SEOUL — Nana has directly addressed the online criticism surrounding her appearance in Netflix’s new historical drama “Scandal,” saying she believes a personal choice she made may not have been appropriate for her role as an actress.
The After School singer-turned-actress spoke about the reaction through a fan communication platform on September 22, several days after the series premiered on Netflix.
The controversy has focused particularly on Nana’s lips and whether her contemporary appearance fits the drama’s Joseon-era setting. Importantly, while some viewers speculated online about cosmetic procedures, Nana did not publicly confirm that she had undergone a particular procedure.
Nana responds directly to the criticism
Nana acknowledged the criticism rather than dismissing it.
She said that if her lips made viewers uncomfortable, she regarded that as her responsibility, adding that she believed a personal choice she made was not the right choice from the perspective of an actress.
She also expressed concern about her fans having to see harsh comments directed at her and said she would work toward receiving more positive reactions in the future.
Her response quickly became another talking point surrounding the Netflix series, particularly because the discussion had shifted from the character and performance toward Nana’s physical appearance.
Why Nana’s appearance became a talking point
“Scandal” marks Nana’s first Korean historical drama since her acting debut.
She plays Hee-yeon, a Joseon-era widow whose story becomes intertwined with the dangerous romantic wager involving Lady Cho, played by Son Ye-jin, and Cho-won, played by Ji Chang-wook.
The production presents Nana in traditional clothing with a more restrained appearance than the contemporary, glamorous image associated with many of her previous projects.
After the September 18 premiere, some viewers argued on social media and online communities that her modern features—particularly her lips—stood out against the historical setting and affected their immersion in the story.
Other viewers pushed back against the criticism, arguing that concentrating heavily on one part of an actress’s appearance risks overshadowing her performance and characterization.
Critics and viewers remain divided
The discussion has not been limited entirely to Nana’s appearance.
Some Korean reports also noted mixed reactions to her portrayal of Hee-yeon, with certain viewers questioning whether the character’s emotional changes were sufficiently conveyed.
Those reactions remain viewer and media commentary rather than an established consensus about Nana’s performance.
The debate highlights one of the challenges of historical dramas: audiences may expect performers to visually fit a particular period, while actors and production teams must also balance historical styling with contemporary screen presentation.
‘Scandal’ is attracting international attention
Despite the online discussion surrounding Nana, the series itself has quickly attracted an international audience.
Maeil Business Newspaper reported that “Scandal” recorded 1.9 million views and 14.5 million viewing hours in its first week, placing seventh on Netflix’s Global Top 10 list for non-English TV shows. The series also entered the Top 10 in 10 countries, including South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Qatar.
The figures indicate that the drama’s reach extends well beyond South Korea, meaning the discussion surrounding Nana’s character and performance is also reaching international viewers.
A new chapter for Nana
“Scandal” represents another step in Nana’s transition from idol to actress, while also giving her a substantially different type of role.
Rather than portraying a contemporary character, she is playing a widow in a Joseon-era story inspired by “Les Liaisons dangereuses.” The series follows the same broad source material that previously inspired the 2003 Korean film “Untold Scandal.”
For Nana, the current discussion has become an unexpected part of the drama’s early reception.
Her decision to address the criticism herself has also shifted attention toward a broader question: how much should an actor’s appearance influence the audience’s perception of a historical character?
For now, Nana has made her position clear—she accepts responsibility for the appearance choice she believes may have affected viewers while promising to continue working on her acting.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
