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South Korean actress Lim Jin-a, widely known as Nana, issued a formal apology on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following mounting public criticism over her appearance in the Netflix period series The Scandal. Viewers of the eight-part drama argued that her apparent lip fillers disrupted historical immersion, clashing sharply with her role as Hui-yeon, a chaste Joseon-era widow who has renounced worldly pleasures.
A Personal Choice Examined on Bubble
Nana addressed the backlash directly on Bubble, a subscription-based private messaging service utilized by artists for one-on-one communication with fans, according to reporting by The Korea Herald and LatestLY.
"If my lips made viewers uncomfortable, then that was my fault. Nana stated in her post that the decision was a personal one that ultimately did not suit her as a performer."
Addressing Fan Concerns and Online Criticism
The 35-year-old star and former member of the K-pop group After School expressed particular concern for her supporters navigating the online response. "I imagine that my fans, who love me, must feel hurt seeing the harsh criticism directed at me, so I’m even more sorry. From now on, I’ll do my best so that we can hear more positive things together."
Global Release and Streaming Success
The Scandal premiered globally on Netflix on Friday, September 18, 2026, according to data from Netflix’s official companion site, Tudum, cited by The Korea Herald. Just three days after its release, the series climbed to No. 7 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 list for non-English TV shows.
Literary Origins and Star-Studded Cast
The production is an eight-part series that reimagines Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 18th-century French novel Dangerous Liaisons. The narrative was previously adapted into the 2003 Korean film Untold Scandal. The streaming adaptation features a prominent cast, including Son Ye-jin as Lady Cho, Ji Chang-wook as Cho-won, and Nana in the pivotal role of Hui-yeon.
Aesthetic Clash in Historical Drama
Reviewers and online critics noted that Nana’s venture into a Korean historical drama required a restrained, traditional aesthetic. The perceived fullness of her lips contrasted with the solemnity of the historical setting, prompting intense debate among audiences regarding the boundaries of personal styling choices versus the demands of period-piece authenticity.
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