[Dispatch=Min-ji Gu Reporter] "It's been such a long time since I've done a historical drama, and especially since it's a series, I was even more ambitious about it."

Actress Son Ye-jin has returned to historical drama after 24 years. With compelling magnetism, she breaks through the taboos of Joseon. She plays "Lady Jo," a woman who had to hide her talents and desires in a Joseon ruled by Confucian order.

"I thought that now might be the age where I could express such emotions."

Lady Jo is a character that was already powerfully completed by Lee Mi-sook in the 2003 film "Scandal - A Joseon Love Story." If Lee Mi-sook left an impression with her strong presence, Son Ye-jin portrayed her through subtle expressions in her eyes.

Son Ye-jin delved into hidden desires. "Senior Lee Mi-sook's charisma was overwhelming. Even now, 20 years later, it remains vivid. This time, I packed Lady Jo's narrative densely," she said.

Director Jeong Jiwoo marveled at Son Ye-jin's acting. "She's a fascinating person. She carries the story on her shoulders and wears the character. She took responsibility for the entire drama (through her acting). It was like a superhero," he emphasized.

The production presentation for Netflix's new original series "Scandal" took place on the 9th at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Actors Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, Nana, and director Jeong Jiwoo attended the event.

"Scandal" tells the story of Lady Jo, a woman with outstanding talent to be confined only as a woman in the Joseon era, and Jo Won, Joseon's greatest lover, in a dangerous love bet, and the tale of a woman "Hee-yeon" entangled in it.

It is based on the French novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses" (1782). It is also a remake of "Scandal - A Joseon Love Story" (2003). Director Jeong Jiwoo reinterpreted the original story in a contemporary way.

Was there burden from the remake? Director Jeong said, "The idea of a 2003 Korean film relocating a French novel to late Joseon is remarkable," but added, "This work started from the original novel itself."

He pointed out the differences. "The relationship between Lady Jo (played by Son Ye-jin) and Hee-yeon (played by Nana) is not in the original work. We put great intention into making the relationship between the two people thick and vivid," he explained.

He also chose a differentiated approach in direction. "We created a structure that starts with pansori and ends with pansori. I wanted to introduce to audiences how beautiful and interesting it is," he said.

He continued, "Late Joseon was a sophisticated and refined society. I wanted to portray it beautifully." The hanbok added to the appeal. "Designer Cha Ik-him prepared it by looking at folk paintings through a magnifying glass," he shared.

Son Ye-jin transformed into "Lady Jo." She is a character who proposes a game of seduction while standing up to the era of taboos. "We talk about human desire, with the Joseon era, when desire was taboo, as the backdrop," she pointed out.

She recalled, "I heard that director Jeong Jiwoo was remaking 'Scandal.' I was curious about 'how would you extend a film into a long series?' The fact that it was a historical drama in a long time also drew me in."

She was drawn to the character as well. "When I read the script, Lady Jo's charm was immense. I thought, isn't this now the age where I can express such emotions?" she revealed the motivation.

Son Ye-jin said, "Lady Jo has been a proactive and independent woman since childhood. She excelled in writing and painting, but as a woman of the Joseon era, she had no opportunities. She ends up living as the wife of a nobleman."

She analyzed it in detail. "If I didn't design it very subtly and delicately, I felt I wouldn't be able to bring out the character well," and "I had to complete it with a meticulous, stitch-by-stitch spirit. It was difficult," she recalled.

She continued, "'What is Lady Jo's true heart?' 'What emotion is it?' 'Why is she doing this?' and so on—I prepared by talking with the director about such things. I worked through it like homework. It was difficult but fun," she laughed.

Ji Chang-wook plays Jo Won, Joseon's greatest lover. He is a talented man from a prominent family with outstanding appearance. After contact with "Lady Jo," with whom he exchanged letters, is cut off, he lives pursuing only pleasure and amusement.

He confessed to having difficulty expressing the character. "After finishing the work, I wondered, 'Was he really Joseon's greatest lover?' He was an extremely complex character. He was confusion and chaos itself," he recalled.

It was created on set. "I tried to focus on Lady Jo as expressed by Son Ye-jin, and the role of Hee-yeon as drawn by Nana," he said. "When emotions were difficult, I relied heavily on director Jeong," he said.

Nana joined as "Hee-yeon." She said, "Hee-yeon is a widow whose husband died before she married. She lived in seclusion, but after meeting Jo Won, she harbors the desire to live proactively," she pointed out.

She brought up her childhood self. "It was similar to my personality from childhood. I was passive, feared the world, and was wary of people. I recalled that part and could understand it smoothly," she shared.

Director Jeong was satisfied with the actors' chemistry. "Jo Won had to be a warm man. I was grateful that Ji Chang-wook's humor added an extra spoonful," and "I worked with admiration for Nana's power in wearing the character," he laughed.

The actors also felt burden from remaking a film. However, the method chosen by the three actors was the same. Instead of following the original, they focused on creating their own version of "Scandal."

Son Ye-jin said, "As the narrative accumulates, the character becomes non-linear," and "it's a series where curiosity grows more and more, wondering 'what will happen to these people?'" showing confidence.

She added, "As an actor, it was a more ambitious medium (a series). Since it's a 2003 work, many younger audiences haven't encountered it. I think they might watch the work anew."

Nana also turned the burden into a driving force for acting. "I think those who like the original should enjoy the freshness we bring and enjoy comparing. It's that entertaining," she said confidently.

The film "Scandal" was also a topic of discussion for its bold content level at the time. Director Jeong Jiwoo said, laughing, "You can look forward to the level of content in this series 'Scandal' as well."

Son Ye-jin said, "There's a lot to see, and it's pleasant to the ears. It's a work you can enjoy by following a densely packed story." Ji Chang-wook also said, "It's a series you can watch according to your taste," urging anticipation.

Meanwhile, "Scandal" will be released on the 18th.

<Photo=Seunghoon Lee Reporter>