With a beloved web novel, a star-studded cast and a fantastical royal setting, Disney+ Original Series The Remarried Empress is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Korean dramas of the year.
StarArena was invited to attend the virtual press conference for The Remarried Empress, where the four lead cast members – Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Suk and Lee Se Young – joined Director Cho Su-won to share their experiences bringing the popular story to life. Fittingly, the press conference itself was set against a grand palace-inspired backdrop, giving the event a distinctly royal atmosphere.
The anticipation surrounding the series has already been evident. During the Busan International Film Festival, the screening of its first two episodes was sold out, reflecting the considerable interest in seeing the much-loved web novel adapted for the screen.
The director acknowledged the high expectations surrounding the production, noting that the original web novel has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. He expressed confidence in the casting and shared his hopes that international audiences would enjoy the series as much as fans of the original story.
A Royal Story of Betrayal, Ambition and a Second Chance at Love
At the heart of The Remarried Empress is Empress Navier (Shin Min Ah), whose seemingly perfect life takes an unexpected turn when her husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji Hoon), becomes captivated by Rashta (Lee Se Young), a runaway slave whom he brings into the palace.
When Sovieshu asks Navier for a divorce, she agrees – but not without a plan of her own. Rather than allowing herself to be cast aside, Navier requests permission to marry Prince Heinrey (Lee Jong Suk), setting the stage for a dramatic royal romance filled with political intrigue, shifting loyalties and unexpected relationships.
For Shin Min Ah, who portrays the poised and intelligent Navier, the appeal of the story lies in its ability to balance an unfamiliar fantasy setting with emotions that audiences can easily relate to.
Interestingly, she shared that she read the script before exploring the original web novel. She was immediately drawn to how fresh the narrative felt while still retaining familiar emotional elements.
When discussing her approach to Navier, Shin Min Ah explained that portraying an empress required her to embody a sense of dignity and regality. However, Navier is also a woman who experiences love, vulnerability and heartbreak. Balancing these two sides of her personality became an important focus in bringing the character to life.
Four Characters, Four Very Different Motivations
While Navier represents grace and composure, the other three central characters bring their own complexities to the story.
Ju Ji Hoon takes on the role of Emperor Sovieshu, a ruler who has everything he could possibly want but becomes consumed by the desire for something beyond his reach.
Reflecting on his character, Ju Ji Hoon explained that Sovieshu often acts without considering how his decisions affect the people around him. From the emperor’s perspective, having a concubine to secure an heir might seem like a reasonable decision. However, he fails to recognise the emotional consequences his actions have on those closest to him.
The actor also admitted that he initially had some reservations about taking on the role. Having found the web novel particularly unfamiliar and different from his previous projects, he needed some time to consider the opportunity. Nevertheless, the story’s underlying familiarity eventually drew him in.
Lee Se Young, meanwhile, takes on the role of Rashta, a runaway slave whose life changes after encountering the emperor on a hunting ground.
For Lee Se Young, this marks a new chapter in her acting career, as she has not previously portrayed a villainous character. She described Rashta as someone who initially appears cute, innocent and childlike, but gradually reveals a much darker side.
Having experienced hardship, Rashta possesses a strong desire to survive. However, after being introduced to the privileges and luxuries of royalty, she begins to develop ambitions she never knew she had.
Lee Se Young explained that she wanted to capture the childlike purity of Rashta’s personality, particularly the way a child who discovers something they like may continuously want more. It is this seemingly innocent quality that gradually develops into something much more sinister.
She also shared her excitement about joining the production, having previously worked with the director. As the final cast member to be confirmed, she was particularly delighted when she discovered who else would be starring in the series.
Completing the central quartet is Lee Jong Suk as Prince Heinrey, a laidback yet charming prince who gradually falls in love with Navier and becomes a trusted ally by her side.
For Lee Jong Suk, the opportunity to play a prince was already a major attraction. He revealed that he had been a fan of the original web novel and had always wanted to portray a prince.
However, stepping into such a fantastical character initially felt daunting. He described Heinrey as someone who approaches life with a more relaxed attitude, but whose feelings for Navier gradually develop into something deeper.
During the press conference, Lee Jong Suk also shared a rather amusing observation about his character’s bird form. He joked that he has facial features resembling a bird and that these features were even used as inspiration when developing the bird’s appearance.
Bringing a Fantastical Royal World to Life
Beyond its compelling characters, one of the most striking aspects of The Remarried Empress is its visual world.
Unlike many conventional Korean dramas, the series is set in a Western-inspired royal world, but brought to life through Korean storytelling and performances. To achieve the right atmosphere, the production team filmed in the Czech Republic and other overseas locations.
The director explained that creating a convincing setting was essential to the overall experience. The production team spent considerable time discussing and researching suitable locations before eventually discovering a palace in Germany that they felt would perfectly capture the world they envisioned.
The attention to the setting is particularly important for a story that revolves around royalty, where grand architecture, elaborate costumes and palace interiors play an integral role in establishing the characters’ status and the atmosphere of the narrative.
The director also shared that he wanted to strike a balance between the original webtoon and web novel. While the webtoon leans towards a more comedic approach, the web novel takes on a more serious tone. His intention was to incorporate elements of both, creating an adaptation that retains the charm of the original while offering something fresh for viewers.
Playing Characters That Audiences Love to Hate
With characters such as Sovieshu and Rashta known for provoking strong reactions among readers, the actors were naturally asked how they felt about potentially receiving criticism from viewers.
Ju Ji Hoon appeared unfazed by the prospect, sharing that he had received plenty of negative comments about characters he had portrayed throughout his career. For him, as long as audiences are entertained, he is more than willing to accept the criticism.
The cast also touched on the dynamics behind the scenes, particularly the challenge of portraying characters who are often at odds with one another.
Lee Se Young shared that immersing herself in her role could sometimes leave her feeling sad and lonely. However, she was grateful for the support of her fellow cast members, who helped her settle into the production and made the experience more comfortable.
An Invitation Into a Fantastical World
With its international filming locations, elaborate royal setting and a cast bringing some of the webtoon’s most recognisable characters to life, The Remarried Empress offers a fresh take on the fantasy romance genre.
The director and cast expressed their hopes that audiences, both familiar and unfamiliar with the original webtoon, would enjoy the series and discover something special in its characters and storytelling.
Ju Ji Hoon extended an invitation to viewers to step into the fantastical world of The Remarried Empress, while Shin Min Ah shared that the cast had immersed themselves deeply in their respective roles and hoped audiences would appreciate the charm of every character.
The Remarried Empress premieres on Disney+ today!
