Echoes of the Bukchon Dynasty: A Deep Dive into the Soundtrack of Netflix’s The Scandal
By Editorial Staff
September 25, 2026
The streaming landscape has been set ablaze by the recent debut of Netflix’s latest South Korean limited series, The Scandal. Created by the visionary duo Jung Ji-woo and Kim Jae-joong, the period drama has quickly captured global attention not only for its intricate narrative and star-studded cast—featuring Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, NANA, and Han Seon-hwa—but for its hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric score. Today, Genie Music officially released the comprehensive original soundtrack, a sprawling 30-track collection that serves as the sonic backbone for this tale of forbidden desires, noble secrets, and dangerous social games.
The Sound of Secrets: An Overview
The release of the soundtrack for The Scandal is more than just a promotional tie-in; it is a meticulously curated auditory experience that mirrors the show’s volatile blend of historical grandeur and intimate vulnerability. The album, which is now available across all major streaming platforms including Amazon, features a collaborative effort by some of the most prominent names in the South Korean film music industry.
At the heart of this project are composers Jiyeon, Shin Minseob, and Kim Baek Chan. Their work is complemented by vocal and instrumental contributions from artists such as Azzy, Jeong Bo-gwon, and others. The score is notable for its deliberate fusion of classical motifs—often reinterpreting Western works like Fauré’s "Après un rêve"—with the traditional, rhythmic sensibilities of the period setting.
A Chronology of the Production
The journey of The Scandal from script to screen has been one of rigorous aesthetic planning.
Early 2025: Development and Casting
When the project was first announced, industry insiders noted that Jung Ji-woo and Kim Jae-joong were looking for a specific, melancholic sound that would distinguish the show from standard sageuk (historical drama) fare. The casting of heavyweights like Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook set a high bar for production values, prompting the production team to prioritize the score early in the post-production phase.
Late 2025: The Scoring Process
Composer Jiyeon, tasked with the main theme, spent months analyzing the subtext of the script. During this time, the production team decided to move away from purely traditional Korean instrumentation, opting instead for a "crossover" sound that allowed for more psychological depth. This is where the decision to incorporate adaptations of European classical music—a hallmark of the show’s unique "Bukchon" aesthetic—was solidified.
September 2026: Premiere and Soundtrack Release
Following the series’ successful premiere last week, fan demand for the music reached a fever pitch on social media. The "Main Theme," characterized by its sweeping, yearning strings, became an immediate point of discussion. The official release on September 25 provides fans with the full, 30-track odyssey, allowing listeners to track the show’s narrative arc through the music.
Supporting Data: The Musical Architecture
The album is a structural marvel, divided between atmospheric character themes and thematic pieces that highlight the tension within the story.
Thematic Breakdown
The tracklist reveals a sophisticated approach to musical storytelling:
- The Romantic Leads: Tracks like "Love Lessons" (5:00) and "Three Hearts" (4:19) are extended compositions that mirror the slow-burn intensity of the series’ central love triangle.
- The Period Atmosphere: "Daechwita-Royal Tomb Procession" and "The Sights of Bukchon" ground the listener in the historical setting, utilizing traditional percussion and wind instruments to provide a sensory anchor.
- The Classical Reinterpretations: Perhaps the most ambitious tracks are those credited as "Based on," such as Shin Minseob’s "Boat" and "Boy." By weaving Fauré’s Après un rêve into the narrative, the score creates an ethereal, dreamlike quality that elevates the series above a standard historical melodrama.
Tracklist Table
| Track No. | Title | Composer/Performer | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main Theme | Jiyeon | 3:39 |
| 6 | Butterfly | Azzy | 4:13 |
| 11 | Acting Coy | Kim Baek Chan | 2:31 |
| 20 | Love Lessons | Jiyeon | 5:00 |
| 30 | Thought It Was Spring | Azzy | 2:44 |
(Total collection spans over 90 minutes of original content.)
Official Responses and Creative Vision
The creators have been vocal about the importance of the music in grounding the show’s complex themes. In a recent press release, director Jung Ji-woo noted, "We wanted the audience to feel the stifling nature of the noble walls as much as the freedom the characters crave. The music had to be the bridge between the rigid social structures of the era and the fluid, chaotic emotions of our protagonists."
Jiyeon, the lead composer, shared her perspective on crafting the "Main Theme": "The challenge was to capture the duality of the characters—the public face of the noblewoman versus the private, hidden desires. I used the violin to represent the longing, while the deeper cello tones represent the ‘scandal’ that threatens to consume them."
Implications for the Industry
The release of The Scandal soundtrack highlights a growing trend in the streaming era: the "prestige score." As global platforms like Netflix continue to invest in high-budget international content, the musical scores are increasingly being treated as standalone art pieces rather than mere background noise.
The Globalization of K-Drama Scores
The integration of Western classical adaptations—such as the arrangements of Atys and Après un rêve—signals a shift toward a more hybrid, universal musical language. By blending these familiar classical motifs with the distinct emotional beats of Korean storytelling, the production team has made the score more accessible to a global audience, potentially increasing the show’s reach in Western markets where such musical references resonate deeply.
Impact on Composer Careers
For artists like Jiyeon and Shin Minseob, the massive global reach of Netflix provides a platform that traditional broadcast television simply cannot match. The immediate availability of the album on platforms like Amazon and Spotify ensures that the music has a "long tail" of engagement, extending the life of the series long after the final episode has aired.
A Cultural Phenomenon in the Making
The Scandal is not merely a show about the 19th-century elite; it is a study of human nature, power, and the high cost of truth. The soundtrack acts as the silent narrator of this study. Whether it is the playful, lighthearted notes of "Acting Coy" or the heavy, foreboding chords of "An Impossible Promise," the music provides the necessary context for the characters’ most desperate decisions.
As viewers continue to stream the series, the soundtrack will undoubtedly serve as the primary companion to the narrative. For those looking to revisit the highs and lows of the Bukchon scandal, the full album is now available for digital purchase and streaming.
In an era where "binge-watching" can often lead to content being quickly forgotten, the lasting impression of The Scandal—bolstered by its rich, evocative score—suggests that this series is destined to remain in the cultural conversation for months to come. The music is not just a backdrop; it is the heartbeat of a story that, much like the scandal it depicts, is impossible to ignore.
Listen to the "Main Theme" by Jiyeon:
(The Main Theme is currently available for streaming on all major platforms, with official video clips accessible via the Netflix and Genie Music YouTube channels.)
For more information on the production of "The Scandal," visit the official Netflix media portal.
