One of the best shows I have watched at BIFF 2026
Just like Dead-End Job, The Remarried Empress was one of the K-dramas I was really looking forward to watching this year. And honestly, with a cast like Shin Min-ah, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jongsuk, and Lee Seyoung, how could I not be excited?
Unlike some fans, I haven't actually read the original webtoon or web novel. I only knew the basic premise: an empress was betrayed by her husband by bringing a mistress. That's pretty much it! So, I went into this drama without knowing much about its characters, relationships, or the world they live in.
When I found out that The Remarried Empress was selected for the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), I immediately knew I had to watch it. In fact, this was one of the biggest reasons I pushed myself to attend this year's BIFF. Getting to watch an unreleased drama on the big screen and possibly meet its cast? Definitely an opportunity I didn't want to miss!
And I'm glad I did!
Note: I initially thought I had only watched the first two episodes during BIFF, but apparently, I had already watched THREE episodes! The screening gave us a pretty good introduction to the story, and I already have so many things to say.
First Impressions of The Remarried Empress
A Fresh New World for K-Dramas
I've watched plenty of modern K-dramas, a decent number of historical dramas, and even those that combine both settings. But The Remarried Empress feels like something entirely different.
The actors are Korean, but their characters have Western-style names, and the world they inhabit isn't based on Korean history. Instead, we're introduced to fictional kingdoms, royal families, political relationships, and a completely different setting.
During the first few minutes, I was already getting Wicked vibes, especially because of the color grading and overall visual atmosphere. I don't know if anyone else felt the same, but I absolutely loved it!
It was refreshing to see a Korean production explore this kind of fantasy world. It's not something I get to see every day in K-dramas, and I was immediately curious about how the story would unfold.
The Casting Is Just Perfect!
Can we talk about the casting? Because I honestly think they did such a great job choosing the actors for these characters.
First, Shin Min-ah as Navier. She is naturally elegant, and there's something about her presence that makes her look like royalty. At the same time, she can portray Navier's fierceness and determination without losing that graceful image. I can definitely see why she was chosen for this role.
Navier isn't just a beautiful empress. She's intelligent, responsible, and someone who knows her worth. What I particularly liked was how Shin Min-ah portrayed her emotions without making her lose her dignity. Even when she's hurt, you can still feel that strength in her.
Next, Ju Ji-hoon as Sovieshu. This man never misses when it comes to accepting interesting roles (even if he rejected this project for three times already lol)!
I understood why the director really wanted him for this character. He has this presence where you can appreciate how good he looks as an emperor, but at the same time, you can easily get irritated by his actions.
And that's exactly what you need for Sovieshu. You need someone who can portray a powerful emperor while making the audience question his decisions.
Then we have Lee Jongsuk as Heinrey. Can we just appreciate how good he looks as a prince? His hair color, outfits, and overall appearance really suit the character. His playful personality also makes Heinrey so interesting to watch.
I've always enjoyed seeing Lee Jongsuk take on different characters, and I'm particularly excited to see him in a fantasy romance. There's something about seeing him in royal attire that makes the role even more enjoyable.
Lastly, Lee Seyoung as Rashta. I've been looking forward to seeing her in this drama, even though she's playing a character who might not be everyone's favorite.
She's so pretty, and I can definitely understand how Sovieshu would be drawn to her at first sight. But what I particularly noticed was how well she portrayed Rashta's seemingly innocent and naive personality.
There's something about her character that can be charming one moment and irritating the next. I'm actually curious to see how viewers will react to her once the entire series is released. I have a feeling people will have a LOT to say about Rashta!
The Costumes and Sets Are Extravagant!
If there's one thing that immediately caught my attention, it's the production design.
The costumes are beautiful, the locations are stunning, and the sets really make you feel like you're inside a different world. From the royal palaces to the elaborate outfits, everything looks so grand.
Again, I couldn't help but think of Wicked while watching it. The colors, the styling, and the overall aesthetic give the drama a very distinct identity.
As someone who has a background in multimedia arts and filmmaking, I naturally pay attention to these things. I couldn't help but wonder how much went into creating this world, especially with the costumes, set design, cinematography, and visual effects.
I also found it interesting that the production filmed in the Czech Republic for about a month. It makes me even more curious about the locations used in the series.
It really feels like a fantasy production that deserves to be experienced on a big screen!
The Story Is Well-Paced and Easy to Follow
I'm usually the type of drama viewer who gets distracted easily. Sometimes, when a series takes too long to establish its story, I end up skipping a few scenes (don't judge me!).
But that wasn't the case with The Remarried Empress.
Maybe watching it in a cinema helped, too, but I never really felt bored during the three episodes. The story was introduced at a good pace, and I was able to understand the characters, their relationships, and the world they live in without feeling overwhelmed.
Considering that the original story has a huge world and plenty of characters, I think establishing everything within the first few episodes is important.
By the end of the screening, I already had a good understanding of the central conflict. More importantly, I was interested in seeing what would happen next.
Heinrey's Bird Version Is a Game Changer!
Okay, can we talk about the bird?!
Heinrey's bird version, Queen, is honestly one of the cutest things in the drama. Every time the bird appeared, we couldn't stop laughing.
