Key takeaways
- Ryu Hye Young is in negotiations to join White Scandal alongside Kim So Hyun and Song Kang, with her agency VAST Entertainment confirming she is positively reviewing the offer.
- The web novel adaptation follows Ji Eun Seol, a former child actress who works as a road manager and encounters the celebrity Dan Yi Hyuk, who is connected to her past tragedy.
- The drama will be written by Kim Ga Eun (Call It Love) and directed by Kim Chul Gyu (Flower of Evil), bringing experienced creative talent to the project.
The upcoming romance drama White Scandal continues to strengthen its ensemble, with Ryu Hye Young now in final discussions to join the project alongside previously reported leads Kim So Hyun and Song Kang. On July 30, Ilgan Sports broke news of the casting development, marking another high-profile addition to the web novel adaptation.
Ryu Hye Young’s Entry Into the Cast
Ryu Hye Young’s involvement in the project remains in the negotiation phase. Her representation at VAST Entertainment confirmed the status, stating: “It is true that Ryu Hye Young has received an offer to star in ‘White Scandal.’ She is currently positively reviewing the offer.” The actress is being considered for a pivotal supporting role that plays directly into the narrative’s core conflict.
The Character Dan Yoo Jin
Should Hye Young accept the part, she would portray Dan Yoo Jin, the eldest granddaughter of the chaebol-owned NB Group. The character’s professional arc centers on her decision to pursue a career in law, deliberately choosing a path that would distance her from family expectations and her chairman grandfather’s influence. The role carries substantial dramatic weight, particularly in how it intersects with the main romantic storyline and the power dynamics within the wealthy conglomerate.
Family Dynamics and Conflict
Dan Yoo Jin maintains a deliberately strained relationship with Dan Yi Hyuk, the male lead portrayed by Song Kang. The two characters are half-siblings connected through their shared father, yet neither harbors interest in inheriting control of NB Group. This family tension creates an additional layer of complication beyond the central romance, as both characters have their own reasons for rejecting the traditional path laid out for them within the family structure.
The Drama’s Narrative Foundation
White Scandal draws its source material from a widely-read web novel bearing the same name. The adaptation follows a carefully constructed narrative centered on a woman whose dreams of stardom derailed through sacrifice for family loyalty.
The Female Lead’s Journey
Kim So Hyun has entered talks to embody Ji Eun Seol, a woman whose child acting career once promised tremendous success before a personal tragedy altered her trajectory entirely. Years earlier, she accepted blame for crimes committed by her older brother, paying a severe professional and personal price for that familial loyalty. Rather than abandoning her passion for performance, she has redirected her talents toward behind-the-scenes work, taking on responsibilities as a road manager and continuing to remain connected to the entertainment industry despite her inability to pursue starring roles.
The Catalyst for Change
The narrative accelerates when Ji Eun Seol encounters Dan Yi Hyuk, who occupies a position at the apex of the entertainment world as a top-tier celebrity. The complication intensifies when she recognizes that Dan Yi Hyuk himself stands at the center of the original incident that fundamentally altered her own life. Rather than avoiding him, the two enter into what the story frames as a contractual arrangement, creating the conditions for her to pursue the hidden truths she has long been seeking about what truly happened during that pivotal moment.
Song Kang’s Role as the Male Lead
Song Kang has been approached to take on the character of Dan Yi Hyuk, positioning him as the romantic focal point of the narrative and simultaneously as the figure connected to Ji Eun Seol’s past trauma. His character operates at the pinnacle of entertainment industry success while bearing the weight of secrets and family complications stemming from his status as an illegitimate child within the powerful NB Group dynasty. The role demands an actor capable of portraying both vulnerability and authority, requiring nuanced shifts between his public persona and his private struggle.
The Creative Team Behind the Adaptation
White Scandal brings together experienced storytellers known for their work on emotionally resonant and narratively complex dramas.
Writer Kim Ga Eun
The script comes from the pen of Kim Ga Eun, whose recent credits include the romance drama Call It Love. Her involvement signals the production’s commitment to character-driven storytelling that balances romantic tension with deeper emotional exploration.
Director Kim Chul Gyu
Director Kim Chul Gyu, recognized for helming the thriller Flower of Evil, brings a distinct visual sensibility and proven ability to maintain narrative momentum through complex plot structures. His experience with layered storytelling and suspenseful pacing appears well-suited to a drama that hinges on the gradual revelation of long-concealed truths.
What This Casting Means for the Project
The assembly of these three leads reflects a deliberate strategy to attract audiences across multiple demographics. Ryu Hye Young’s addition would complete a triangle of character dynamics that extends the drama beyond a straightforward romantic narrative, introducing familial intrigue and class commentary through the chaebol storyline. The pairing of established stars with proven chemistry-building capabilities and the involvement of a creative team with strong track records positions the project as a significant offering in the Korean drama landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ryu Hye Young's character role in White Scandal?
Ryu Hye Young has been offered the role of Dan Yoo Jin, the eldest granddaughter of the chaebol-owned NB Group who becomes a prosecutor. She is the half-sister of the male lead Dan Yi Hyuk.
Who else is cast in White Scandal?
Kim So Hyun is in talks to play Ji Eun Seol, a former child actress who works as a road manager, while Song Kang is in talks to play Dan Yi Hyuk, a top star connected to her past.
Who is writing and directing White Scandal?
The drama will be written by scriptwriter Kim Ga Eun, who wrote Call It Love, and directed by Kim Chul Gyu, who directed Flower of Evil.
