Latest news with #Seohyun
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘First Night With The Duke' Has Fun With A Fantasy One Night Stand
First Night With The Duke is a lighthearted k-drama romance about an unhappy modern-day woman who wakes up in her favorite novel and spends an unexpected night with a prince. It's not a fairy tale ending. At least not right away. When he assumes they will marry, she tries to escape. Is marrying a handsome prince such a bad idea? Yes and no. It's not how the story is supposed to go. Seohyun plays K, a young woman who retreats from the real world by reading a romantic historical novel. Her real life can't compare to the novel, so she stops paying attention to real life. She's on leave from her job and the bills are piling up. None of that is as interesting as the romance between the novel's poor orphan Eun-Jae and the handsome prince Yi Beon. Then one day K falls into the novel. It's an improvement. In the novel world she's Cha Sun-Chaek, a side character without too much to do except enjoy her fictional family's wealth. Then the plot goes sideways. The handsome but short-tempered prince, Yi Beon, played by Taecyeon, doesn't meet the female lead that he must fall in love with. At least according to the novel. Instead he saves a very drunken Sun-chaek, who promptly spends the night with him. One night is all it takes for him to propose. It's not just that she seduced him. He's also intrigued by how much she seems to know about the inner workings of his mind. As a faithful reader she read his thoughts on the printed page. K/Sun-chaek knows that the prince is supposed to meet Jo Eun-ae, played by Kwon Han-sol, a character she genuinely likes. She loves the novel and doesn't want it to change. She's also afraid that if she becomes the prince's fiancée, she might be targeted by the cruel noblewoman Do Hwa-seon, played by Ji Hye-won (Hierarchy). Hwa-seon wants to marry the prince and will seek to eliminate any rivals. Sun-chaek tries to run but the prince is determined to find her and get her to accept his proposal. Acting in a fantasy rom-com like this must be a lot of fun and Seohyun and Taecyeon play their roles to great comic effect. Both actors have demonstrated their comedy skills before, Seohyun memorably in Jinxed At First and Taecyeon in Vincenzo, Seohyun, a member of Girls Generation, can also be seen in the dramas such as Private Lives and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, while Taecyeon, a member of the k-pop group 2PM, appeared in the dramas Heartbeat and Save Me. First Night With The Duke also stars Seo Bum-june (Hierarchy), playing Jung Su-gyeom, an officer who is Yi Beon's only friend. A note to viewers who like historical dramas for the costumes, the art production in this drama is lovely and the hanboks are ornately embroidered. The novel's fictional world is suitably embellished with richly patterned silks, colorful ornaments, flowers and decor. First Night With The Duke is directed by Lee Woong-hee, who directed My Perfect Stranger. The story is based on the webnovel "Namjuui Cheotnalbameul Gajeobeoryeodda' by Hwang Do-tol (published on Naver).
Pink Villa
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Taecyeon, Seohyun's The First Night with the Duke under police probe for UNESCO heritage site damage, director publicly apologizes
KBS2's recently-released drama The First Night with the Duke has become embroiled in controversy. The series, starring 2PM's Taecyeon and Girls' Generation's Seohyun, is now being investigated by police. Based on a popular web novel, it was expected to charm audiences. However, the production has drawn intense backlash. They are accused of damaging a designated cultural heritage site during its filming process. At the center of the scandal is Byeongsan Seowon, a 16th-century Confucian academy in Andong that was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. Site damaged during filming Reports emerged earlier that the drama's props team had drilled nails directly into the wooden structure of Byeongsan Seowon while decorating the set. They allegedly hanged filming equipment or props. This action violated the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. It caused physical damage to a structure that is supposed to be preserved and protected at the highest level. Following an internal investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration, three individuals from the production's props team were found to have violated heritage protection laws. They were officially referred to the prosecution. The Seoul Metropolitan Police are now conducting a formal probe into the incident. Production team relocates Amid public