Saagar Kote
‘The Scandal’ is a Korean historical romantic drama series set in Joseon, where a playful challenge between two individuals leads to a dangerous emotional entanglement. Yun, a married lady of the realm, secretly harbors complicated feelings for her cousin Won, a man known throughout the kingdom for his many romantic conquests. Hoping to test his charm and win his affection, Yun dares Won to pursue Hui-yeon, a widow who has devoted herself to remaining faithful to her late husband. Won accepts the challenge, believing he can win Hui-yeon over and prove himself to Yun.
However, what begins as a game soon becomes difficult to control when genuine feelings enter the equation. As Yun, Won, and Hui-yeon become caught in a complicated web of lust and affection, their original intentions begin to change. Their growing emotions force them to make painful choices and face betrayal, sacrifice, and the possibility that the love they were seeking may come at a high cost. Created by Jung Ji-woo and Kim Jae-joong, the show sheds light on the complexities of human desire.
The Scandal Captures the Spirit of Les Liaisons dangereuses and Untold Scandal
Written by Lee Seung-Young and Ahn Hye-song, ‘The Scandal’ is inspired by the French novel ‘Les Liaisons dangereuses’ by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos and the Korean film ‘Untold Scandal’ from director E J-yong. ‘The Scandal’ is essentially a fictional saga of lust, love, deception, trust, and loyalty, much like the film and the novel. While the film unfolds in a Joseon setting, the novel is set around the time of the French Revolution. The show explores how love can affect both nobility and commoners, while also examining the cost of lies and secrets. The narrative also delves into the intrigues of female desire and how it differs from male perspectives on sex. The show’s setting also adds to its authenticity, portraying Joseon as a world full of hidden desires.
The culture, language, and history of Korea are pivotal to the flavor of the story, placing characters within a grounded world of realism. Whereas ‘Les Liaisons dangereuses’ focuses on the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, a pair of former lovers who pass the time by targeting others, ‘Untold Scandal’ centers on Lady Cho as she challenges her cousin Lord Jo-won to win over another woman. This idea of two people teaming up to determine the fates of a stranger is reflected in ‘The Scandal,’ which deals closely with the actions of Yun, Won, and Hui-yeon.
The show is also a commentary on the themes of liberation and the quest for meaning in a society where desires are often suppressed under the weight of tradition. Despite being an imaginary tale, the narrative appears real because of how the characters interact with each other and with the world they live in. The idea of intimacy finds a layered representation, placing characters in emotionally complex situations. Ultimately, ‘The Scandal’ is a deeply relevant and socially sensitive show that explores the most complex human issues intricately.
Yun, Won, and Hui-yeon Find Their Fates Intertwined in a Twisted Game of Desire
Yun, Won, and Hui-yeon are fictional characters who symbolize the various facets of the story. Yun represents the essence of nobility and calm, while also being extremely manipulative and controlling. Won is a free spirit who pursues women without any limitations and takes pride in his ability to trap any woman he desires. Hui-yeon signifies devotion, loyalty, and faith, as a widow who refuses to take part in the pleasures of the world. Though all three characters have their own ways of life and varying thoughts on important matters, love and lust are the two things that bind them together. Their fates are intertwined by the twisted game they play with each other, often at the expense of their own morality. ‘The Scandal’ treats the characters with depth and gives each individual a purpose.
Through Yun, we see how her gender places limitations on her chances to earn recognition and respect. Hui-yeon’s journey showcases how society expects women to sacrifice their own happiness and pleasure for the sake of tradition. Won’s actions are strengthened by his privilege of being a man in a patriarchal world. In a press conference, Son Ye-jin, who plays Yun, said, “Lady Cho is a character you have to build slowly, stitch by delicate stitch. Her demure expressions, her dialogue and her actual inner feelings were always at odds with one another.” Im Jin-ah, who portrays Hui-yeon, spoke about her character and added, “Though she lives a sheltered existence, meeting Cho Won awakens a desire within her to take control of her life and make her own choices to undergo a profound evolution.”
One of the most crucial parts of the story is how it depicts the differences in societal attitudes towards men and women in matters of sex and intimacy. While Hui-yeon and Yun are often forced to hide their feelings, Won is often encouraged. Sex becomes more than just an act of intimacy between the three characters, but it becomes a tool of manipulation as well. Despite the characters being imaginary, they seem real because of the consequences they face and the secrets they hide. Set in Joseon, the narrative is also a poignant exploration of how the nobility is often crushed under its own weight. The story’s grounded flavor stems directly from the actions of Yun, Won, and Hui-yeon, making them the heart of the show.
Read More: Where is Netflix’s The Scandal Filmed?
