Disney+will adapt a popular Korean webtoon with over 2.6 billion views as a live-action K-drama series. Manhwa and Korean shows have become increasingly popular on an international scale, and streaming sites have capitalized on this interest. Many creators have taken toadapting webtoons as great K-dramas.
The morning of June 19,Varietyshared news that Disney+ will adapt the romantic fantasy drama,The Remarried Empress, a webtoon manhwa that has 2.6 billion views as of the announcement.The Remarried Empresswas first release in 2018 on the Naver platform and translated into English for the webtoon app in 2020. The story follows Empress Navier, a woman whose husband comes home with a mistress named Rashta and a request for a divorce. Empress Navier only agrees to the divorce if she can marry Heinrey, a rival prince. This marriage could create a power struggle and a political conflict.
So far, only four actors have been cast in the project, but more are expected to be announced down the line as development continues on this adaptation of thewebtoon-based romance manhwa.
Lee Se-young
Rashta
Yeoh Geena and Hyun Choong-yeol, the showrunners behind the 2020 drama,The Uncanny Counter, will lead the project, with the latter directing as well.
What The Adaptation Of The Remarried Empress Means
The Remarried Empress Will Appeal To Fans Of Romantic Period Dramas
The K-drama adaptation ofThe Remarried Empresswill be theperfect regency romance for fans of Bridgertonand the canceled Prime Video showMy Lady Jane.The characters are messy, entertaining, and have their own motives. The story has its steamy romantic moments and plenty of political drama to keep viewers going. Plus, Empress Navier is a really compelling main character who’s easy to root for.
The Disney+ show is even more promising because the streaming giant usually gives shows the money to make extravagant sets and costumes. Examples includeAndor,Renegade Nell, andPercy Jackson and the Olympians. As a period drama, the webtoon is notable for the characters' stunning costumes. Empress Navier, specifically, has gorgeous gowns, and it will be great to see those designs come to life onscreen.
Our Take On Disney+’s The Remarried Empress Adaptation
The Remarried Empress Adaptation Will Have High Expectations
The Remarried Empress’ssuccess as a webtoon is a promising sign that audiences will watch the Disney+ adaptation. However, it also means that the creative team will have to provide top-notch scripts, sets, costumes, and performances. The fanbase will have extremely high expectations that will be difficult to meet. Only time will tell whether they do justice to the story and art.
Either way, there’s also another exciting note about Disney+’sThe Remarried Empressadaptation. The news comes right on the heels oftheTeenage Mercenaryanime announcement. With manhwas finding popularity on webtoons, I’m hopeful that more will get adapted either as live-action K-dramas or anime shows. Specifically, I’m begging someone to make anUnholy Bloodonscreen adaptation. In the meantime, I will happily watchThe Remarried Empresswhen it releases.
