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No sooner had it arrived on Netflix than K-drama addicts rushed to watch « The Scandal », and the initial reactions have been particularly mixed. Some viewers have praised the performances of Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook and above all Nana, as well as the direction and boldness of certain scenes. Others have come away from the 8 episodes with a much harsher opinion, criticizing the drama for its lack of pace and a plot they find too thin. This divide also raises a question: Did part of the audience expect «The Scandal» to be a K-drama very different from what it actually sets out to be?
Available on Netflix since September 18, «The Scandal» consists of 8 episodes and adapts the story of «Dangerous Liaisons» to the Joseon era.
Son Ye-jin plays Lady Cho, a noblewoman who lures Cho Won—a notorious womanizer portrayed by Ji Chang-wook—into a dangerous game. Their target is Hui Yeon, a widow played by Nana, who is unaware that she has just been drawn into their game of seduction and manipulation. A premise that already hinted at a drama more focused on Desire, Manipulation, and Power Dynamics rather than on a series of plot twists.
«Excellent acting»… but a story that divides opinion
On social media, one observation comes up repeatedly, even among disappointed viewers: The actors are rarely the main problem.
One internet user believes the drama features «exceptional acting,» captivating cinematography, and excellent music choices, but feels it «lacks bite.».
Another viewer describes a particularly strong start, driven by the music and the performances of Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook, before expressing regret that «the plot [fades]» and the series loses its momentum halfway through the story.
Other reactions are significantly harsher. Several internet users simply describe the drama as ’boring,« while one viewer explains that she found »nothing« in the dialogue, events, or story that interested her enough and says she watched it all the way through mainly for Son Ye-jin.
Another comment sums up this frustration quite well: «Excellent acting, poor script.» Some even wonder if this story wouldn’t work better as a movie. Comparisons to previous adaptations come up frequently among viewers, who feel that eight episodes stretch out a plot too thin—one whose main plot points they were sometimes already familiar with.
But there are positive reactions as well.
Nana seems to have made a particular impression on part of the audience. One audience member applauds the boldness of his performance, believing that the actress went much further than she had imagined with this character.
Others praise the drama for its atmosphere, performances, cinematography, or music. In other words, even among those who criticize the plot or pacing, the production values and casting are frequently highlighted.
His intimate scenes have become the other major topic of discussion
However, it is impossible to discuss the initial reactions without mentioning the topic that has been the focus of a significant portion of the comments: the highly explicit nature of certain scenes.
For some viewers, this boldness heightens the tension between the characters and fits the nature of the story. For others, it takes up too much screen time. One online user refers to «too much shock value,» deeming these scenes unnecessary when, in her view, the rest of the plot fails to maintain the same level of interest. Another reaction goes much further, criticizing the drama for relying excessively on its sexual content.
This is probably where a little context is needed.
«The Scandal» is not a conventional historical romance based on the usual conventions of television K-dramas. This is a new adaptation of *Dangerous Liaisons*«, a novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos whose narrative drives are centered precisely on seduction, desire, manipulation, reputation, and the use of intimate relationships as instruments of power.
In fact, the drama’s synopsis made no secret of this direction: Cho Won approaches Hui Yeon to win his bet with Lady Cho, before feelings potentially complicate this game.
Added to that is its distribution model. «The Scandal» is available directly on Netflix, rather than as part of a traditional Korean network’s programming lineup. Of course, this doesn’t automatically make all of its scenes necessary or successful (viewers can judge their narrative value for themselves), but it helps explain why the series can take a more mature approach than many historical TV romances.
So the real debate seems to be less about whether «The Scandal» is daring (He does it on purpose.) but rather whether its eight episodes provide enough substance to back up this bold move.
On this point, early viewers are clearly divided. Some see the drama as a visually polished and confident production, carried by three actors who aren’t afraid to take risks. Others would have liked the sensual tension to be accompanied by a more substantial plot and a more sustained narrative arc.
With just one day to go before its release, it’s obviously still too early to take a few dozen reactions on social media and treat them as a general verdict from the public. But one thing is already clear: «The Scandal» is making quite an impression on its first viewers, and it certainly doesn’t seem to be eliciting the same reactions from everyone.
What about you—have you seen it? What do you think? Feel free to Leave a review on our page for this drama and write it down.
