The Remarried Empress is bringing one of the most popular royal romance stories to live action.
The 10-episode Korean fantasy romance stars Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Suk, and Lee Se Young. Based on the popular NAVER WEBTOON, the series follows an empress whose husband asks her for a divorce after falling for another woman.
‘The Remarried Empress’ Release Date
The Remarried Empress is scheduled to premiere on November 4, 2026, exclusively coming on Disney+ and Hulu. The series will begin with four episodes, followed by two new episodes each Wednesday until the finale on November 25.
The drama will be available in Korean with English subtitles, with an English-dubbed version also listed by Disney+.The live-action adaptation was also selected for a world premiere at the 2026 Busan International Film Festival, which ran from October 6 to 15.
Plot
The story is set in a fantasy world and centers on Empress Navier of the Eastern Empire. She appears to have a perfect life and a seemingly solid marriage to Emperor Sovieshu, until he falls for a runaway slave named Rashta and decides he wants a divorce.
Instead of simply accepting the humiliation, Navier makes a bold move. She agrees to the divorce, but on one condition: she must be allowed to remarry. And the man she has in mind is none other than Crown Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom, a rival nation.
The Cast
The series features a quartet of major stars in the leading roles:
- Shin Min Ah as Empress Navier: The poised and politically gifted ruler of the Eastern Empire whose life is upended by her husband’s betrayal. Shin is known for her roles in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Our Blues, Karma, and No Gain No Love.
- Ju Ji Hoon as Emperor Sovieshu: Navier’s husband, whose infatuation with a runaway slave throws the empire into chaos. The actor is also known for Kingdom and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.
- Lee Jong Suk as Crown Prince Heinrey: The prince of the Western Kingdom who becomes Navier’s unexpected ally and romantic interest. This marks Lee Jong-suk’s return to television after a hiatus. Fans know Lee from Pinocchio, W: Two Worlds Apart, and Romance is a Bonus Book.
- Lee Se Young as Rashta: The escaped slave who attracts Sovieshu’s attention. Lee Se Young previously starred in The Red Sleeve and The Crowned Clown, Motel California, and The Law Cafe.
The supporting cast includes Choi Dae Hoon as McKenna, Lee Bong Ryun as Eliza, Park Ho San as Viscount Lotteshu, Jung Young Joo as Albani, Nam Yoon Ho as Baron Lante, and Lee Jun Hyuk as King Wharton III.
Trailer
The main trailer, released in mid-September, shows the cracks forming in Navier and Sovieshu’s marriage as Rashta enters the picture. The preview then introduces Heinrey, whose growing closeness with Navier makes Sovieshu increasingly jealous. The central moment arrives when the emperor announces that he wants a divorce.
Instead of being flustered, she delivers a cool-headed counterattack. She accepts the divorce while demanding permission to marry Heinrey.
The Creative Team
The adaptation is being handled by a team with a strong track record in Korean television. Cho Suwon is directing. Cho is known for his work on popular dramas like Pinocchio, Still 17, and I Hear Your Voice. The screenplay is written by Yeoh Ji Na and Hyun Choong Yeol. The series is produced by Studio N, the studio behind other notable adaptations like The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.
The live-action series is based on the popular Naver Webtoon of the same name (originally a web novel by Alphatart), which has accumulated nearly 3 billion views globally.
The series premieres on November 4, 2026, on Disney+, beginning with four episodes before moving to a weekly release schedule.
