Two of K-pop’s second-generation legends, Seohyun of Girls’ Generation and Ok Taecyeon of 2PM, are joining forces in a dazzling onscreen pairing that’s making waves before the first episode even aired.
Their new KBS Wednesday-Thursday drama The First Night with the Duke isn’t just a genre-bending fantasy romance—it’s a bold attempt to turn around the network’s recent struggles in its primetime drama slot.
At the drama’s production presentation on June 11, Director Lee Yong-hee was joined by the main cast including Seohyun, Ok Taecyeon, Kwon Han Sol, Seo Beom June, and Ji Hye Won. They offered insight into what makes this drama not only visually engaging but emotionally rich, thanks to its roots in a popular web novel.
A New Twist on Romance Fantasy: From Book to Screen
The First Night with the Duke follows the unusual premise of a modern-day college student’s soul inhabiting a minor character in a romance novel—only to find herself spending the night with the obsessive, all-powerful male lead of the story. This dramatic twist sets off a chain of events that blends romantic fantasy with witty storytelling and emotional depth.
Director Lee explained his approach to the adaptation: “The original novel already had strong appeal, so I studied similar fantasy romances and tried to balance loyalty to the source with creative directing. Since we’re working in a visual medium, I focused on not losing the emotional essence fans loved in the original.”
The Casting That Got Fans Talking: ‘It Was Just Right’
The casting of Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon—both beloved idols turned seasoned actors—has been a major talking point. Director Lee revealed his first impression of the pair: “I walked into the office and saw them sitting together. The moment I saw that two-shot, I thought, ‘This is it.’ Their visuals are known, but together they look like characters straight out of a comic book.”
Taecyeon echoed this synergy, saying he joined the drama the moment he heard Seohyun was on board. “I didn’t even read the script first,” he confessed with a laugh. “We’re both from the second-generation idol era, and I remember her always carrying books. Now she’s literally stepping into a book, and I was curious how she’d bring that to life.”
Seohyun, meanwhile, had already been a fan of the story. “I read the webtoon version first and loved it. When the offer came, it felt like fate. Plus, Taecyeon just looks like a male lead. He’s got that manhwa charm—tall, striking, intense.”
Behind the Scenes: Camaraderie & Chemistry
Onscreen chemistry often starts with off-screen friendship—and in this case, shared history. Though they weren’t close during their idol years, working together quickly built trust and camaraderie.
“We have an internal closeness because we debuted around the same time,” Seohyun said. “From day one, we were comfortable and talked a lot about our characters and scenes.”
Taecyeon agreed. “We knew of each other from the idol scene, but we became truly close filming this. That history gave us a kind of shorthand on set.”
This isn’t the first time second-gen idols found acting success together—Girls’ Generation’s Yoona and 2PM’s Junho also gained widespread acclaim for their drama pairing. Seohyun revealed Yoona was full of encouragement, telling her, “You’ve got great energy—you’re a good person and a strong actor.”
Colorful Supporting Cast & Dynamic Characters
Beyond the leads, the drama boasts an ensemble of memorable characters straight out of the novel’s pages. Kwon Han Sol plays Jo Eun-ae, the sweet and candy-like heroine of the original romance story. Seo Beom June is Jung Soo-gyeom, the warm and affectionate second male lead who adds spice to the inevitable love triangle. Ji Hye-won dives into the role of Do Hwa-seon, the powerful villainess determined to upend everything.
Each actor shared what drew them to their roles. Kwon Han-sol appreciated the emotional depth of her character, while Seo Beom-jun highlighted the contrast with Taecyeon’s cooler persona. “If his character is cold and guarded, mine is all warmth and affection—he’s got a different kind of appeal.”
As for Ji Hye Won, she embraced her villain role with gusto. “This time, I went all in. I used every bit of evil I could summon. Even wore a hanbok to match.” Taecyeon praised her intensity, saying, “She acted so fiercely, she was literally sweating.”
A Setback Before the Premiere—and a Public Apology
Despite the excitement, the drama faced controversy before its release. During filming at Byeongsan Seowon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the crew damaged cultural assets by improperly installing props. Some staff members were referred to the prosecution.
Director Lee took full responsibility during the press event. “I deeply apologize for the incident at Byeongsan Seowon. We immediately scrapped all related scenes. KBS has since revised its guidelines, and we are cooperating fully with government oversight.”
Taecyeon also addressed the situation with sincerity: “It made us, as actors, more alert. We were already working hard, but this added weight to our responsibility.”
Seohyun added, “As the lead actress, I feel an even deeper responsibility. There’s no excuse. We all have to be more careful to prevent this from happening again.”
Aiming to Break the Ratings Slump
KBS’s Wednesday-Thursday lineup has been in a ratings rut, with recent shows barely hitting the 1% mark. The team behind The First Night with the Duke hopes this fresh, fantasy-driven romance will change that.
Seohyun shared her mindset: “The atmosphere on set was amazing. I felt so lucky to work with such a great script and team. I do hope we see good ratings, but more than that, I hope even one person feels joy watching it.”
Taecyeon added, “When we were filming, I didn’t even know what day it would air—I just focused on doing my best. My first drama aired in this same slot. It’d be great to see strong ratings again, but even if we don’t hit 20%, I hope people remember it fondly.”
Director Lee closed the session with hopeful words: “We made this drama with a lot of heart. The leads are visually stunning and emotionally compelling. Watching this woman fall for such a man—it’s going to be fun.”
The First Night with the Duke premiered on June 11 on KBS2 TV.
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