Ji Chang-wook goes all out as ‘seducer’ in ‘The Scandal’
MANILA, Philippines — South Korean star Ji Chang-wook has earned an international fanbase for playing romantic lead and action hero roles. But his latest Netflix series, which has been given a 19+ (R-rated) rating, sees him putting his disarming charm to very different use.
In the new period romance-drama “The Scandal,” the “Welcome to Samdal-ri” and “Lovestruck in the City” actor plays Cho Won, a charismatic nobleman who becomes part of a risqué and dangerous game of seduction and manipulation that challenges the strict social and moral codes of 18th-century Joseon.
It all stems from a high-stakes wager proposed by Lady Cho, played by Son Ye-jin in her first drama series since “Thirty-Nine” in 2022. She’s an influential and cunning noblewoman who feels constrained by the expectations placed on women of her time.
She enlists Cho Won, her cousin and a notorious playboy (who doesn’t believe in true love but appears to harbor special feelings for her), to seduce An Hui-yeon, played by K-pop star Nana, a virtuous young widow leading a quiet life.
The “game,” however, becomes more complicated when Cho Won, who’s supposed to be only using Hui-yeon, finds himself genuinely falling for her.
Directed by Jung Ji-woo, whose notable works include the films “Happy End,” “A Muse” (also known as “Eungyo”), “Fourth Place” and “Tune in for Love,” as well as the Netflix thriller series “Somebody,” “The Scandal” is based on the 2003 Korean film “Untold Scandal,” itself a Joseon-era reimagining of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons).
According to Chang-wook, portraying the man at the center of this seduction game was a welcome opportunity to explore another type of role and genre.
But the actor was quick to downplay his character’s reputation as Joseon’s ultimate ladies’ man.
“He is maybe not the most famous playboy in the entire of Joseon, but maybe in his neighborhood,” he quipped during a recent virtual interview with Philippine media, in response to The STAR’s question.
“So I thought that it would be fun to play this role, and I just thought that fans would enjoy watching me play (him).”
Asked by this paper if he thought about how fans might react to watching him go all out as a seducer, Chang-wook said it was not something he mulled over when accepting the project.
“I actually didn’t give it too much thought about how my fans would react,” he admitted.
“I was just totally compelled by the story because the narrative was so intriguing. And I really knew that I wanted to take on this role because Cho Won is a very three-dimensional, complex, interesting character.
“I wanted to play him.”
“It was a new, refreshing challenge for me,” he continued.
“But not just the character, but I really love the narrative and also the Joseon-era setting, which makes it all the more special.
“So, yeah, everything about this show was refreshing to me, and it was like taking a new challenge.”
One part of that challenge was handling Cho Won’s contrasting dynamics with the two women at the heart of the drama.
His scenes with Son Ye-jin’s Lady Cho have an undercurrent of tension and attraction as they engage in mind games over their bet.
“With scenes that I share with Ye-jin, we might be both smiling, but underneath, there’s like a psychological warfare going ahead,” Chang-wook said.
His interactions with Nana’s Hui-yeon, on the other hand, take a more romantic direction as Cho Won sets out to win over the subject of their dangerous game.
“For Hui-yeon, I shared some romantic scenes, and there were also some scenes where I tried to seduce her,” he said.
“I guess because the vibes of the scenes were very different... my approach to working together with them was different as well.”
Chang-wook spoke highly of the experience of working with both of his female co-stars.
“I truly enjoyed the experience of working with two amazing actresses. It was such a fresh and great experience,” he said.
“And Ye-jin and Nana have very distinct colors, so it was lovely to work with them both.
“I guess their characters are different, their styles are different and ways of approaching the characters are also different.”
“The Scandal” is now streaming on Netflix.
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