The live-action series “The Remarried Empress” has arrived on Disney+ and, in the U.S., Hulu one day earlier than originally planned. The streamers said the early launch was a thank-you to fans. The show debuted with four episodes, with two more scheduled each Wednesday through Nov. 25.
Based on one of Naver WEBTOON’s most popular titles, the story has accumulated nearly 3 billion views across 10 languages since launching in 2019. The series stars Shin Min-a as Navier, Ju Ji-hoon as Emperor Sovieshu, Lee Se-young as Rashta and Lee Jong-suk as Heinrey.
Navier and Sovieshu marry for the sake of the Eastern Empire, but their relationship is disrupted when the emperor brings Rashta, a runaway slave he rescued, to the palace as his concubine. As conflict grows at court, Heinrey, the crown prince of the Western Kingdom, becomes interested in Navier. Cho Su-won directs from scripts by Yeoh Geena and Hyun Choong-yeol.
The production filmed at Schleissheim Palace outside Munich after scouting castles in France, Germany and the Czech Republic. Its European court setting, elaborate costumes and sets, and visual effects help create the fantasy world, which includes Queen, a mysterious bird who bonds with Navier. The first three episodes screened in the On Screen section of the Busan International Film Festival before the series’ global launch.
Studio N produced the 10-episode adaptation. The original web novel by Alphatart began in 2018, and the webtoon, illustrated by Sumpul, concluded in January. The series’ main trailer received 13 million views in its first 48 hours, according to the report.
Sources: Variety.