Shin Mina divorces Joo Ji-hoon as The Remarried Empress

25 June 21, 2025June 21, 2025

Shin Mina divorces Joo Ji-hoon as The Remarried Empress

by solstices

Epic fantasy romance The Remarried Empress has been confirmed for a Disney+ release next year, transporting us to the vast lands where a tangled love square is set to unfold.

At the helm of the Eastern Empire stands Shin Mina (Karma) as the benevolent and beloved Empress Navier Ellie Trovi. Revered for her intelligent mind and innate elegance, Navier leads her people with both capability and compassion. By her side is Joo Ji-hoon (The Trauma Code – Heroes on Call) as the almighty Emperor Sovieshu Vict, who grasps power in the palm of his hand.

As childhood friends who have always been each other’s closest companion, Navier and Sovieshu’s marriage has never been one of romance, but rather one that serves their empire. After all, they share the same dream of leading their people to greater heights. Still, perhaps out of respect for his longtime friend, Sovieshu promised Navier to never take a concubine — until the day he brings a runaway slave home, and informs Navier he wants a divorce.

For now, it’s hard to tell whether Sovieshu is motivated purely by kindness, or if there are ulterior motives at play. After all, the former slave Rashta — played by Lee Se-young (Motel California) — is known for her stunning beauty. Perhaps it was love at first sight that spurred Sovieshu to rescue Rashta from the hunting grounds? As for Rashta, once she learns of Sovieshu’s status, she can’t help but nurse the ambition of rising out of servitude and taking on the prestige of the empire’s sovereign.

Rashta may have Sovieshu in her corner, but Navier won’t relinquish her empire that easily. That’s where the drama’s title comes into play — in exchange for granting Sovieshu’s divorce request, Navier has one condition. If Sovieshu can find another partner, why can’t she? With that, Navier sets her sights on remarriage. Enter Lee Jong-seok (Big Mouth) as the charming Prince Heinrey Alles Lazlo of the Western Kingdom, whose enigmatic charisma turns him into the talk of the town wherever he goes. Befitting the role of a fantasy hero, Heinrey harbors a secret — but his heart is as honest as it can get, and it melts for Navier right away.

Will our soon-to-be-divorced couple’s new lovelines grant them happier lives, or will they find themselves missing the familiarity and comfort of what they’ve always known? And what will the rearrangement of the monarchy spell for the fate of the Eastern Empire? Perhaps it’s time for new alliances to be forged — or broken.

Based on the popular webnovel of the same name, which has also been adapted into a webtoon, The Remarried Empress will be directed by PD Jo Su-won (My Happy Ending) with scripts crafted by Yeo Ji-na (The Uncanny Counter) and Hyun Choong-yeol. For now, the only sneak peek we get of the drama are its script reading stills, but surely more material will come our way between now and its 2026 premiere.

Via JTBC

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1 Kurama

June 22, 2025 at 2:30 AM

Hum... I need to think that Lee Jong-seok is a better choice than Joo Ji-hoon. It will be hard 😅

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Gikata

June 22, 2025 at 6:14 AM

With all due respect to LJS - I know I won't manage)))

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Pan cake

June 22, 2025 at 7:05 AM

Yeah, same here. Despite watching K-dramas for a decade, I've never finished any LJS drama in my life; I simply couldn't.

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Gikata

June 22, 2025 at 9:08 AM

I liked him in W: TWO WORLDS, but nothing else, our vibes just don't click. Then again, I think he's OK fit for the role, wrong ages of everyone notwithstanding. JJH, in other hand, is way over his respective character and entire story's league.

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RokiMarshall

June 22, 2025 at 10:24 PM

Give Pinocchio a try, he is so great, and the rest of the cast is phenomenal. Absolutely did not want this kdrama to end....

Gikata

June 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM

I watched PINOCCHIO, but didn't like it at all, sorry.

Pan cake

June 22, 2025 at 7:01 AM

I feel the same way; I wish they would switch the roles. Perhaps it's because I'm biased towards Ji Hoon not ending up in a morally ambiguous lead role, while I think LJS would be well-suited for such a role... hehe.

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2 The prolific Adesam

June 22, 2025 at 3:03 AM

"Mmmhhh" is all I can say because THEY MUST NOT MESS IT UP!!!
Normally I'm on the fence with this adaptation and with the way it's going I don't think it's going the historical route
So let's see how it goes (sips wine in the shadows....)

