As actress Son Ye-jin showcases delicate emotional acting in the Netflix series 'Scandal,' the meanings embedded in the costumes and spaces of the work have been revealed, drawing attention. The colors of the hanbok and props that express the characters' inner worlds have emerged as new viewing points.

The production side of 'Scandal' recently released production stills and explained the meanings embedded in the costumes and spaces of Lady Cho, played by Son Ye-jin. The hanbok colors that change according to the character's emotions and the props that reflect her inner feelings were presented as additional clues to understanding Lady Cho.

■ What Is 'Scandal'… Starring Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana

'Scandal' depicts the dangerous love wager between Lady Cho, who possesses exceptional talent but lives within the constraints imposed on women in the Joseon era, and Jo Won, Joseon's greatest playboy, along with the story of Hui-yeon, who becomes entangled in it. Son Ye-jin plays Lady Cho, Ji Chang-wook plays Jo Won, and Nana plays Hui-yeon.

■ Deepening Green Hanbok… Lady Cho's Emotions and Desires

In the released stills, the key element expressing Son Ye-jin's Lady Cho is the color of her costumes. Chaikim, a designer brand that participated in costume and visual directing, structured the hanbok to reveal the character's inner changes. Costume designer Kim Young-jin explained that the costume design was planned so that as Lady Cho's emotions and desires deepen, the green of her costumes gradually darkens. The color changes were designed to align with the character's psychology.

Lady Cho's hanbok not only adorns her appearance but also visually conveys emotions she cannot easily express. Designer Kim Young-jin stated that she aimed to encapsulate each character's life, emotions, and desires in the hanbok. Observing the emotional arc of Lady Cho portrayed by Son Ye-jin alongside the changes in her costumes becomes another way to appreciate the work. As the contrast between her restrained outward appearance and the desires hidden within is materialized through costumes and spaces, attention is also focused on Son Ye-jin's acting, which conveys the character's psychology.

■ Plum Blossom 'Chaehwa' and Layered Doors… Hidden Meanings in Props and Spaces

The traditional paper flower 'chaehwa' placed in Lady Cho's inner quarters also carries meaning that reveals the character's circumstances. The plum blossom, symbolizing nobility and elegance, expresses Lady Cho's character, while its characteristic of not being a real flower despite its lifelike appearance subtly hints at her hidden feelings and situation.

The composition of spaces is also connected to Lady Cho's inner world. Spaces with layered doors were designed to evoke the outward appearance of a noble household and the inner feelings that cannot be revealed within it. Costumes, props, and spaces each explain a single character in different ways.

■ Jo Won and Hui-yeon's Costumes Each Have Their Own Individuality

The other characters' costumes display individuality distinct from Lady Cho's. Jo Won reveals his free-spirited nature and tastes with splendid gats (traditional hats) and lightweight, flowing materials, while Hui-yeon conveys a restrained impression with simple materials such as hemp and cotton and hanbok in near monochrome tones.

The work added a modern sensibility to these character-specific expressions. The story's setting was constructed using Bukchon's terraced terrain and props reflecting daily life. Professor Lee Sun-hee, who served as lifestyle history advisor, explained that she wanted to show that people of that era also made judgments and choices within their given conditions and built their lives accordingly.

■ Ranking High in the Netizen Awards… Ranking Competition Draws Attention

Meanwhile, as of the afternoon of the 13th, Son Ye-jin is ranked 7th in the October Netizen Awards Actress category and 5th in the Globe Netizen Awards Actress category. The fact that she is competing in the upper rankings in both domestic and global categories is drawing attention. Notably, in the Globe Netizen Awards, she holds a ranking two steps higher than in the domestic actress category.

At a time when Son Ye-jin is presenting a new character through 'Scandal,' attention is focused on how fans' interest both at home and abroad will affect the Netizen Awards rankings. With room for ranking changes remaining in both categories, eyes are on how fans' support for Son Ye-jin will unfold in the remaining period.

'Scandal,' directed by director Jung Ji-woo, captures both the relationships between the characters played by Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana and Korean-style mise-en-scène, and is currently streaming on Netflix.

[This article was written based on the work's introduction and production still materials. Descriptions of characters and props contain the production team's planning intentions. AI assistance was used in writing this article.]