Hallyu Stars Line Up for ‘The Remarried Empress’ K-Drama

The Remarried Empress, an iconic fantasy webtoon, is getting a K-drama makeover, with Hallyu stars Ju Ji-hoon, Shin Min-a, and Lee Jong-suk leading the cast alongside well-known actor Lee Se-young.

Written by Alphatart and illustrated by Sumpul, The Remarried Empress’s popularity stems from its layered plot, interesting characters, and, most importantly, from how the plot delves deep into power dynamics within a fictional empire.

The story revolves around the strained relationship between its protagonists. Navier Ellie Trovi, of the Eastern Empire, is the beloved empress—sharp, intrepid, and affable. But just when you might think her life is picture perfect, a dramatic turn upends everything: her husband, Emperor Sovieshu, introduces Rashta—the woman he’s in love with. Interestingly, Navier’s undeterred response to divorce and remarriage to the prince of the Western Empire, Heinrey, triggers a complex game of political maneuvering and personal growth, challenging the cultural norms around women in positions of power.

The K-drama adaptation of The Remarried Empress, I expect, will stick to the essential elements of the webtoon, which set itself apart by presenting Navier as a progressive woman commanding her destiny rather than an accomplice who makes smart decisions to preserve her influence. It challenges the stereotype of female characters in similar stories. Shin Min-a has been cast as the eponymous Empress Navier, Ju Ji-hoon as Emperor Sovieshu, Lee Jong-suk as Prince Heinrey, and Lee Se-young as Rashta, the mistress.

Incorporating political scheming and smart choices, the narrative showcases how Navier can handle tricky situations and outsmart adversarial circumstances. It also subtly points out the limits put on women in male-dominated societies, shedding light on the challenges they face to stand up for themselves, claim autonomy, and achieve their goals. The visuals of the webtoon are grand, perfectly capturing the splendor and complexity of the plot’s many twists and turns. “With striking mise-en-scène, grand scale, and narrative completeness, this series will set a new standard for the romance fantasy genre and captivate viewers,” Soompi recently reported, quoting the production team’s statement.

Jo Soo-won, who has helmed hit dramas, including I Can Hear Your Voice (2013), Pinocchio (2014-2015), Still 17 (2018), and Doctor John (2019), will be directing The Remarried Empress. The drama’s release date has yet to be announced.