Netflix series ‘The Scandal’ receives mixed reviews

The Netflix series ‘The Scandal’, starring Son Ye Jin, Ji Chang Wook, and Nana, has drawn mixed reactions following its release. Set during the Joseon era, the drama is a reimagining of the classic themes found in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ and the 2003 South Korean film ‘Untold Scandal’. The plot follows a secret alliance and a dangerous wager between the mysterious aristocrat Cho Won (Ji Chang Wook) and the formidable Lady Cho (Son Ye Jin) to seduce a virtuous woman.

While Ji Chang Wook expressed that the project was a ‘challenge worth undertaking’ despite the pressure of adapting a classic, the series has faced criticism from viewers and critics. Some reviews describe the pacing as slow and the character development as lacking, particularly regarding the emotional connection between characters. Critics have also noted that the 19+ rated intimate scenes occasionally feel mechanical and fail to enhance the psychological tension or the narrative stakes of the power struggles depicted in the show.