Netflix’s historical romance series ‘The Scandal’ has quickly attracted significant global attention following its September 18 premiere, recording 1.9 million views during its first three days of availability.
The series ranked seventh on Netflix’s Global Top 10 list for non-English TV shows for the September 14-20 tracking period, while also entering the Top 10 in 10 countries.
Starring Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana, the eight-episode series relocates the story of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ classic 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses to the Joseon era.
The drama centers on Lady Cho, played by Son Ye-jin, a highly intelligent woman restricted by the social expectations of her time. Ji Chang-wook portrays Cho Won, a notorious playboy who becomes involved in a dangerous wager, while Nana plays Hui-yeon, a widow who becomes caught between the two.
The series was directed by Jung Ji-woo and premiered globally on Netflix on September 18.
Netflix’s official synopsis describes the story as a dangerous love game involving Lady Cho, Cho Won and Hui-yeon, with their individual choices gradually drawing them into an increasingly complicated situation.
Despite the strong early viewership, however, ‘The Scandal’ has received mixed reactions.
Much of the discussion surrounding the series has focused on comparisons with the 2003 Korean film ‘Untold Scandal,’ which adapted the same classic source material and also placed the story in the Joseon period.
Strong Global Start Meets Comparisons and Mixed Reviews
The 2026 series faced comparisons with ‘Untold Scandal’ almost immediately after its release.
The earlier film, which starred Bae Yong Joon and Jeon Do Yeon, became a notable Korean box-office success, making expectations surrounding another Joseon adaptation particularly high.
Director Jung Ji-woo has addressed those comparisons, explaining that the Netflix series was adapted directly from the original French novel rather than from the 2003 film.
The series also expands the story across eight episodes, giving greater attention to the backgrounds and emotional journeys of its central characters.
That expanded format has produced divided reactions.
Some viewers and critics have appreciated the show’s detailed visual presentation and its attempt to explore the characters beyond the central wager.
Others have argued that the longer format makes the story feel slower and spreads attention across too many character arcs.
Reviews have similarly varied. Some international critics have praised the show’s reinterpretation of the source material and its Joseon setting, while other reviews have questioned the pacing and the way certain intimate elements are incorporated into the narrative.
At the same time, the series has received recognition for its production design and visual atmosphere.
The drama recreates Joseon society through detailed locations, costumes and carefully composed scenes, with the historical setting playing an important role in the story.
The series’ early Netflix performance nevertheless demonstrates substantial international interest.
Its 1.9 million views were enough to place it seventh globally among non-English TV shows during a tracking period that included only three days of viewing following its September 18 release.
Nana’s Appearance Becomes Another Major Talking Point
Another controversy surrounding ‘The Scandal’ has centered on Nana, who plays Hui-yeon. Some viewers criticized the actress’s appearance in the historical drama, particularly focusing on her lips and arguing that her look did not fit their expectations for her character.
The discussion became significant enough for Nana to publicly address the criticism.
She apologized to viewers who felt uncomfortable with her appearance and acknowledged that her personal choice might not have been the right one for her role as an actress.
Director Jung Ji-woo subsequently defended Nana and took responsibility for the visual choices surrounding her character.
In an interview, he emphasized that the director ultimately carries responsibility for what appears on screen and said he valued Nana’s acting and emotional performance rather than allowing the criticism of her appearance to define her portrayal.
Jung also explained his approach to Hui-yeon’s character, noting that he wanted her storyline to move beyond simply being defined by romantic relationships.
Her journey was designed to show how she responds to betrayal and whether she can survive and move forward after her expectations collapse.
This has added another layer to the conversation surrounding ‘The Scandal.’
While the drama has attracted attention for its cast, production quality and Netflix performance, discussions about its connection to the 2003 film, pacing, adaptation choices and Nana’s appearance have kept the series at the center of online debate.
For Netflix, the initial numbers provide evidence of strong curiosity surrounding the drama.
Whether that attention translates into sustained viewership will depend on how the series performs during subsequent weekly tracking periods.
With all eight episodes available from the premiere, viewers can watch the complete story without waiting for weekly releases.
‘The Scandal’ therefore enters its next stage with both strong international visibility and divided audience reactions.
Its early 1.9 million-view performance gives the series a notable start, while the continuing discussions around its adaptation and cast ensure that the drama remains a major topic among viewers and entertainment followers.
