad, but it's not porn. The behaviour of the characters had consequences.

I personally feel glamourising violence, and normalising bullying and abuse, is far worst viewing for youngsters than some bare bums, boobs and sex.

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