Directed by Jung Ji Woo, the period k-drama reimagines Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 novel Dangerous Liaisons, against the backdrop of Joseon.

Published on: Aug 25, 2026, 12:05:14 IST

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Netflix is taking the infamous story of Dangerous Liaisons to Joseon with the upcoming k-drama, The Scandal, starring Son Ye Jin, Ji Chang Wook and Nana (Im Jin Ah). Directed by Jung Ji Woo, the period drama reimagines Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 novel Dangerous Liaisons, against the backdrop of Joseon, where love, desire and reputation collide. At the centre of the story is a dangerous game of seduction that could have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.

A dangerous game of seduction

Netflix dropped the first teaser for The Scandal on August 25, giving viewers a first look at the tangled relationships driving the Joseon-era drama. At the centre of the story is Lady Cho (Son Ye Jin), a sharp and fearless noblewoman who has no intention of living by the rules society has set for her. She pulls Jo Won (Ji Chang Wook), a charming Joseon playboy who has little faith in love but enjoys the excitement of romance, into one of her latest and most dangerous games.

Lady Cho challenges Jo Won to seduce Hui Yeon (Nana), a virtuous widow who has promised to remain loyal to her late husband. Slowly, Jo Won gets closer to Hui Yeon. Despite trying to keep her distance, she slowly finds herself drawn to him and begins questioning the feelings she has tried so hard to suppress.

The teaser sets up the complicated dynamic between the three characters, with Lady Cho confidently proposing the challenge, Jo Won appearing more than ready to take it on, and Hui Yeon caught between her resolve and the emotions she can no longer ignore.

The novel behind The Scandal

The Scandal takes inspiration from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 French novel Dangerous Liaisons, a story that has remained famous for its dark take on love, desire and manipulation. Set among the French aristocracy, the novel follows the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, two former lovers who treat seduction like a game and use other people to settle scores and entertain themselves.

A game of control soon becomes much more complicated. The people they target are not simply pawns, and their emotions and choices begin to disrupt the carefully planned schemes of the two aristocrats. As the consequences grow, the game takes a far more serious turn than either of them expected.

One of the most distinctive things about Dangerous Liaisons is that the entire story unfolds through letters exchanged between the characters. This gives readers an intimate look at their secrets, relationships and hidden intentions. Its bold portrayal of desire and manipulation made the novel controversial when it was first published, and it has since become one of the best-known stories about seduction and betrayal in European literature.

This isn’t the first time Dangerous Liaisons has found a Korean setting. The story was previously adapted into the 2003 film Untold Scandal, directed by E J Yong and starring Bae Yong Joon and Jeon Do Yeon. The film went on to become both a critical and commercial success in South Korea.

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Where and when to watch

This marks Son Ye Jin’s first streaming project, as the actor makes her OTT debut with The Scandal. The series will premiere globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026.

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