Some stories are so timeless that they keep getting reimagined across cultures and centuries, and The Scandal is the latest proof of that.
Netflix’s upcoming Korean period drama takes Les Liaisons dangereuses, the classic French novel of manipulation and desire, and transplants it into the Joseon dynasty era, with a genuinely stacked cast leading the way. The series premieres on Netflix September 18, 2026.
What’s the Story?
Directed by Jung Ji-woo and written by Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song, The Scandal follows Lady Cho, a noblewoman living within the rigid boundaries of Confucian social order, and Cho Won, a wealthy aristocrat known for his libertine lifestyle.
The two form an agreement to manipulate romantic relationships purely for their own entertainment and gain, deliberately testing how far they can push against social convention without getting caught.
Their carefully constructed arrangement starts to unravel when Ahn Hui-yeon, a young widow with little experience in courtship, gets pulled into their game. What was meant to be a calculated manipulation quickly turns into something far messier, leading to unintended emotional entanglements and conflict between all three of them.
It’s a premise built entirely around tension, characters who think they’re in control of a dangerous game, only to discover that genuine feelings don’t play by the rules they’ve set. Given how well this exact story has translated across different adaptations over the years, from French cinema to Hollywood’s Cruel Intentions, a Joseon-era Korean version feels like a genuinely fresh way to revisit familiar territory.
The Cast Leading the Series
Son Ye-jin plays Lady Cho, Ji Chang-wook takes on the role of Cho Won, and Nana plays Ahn Hui-yeon, the young widow whose arrival throws everything off balance. The supporting cast includes Han Sun-hwa, Kang Chan-hee as Kwon In-ho, and Shin Youn-ha as Lee So-ok.
This is a genuinely strong lineup by any measure. Son Ye-jin has long been one of Korean drama’s most recognizable leads, and pairing her with Ji Chang-wook, known for bringing real intensity to morally complicated characters, gives the central dynamic a lot to work with right from the start.
Behind the Scenes
The Scandal is produced by Movierock and Cine Forest, with music composed by Lee Ji-yeon. Netflix confirmed the September 18 release date, positioning the show as part of a broader slate of period dramas the platform has been investing heavily in over the past couple of years.
Why This Adaptation Stands Out
What makes The Scandal particularly interesting is the setting itself. Les Liaisons dangereuses has typically been adapted within European aristocratic settings, so moving the story into Joseon-era Korea, with its own strict social hierarchies and codes of conduct, gives the source material a genuinely different texture.
The tension between rigid societal expectations and private, transgressive desire translates surprisingly well into that historical backdrop, and it should give the show its own distinct visual and cultural identity compared to earlier versions of this story.
Should You Add It to Your Watchlist?
If you enjoy period dramas built around manipulation, forbidden desire, and characters who are never quite as in control as they think they are, The Scandal looks like a strong pick. With a cast this capable and a story that’s already proven itself across multiple adaptations, it’s shaping up to be one of Netflix’s more compelling K-drama releases this September.
While you’re building out your watchlist, there’s more worth catching too. If you’re after something closer to home, Thudakkam’s OTT release date is confirmed, bringing Vismaya Mohanlal’s debut action thriller to streaming around the same window. The Scandal premieres on Netflix on September 18, 2026.