I didn't expect this little detail to become one of my favorite things from the screening, but here we are.
Can we please get a plushie of Queen? I would absolutely buy one!
It's also such a fun addition to Heinrey's character, especially since he already has that playful and mysterious side. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him and his little bird adventures in the upcoming episodes.
Meeting the Cast of The Remarried Empress at BIFF 2026
Of course, what made my experience of watching The Remarried Empress even more special was getting to see its cast in person!
After the screening, we had a Guest Visit (GV) session, where the director and the four main actors appeared in front of the audience.
And yes, I got to see Shin Min-ah, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jongsuk, and Lee Seyoung together!
Aside from being amazed by how good-looking they were in person, one thing I noticed was how reserved some of them seemed during the interview. It was interesting to see their personalities outside the characters they portrayed.
There were a few moments from the GV that I particularly remember.
Ju Ji-hoon on Rejecting the Role Three Times
One of the funniest moments was when Ju Ji-hoon talked about how he initially rejected the role of Sovieshu two or three times.
Apparently, he had a hard time imagining the world of The Remarried Empress. Since the characters are Korean actors playing people in a fictional world with Western-style names and settings, he wasn't sure how to approach the role realistically.
He even shared that during the first script reading, he started to understand how the actors could approach the story more like a musical or a stage play rather than trying to make everything feel completely realistic.
There was also a funny comment he made about how the director kept insisting that he take the role. He jokingly asked whether the director thought he was such a bastard that he was the only one who could play the character! Honestly, I can see why the audience laughed.
But seriously, I can't imagine anyone else playing Sovieshu at this point. Ju Ji-hoon has that perfect combination of charisma and an attitude that makes you want to get annoyed with him.
Another moment that made the audience laugh was when he introduced himself. He noticed that there weren't as many screams for him compared to the others, so he jokingly said he would take it as a compliment because it meant the audience was already irritated with his character.
I mean, isn't that exactly what an actor playing Sovieshu should want?
Lee Jongsuk and His Chance to Become a Prince
For Lee Jong-suk, what I remember from the discussion was how quickly he accepted the role after receiving the director's offer.
His reason was actually quite funny and understandable. He basically thought, when else would he get the opportunity to play a prince in his lifetime?
He also mentioned that playing a character in a fantasy world could feel unfamiliar at first. However, seeing how his fellow actors were already immersed in their characters helped him feel more comfortable.
I particularly love how he approached this role. He's already played so many memorable characters, but seeing him as a prince in a fantasy romance is definitely something different.
Shin Min-ah as the Elegant Empress Navier
Shin Min-ah was another person I was really looking forward to seeing during the event.
What I found interesting from her discussion was how she approached Navier as more than just an elegant empress. She shared that the original story has a vast world with so many characters and events, but the drama needed to fit its main story into just 10 episodes. Because of that, she focused on Navier's emotions and the decisions she makes throughout the story.
She also wanted audiences to see Navier as a woman who makes her own choices despite experiencing difficult circumstances.
I think this is one of the most interesting things about the story. It's not simply about royal relationships and palace politics. It's also about a woman finding her own strength and choosing what she wants for herself. And I love that!
Lee Seyoung and Her Different Side as Rashta
I've always enjoyed watching Lee Seyoung in dramas. For example, The Best Hit and The Red Sleeve. So, I am really curious about her portrayal of Rashta.
During the discussion, she mentioned that she has played many kind and upright characters in the past. This time, she wanted to explore something different.
She described Rashta as someone who doesn't always think things through and tends to say or do whatever comes to mind. She was also interested in portraying a character who could be loved by some viewers but disliked by others.
And I think that's what makes her performance interesting!
Rashta may initially appear innocent and charming, but there's clearly more to her character than what meets the eye. I'm excited to see how Lee Seyoung develops this role throughout the series.
Seeing the Cast Again at the BIFF Outdoor Stage Greeting
Aside from the Guest Visit, I also got to see the cast again the following day during their outdoor stage greeting!
This time, the lighting was much better, so I got to appreciate their visuals even more. Seeing the four of them together was already a treat, especially after having watched three episodes of their drama the day before.
It's always a different experience when you get to watch a production and then see the actors who brought those characters to life right in front of you.
As a K-drama fan, these are the kinds of moments that make attending film festivals so memorable. You get to experience something before its official release, hear directly from the people behind it, and appreciate the work from a different perspective.
I'm really grateful that I got to experience this at BIFF!
Is The Remarried Empress Worth Looking Forward To?
After watching the first three episodes at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, I can say that The Remarried Empress is definitely one of the K-dramas I'm most excited about this year.
Even without having read the original webtoon or web novel, I found the story easy to follow and the world interesting enough to make me want more. I'm especially looking forward to seeing more of Navier and Heinrey's relationship, how the royal dynamics will unfold.
And, of course, I NEED MORE OF QUEEN THE BIRD!
The Remarried Empress premieres on Disney+ on November 4, 2026. If you're into fantasy romance, royal drama, beautiful costumes, and a strong female lead, this might be one to add to your watchlist.
I can't wait for everyone to finally enter this world. And I'm even more excited to see how people will react to the characters once the drama is officially out!
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