Disney+ has brought one of the most anticipated Korean webtoon adaptations to the screen, and actor Ju Ji-hoon is prepared for viewers to dislike him.
In The Remarried Empress, Ju takes on the role of Emperor Sovieshu, a powerful ruler whose decision to pursue another woman tears apart his marriage to Empress Navier. The character is far from the heroic royal roles audiences may remember him for, and the actor says he is willing to be hated if his performance keeps viewers entertained.
The fantasy-romance series also stars Shin Min-a as Navier, Lee Jong-suk as Crown Prince Heinrey and Lee Se-young as Rashta. With royal betrayal, political rivalry, romance and elaborate fantasy elements at its centre, the production brings a hugely popular Korean digital story to a global streaming audience.
There is another major development for fans: Disney+ moved the premiere forward by one day. The first four episodes became available on November 3, 2026, instead of the originally announced November 4 launch. AsiaOne+2
Ju Ji-hoon Says He Is Ready for Viewers to Hate His Character
At the November 3 press conference in Seoul, Ju Ji-hoon spoke candidly about playing Emperor Sovieshu, a character whose actions are likely to frustrate audiences.
The actor described the emperor as exceptionally capable but emotionally vulnerable when confronted with a new kind of love. Sovieshu follows his feelings without fully considering how his decisions affect the people around him.
Ju admitted that he initially hesitated before accepting the role because the story was different from the projects he usually took on. However, he eventually decided to embrace the challenge.
He also made it clear that negative reactions to Sovieshu would not bother him.
If viewers become angry, shout at the screen or strongly dislike the emperor, Ju considers that a sign that his performance has made an impression. His priority, he said, is keeping audiences entertained.
The role is another significant royal character for the actor, who first became widely recognised for playing Crown Prince Lee Shin in the 2006 hit Princess Hours. He has since appeared in productions including Kingdom, Light Shop and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. AsiaOne+1
Shin Min-a Plays an Empress Who Refuses to Accept Betrayal
Shin Min-a takes centre stage as Empress Navier, a respected and intelligent ruler whose seemingly secure marriage collapses after Sovieshu falls for Rashta.
Rather than allowing the emperor’s decision to destroy her dignity, Navier makes a calculated move: she agrees to the divorce but demands permission to marry Prince Heinrey, the heir to a rival kingdom.
For Shin, the character offered an opportunity to portray a different kind of heroine.
She described Navier as confident, independent and naturally regal, but also a woman who experiences genuine hurt after being betrayed by her husband.
The character’s strength lies in her refusal to let that betrayal define the rest of her life. Instead, she uses the crisis to reclaim control over her future.
Shin is known internationally for dramas such as Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Our Blues. Her portrayal of Navier brings a more politically driven and fantasy-oriented role to her television career. CNA Lifestyle+1
Lee Jong-suk’s Prince Heinrey Brings Romance and a Fantasy Twist
Lee Jong-suk plays Crown Prince Heinrey, the royal figure who becomes Navier’s potential new partner after her marriage to Sovieshu falls apart.
Heinrey is not simply a romantic alternative to the emperor. His position as the heir to the Western Kingdom makes Navier’s decision politically significant, creating the possibility of a new alliance between rival powers.
The character also has a supernatural dimension that distinguishes the series from conventional palace romances.
In the original story, Heinrey belongs to a royal bloodline capable of transforming into birds. His bird form, known as Queen, is depicted as a large golden bird, with the production using computer-generated imagery to bring the transformation to life.
Lee said he felt anxious about how the digital effects would look once completed. He also shared a lighter behind-the-scenes detail about preparing for a scene in which Heinrey returns to human form shirtless: he asked director Cho Su-won for an additional month to work on his physique.
Lee was already familiar with the original web novel and webtoon before joining the production. He also reunited with director Cho, having previously worked with him on dramas including I Hear Your Voice and Pinocchio. AsiaOne+2
Lee Se-young Takes on a Complicated Role as Rashta
Lee Se-young portrays Rashta, a runaway slave whose relationship with Sovieshu triggers the collapse of the imperial marriage.
Rashta’s character is not presented as a straightforward villain. She is driven by a desire to survive and improve her position, but her growing appetite for power and status creates conflict inside the palace.
Lee described Rashta as someone who can appear innocent while also displaying harmful and manipulative behaviour.
The actress said this was a new type of role for her, particularly because Rashta combines vulnerability with a willingness to pursue things that were previously beyond her reach.
Shin also discussed the intensity of their scenes together. She recalled feeling genuine dislike toward Rashta during an important confrontation, praising Lee’s performance for helping her remain immersed in the moment.
The contrast between the two women is central to the drama: Navier represents established authority and composure, while Rashta enters the imperial world from a position of vulnerability and seeks to secure her place within it. AsiaOne+1
Nearly Three Billion Webtoon Views Put Pressure on the Adaptation
One reason The Remarried Empress has attracted such strong attention is the enormous popularity of its source material.
