Fans of Korean romance and drama can mark their calendars. The film The Scandal, which builds its story around forbidden desire, corporate coercion, and a carefully constructed revenge plot, is set to premiere on September 18. The feature, which clocks in at a lean 85 minutes, arrives with a cast that includes Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and NANA, promising a mix of familiar star power and tense storytelling for streaming audiences.
A Plot Rooted in Power and Payback
The narrative centers on Yoo-jin and Yoo-jeong, two characters defined by starkly contrasting temperaments. Yoo-jin is described as rough and manly, while Yoo-jeong is presented as more feminine and cute. Their dynamic shifts dramatically when Yoo-jeong, an office worker, learns she is about to lose her job. The company chairman seizes on her vulnerability, using the threat of termination as leverage to demand sexual favors. Left with little choice, Yoo-jeong reluctantly agrees to spend a night with him.
That single act sets the stage for the film’s central conflict. When Yoo-jin learns what happened, he does not simply react with anger. Instead, he begins methodically crafting a plan designed to make the chairman pay for what he has done. The plot, as described in official metadata, suggests a slow-burn escalation from personal violation into a calculated game of retribution, where the initial power imbalance may not hold for long.
Cast and Director
The production is directed by Kim Hyeon-Bin, who helms the project from its original Korean script. While the three lead names attached to the OTT release are the primary draw for audiences, the film’s credited cast also includes Shin Yu-ju, Yoon Se-na, Kim Joo-hyeop, Kim Ji-hoon-VIII, Sin Seong-hoon, and Kang Ye-na. The film’s original release date was August 3, 2017, meaning this September premiere introduces the title to a new wave of viewers who may have missed its initial theatrical run.
For Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook, both of whom have built substantial followings through television and film, The Scandal offers a return to a grittier, more morally ambiguous narrative space. Their presence, alongside NANA, elevates a project that might otherwise be categorized simply as a small-scale drama. The casting choice suggests an effort to blend commercial appeal with the kind of tense, character-driven story that often performs well on streaming platforms.
Genre, Runtime, and Reception
Classified as a Drama and Romance, The Scandal does not shy away from uncomfortable subject matter. Its core premise - a boss exploiting an employee’s fear of unemployment - is a pointed commentary on workplace power dynamics, even if the narrative quickly pivots into a more personal revenge thriller. The 85-minute runtime is compact, allowing the story to unfold without significant padding, keeping the focus on the central triangle of victim, antagonist, and avenger.
The film’s existing track record on review aggregator TMDb shows a rating of 5.7 out of 10, indicating a mixed-to-average critical reception upon its initial release. That score suggests the movie may have been solidly made but not universally praised, which often plays in favor of a film when it finds a second life on home video or streaming services. Audiences seeking a quick, tense narrative with moral complexity might find more engagement here than the initial critical consensus would imply.
What to Expect on September 18
With a premiere date set for September 18, the release strategy appears geared toward streaming audiences who appreciate Korean cinema’s willingness to explore darker corners of human behavior. The title itself, The Scandal, telegraphs some of the film’s thematic intentions, but the real tension lies in how the revenge plot is executed. Will Yoo-jin’s plan restore balance, or will it spiral into further mutual destruction? The synopsis leaves that question open, which is precisely what should keep viewers watching until the final frame.
For fans of the three leads, this is an opportunity to see them in a project that predates some of their more recent high-profile work, showing a rawer, more confrontational side. For newcomers, it is a standalone story that does not require prior knowledge of any existing franchise. The combination of a loaded premise, a tight runtime, and a recognizable cast makes The Scandal a notable addition to the September streaming slate, even if it arrives with a pre-existing reputation that suggests it will be more of a guilty pleasure than a prestige hit. Mark the date; the chairman’s actions are about to face their consequences.
Source: Netflix Newsroom
