Netflix's Next Historical Hit Starring The King Of Action & Rom-Coms Is Only 1 Month Away

Published Aug 3, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com. His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023. The landscape of Netflix's streaming scene has changed considerably from its earlier days merely mimicking American prestige TV. But as the years passed, Netflix's audience grew, with a growing interest in international programming. This particular curiosity led to a growing boom in K-dramas, utterly exploding in 2021 with the emergence of Squid Game, while establishing a carousel of recurring leading talent featured on this intensely popular Korean cultural export. It's left an indelible mark on the all-time Netflix streaming charts, while also making an entertaining exercise out of spotting familiar faces, with multiple particular stars returning in September 2026. Ji Chang-wook, known for striking a strong balance of beloved rom-coms like Welcome to Samdal-ri and Suspicious Partner, while consistently dominating the action scene with hits like The Manipulated, Gangnam B-Side, and The Worst of Evil. He's a fascinating and engaging actor to follow, especially when he has the opportunity to even mildly intertwine his work in each genre. So, with What's on Netflix's reported upcoming September 18, 2026 release of The Scandal, itself an eight-episode K-drama reimagining of the hit 2003 South Korean film Untold Scandal, Ji Chang-wook joins a crew of incredibly talented cast in what'll surely be another hit for Netflix. Featuring alongside Ji Chang-wook in this latest loose spin on the French novel Dangerous Liaisons, Netflix's The Scandal will have Son Ye-jin (Crash Landing on You, No Other Choice) and Nana (Mask Girl, Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy) fresh off her recent collaboration with T.O.P for his music comeback. The story primarily focuses on Lady Cho (Son Ye-jin) in the late Joseon Dynasty, an outwardly devoted wife with plenty of secrets behind closed doors, with Cho Won (Ji Chang-wook) having similar seductive instincts as a libertine. As the two begin manipulating the relationships of others, complicated entanglements ensue when the young widow Hui-yeon (Nana) gets into the middle of things. The cast of Netflix's The Scandal so far is as follows: Son Ye-jin as Lady Cho Ji Chang-wook as Cho Won Nana as Hui-yeon Kang Chan-hee (Chani) Kwon In-ho Han Sun-hwa in undisclosed roles ScreenRant has also reached out to Netflix about official confirmation of the reported September 18, 2026 release date, with any updates reflected here. Cho Won happening to be both a scholar of the arts and a martial artist in the original story and, presumably, the new series is a fitting infusion of Ji Chang-wook's tried-and-true genre presence in K-dramas and film. But none of this is to diminish the top-billed talent in the series, with Son Ye-jin's body of work and accolades spanning over 26 years and counting, from multiple films directed by Park Chan-wook to the stratospheric popularity of Crash Landing on You, or the similarly decorated work of Nana. Now's the chance to see them in one of the steamiest romantic K-dramas of another banner year for the medium. K-Dramas Are Flying High In 2026 So Far Even beyond the anticipated return of some truly excellent cast to Netflix's streaming library, Netflix has been having a great 2026 so far. In addition to the latest hits climbing the charts across a supernatural spectrum, action thrillers have been tearing it up this year alone. In fact, the crowning achievement of K-content on Netflix for this year is having a series break into the All-Time Top 10 non-English streaming charts at its quickest pace yet, with Teach You a Lesson. Combine that with some of the most acclaimed working talent in the industry, from Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung among its opening acts of 2026, to Cha Eun-woo, Park Eun-bin, Jisoo, and more, and it's always got plenty of draws for fans of the medium. The excitement doesn't even have viewers needing to wait the full month, provided the September 18 release date for The Scandal is confirmed. In August alone, there's a brand-new mystery for viewers to chew on, as well as the newest Jung Hae-in project since Love Next Door, with other streaming services also offering plenty of new K-dramas for the month. Netflix has already scored an impressive legacy for the year, and is currently enjoying its victory lap, so it'll be interesting to see where things end going into 2027.