The film The Scandal sparked debate regarding the appearance of its lead actress, Hee Yeon (played by Nana). On forums and social media, thousands of comments suggested Nana's modern facial features were ill-suited for the image of a widow in the Joseon dynasty.

Most viewers believed Nana's plump lips created a stark contrast with the traditional costumes and historical setting. Audience members wrote: "It's true that after cosmetic enhancements, her historical character portrayal isn't as appealing", "Cosmetic surgery is a personal choice, but as an actress, one should consider the balance between personal preference and audience aesthetic expectations", "I was distracted by her modern look".

According to Osen, in response to the criticism, the actress admitted to having received fillers. "If you feel uncomfortable looking at my lips, that is my fault. This enhancement was a personal choice, and as an actress, I realize it was not a wise decision", Nana stated.

Nana also apologized to her fans for upsetting them with criticisms directed at their idol. She stated her commitment to working harder to improve herself.

In the drama, Hee Yeon inadvertently becomes part of a wager between Lady Cho (Son Ye Jin) and Jo Won (Ji Chang Wook). Driven by romantic and power objectives, Lady Cho challenges Jo Won to seduce the widow, who is known for her "iron heart". The line between the wager and genuine feelings blurs as the playboy truly falls for Hee Yeon.

Actress Nana and Ji Chang Wook in "The Scandal". Photo: Netflix

After eight episodes aired, the intimate scenes between Hee Yeon and Jo Won sparked discussion across social media platforms. According to Ettoday, Nana and Ji Chang Wook performed the boldest nude scenes of their careers, with thousands of viewers expressing shock that both actors accepted these roles. Some opinions suggested the film used numerous intimate scenes to grab attention, while others argued these segments were appropriate for the plot's progression and character emotions.

Speaking to MK, actress Nana stated she joined the project out of admiration and respect for director Jung Ji Woo's talent, expressing her trust in him. "I was very curious how the director would adapt the original work. Deep within her personality, Hee Yeon shares similarities with me, aspects I had never expressed on screen before", Nana revealed.

The Scandal is based on the classic novel Dangerous Liaisons by French writer Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, and also draws inspiration from the Korean film Untold Scandal (2003). Director Jung Ji Woo explained that the story's core aims to answer the question, "Who am I?", by gradually resolving the conflict between individual desires and societal barriers of the era. The film portrays suppressed desires and the complexities of the human psyche.

Nana, whose real name is Im Jin Ah, is 35 years old and debuted in the Korean entertainment industry as a singer with the group After School. From 2013 to the present, she has consistently been featured in TC Candler's Top 100 Most Beautiful Faces in the World – an American film, art, and beauty critique site – topping the list for two years (2014 and 2015).

Nhu Anh