"Expect a high level of intensity": Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana reunite in 'Scandal' [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

The powerful "Scandal," left by Bae Yong-joon, Lee Mi-sook, and Jeon Do-yeon 23 years ago, is reborn with the faces of Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana. Director Jung Ji-woo stated, "You will feel many differences," previewing a deeper character narrative and relationships, as well as bold intensity.

On the 9th, a press conference for Netflix's series "Scandal" was held at a hotel in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by director Jung Ji-woo along with actors Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana.

"Scandal" is the story of Lady Jo (played by Son Ye-jin), a woman with extraordinary talent who could not be confined to living only as a woman in the Joseon era, and Jo Won (played by Ji Chang-wook), Joseon's greatest lover, engaging in a daring and dangerous love wager, along with the tale of another woman, Hee-yeon (played by Nana), entangled in that wager.

The classic "Dangerous Liaisons," which has captivated countless people since its publication in 1782, is reborn as a Netflix series in 2026. It is also a remake of the 2003 film "Scandal: Joseon Men and Women's Passionate Love Story," starring Bae Yong-joon, Lee Mi-sook, and Jeon Do-yeon, which received widespread acclaim upon release.

Director Jung Ji-woo, known for his directing prowess that captures characters' psychology and inner depths in detail, earning praise for every work, returns with the Netflix series "Scandal."

Director Jung Ji-woo stated, "We adapted the French original novel to a Joseon setting. The late Joseon period was a more sophisticated and refined society than we imagined, so we wanted to portray it beautifully. The relationship between the characters 'Lady Jo' and 'Hee-yeon' is a story never before created in previous versions. Making that relationship vivid was the difference."

Director Jung Ji-woo said, "The starting point was the original novel. Since we began rewriting the characters and relationships of the three protagonists, viewers will likely feel many differences when they watch it," adding, "You can expect a high level of intensity."

Furthermore, as "Scandal" is a historical drama presenting fresh charm unseen before, it adopted a sensory and differentiated approach in its direction.

He explained, "We created a structure that begins with Pansori and ends with Pansori. In particular, I want to introduce Korean audiences to how beautiful and interesting Pansori can be. Please watch closely to see how Pansori functions."

After returning to historical dramas for the first time in 24 years, Son Ye-jin took on the role of Lady Jo, who proposes a wager of temptation against the Confucian taboos of Joseon.

Regarding her reason for joining "Scandal," Son Ye-jin began by saying, "I wanted to work with director Jung Ji-woo, and he offered me the role of Lady Jo."

She continued, "I remembered having seen the film before, so I was curious about how this story would be unfolded as a series. Above all, the charm of Lady Jo struck me very strongly."

She added, "I felt that I have now reached an age where I can express such emotions and desires. The fact that it is a story dealing with human desires, set in the Joseon era, and that I am challenging historical dramas after a long time were all factors that led me to choose this work."

Regarding how she expressed the character, she said, "Lady Jo's dignified expressions and lines were completely different from her true inner thoughts. I felt that unless we designed it very subtly and delicately, we could not fully bring out the character of Lady Jo."

She further stated, "Lady Jo was a character that had to be completed with artisan-like craftsmanship stitch by stitch, and it was very difficult. We had many conversations with the director about what Lady Jo's true feelings were, and I worked through them like homework. It was difficult but also fun."

Ji Chang-wook portrays Jo Won, Joseon's greatest lover. Jo Won is a talented individual from a prestigious family with outstanding appearance, but after losing contact with Lady Jo, whom he had openly shared his heart and exchanged letters with since childhood, he lives chasing only pleasure and fun.

Regarding his reason for joining, Ji Chang-wook said, "The subtle emotions and relationships of the characters in the original work 'Dangerous Liaisons' were extremely interesting," adding, "I also found it intriguing that this work would be newly interpreted in 2026 and made into a series."

He continued, "I was very excited about working with director Jung Ji-woo, and I was also very eager to act alongside senior actress Son Ye-jin and Nana. The fact that I am collaborating with two actors of completely different colors was itself a very fun experience and work for me."

Regarding the acting process, he said, "I tried to focus as much as possible on my co-actors," adding, "The emotional lines were so subtle and difficult that whenever I felt lost, I would always look at the director, who guided me well each time."

Hee-yeon, a young widow whose life changes as she becomes entangled in the wager between Lady Jo and Jo Won, is played by Nana. Through this work, she challenges historical dramas for the first time in her filmography.

Regarding her reason for joining, Nana began by saying, "I have been a fan of director Jung Ji-woo for a long time. I was curious about what kind of form his historical drama 'Scandal' would take."

She continued, "Hee-yeon was a character who resembled the personality deeply rooted within me that I had never shown in my acting career so far," adding, "I thought that by substituting my own appearance directly into those parts, I could express them well."

She also added, "The fact that I could work with senior actors Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook was itself an honor. I participated in this work with many expectations."

In particular, Nana explained that Hee-yeon resembled her own childhood. She revealed, "My younger self was passive and introverted. I have memories of living in fear of the world under my parents' shadow and being wary of people."

She further said, "I tried to recall the personality of my childhood that resembled Hee-yeon while acting," adding, "So, in a way, I think I was able to accept and understand this character's emotions relatively easily."

She then explained, "I tried to express Hee-yeon's emotions as honestly and transparently as I understood them."

Regarding the casting of the three actors, director Jung Ji-woo emphasized, "It was not that I chose them; rather, they were chosen by me."

He said, "My first desire was to work with actress Son Ye-jin on 'Lady Jo.' She carries the entire story on her shoulders and makes us believe in that character. Her power to take responsibility for the story is like a superhero. I felt every time how she could do such things. I thought we must work together on this difficult role."

He continued, "The character of Ji Chang-wook as 'Jo Won' had to be a kind man. It was really good when he portrayed a kind personality in previous works. So I wanted to work with him, and I am grateful that he even added a spoonful of humor." Regarding Nana, he stated, "I wanted the actress playing this character to break away from what is commonly called the traditional image of women. I thought she was very suitable, and I worked while admiring her power to make people believe in the character."

Meanwhile, "Scandal" will be released on Netflix on the 18th.

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*This content was translated by AI.