Scandals tend to have a nasty way of lingering in the air, especially in this Internet world.

Not one but two controversies threaten to haunt SBS’ new weekend series “Five Fingers.”

Recent rumors that “Five Fingers” actress Ham Eun-jung and fellow girl group T-ara members bullied former member Hwa-young put the group under public fire, with some demanding that Ham step down from her upcoming role in the series. 

Despite the furor surrounding T-ara, Ham made her first public appearance after controversy broke, at the drama’s press conference in Seoul on Thursday.

“Five Fingers” also represents co-star Ju Ji-hoon’s first television drama since he was indicted on drug charges in 2009.

The two leads, with Ham looking subdued, trained the spotlight on their upcoming roles at the press event.

“My character dreamed of becoming a pianist when she was a child, but due to family circumstances she had to give up that dream,” said the 23-year-old singer-and-actress, who described her role as “upbeat and cheery.”

“This is my first time acting in such a challenging and emotional drama,” she added, before stating that her fellow girl group members have shown affectionate support towards her and her upcoming project, and will likely tune in when it airs.

Co-star Ju, who completed his military service last November, described his hero as a pianist weighed down by scars from his childhood.

“This is a drama, so the script is not finished,” the 30-year-old actor said. “I, myself, am curious as to how the story will unfold.”

Following on the heels of SBS’ smash hit “A Gentleman’s Dignity,” “Five Fingers” reads like a standard melodrama-of-yore.

Veteran actress Chae Si-ra plays a stepmother-and-chaebol head who bends to her late husband’s request that she take stepson Yoo Ji-ho (Ju Ji-hoon) under her wing and groom him into a CEO. Putting on a charade of obedience, the stepmother plots to put her own son (Ji Chang-wook) on the throne instead.

Both sons are pianists and their passion for the piano translates into a shared love for fellow pianist Hong Da-mi (Ham Eun-jung).

“Five Fingers” starts airing Aug. 18 on Saturday and Sunday nights on SBS at 9:50 p.m.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldcorp.com)