'The Scandal': Netflix's take on uniquely Korean story raises expectations

The 2003 film "Untold Scandal" is being reborn as a Netflix series. The new production goes beyond a simple remake, reinterpreting the original story from a contemporary perspective. Released on Netflix on Friday, "The Scandal" follows Lady Jo, a woman of exceptional talent who finds life in the Joseon era too confining, and Jo-won, Joseon’s most notorious womanizer, as they engage in a provocative and dangerous wager over love. The story also centers on Hee-yeon, a woman who becomes entangled in their bet. The French writer Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses," which was adapted into the 2003 film "Untold Scandal" by relocating the story to the Joseon era, is once again being brought to the screen. The film, starring Bae Yong-joon, Lee Mi-sook and Jeon Do-yeon, drew widespread attention and attracted 4.15 million moviegoers despite receiving an adults-only rating. This time, Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook and Nana take on the roles of Lady Jo, Jo-won and Hee-yeon, respectively. One of the most notable aspects of the new production is its “new interpretation of