The Scandal (Korean: 스캔들) is a 2026 South Korean period romance drama television series written by Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song, directed by Jung Ji-woo, and starring Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana. The series is inspired by the French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos and the 2023 film Untold Scandal by E J-yong, moving the story in Korea during Joseon dynasty era, and it follows individuals who defy society's rigid order and enter a dangerous game of love and temptation. It was released on Netflix on September 18, 2026.
Contents
Synopsis
Lady Cho, a noblewoman living within the constraints of Confucian social order, and Cho Won, a wealthy aristocrat known for his libertine lifestyle. The two form an agreement to manipulate romantic relationships for their own purposes, testing the boundaries of social convention. Their arrangement is disrupted when Ahn Hui-yeon, a young widow unfamiliar with courtship, becomes involved, leading to unintended emotional entanglements and conflicts among the three.
Cast and characters
Main
Son Ye-jin as Lady Cho / Cho Yun
Shin So-hyun as young Jo Yun
Ji Chang-wook as Cho Won
Jeong Hyun-jun as young Cho Won
Nana as Ahn Hui-yeon
Supporting
Han Sun-hwa as Bun-hui, So-ok's mother
Kang Ji-eun as Lady Jeong-kyeong
Shin Youn-ha as So-ok
Kang Chan-hee as Kwon In-ho
Lee Ji-hoon as Lord Yoo
Kwon Do-gyun as Chil-seong
Jung Ki-seob as the Left State Councilor
Chae Seo-rin as Mi-ok
Seo Ji-woo as Gye-hwa
Nam Gi-ae as Lady So
Lee Saeromi as Lady Nyeo
An A-young as Lady Shi
Gong Jae-kyung as Lady Dae
Kim Seung-wook as Yun's father
Bae Ki-bum as Clan Elder Bae
Jo Yeon-ho as Clan Elder Cho
Hong Sung-duk as Clan Elder Hong
Kwak Min-suk as Won's father
Lee Hwa-yeong as the lady from Ganghwa
Park Hee-eun as Yun's mother
Production
Development
The series was officially commissioned by Netflix, under the working title Scandals, with Jung Ji-woo serving as director. It is inspired by the French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, in a Joseon dynasty era. The script is written by Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song with Movierocks and Cine Forest managed the production.
Casting
In October 2024, Ji Chang-wook and Son Ye-jin were reportedly cast and positively reviewing it. In February 2025, Han Sun-hwa was cast in an original mystery role not present in previous adaptations, while it was reported that Nana also considering to appear. Concurrently, it was confirmed that Kang Chan-hee had joined the cast as Kwon In-ho. By March 2025, Netflix confirmed Son, Ji, and Nana as the principal cast of the series, reprising the corresponding main roles from the 2003 film Untold Scandal.
On September 8, 2026, rookie actress Shin Youn-ha was revealed to have been cast as Lee So-ok, a concubine who later develops feelings for Kang Chan-hee's character, Kwon In-ho. On September 9, 2026, director Jung Ji-woo unveiled Han Sun-hwa's original role, describing her character as a shameless woman obsessed with money and prestige; the character was newly created for the Netflix adaptation.
Filming
Principal photography began in March 2025, and ended in September of the same year.
Release
Netflix confirmed The Scandal was scheduled to be released in the third quarter of 2026. By August 2025, the series was confirmed to premiere on September 18.