The original Korean web novel and its webtoon adaptation have accumulated close to three billion views worldwide, according to Disney’s November 3 announcement. Earlier reporting by Korean media placed the figure at approximately 2.97 billion by 2026.
That existing audience gives the television adaptation a major advantage, but it also creates high expectations.
Fans already know the characters, relationships and major story developments. They will naturally compare the live-action performances, costumes, visual effects and storytelling choices with the original material.
The production team has therefore faced the challenge of preserving the story’s appeal while adapting it for a different format.
Director Cho Su-won explained that the web novel and webtoon have slightly different tones. The novel is more serious, while the webtoon includes more comedy and lighter moments.
For the television version, he wanted to find a balance between those approaches rather than reproduce only one version of the story.
The scale of the source material also explains why the adaptation has become a significant project for Disney+ as it continues investing in Korean-language entertainment for international audiences. The Walt Disney Company+2
European Palaces and Gardens Help Create the Fictional Empire
Unlike many Korean historical dramas set in recognisable periods of Korean history, The Remarried Empress takes place in an entirely fictional world with a distinctly European-inspired royal aesthetic.
To make that setting believable, the production invested heavily in advance planning, visual design and location research.
According to reporting by CNA Lifestyle and The Korea Herald, the imperial palace of the Eastern Empire was filmed at Schleissheim Palace in Germany.
Meanwhile, Kroměříž Gardens in the Czech Republic provided the setting for scenes involving Navier and Heinrey as their relationship develops.
The European locations help establish the atmosphere of a grand fantasy empire, while the costumes, palace interiors and visual effects support the story’s mix of political intrigue and romance.
The production’s approach is also part of a wider trend in Korean entertainment: major streaming projects increasingly rely on ambitious settings and international production elements to make local stories appealing to global viewers. CNA Lifestyle+1
The Remarried Empress Release Schedule on Disney+
The series was initially scheduled to debut on November 4, 2026. However, Disney+ announced a surprise change during the November 3 press conference, moving the launch forward by one day.
The first four episodes became available on November 3.
The remaining episodes are scheduled to arrive in pairs every Wednesday, with the finale set for November 25.
| Release date | Episodes |
|---|---|
| November 3, 2026 | Episodes 1–4 |
| November 11, 2026 | Episodes 5–6 |
| November 18, 2026 | Episodes 7–8 |
| November 25, 2026 | Episodes 9–10 |
The series has 10 episodes in total. Disney+ lists it as a drama, romance and fantasy title, with Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk and Lee Se-young among its principal cast.
For viewers in the Philippines, the series is listed on the local Disney+ service. The Walt Disney Company+2
Why The Remarried Empress Matters for the Global K-Drama Industry
The show’s arrival comes as Korean entertainment companies and streaming platforms continue looking for ways to expand the international reach of K-content.
The popularity of Korean webtoons, web novels and other digital intellectual property has created a pipeline of stories that can be adapted into dramas, films and animation.
That strategy is not limited to one streaming service. Korean broadcasters and digital platforms are also exploring partnerships to extend the reach and commercial value of their productions.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously examined this industry shift in Korean Broadcasters and Streaming Platforms Team Up as Content Wars Enter a New Era, which looks at how traditional television and streaming services are increasingly working together.
The growing international appetite for Korean stories is also visible in other productions. WWC ONE MEDIA covered the upcoming return of Ju Ji-hoon’s The Trauma Code in Netflix Confirms The Trauma Code Seasons 2 and 3, But One Major Cast Change Has Fans Talking.
Meanwhile, the growing number of international collaborations was explored in Pyo Ye-jin and Jo I-geon Spotted Filming New K-Drama in Singapore, highlighting the increasing connections between South Korean and Singaporean entertainment industries.
For another look at the evolution of Korean storytelling, The Scandal Reimagines Joseon With Forbidden Desire and a Dangerous Love Game explores how a new historical drama is using familiar themes of ambition, attraction and betrayal in a different setting.
These developments show how Korean entertainment is expanding beyond traditional television formats, with webtoon adaptations, international partnerships and streaming releases becoming increasingly important to the industry’s future.
A Royal Divorce Could Become Disney+’s Next Big K-Drama Conversation
With a globally recognised source story, a high-profile cast and an ambitious fantasy setting, The Remarried Empress arrives with considerable expectations.
Ju Ji-hoon’s willingness to play a character audiences may despise adds another talking point, while Shin Min-a’s portrayal of an empress determined to reclaim her future gives the story its emotional centre.
Lee Jong-suk’s fantasy transformation and Lee Se-young’s complicated portrayal of Rashta add further dimensions to a drama built around betrayal, ambition and power.
Ultimately, the series is about more than a royal marriage falling apart. It asks what happens when a woman who has spent her life serving an empire decides to put her own future first.
And with the first four episodes already released, viewers can now judge whether Navier’s demand for remarriage will become one of the most memorable moments in this year’s Korean drama lineup.
