The Scandal is a South Korean romance period drama series co-written by Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song. Inspired by the 1782 epistolary novel Dangerous Liaisons, the Netflix series is set during the Joseon dynasty and follows Cho Yun, a brilliant noblewoman tired of the constraints placed on women. To take back control, she forms an agreement with notorious playboy Cho Won to seduce a young widow who has vowed to be a celibate. This game of manipulation leads to unintended consequences and emotional entanglements. The Scandal stars Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, Nana, Han Sun-hwa, and Kang Ji-eun. If you loved the romance, heartbreaking story, and compelling characters in Netflix’s The Scandal, here are some similar shows to check out next.
Tempted (Rakuten Viki & Kocowa)
Tempted is a South Korean romance drama series written by Kim Bo-yeon. Based on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 French novel, the 2018 series follows Kwon Si-hyeon, the heir of a major conglomerate, who bets his bored, wealthy friends that he can seduce a hardworking student who doesn’t believe in love anymore after growing up with parents who were in an unhappy marriage. Tempted stars Woo Do-hwan, Park Soo-young, Kim Min-jae, and Moon Ka-young.
Dangerous Liaisons (Rent on Prime Video)
Dangerous Liaisons is a period drama series created by Harriet Weaver. Based on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s epistolary novel Dangerous Liaisons, the Starz series is set in pre-revolutionary Paris, and it follows manipulative ex-lovers Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont as they use seduction to exploit powerful people. Dangerous Liaisons stars Nicholas Denton, Alice Englert, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Hilton Pelser, Kosar Ali, and Nathanael Saleh.
Nevertheless (Netflix)
Nevertheless is a South Korean romance drama series written by Jung Won. Based on Jung Seo’s Naver webtoon of the same name, the JTBC series follows Yoo Na-bi, a heartbroken woman who struggles to find love, but things change when she meets playboy Park Jae-eon with commitment issues. Despite their initial opinions, they begin to fall in love, but their baggage gets in the way of their relationship. Nevertheless stars Han So-hee, Song Kang, Chae Jong-hyeop, Lee Yul-eum, and Yang Hye-ji.
The Scandal of Chunhwa (Buy DVD on Amazon)
The Scandal of Chunhwa is a South Korean historical romance series written by Seo Eun-jung. The TVING series is set in the fictional country of Dongbangguk, and it follows Princess Hwa-ri as she sets out on her own to find love, but she gets caught up in a scandal when a rumor starts that the protagonist of an erotic novel is based on her. The Scandal of Chunhwa stars Go Ara, Chang Ryul, Kang Chan-hee, Son Woo-hyeon, and Lim Hwa-young.
Cruel Intentions (Prime Video)
Cruel Intentions is a drama series co-created by Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman. Based on Roger Kumble’s 1999 film of the same name, the Prime Video series is set in Washington, D.C., and it follows privileged stepsiblings Caroline and Lucien, who have worked hard to climb the social ladder in the Greek life of their college. After a hazing incident goes horribly wrong, Caroline bets Lucien that if he can seduce the Vice President’s daughter, she will sleep with him. Cruel Intentions stars Sarah Catherine Hook, Zac Burgess, Savannah Lee Smith, Sara Silva, John Harlan Kim, and Khobe Clarke.
The King’s Affection (Netflix)
The King’s Affection is a South Korean historical romance comedy-drama series written by Han Hee-jung. Based on Lee So-young’s manhwa Yeonmo, the KBS2 series is set during the Joseon Dynasty, when the birth of twins was considered an ominous sign. When the Crown Princess Consort gives birth to twins. They send the girl away to save her life, but when the son dies, the girl has to pretend to be her brother to take over the throne. The King’s Affection stars Park Eun-bin, Rowoon, Nam Yoon-su, Choi Byung-chan, Bae Yoon-Kyung, and Jung Chae-yeon.
The Seduction (HBO Max)
The Seduction is a French period drama series created by Jean-Baptiste Delafon. Based on the epistolary novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, the HBO Max series follows a young Isabelle de Merteuil as she comes into power and plots her revenge against Vicomte de Valmont for his betrayal. The Seduction stars Anamaria Vartolomei, Diane Kruger, Vincent Lacoste, and Lucas Bravo.