{
  "id": 9142368,
  "title": "'The Scandal' unconventional challenge worth taking, says actor Ji Chang-wook",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/the-scandal-unconventional-challenge-worth-taking-says-actor-ji-chang",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T13:07:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20260922/the-scandal-unconventional-challenge-worth-taking-says-actor-ji-chang-wook"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Acting legend Ji Chang-wook has proclaimed the daunting task of portraying the enigmatic aristocrat Cho Won in the Netflix adaptation of The Scandal to be a challenge worth taking. Despite the weight of expectations stemming from the iconic 2003 film Untold Scandal, which itself was inspired by the 18th-century French novel Dangerous Liaisons, Ji feels compelled to embrace the role.\n\nIn an interview with The Korea Times, Ji admitted to feeling the pressure of tackling a project with such a renowned original work. \"I couldn't help but feel the pressure of working on a piece with such a famous original,\" Ji stated. However, the allure of the classic nature of The Scandal proved too enticing to resist. \"I really wanted to try playing Cho Won,\" Ji explained, \"so I decided it was a challenge worth taking.\"\n\nSet against the rigid moral framework of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, The Scandal follows the cunning romantic endeavors of Cho Won, a nobleman who seeks calculated conquests. Central to his schemes is Lady Cho, portrayed by Son Ye-jin, a figure too exceptional to be confined to the women's quarters.",
  "summary": "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.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ji Chang-wook embraces challenging role as Cho Won",
    "Actor acknowledges pressure of iconic original",
    "Set in Joseon Dynasty with Lady Cho as central figure"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "'The Scandal' unconventional challenge worth taking, says actor Ji Chang-wook",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/the-scandal-unconventional-challenge-worth-taking-says-actor-ji-chang-9144631",
        "published": "2026-09-22T13:22:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}