'The Scandal' unconventional challenge worth taking, says actor Ji Chang-wook
Adapting a literary classic is a double-edged sword. It comes with an enduring legacy, but also the daunting weight of comparison. When Netflix announced its series adaptation of "The Scandal" — a story popularized in Korea by the 2003 feature "Untold Scandal," which itself reimagined Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 French novel Dangerous Liaisons — actor Ji Chang-wook knew the stakes were high. Yet, the actor said the opportunity to portray Cho Won, the enigmatic aristocrat at the center of the narrative, proved irresistible. "I couldn't help but feel the pressure of working on a piece with such a famous original," Ji said in an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. "However, because it is a classic, I really wanted to try playing Cho Won. I decided it was a challenge worth taking." Set against the strict moral backdrop of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, "The Scandal" follows Cho Won, a nobleman who pursues calculated romantic conquests. At the heart of his intrigue is Lady Cho (Son Ye-jin), a woman too extraordinary to be confined to women's quarters and the
