Netflix is about to deliver one of its boldest K-dramas of the year, and it finally gives Son Ye-jin the streaming debut fans have waited years to see. The Scandal premieres globally on September 18, 2026, and it is shaping up to be the rare period piece that earns its title.
What is The Scandal about?
The Scandal is a Joseon-era romance thriller built around a dangerous wager. Lady Cho, played by Son Ye-jin, is a sharp and fearless noblewoman who refuses to live by the rules society set for her. She pulls Cho Won, played by Ji Chang-wook, into one of her riskiest games, and their escalating bet catches a third person in its net: Hui Yeon, played by Nana. As Soompi describes it, the three are entangled in a secretive seduction wager that drives them to defy the taboos of their era.
A Korean retelling of Dangerous Liaisons
This is not a brand new story. The Scandal adapts Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel Dangerous Liaisons, which Hindustan Times notes was previously brought to the big screen as the 2003 South Korean film Untold Scandal, a critical and commercial success starring Bae Yong Joon and Jeon Do Yeon. The new series reinterprets that classic tale for a 2026 audience, adding contemporary themes while keeping the lavish period setting.
The cast at a glance
| Character | Actor | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Lady Cho | Son Ye-jin | A sharp noblewoman who proposes the dangerous wager |
| Cho Won | Ji Chang-wook | Joseon’s most charming playboy with little faith in love |
| Hui Yeon | Nana | A virtuous widow who becomes the object of the bet |
Son Ye-jin’s streaming debut
For Son Ye-jin, The Scandal marks her first streaming series, her OTT debut. The actress, widely loved in the Philippines through hit dramas and her marriage to actor Hyun Bin, returns to the small screen in a role that leans into the intrigue and tension her fans adore. K-dramas have a strong track record on Netflix Philippines’ charts, and anticipation for this one is already building.
Where and when to watch
The Scandal premieres globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026. It is among the new Korean titles arriving in the back half of the year, and with its stacked cast and famous source material, it is shaping up to be a must-watch for period drama fans. Mark the date if you want to see the love game unfold.
