Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, Lee Se-young to Headline 'Remarried Empress' for Disney+
Get ready for a royal romance! Disney+ has announced its original series 'Remarried Empress,' set to premiere in 2026, boasting an all-star cast including Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young.
Based on the massively popular Naver webtoon with over 2.6 billion global views, the drama unfolds in the Eastern Empire. It tells the story of Empress Navier Ellie Trovi (Shin Min-a), who, after being banished by Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji-hoon) for his love of a slave named Rasta (Lee Se-young), seeks permission to remarry Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom (Lee Jong-suk).
Shin Min-a, known for her captivating roles in 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' and 'Our Blues,' will portray Empress Navier. At the Disney+ APAC Content Showcase in Hong Kong, she shared, "I knew the original work was loved by many and had high expectations. I was curious how it would be adapted and really wanted to be a part of it."
Ju Ji-hoon, a versatile actor with hits like 'Kingdom' and ' Jirisan,' takes on the role of the powerful Emperor Sovieshu. He commented, "I was curious about expanding into a fantasy world. I've been filming diligently as it's a project with meaning," adding, "Lee Se-young is the youngest but a veteran actress, and we've been communicating a lot."
Lee Se-young, praised for her strong performances in 'The Red Sleeve' and 'Love After Love,' will play the beautiful yet cunning slave Rasta. She mentioned, "I read the web novel and webtoon first. Rasta has a pure and innocent face, yet does surprising things. Perhaps I'm similar in that innocent aspect," adding, "Rasta is a character you can't hate; she has a kind of pure evil when she's greedy."
The series also features a strong supporting cast including Lee Bong-ryeon, Choi Dae-hoon, Jung Young-joo, Park Ho-san, and Nam Yoon-ho, promising a rich and engaging viewing experience.
Netizens are buzzing with excitement, calling the casting 'legendary' and 'an epic combination.' Comments like 'Shin Min-a's acting is always top-notch' and 'Can't wait to see Lee Jong-suk and Lee Se-young together!' flood online forums. Fans of the original webtoon are equally thrilled, anticipating a faithful yet captivating adaptation.