Disney+ Bets Big on The Remarried Empress Ahead of 4 Nov Launch
Disney+ will debut Korean fantasy series The Remarried Empress internationally on 4 Nov, with Hulu streaming it in the United States, The Hollywood Reporter reported. The date was laid out by Jon Wax, executive vice-president of international original television at Disney Entertainment, during a 'Creative Conversation' at the Busan International Film Festival. The session was hosted by the Motion Picture Association and Disney+ with support from the Korean Film Council.
Set in a fictional Eastern Empire, the story centres on Empress Navier, played by Shin Min-a. Her husband Emperor Sovieshu, played by Ju Ji-hoon, brings a runaway slave named Rashta to the palace to make her his mistress, according to the Disney+ listing, Disney+. Lee Se-young plays the runaway slave girl and Lee Jong-suk plays Crown Prince Heinrey, heir to a rival kingdom, Wax said in Busan.
The series adapts a serialised online comic, known as a webtoon, with around 3 billion views worldwide. Wax said Disney was drawn by that built-in audience. "We obviously recognized the brand affinity for Disney, which is exciting," he said. What closed the deal, he added, was character: "There really is a character story and there's an emotional journey."
Tickets went fast. A three-episode preview at Busan sold out 'immediately,' according to local press cited in Busan. Stars Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk and Lee Se-young were expected to make public appearances in Busan for the show. The Busan session was moderated by The Hollywood Reporter's Asia bureau chief Patrick Brzeski and followed opening remarks from the MPA's Urmila Venugopalan.
The production is touted as one of Disney+'s biggest investments in a Korean series since the service launched in South Korea in 2021. Wax said Disney aims to lift originals output three-fold across its international markets over the coming three years. Part of the plan is more co-productions with Korean broadcasters, with the hit romance Perfect Crown made with MBC cited as an example.
Disney+ will also soon hire a commissioner in Australia and is eyeing Southeast Asia, Wax told Variety, which also reported versions of Battle of Fates are being prepared for markets abroad. He added Disney+ wants more anime and Japanese live-action, including a new series based on Death Stranding from Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima planned for 2027.
For viewers new to the webtoon, this means palace intrigue with a large ensemble and elaborate court life. No prior reading required.
