Disney+ and Hulu has released the first four episodes of The Remarried Empress, a live-action remake of the popular webtoon of the same name. In the series, the beloved Empress Navier (Shin Min-a) finds herself in a broken marriage with her husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji-hoon) of the Eastern Kingdom, after he takes up a mistress in a runaway slave, Rashta (Lee Se-young). Sovieshu falls even harder for his mistress and asks Navier for a divorce so he can marry Rashta. Little does he know, Navier accepts his divorce request, but only if she is allowed to marry… his rival, Crown Prince Heinrey (Lee Jong-Suk) of the Western Kingdom.
The Remarried Empress is set up to be a revenge/regret story, with the idea of literally “fuck-around-and-find-out” and the audacity of some men. It reads like those short-form content stories of the mistreatment of the female lead and her finding someone better – causing her former lover to become jealous and full of regret, but with a bigger budget, elaborate production and costume design, and A-list Korean actors.
With the star power, the webtoon’s popularity, and Disney+ backing, The Remarried Empress is expected to be one of South Korea’s most anticipated dramas. After the first four episodes, the series is a slow burn. Everything takes time to get to the point, focusing more on the beauty of the world and moments of longing (a little too long).
Let there be no mistake – the production and costume design are absolutely stunning. Everything is visually beautiful – including the people (Korean lighting has set the bar high in dramas). The detail on Navier’s dresses is exquisite, which is why the camera shots zoom in perfectly on each material. Kyunghwa Chae, Laura Smith, and Denicheur by Seo Seungyeon outdid themselves for every seam and garment. From Navier to Rashta’s former owner Viscount Lotteshu’s (Park Ho San) eye patch to former royal Albani’s (Jung Young Joo) hairpiece, everything looked and felt meticulous.
The production and set were also made beautifully – all constructed without the use of A.I. Some parts use VFX and CGI, like the fantasy elements and mythical monsters. For the most part, the realistic moments felt real, and they did a wonderful job building this world. It felt very much like the elegance of Bridgerton meeting the fantastical world of Shadow and Bone.
When it comes to the storyline, the script doesn’t stray too far from the source material. The opening of the series is the same as the webtoon – in the middle – when Navier accepts her divorce from Sovieshu and requests to marry Heinrey. It then follows the same timeline and story, but you don’t need to have read the webtoon to understand the plot. These are the types of plots that people enjoy – Everyone is rooting for Navier and Heinrey and (rightfully) villainizing Sovieshu and Rashta.
The series actually makes Sovieshu even more pitiful because, in the series, they both genuinely seemed to be in love. One of the earlier scenes showcasing the two in bed together, as they embrace each other, felt more romantic than any other scene within the first four episodes – including his “passionate affair.” The webtoons made their relationship more like a marriage of convenience rather than love, but the series felt otherwise. There were several moments of tenderness and mutual respect between the two, so it felt very out of place for him to turn into an insensitive creep out of nowhere. It was a complete 180 since he met his new lover. It’s hard to believe how fast he turned. It could also be that Ju and Lee Se-young have no chemistry. It felt very awkward watching the two act like a couple. It could be on purpose, as she may be only using him for his power and as a way out of the slums, and for his need to be wanted. If those were the vibes that the characters were giving, then they succeeded.
Heindry, on the other hand, is actually in love with the Empress, having been fond of her for many years. He’s been watching her for quite some time – as a bird. Yes, the royal blood of the Western Kingdom can turn into birds. Of course, she doesn’t know that she’s been communicating with him in his bird form. To her, she has a bird friend who visits her with a letter attached to its leg from “a mystery penpal.” And, the entire time, it’s really been him. But because Heindry is attractive and a prince (the fantasy version of a chaebol/wealthy heir), it’s acceptable. In fact, viewers and audiences swoon over him.
But even if one is not into the romance of it all, the idea of eventual regret from Sovieshu and how the Navier will get her revenge will keep people tuned in to watch the series. If only it didn’t take so long. It feels like there’s too much exposition and a need to create more annoyance towards Rashta and Sovieshu. Despite Rashta’s poor (and understandable) decisions, the story creates some empathy for her, then does something to make them hate her even more. The series had a chance to give Rashta more depth, but instead it kept maligning her.
The series does do a good job of not making Navier perfect. She may be beautiful, but she’s not the best at communication and very stern when it comes to royal affairs and class. It’s hard not to blame her, as her husband – who promised never to take a mistress – lied and betrayed her. She is human. She loved her husband. It may not have been the passionate, burning lust, but it was there. (To be honest, who wouldn’t fall in love with Shin Min-a?)
Lee Jong-suk himself is very charming and believable as the swoon-worthy prince. Heinrey is a knight in shining armor who serves as a worthy adversary against Sovieshu. He feels like a true revenge-worthy love interest. He’s especially humorous when he’s with his right-hand man, Lord McKenna (Choi Dae-hoon), who serves as the comic relief. It’s uncertain if Shin and Lee Jong-suk have real chemistry – or if they’re just two of Korea’s beloved and beautiful actors – until they actually have real moments beyond a tedious dance scene. Maybe when they decide to get married, something more will happen.
Hopefully, The Remarried Empress will pick up the pace in the next few episodes (the series has 10 episodes). It’s taking too long for the title of the series to happen – when is she going to remarry? Might as well watch some short-form content in the meantime for immediate revenge satisfaction.
The Remarried Empress releases two new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+ and Hulu.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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