MBN Drama 'The First Lady' Premieres Amidst Real-Life Legal Battles of Former First Lady

The title 'First Lady' is capturing attention like never before. Coincidentally, MBN's new drama 'The First Lady' is set to air its first episode on the same day that Kim Keon-hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, faces her first trial as the first former first lady to be arrested in Korean history.

Premiering today, October 24th, 'The First Lady' tells the story of a woman whose husband, upon being elected president, suddenly demands a divorce. While set against the grand stage of politics, the drama centers on the intense emotions and conflicts within a marital relationship.

At the production press conference held in Seoul, Director Lee Ho-hyun explained, "When I first read the script, I found it so engaging that I was confused about its genre. I felt it was closer to a melodrama than a political drama, making the work enjoyable. We've centered the story on the couple's relationship, with the professional unique characteristics of a president and first lady adding tension to the plot."

Actress Yu Jin, playing Cha Soo-yeon, the kingmaker who helped her activist husband become president and later the first lady, shared, "I approached the character not as a melo-figure, but more like a warrior. She's a woman who rushes headlong towards her desires, so she might seem cold, but that strength was necessary for the character." She added, "It was a role I had never played before, so while I struggled, I also enjoyed filming. I still feel about 2% immersed in the character."

Actor Ji Hyun-woo, portraying Hyun Min-cheol, a man who grew up in an orphanage, worked in a factory, and eventually became president, described his character: "If Soo-yeon spares no means to achieve her dreams, Min-cheol is a character who moves forward honestly. His firm beliefs might make him seem a bit stubborn, but he cherishes each and every person. In a way, he's slow and deliberate, but I believe he's close to the ideal presidential image the public desires."

Ji Hyun-woo also commented on his first attempt at playing a president: "There's a similar aspect to the character Lee Su-in I played in 'Awl.' He was an employee who defied orders and stood against illegality. Min-cheol shares that in his defiance. I seriously prepared for this role, imagining what it would be like if that character became president."

The drama's premiere coinciding with a highly charged social event has naturally amplified anticipation for 'The First Lady.' Earlier today, the Seoul Central District Court held the first hearing for Kim Keon-hee's case. Indicted and arrested on charges including Deutsch Motors stock manipulation, receiving bribes related to the Unification Church, and violations of political funding laws, she denied all charges.

'The First Lady' unfolds its story against the backdrop of a presidential couple facing the unprecedented situation of a divorce request. While the content is entirely different, Kim Keon-hee, a former 'First Lady,' enters the courtroom as a defendant, leaving her mark in history as the first ex-first lady to stand trial in South Korea. The convergence of the drama's fateful premiere and the weight of reality has captivated the public's attention.

The drama 'The First Lady' was scheduled to premiere on September 25, 2025. Director Lee Ho-hyun aimed to explore new territory by blending melodrama with political drama elements. Actress Yu Jin took on a challenging role, portraying a strong and ambitious woman different from her previous characters.