The globally adored Korean romantic fantasy webtoon and web novel, The Remarried Empress, with an astounding 2.6 billion views, is coming to life as an exclusive live-action series on Disney+!
This highly anticipated adaptation brings to the screen the captivating tale of Empress Navier, whose perfectly ordered life is shattered when her emperor husband demands a divorce to be with his new mistress. But Navier isn’t one to be cast aside. She agrees to the divorce, but with a twist: she’ll marry a rival prince from the Western Kingdom. What unfolds is a thrilling saga packed with political maneuvering, passionate romance, and Navier’s fierce quest to reclaim her rightful power.
The Remarried Empress boasts a stellar cast featuring Shin Min Ah (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha) embodies the beloved Empress Navier, while Ju Ji Hoon (Lightshop Keeper) steps into the shoes of Emperor Sovieshu of the Eastern Empire. Lee Jong Suk (Big Mouth) plays Heinrey, the enigmatic Crown Prince of the Western Kingdom, hiding a secret. And Lee Se Young (The Red Sleeve) portrays Rashta, the cunning former slave who rises to become Sovieshu’s concubine, with her sights set firmly on the empress’s throne. “The Remarried Empress” is adapted by the talented duo Yeoh Geena and Hyun Choongyeol (The Uncanny Counter) and helmed by director Cho Suwon (Still 17, Pinocchio).
The cast doesn’t stop there. Lee Bong-ryeon brings grace and quiet strength to the role of Eliza, Navier’s loyal chief maid in the Western Palace. Choi Dae-hoon, fresh off his breakout as “Mr. Hak” in Foolish, plays the ever-watchful secretary McKenna, who keeps Heinrey’s impulsiveness in check with a dose of reality.
Park Ho-san takes on the villainous Lottesh, Rasta’s cruel former master whose secrets threaten the entire empire. Jung Young-joo lends gravitas as Albany, a political strategist with hidden motives and ambitions of her own, while Nam Yoon-ho adds complexity as Lant, Sovieshu’s trusted secretary with one foot in both royal camps.
A Production Dream Team
The series reunites trusted creative minds: Jo Soo-won, lauded for his emotionally rich direction in Pinocchio, Thirty But Seventeen, and I Can Hear Your Voice, will be at the helm. Writers Yeo Ji-na (The Uncanny Counter) and Hyun Chung-yeol craft the layered script, while Studio N—renowned for adapting major IPs like Vigilante and Retirement—takes charge of production.
During the first official script reading held on May 13, the cast lit up the room with passion and chemistry. Shin Min Ah shared, “I’m both nervous and excited. It’s an honor to bring such a beloved story to life—I can’t wait for viewers to see how we’ve reimagined it.” Ju Ji Hoon added, “It’s a powerful world, and I feel a great responsibility to do it justice. I hope it gives viewers that spark of dopamine we all crave.”
Lee Jong Suk expressed, “As a fan of the original, I had high expectations. This live-action adaptation will be something truly special.” Lee Se-young echoed the excitement, saying, “Rasta’s story is full of subtle emotion and transformation—I’m thrilled to explore her in a world where fantasy and romance collide.”
The supporting cast also voiced their enthusiasm, with Lee Bong-ryeon calling the script reading “a moment where the world of The Remarried Empress became real,” and Choi Dae-hoon likening the opportunity to entering a “fairy tale land.”
Featuring a bold female lead, complex love dynamics, and political drama set against a gorgeously imagined imperial world, The Remarried Empress is shaping up to be a crown jewel in Disney+’s upcoming slate. As anticipation builds, fans of the original webtoon and newcomers alike can look forward to a lavish, emotionally charged ride that blends romance, betrayal, and resilience in equal measure.
The Remarried Empress is just one of several high-profile Korean originals joining Disney+’s growing lineup. Alongside returning favorites like A Shop for Killers and buzzworthy newcomers like Nine Puzzles, Low Life, and Tempest, Disney+ continues to raise the bar for K-drama lovers worldwide.
The Remarried Empress premieres exclusively on Disney+ in 2026—ready to rewrite the rules of royal romance one scandal at a time.
