“The Scandal of Chunhwa” already sounds like a juicy headline, doesn’t it? It’s a title ripe with possibilities, and after the first episode, we’re drowning in them. “Scandal” itself is a slippery word. Is it the actual scandalous book circulating the kingdom, the perceived scandal of a princess behaving outside the lines, or the real scandal brewing beneath the surface of courtly decorum? Perhaps it’s all three, swirling together like a royal cocktail of secrets and lies.
And then there’s “Chunhwa.” Is it a person? A place? A particularly potent type of fermented kimchi? (Okay, probably not that last one.) The mystery surrounding the name only adds fuel to the fire. It could be a clue, a red herring, or even a double entendre. Maybe Chunhwa is the key to unlocking all the drama, or maybe it’s just a clever way to keep us guessing.
So, what have we learned so far? Well, we’ve learned that princesses aren’t always prim and proper, princes sometimes make questionable life choices (brothels? Seriously?), and erotic novels can cause more trouble than a rogue elephant in a tea room. But more importantly, we’ve learned that “The Scandal of Chunhwa” is a drama that’s not afraid to push boundaries, challenge traditions, and leave us hanging on the edge of our seats, desperate for more. Consider us officially hooked.
TL;DR
- Princess Hwa-ri is rebellious and doesn’t follow the rules.
- A scandalous book is causing trouble in the kingdom.
- Hwa-ri’s brother gets into trouble trying to impress a girl.
- Hwa-ri’s first love betrays her.
- There’s a mysterious man watching Hwa-ri.
In a kingdom bound by strict traditions and decorum, love still finds a way to stir up chaos. TVING’s The Scandal of Chunhwa plunges us headfirst into a world of palace intrigue, forbidden romance, and enough scandal to make even the most seasoned historical drama fans raise an eyebrow. At the heart of it all is a rebellious princess who is determined to take charge of her love life—whether the kingdom approves or not.
But does the first episode deliver on its promise of historical spice and drama? Or is it just another tale of angsty royals and awkward romance? Let’s dive in and find out!
Setting the Stage: A Novel Beginning
We kick off not in the Joseon era but in the present day—specifically, inside a cozy little bookshop where a young woman (played by Go Ara) stumbles upon an ancient erotic novel. You read that right—an erotic novel. And what better way to transport us into a world of palace drama than through a forbidden book filled with scandalous tales?
As she flips through the pages, we’re whisked away to the fictional kingdom of Dongbangguk, where we meet PRINCESS HWA-RI (also played by Go Ara). This isn’t your typical prim and proper princess. Hwa-ri has a reputation—one filled with whispers, gossip, and, apparently, a resemblance to the mysterious protagonist of the very book causing an uproar in the kingdom.
And what’s this book about, exactly? Oh, just a risqué account of a royal woman’s escapades, complete with detailed illustrations. Coincidence? Hwa-ri isn’t saying, but let’s just say she doesn’t seem too fazed by the rumors.
A Scandal in the Making: The Brothel Mishap
Meanwhile, her brother PRINCE HWA-SUNG (Kim Taek) has his own set of problems. Like any lovesick young noble, he wants to impress his crush, LEE JI-WON (Han Seung-yeon), but instead of, say, writing her poetry or composing a love ballad, he decides the best way to prepare for romance is… to visit a brothel.
Yes, you read that right. The prince, still a virgin, believes that hiring a gisaeng for “practice” is the perfect way to gain experience before courting Ji-won. A flawless plan with absolutely no consequences—except for the minor detail that Ji-won finds out and is understandably livid. When she confronts him, his defense is as weak as a wet parchment scroll, and just like that, his romantic prospects take a nosedive.
And who was there to witness his humiliation? None other than Hwa-ri, who had been enjoying the spectacle while dressed as a nobleman, making bets on whether her brother would succeed. Her antics don’t go unnoticed—especially by the mysterious CHOI HWAN (Jang Ryul), who watches her with a mix of amusement and intrigue.
