On November 13, Disney+ revealed the first look at the characters from its upcoming original series The empress remarried. The photos feature Shin Min Ah as Navier, Ju Ji Hoon as Sovieshu, Lee Jong Suk as Heinrey, and Lee Se Young as Rashta, each embodying their respective roles with stunning, manhwa-like visuals that immediately captivated fans.
In the newly revealed images, the main protagonists appear to have stepped straight from the pages of the beloved web novel and webtoon, further heightening anticipation for the series. Disney+ described the project as “a fantasy K-romance that redefines second chance love streaming exclusively on Disney+ in the second half of 2026.”
Based on the viral web novel launched in 2018 and later adapted into a globally successful webtoon translated into 10 languages, The empress remarried tells a captivating story of betrayal, love and second chances in a real-world setting. It follows Navier (Shin Min Ah), the impeccable empress of the Eastern Empire, who is surprisingly granted a divorce by her husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji Hoon), after falling in love with a runaway slave named Rashta (Lee Se Young). Rather than crumble, Navier courageously asks permission to remarry the Western Kingdom’s prince, Heinrey (Lee Jong Suk), setting off a high-stakes romantic and political saga.
In addition to the four leads, the cast includes Lee Bong Ryun, Choi Dae Hoon, Park Ho San, Jung Young Joo and Nam Yoon Ho.
The series has generated enormous interest since its announcement, thanks to the popularity of the source material and its strong global fan base. The transition from web novel to webtoon and now big-budget drama has sparked intense interest from local and international audiences.
The excitement intensified at the Disney+ Originals Preview 2025 event held in Hong Kong on the same day. The showcase highlighted upcoming Disney+ content in Asia-Pacific and globally, with The empress remarried in the foreground. Cast members Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, and Lee Se Young attended in person, commanding attention as they introduced the series and shared insights into their characters.
With its iconic source material, world-class cast and Disney+ support, The empress remarried is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated K-dramas of 2026.
Sources: Daum
