On the morning of January 21, the event Next on Netflix 2026 Korea was held at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, where Netflix unveiled its 2026 content lineup. This annual showcase offered a preview of upcoming Netflix projects in Korea, attended by VP of Korean Content Kang Dong-han and content directors Bae Jong-byeong, Kim Tae-won, and Yoo Ki-hwan. Stars from upcoming Netflix titles including Jeon Do-yeon (Possible Love), Nam Joo-hyuk (The East Palace), Park Eun-bin (The WONDERfools), and Ahn Sung-jae (Culinary Class Wars) also made appearances.

Son Ye-jin introduced her new drama saying, “This year, I’m greeting you all through Netflix’s The Scandal.”

Set in the Joseon Dynasty, The Scandal follows Lady Cho played by Son Ye-jin a woman of extraordinary talent who is constrained by the societal roles of her time. She finds herself entangled in a provocative and dangerous love wager with Joseon’s greatest flirt, Cho Won (Ji Chang-wook), alongside another woman named Hui-yeon (played by Nana). The story reimagines themes from the 2003 film Untold Scandal but with a new narrative and characters.

Describing the appeal of the project, Son Ye-jin said, “The drama captures the beauty of the Joseon era with stunning hanbok, hanok architecture, and serene landscapes. While many recent period dramas go for visual intensity, ours focuses on aesthetic simplicity and historical accuracy, emphasizing the elegance of space and atmosphere.”

She added, “I think global audiences will discover a fresh perspective on the grace of the Joseon period through our visuals.”

The Scandal also marks Son Ye-jin’s first official period drama since her debut in Chi-hwa-seon. Reflecting on the experience, she confessed, “At first, I thought the hanbok looked beautiful, but once I put it on, I felt completely restricted. I couldn’t move, and I wondered how nobles used to 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 lean 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 is set to premiere in the third quarter of 2026 on Netflix.

Sources: Nate