Forced Marriages and Broken Hearts
With scandal knocking at the palace gates, the king decides there’s only one way to quiet the rumors: both Hwa-ri and Hwa-sung must find suitable marriage partners. Hwa-sung, desperate to fix things with Ji-won, rushes to her with betrothal gifts, including a fluffy dog (because if love can’t fix things, maybe a cute puppy will). Unfortunately for him, Ji-won isn’t swayed by grand gestures. She rejects his proposal outright, pointing out that his actions have shown how little he values her feelings. Ouch.
Meanwhile, Hwa-ri, with her usual boldness, declares that she will only marry her first love, PARK CHAE-JOON (cameo by Sung Joon). There’s just one tiny problem—he’s also her adopted cousin. The royal family is, predictably, horrified. But the real kicker? Chae-joon himself announces that he’s already engaged to another woman. Talk about a twist of the knife.
Betrayal, Heartbreak, and a Midnight Escape
That night, Hwa-ri’s sister PRINCESS HWA-JIN (Do Yoon-jin) tries to comfort her, but Hwa-ri is too devastated. How could Chae-joon betray her like this? She refuses to believe it and clings to the memories of when they were younger, when he promised she was the most precious person to him. Determined to fight for their love, she plans to meet him in secret and ask him to run away with her.
Under the cover of darkness, she sneaks out of the palace with Hwa-jin’s help. When she finally finds Chae-joon, he greets her with a hug—a gesture that confuses her even more. His eyes are filled with sorrow, yet he insists that they cannot be together. Desperate, Hwa-ri tells him to meet her at the port the next morning so they can escape together.
A Gut-Wrenching Goodbye
As dawn breaks, Hwa-ri waits at the port, hopeful that her love will arrive. But instead of Chae-joon, she’s met by two unexpected visitors: the enigmatic Choi Hwan and her eldest brother, CROWN PRINCE SEUNG (Sohn Woo-hyun). The latter delivers the final blow—Chae-joon isn’t coming. And how does he know? Because Chae-joon himself told him where she’d be.
With that, the reality of her situation crashes down on her. She collapses to the ground in tears, realizing that their love story has ended before it even had a chance to begin. Elsewhere, Chae-joon clutches the flower ring she gave him as a child. It crumbles in his hands—just like their doomed love.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Yet Imperfect Start
For an opening episode, The Scandal of Chunhwa throws a lot at the audience. On one hand, the blend of humor, romance, and palace politics makes for a compelling watch. On the other, some moments feel a little too rushed, especially when it comes to Hwa-ri’s heartbreak. We barely get to know her before we’re expected to feel deeply for her lost love.
That being said, Hwa-ri’s mischievous personality shines in scenes where she cross-dresses and outsmarts the men around her. More of that Hwa-ri, please!
Then there’s the lingering question: Who is the mysterious Choi Hwan, and how will he fit into Hwa-ri’s chaotic life? What role will Lee Jang-won (Chani) play in the brewing conflict between the two noble families? And perhaps most intriguingly—who exactly is behind those scandalous erotic illustrations featuring Hwa-ri’s face?
With plenty of secrets, heartbreak, and royal scheming ahead, The Scandal of Chunhwa certainly has potential. Here’s hoping the next episode balances its pacing and gives us more reasons to root for our rebellious princess.
My Take on Episode 1
This K-drama episode showcases some classic red flags in relationships—lack of communication, betrayal, and some seriously questionable decision-making. (Hwa-sung, a brothel? Really?) While palace life is obviously a whole different ball game, the emotional beats still resonate with modern audiences. If nothing else, it’s a lesson in what not to do when courting someone you like.
Now, onto Episode 2! Will Hwa-ri find a new path forward? Will Hwa-sung redeem himself? And will the erotic novel mystery get juicier? We’ll have to wait and see.
