The Next on Netflix 2026 Korea event was held on the morning of January 21 at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, where Netflix showcased its 2026 content lineup. This annual showcase offered a preview of upcoming Netflix projects in Korea, with Vice President of Korean Content Kang Dong-han and Content Directors Bae Jong-byeong, Kim Tae-won and Yoo Ki-hwan in attendance. Stars from upcoming Netflix titles also appeared, including Jeon Do-yeon (Possible Love), Nam Joo-hyuk (The East Palace), Park Eun-bin (The WONDERfools) and Ahn Sung-jae (Culinary Class Wars).
Son Ye-jin introduced her new drama by saying, “This year, I greet you all through Netflix’s The Scandal.”
Set during the Joseon Dynasty, The Scandal follows Lady Cho played by Son Ye-jin, an extraordinarily talented woman constrained by the social roles of her time. She finds herself involved in a provocative and dangerous love bet with Joseon’s biggest flirt, Cho Won (Ji Chang-wook), along with another woman named Hui-yeon (played by Nana). The story reinvents the themes of the 2003 film Untold Scandal but with a new narrative and new characters.
Describing the charm of the project, Son Ye-jin said, “The drama captures the beauty of the Joseon era with beautiful hanbok, hanok architecture, and serene landscapes. While many recent period dramas focus on visual intensity, ours focuses on aesthetic simplicity and historical accuracy, emphasizing the elegance of space and atmosphere.”
He added, “I think global audiences will discover a new perspective on the grace of the Joseon period through our images.”
The Scandal also marks Son Ye-jin’s first official costume drama since her debut in Chi-hwa-seon. Reflecting on the experience, she confessed: “At first I thought the hanbok was beautiful, but once I put it on, I felt completely limited. I couldn’t move and I wondered how nobles could live like this.”
She continued: “The hair accessories were heavy and the hardest part was controlling my gestures. I couldn’t cross my arms or stand on one leg. Every movement had to be formal and precise. Maintaining that upright posture for months was incredibly challenging. I realized how difficult it is to sustain beauty in such a composed form.”
The Scandal will premiere in the third quarter of 2026 on Netflix.
Sources: Nate
