The Scandal , Netflix’s new 19+ historical drama starring Son Ye Jin, Ji Chang Wook, and Nana, has just officially premiered and immediately attracted attention with its story of passionate love affairs between people living in Joseon society. While the first three episodes, with their relatively mild intensity, left viewers somewhat puzzled by the 19+ rating, the beginning of episode 4 provided an answer that left many utterly bewildered.

Specifically, episode 4 of The Scandal opens with a steamy scene between Cho Won (Ji Chang Wook) and a prostitute, a level of boldness completely different from what the drama has shown before. From the dialogue to the explicit imagery, everything makes viewers blush, unable to believe what is happening on screen, especially when it’s performed by Ji Chang Wook.

On social media, netizens erupted in astonishment. Although they knew the series was rated 19+, the boldness of the content still left many bewildered because it was a series, not a feature film.

In this scene, Cho Won seeks out the courtesan as a way to fill the void in his heart and try to conceal his increasingly intense desires for Lady Cho (Son Ye Jin). He is a notorious womanizer, accustomed to conquering women and viewing fleeting affairs as a form of entertainment. But the more he tries to use physical pleasures to alleviate his emotions, the more Cho Won reveals his inability to escape his obsession with Lady Cho. This intimate scene is therefore not only noteworthy for its boldness but also marks the moment when the darker side of Cho Won’s emotional life is more clearly revealed.

The Scandal is based on Untold Scandal (2003), a South Korean film starring Bae Yong Joon, Jeon Do Yeon, and Lee Mi Sook, and is inspired by the novel Dangerous Liaisons by French writer Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The 2026 adaptation transforms the story into a series set in Joseon, continuing to explore the power struggles, desires, and love affairs among the nobility.

In the drama, Son Ye Jin plays Lady Cho, an intelligent and shrewd noblewoman who refuses to be bound by the rules governing women in the Joseon era. Ji Chang Wook plays Cho Won, a notorious playboy known for his charm and ability to seduce women. Nana portrays Hui Yeon, a widow known for her dignified appearance and seemingly unshakeable life. The story begins when Lady Cho makes a bet with Cho Won. His goal is to win over Hui Yeon, a woman everyone believes will not easily succumb to his advances. Initially, it’s just a game between two people who believe they can control each other’s desires and emotions. But as the story progresses, the line between the game, lust, and genuine feelings becomes increasingly blurred.

The series, consisting of all eight episodes, is now available on Netflix.