uproar and condemnation from cultural experts and citizens alike, the production halted all activities at Byeongsan Seowon and moved filming to a new location in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province. Despite the swift relocation, criticism has not abated. Many have voiced frustration over the apparent carelessness of the production crew, especially given the known historical value of Byeongsan Seowon. Heritage advocates argue that such negligence could have lasting effects on Korea's reputation for preserving its cultural landmarks. Director speaks out On June 11, the cast and crew held a press conference in Seoul on the same day of the drama's premiere. Director Lee Woong Hee addressed the controversy directly and issued a public apology. He accepted responsibility for the incident. 'We deeply disappointed many people due to the cultural heritage damage incident at Byeongsan Seowon during the production process,' he said. 'I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize. It was clearly our fault.' Lee further revealed that KBS has since discarded all footage shot at the heritage site. He emphasized that the network has now implemented strict new guidelines for filming at culturally sensitive locations. 'I'm not trying to boast about taking responsibility,' he added. 'We're currently under investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration and the police, and I just want to say we've taken the best possible measures we could at this stage.' Due to the delicate nature of the damage, immediate restoration work has been delayed. Experts advised that the wooden structure of Byeongsan Seowon needs to be monitored closely over time to determine the full extent of the impact.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The First Night With The Duke: OTT release date, cast, plot and more about Seohyun and Ok Taec-yeon's K-drama
The First Night With The Duke OTT Release Date: If you're into romantic K-dramas that whisk you into fantasy worlds where unexpected love stories unfold in royal palaces, The First Night With The Duke is the new title you need to watch out for. Starring Girls' Generation's Seohyun and 2PM's Ok Taec-yeon, this upcoming period-fantasy drama is already creating a major buzz online, thanks to its unique storyline, stunning visuals, and solid cast. When and where to watch The First Night With The Duke? Mark your calendars: the show premieres on June 11, 2025, in South Korea on KBS2, airing every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:50 p.m. KST. For Indian and global fans, the drama will stream on Rakuten Viki starting the same day, with new episodes dropping at around 7:30 p.m. IST. You can catch it with a Viki Pass (Standard or Plus), or even watch it for free with ads a few hours later. There will be 12 episodes in total, each loaded with charm, drama, and royal tension. What's the story all about? The plot kicks off with a quirky twist. A modern-day university student suddenly wakes up inside her favourite romance novel, but instead of becoming the heroine, she finds herself stuck in the body of a side character named Cha Seon-chaek. What's worse? In the book, this character was supposed to have little to no role in the main love story. But fate clearly has other plans. Enter Yi Beon, the dashing and emotionally reserved prince who mistakes Seon-chaek for someone else after a mysterious one-night encounter. One kiss turns her world upside down as the prince insists on marrying her, convinced that destiny has brought them together. While she tries to make sense of this new reality, palace politics, romance, and her own conflicted heart make things messier by the day. It's not about escaping the novel anymore; she might actually want to stay. Who's in the cast? The drama brings together two powerhouse performers. Seohyun plays the confused yet strong-willed Cha Seon-chaek. Opposite her is Ok Taec-yeon, taking on the role of Prince Yi Beon. The supporting cast includes Kwon Han-sol as the actual novel's heroine, Seo Bum-june playing the charming second lead with noble intentions, and Ji Hye-won as the ever-scheming court lady who's got her own eyes on the prince. Behind the camera The First Night With The Duke is directed by Lee Woong-hee, known for his crisp storytelling in shows like My Perfect Stranger, and Kang Soo-yeon, with a screenplay adapted by Jeon Seon-young. It's based on a popular web novel (which later became a webtoon) by Hwang Do-tol, which has already racked up millions of reads online. The music is composed by Gaemi, who's no stranger to hit soundtracks, having worked on dramas like Descendants of the Sun and Love in the Moonlight.
