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The Scandal Drama Cast, Story & Release Date
The Scandal is an upcoming South Korean historical romance drama set in the rigid and deeply conservative social world of the Joseon era. Starring Son Ye Jin, Ji Chang Wook, and Nana, the series centers on seduction, forbidden emotions, pride, and a dangerous romantic challenge that gradually becomes much more complicated than anyone expects.
Directed by Jung Ji Woo, The Scandal is expected to deliver a mature and emotionally intense story inspired by the Korean original story Untold Scandal. With its Joseon setting, complicated relationships, and 18+ content rating, the drama is shaping up to be a provocative addition to the historical romance genre.
The Scandal Drama Story
The story begins with Madam Cho, a woman who refuses to quietly accept the restrictions placed upon her by Joseon’s rigid social hierarchy. Although she understands the rules governing her world, she is frustrated by the lack of freedom available to women.
Instead of simply accepting her circumstances, Madam Cho finds another way to exercise control. She creates a daring challenge involving Cho Won, a man renowned for his ability to charm women.
Cho Won has little interest in serious romance. Love is simply a pastime to him, and seduction is a game he believes he knows how to win.
Madam Cho therefore gives him a particularly difficult target: Hui Yeon, a young widow who has chosen to dedicate herself to chastity following her husband’s death.
Cho Won accepts the challenge with confidence, believing that Hui Yeon’s resistance will eventually disappear beneath his charm. But Hui Yeon refuses to surrender easily.
Her determination turns the challenge into a much more difficult pursuit. At the same time, Cho Won’s continued presence slowly begins to awaken feelings within Hui Yeon that she has tried to suppress.
The greatest danger comes when the original game begins to lose its boundaries. What was supposed to be manipulation may become genuine affection, while attraction becomes impossible to separate from pride and deception.
With three complicated personalities caught in the same emotional game, The Scandal explores what happens when people attempt to control love only to discover that their own hearts cannot be controlled.
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The Scandal Release Date
The Scandal is scheduled to premiere on Netflix in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026, like July–September 2026. However, an exact premiere date has not yet been officially announced.
The Scandal Drama Details
| Detail | Information |
| Title | The Scandal |
| Native Title | 스캔들 |
| Also Known As | Scandal, Scandals, Scandal: Joseon Namnyeo Sangyeoljisa, Untold Scandal |
| Country | South Korea |
| Genre | Historical, Romance, Drama, Melodrama |
| Format | Standard Series |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Duration | Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes per episode |
| Release | 2026 – ? |
| Original Network | Netflix |
| Content Rating | 18+ Restricted — Violence & Profanity |
| Director | Jung Ji Woo |
| Related Content | Untold Scandal |
| Original Story | Korean original story |
The Scandal Cast
| Actor/Actress | Character | Role |
| Son Ye Jin | Madam Cho | Main Role |
| Ji Chang Wook | Cho Won | Main Role |
| Nana | Hui Yeon | Main Role |
| Chani | Kwon In Ho | Supporting Role |
| Han Sun Hwa | — | Supporting Role |
| Lee Myung Hee | Tavern Owner | Guest Role |
| Kang Myoung Soo | Royal Guard’s Commander | Guest Role |
| DEMIAN | — | Unknown |
Son Ye Jin as Madam Cho
Son Ye Jin takes on the role of Madam Cho, the sharp and charismatic woman at the center of the story.
Madam Cho is frustrated by the restrictions placed upon women in Joseon society. Rather than accepting the life chosen for her, she creates a dangerous game that gives her a sense of control.
Her character is expected to be one of the drama’s most intriguing figures because she is neither simply a victim of her circumstances nor an innocent observer. She actively manipulates events and sets the central romantic challenge into motion.
Ji Chang Wook as Cho Won
Ji Chang Wook plays Cho Won, a notorious charmer who sees romance as little more than a game.
Cho Won accepts Madam Cho’s challenge because he is confident in his ability to win over Hui Yeon. However, what begins as another conquest becomes increasingly complicated as Hui Yeon refuses to fall for his charm.
His character is likely to experience one of the drama’s biggest emotional transformations as the difference between playing with someone’s emotions and developing genuine feelings becomes increasingly difficult to recognize.
Final Thoughts
The Scandal is shaping up to be a mature historical romance drama built around seduction, forbidden emotions, manipulation, and complicated relationships.
Son Ye Jin’s Madam Cho sets the story’s dangerous game in motion, while Ji Chang Wook’s Cho Won initially treats the challenge as another opportunity for conquest. Nana’s Hui Yeon, however, refuses to become an easy target, forcing Cho Won to confront emotions that may go far beyond the game he originally agreed to play.
With only 8 episodes, a mature 18+ rating, a Joseon-era setting, and a cast led by Son Ye Jin, Ji Chang Wook, and Nana, The Scandal has the potential to deliver a compact but intense romantic melodrama.
As the boundaries between a game and genuine love begin to disappear, the biggest question is whether anyone can walk away without getting hurt.
FAQs About The Scandal
- What is The Scandal K-drama about?
The Scandal follows Madam Cho, a woman living under the strict social rules of Joseon society, who challenges the notorious charmer Cho Won to seduce Hui Yeon, a young widow committed to chastity.
- Who stars in The Scandal?
The main cast includes Son Ye Jin as Madam Cho, Ji Chang Wook as Cho Won, and Nana as Hui Yeon.
- Who plays Madam Cho in The Scandal?
Son Ye Jin plays Madam Cho, the clever woman who orchestrates the seduction challenge.
- Who plays Cho Won?
Ji Chang Wook plays Cho Won, a notorious charmer who initially views seduction as nothing more than a game.
- Who plays Hui Yeon?
Nana plays Hui Yeon, a young widow who has devoted herself to maintaining her vows of chastity.
- How many episodes will The Scandal have?
The Scandal is listed as having 8 episodes.
- When will The Scandal be released?
The drama is listed for 2026, although the exact release date has not been confirmed in the provided information.
- Where can viewers watch The Scandal?
The Scandal is listed with Netflix as its original network.
- What genre is The Scandal?
The drama combines Historical, Romance, Drama, and Melodrama genres.
- Is The Scandal suitable for all audiences?
No. The drama is listed with an 18+ Restricted content rating due to violence and profanity.
- Who is directing The Scandal?
The drama is directed by Jung Ji Woo.
- Is The Scandal related to Untold Scandal?
Yes. Untold Scandal is listed as related content and the Korean original story associated with The Scandal.
- What makes The Scandal different from a typical historical romance?
Rather than focusing on a simple romance, the story begins with a calculated seduction challenge. As the characters become emotionally involved, the distinction between manipulation and genuine love starts to disappear.
