The Remarried Empress
| The Remarried Empress | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 재혼 황후 |
| RR | Jaehon hwanghu |
| MR | Chaehon hwanghu |
| Genre | Romantic fantasy[1] |
| Based on | The Remarried Empress by Alphatart |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Jo Soo-won |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Kim Tae-seung[2] |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| Production | |
| Production company | Studio N |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney+ |
The Remarried Empress (Korean: 재혼 황후) is an upcoming South Korean romantic fantasy television series written by Yeo Ji-na and Hyun Choong-yeol, directed by Jo Soo-won. Produced under Studio N, it stars Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young. Based on Naver Webtoon of the same name by Alphatart, it depicts Empress Navier, who is divorced by Emperor Sovieshu and remarries Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom. The series is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in the second half of 2026.[3][4]
Synopsis
Empress Navier is taken aback by her husband's cruel demand for a divorce so he can wed his mistress, but she doesn't give up easily. Instead, she takes a risk and joins forces with an enigmatic Prince Heinrey from the Western Kingdom in an unlikely alliance. Navier will go to any lengths to regain her throne and outdo her ex-husband at every opportunity as she navigates the competitive realm of palace politics and romance.
Cast and characters
Main
- Shin Min-a as Navier[1]
- An intelligent and elegant Empress of the Eastern Empire, maintained a peaceful but loveless marriage with Emperor Sovieshu, her childhood friend.
- Ju Ji-hoon as Sovieshu[1]
- Empress Navier's ex-husband, who divorced her to marry Rashta, a former slave.
- Lee Jong-suk as Heinrey[1]
- A prince of the Western Kingdom, who can secretly transform into a bird, spies on the Eastern Empire's palace. While in his bird form, he encounters and falls in love with Empress Navier.
- Lee Se-young as Rashta[1]
- A runaway slave. She is Emperor Sovieshu's mistress and becomes his second wife and empress after he divorces Navier.
Supporting
- Lee Bong-ryun as Eliza[5]
- Navier's head lady-in-waiting.
- Choi Dae-hoon as McKenna[5]
- Heinrey’s secretary.
- Park Ho-san as Viscount Lotteshu[5]
- Rashta’s former owner.
- Jung Young-joo as Albani[5]
- Nam Yoon-ho as Baron Lante[5]
- Sovieshu’s secretary.
- Lee Joon-hyuk as King Wotton III[6]
- Kang Han-na as Christa[6]
Production
Development
The series, which based on web novel of the same name by Alphatart, was officially commissioned by Disney+. Jo Soo-won serving as director, who helmed Pinocchio (2014), and the script is penned by Yeo Ji-na and Hyun Choong-yeol, who wrote The Uncanny Counter (2020), while Studio N managed the production.[7]
A script reading took place on May 13, 2025.[3]
Casting
In 2024, Lee Jong-suk and Shin Min-a were reportedly considering.[8][9]
In April 2025, the casting of Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young as the leads was officially confirmed.[1] In June, a script reading revealed that actors Lee Bong-ryun, Choi Dae-hoon, Park Ho-san, Jung Young-joo, and Nam Yoon-ho had joined the cast.[5] Lee Joon-hyuk and Kang Han-na reportedly joined the cast in November.[6]
Filming
Principal photography began in Prague in June, a month later than the initial plan of May 2025, and was slated to conclude in November.[10][11][6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Yang, So-young (April 14, 2025). 신민아 주지훈 이종석 이세영, '재혼 황후' 출연 확정 [Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young Confirmed to Star in 'The Remarried Empress']. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Kim, Tae-seung (April 24, 2025). ‘재혼황후’ 에 참여합니다 [I'm participating in 'The Remarried Empress']. Kim Tae-seong & Monopole. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ^ a b Lee, Mi-ji (June 19, 2025). '재혼 황후' 신민아X주지훈X이종석X이세영, 대본리딩 포착 "기대..책임감 느낀다" ['The Remarried Empress' Quartet Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young caught in script reading]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Jang, Joo-yeon (November 13, 2025). 웹툰 찢었다…‘재혼황후’ 신민아·주지훈·이종석·이세영, 스틸 공개 [Webtoon torn apart… Shin Min-a, Joo Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young from "The Remarried Empress" released stills.]. edaily news (in Korean). Retrieved November 13, 2025 – via Naver.
- ^ a b c d e f Jo, Ji-young (June 19, 2025). [공식] 신민아X주지훈X이종석X이세영 '재혼 황후' 캐스팅 미쳤다..2026년 디즈니+서 공개 확정 [Official: Shin Min-a X Ju Ji-hoon X Lee Jong-suk X Lee Se-young's 'The Remarried Empress' Casting Is Crazy... Confirmed to Release on Disney+ in 2026]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Kim, Jin-seok (November 12, 2025). [단독]이준혁·강한나, '재혼황후' 호흡 [Exclusive: Lee Joon-hyuk and Kang Han-na to Star in 'The Remarried Empress']. My Daily (in Korean). Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Lee, Yoon-seo (April 14, 2025). "'The Remarried Empress' to be turned into series". The Korea Herald. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Bae, Hyo-joo (December 10, 2024). 이종석, 신민아 재혼 상대 되나.."'재혼황후' 제안 검토 중" [Will Lee Jong-suk and Shin Min-a appear?: "Considering 'The Remarried Empress' Offer] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Lee, Su-jin (October 10, 2024). 신민아, 차기작 '재혼황후'... 소속사 "제안받고 검토 중" [공식] [Official: Shin Min-a's next project, "The Remarried Empress," is being considered by her agency]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Yoo, So-yeon (March 20, 2025). "촬영 시작"vs"확정 NO" 신민아→주지훈 '재혼황후', 제작 전부터 들썩 [Oh!쎈 이슈] [Is "The Remarried Empress" filming already? Not so fast... Despite Shin Min-a and Ju Ji-hoon's involvement, nothing's been officially confirmed yet]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ Kim, Yang-soo (June 16, 2025). [단독] '재혼황후' 첫 삽 떴다...신민아x주지훈, 프라하 로케 돌입 [Exclusive: 'The Remarried Empress' kicks off... Shin Min-a and Ju Ji-hoon start filming in Prague]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Retrieved November 12, 2025 – via Nate.