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September 30, 2026

Joseon Rules Explained: Why ‘The Scandal’ Hits Different

Netflix's new series 'The Scandal' is set in 19th-century Joseon, where strict neo-Confucian rules shaped every aspect of life. Women couldn't take civil service exams, widows faced extreme pressure to stay chaste (sometimes leading to suicide), and elite men openly kept concubines. Understanding these brutal social codes is key to grasping why characters make the choices they do in the show.
Why It Matters
If you're watching Korean period dramas, knowing Joseon social structures helps you appreciate how modern Korean culture still carries echoes of these historical values.
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