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3 Dorotka

June 22, 2025 at 5:36 AM

I think Lee Seyoung could make a good Trashta. 🙂

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🌸 Seeker 🌸

June 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM

😱🙈

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4 Gikata

June 22, 2025 at 6:23 AM

It was certainly a choice to get fiery hot screen exes x2 SMA and JJH to play arranged spouses with little to no spark between them. Said moronicy aside, I heard production dropped previous idea to switch setting to Joseon and have already been filming outdoor footage in Europe. Interesting.

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🌸 Seeker 🌸

June 23, 2025 at 11:46 AM

That one picture of Shin Min-ha and Joo Ji-hoon speaks volumes. I guess they are good enough actors to play soon to be ex-spouses with no chemistry but honestly such a waste of their talent.

No offense but poor dear Lee Jong-seok and Lee Se-young seem a little lost here. 😅

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Gikata

June 23, 2025 at 2:23 PM

Lol, I totally missed the body language in pics, but you're right, difference is quite telling)))

Btw, does anyone know which platforms hold MAWANG and THE NAKED KITCHEN these days? They're about to get lots of shooketh to the core new viewers after this drama airs^^

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🌸 Seeker 🌸

June 24, 2025 at 5:36 AM

Lucifer (Mawang) is on Kocowa and The Naked Kitchen is on Netflix. Anybody interested in chemistry lessons can take a tip or two. 💥🥵 🔥

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5 Diana Hansen

June 22, 2025 at 6:25 AM

Sounds interesting in a convoluted sort of way. Will be looking for this one as I love the actors. Here's to 2026!

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6 Pan cake

June 22, 2025 at 6:54 AM

I'm getting the sense of yet another miscast drama, and the setup only adds to the confusion, requiring mental gymnastics to comprehend. When I consider their roles individually, they seem fine, but collectively, it appears chaotic. This sums up my overall impression. I believe Shin Minah is the only one cast correctly; I'm uncertain about the others.

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7 Angelica

June 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM

Wow, I didn't see the divorce news coming! Shin Mina's role as
Empress Navier in *The Remarried Empress* has always been so captivating
— she really brings that character to life. Can't wait for the Disney+ release next year, that'll be a must-watch!
🍿✨

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8 https://www.nervefreshneuropathy.com/

June 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM

Wow, those visuals really complement your writing
perfectly! 🖼️ I appreciate how you've used imagery to illustrate your points so effectively.

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9 Edgar Pordwed

June 22, 2025 at 8:59 PM

I have no background of the webnovel but this looks fun? I will watch as always for Shin Mina!!

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10 rubytuesday

June 23, 2025 at 3:17 AM

Considering how paperthin the characters are in the webtoon, I'm hoping the writer and actors are able to add some meat to them. I love 3/4's of the cast, so I'm cautiously optimistic, despite my dislike of the source material.

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Midnight

June 23, 2025 at 3:41 AM

I was so surprised by the cast that I checked out the webtoon a few months ago. It was so. boring. I skipped ten, fifteen episodes, even twenty once or twice, and nothing happened. It was actually promising because it felt like anything they do will be better than the original! 😄

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OldLawyer

June 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM

What you are saying is that the screenwriters have considerable latitude to re-write this story into something more dramatic in the literal sense of the word. The result could be anywhere from great to horrible. I guess we will all be rolling the dice on this one.

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vienibenmio

June 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM

I think there is a strong possibility that it will end up like Marry My Husband where people were far more interested in Soo-min, and Rashta is imo an even more interesting character than Soo-min. Unless Shin Min-a is able to make Navier more compelling and likeable

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11 OldLawyer

June 23, 2025 at 9:32 AM

I will check this one out. I approve of one decision already: To not try to somehow mash this story into a Josean (or even Goryeo) setting. Considerable wisdom in that. This is a good sign.

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12 Pan cake

June 24, 2025 at 2:36 AM

I hope it turns out well, though I do have some concerns about the styling. I've observed instances where wardrobe choices have not quite aligned with the overall vibe. For example, in the first half of the drama "Love Your Enemy," the styling of the female lead was quite unique, and the male lead's hairstyle was rather unexpected. Additionally, in the drama "Crash Course in Romance," the wardrobe choices seemed a bit unconventional. I hope these aspects are considered thoughtfully.

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