South China Morning Post
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
8 of the best new K-dramas to watch in June 2025, including Squid Game season 3 on Netflix
In addition to featuring the closing chapter of one of the biggest small-screen events of all time, June will see the launch of a number of hotly anticipated Korean drama series. They include a dark gangster saga, a school election comedy, a serial killer story and a variety of romantic tales. 1. Mercy for None Lead cast: So Ji-sub, Huh Joon-ho Play So Ji-sub suits up for a return to gangland in Netflix's Mercy for None. He plays Nam Gi-jun, a former gangster who helped his ruthless boss amass power before leaving a life of crime behind to save his brother, who works for a rival gang. Eleven years later Gi-jun's brother dies, compelling him to take revenge by interposing himself between the two gangs. Last seen in Doctor Lawyer , So makes his small-screen comeback in this webtoon-based action revenge drama. (Netflix, June 3) 2. The First Night with the Duke Lead cast: Seohyun, Ok Taec-yeon
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Film Picks: Le Musk, Holy Night: Demon Hunters, Fox Hunt
Le Musk 37 minutes, exclusively at GV Suntec Acclaimed Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman makes his directorial debut with the short film Le Musk, which is billed as a ground-breaking virtual-reality (VR) stereoscopic cinematic and sensory experience. The story follows orphaned heiress and musician Juliet Meridinian (Nora Arnezeder), who is haunted by her parents' murders. She is on a quest to find the murderers using a powerful memory – their lingering scent. Rahman developed the story based on his love for perfume and wanted to use fragrance as a narrative device. Besides directing the film from a screenplay by Indian writer Gurachi Phoenix, he also composed the score. Shot in Rome, Le Musk sees the Oscar- and Grammy-winning Rahman using pioneering camera technologies to present an immersive film that blends virtual reality, haptics, music and fragrance. The film had its world premiere in 2022 at Cannes Film Market's Cannes XR programme, an event dedicated to virtual- and augmented-reality projects. Le Musk will be screened exclusively at GV Suntec, where viewers will wear VR headsets and sit in special egg-shaped chairs that release scents. Where: GV Suntec City, 03-373 Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard MRT: Promenade When: From May 11, various timings Admission: $40 (weekdays), $50 (Fridays from 6pm to Sundays) Info: Holy Night: Demon Hunters (NC16) 92 minutes, now showing ★★★☆☆ (From left) Seohyun, Don Lee and David Lee in Holy Night: Demon Hunters. PHOTO: GOLDEN VILLAGE A psychiatrist (Kyung Soo-jin) calls on Holy Night, an elite team of exorcists in Seoul, when her sister (Jung Ji-so) begins exhibiting disturbing symptoms no medical diagnosis can explain. Don Lee of The Roundup detective series (2017 to present) is agency boss Ba-woo, whose physical strength is his superpower. Sharon (Girls' Generation pop idol Seohyun) is the psychic shaman aswirl in boho-chic gowns, while young sidekick Kim Gun (David Lee) provides technical support plus comic relief. The trio investigate and then battle to save the possessed girl contorting and levitating in billows of smoke. Based on a 2024 webtoon, the action in the K-occult thriller is intense and atmospheric, until it becomes a repetitive cycle of Ba-woo punching the invading demon and Sharon bellowing 'return to hell'. The three heroes are each a captivating personality, dynamic in their synergy. The sequel hinted at in the end credits is certainly not unwelcome because they are capable of much more than just this one job. Lee may have found himself another hit franchise. – Whang Yee Ling Fox Hunt (NC16) 106 minutes, now showing ★★★☆☆ Tony Leung Chiu Wai in Fox Hunt. PHOTO: SHAW ORGANISATION Financial fraudster Dai Yichen (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) has swindled the life savings of many across China, yet lives the high life in Europe. To nab the wily Dai, China sends the Fox Hunt Team, its cross-border commercial crimes specialists, led by detective Ye Jun (Duan Yihong). Director Leo Zhang (Bleeding Steel, 2017) is fully aware that one cannot make a movie about a high-living swindler without spending on locations, wardrobe and expensive vehicles. The movie showcases this admirably as the action moves from the fine apartments in Paris to the millionaire ghettos in the south of the country. Leung is in fine, smirky form as the urbane criminal embedded within French high society, a class of people which serves to validate and protect him. Dai is without argument a scumbag in an expensive suit. But Leung's understated manner makes him watchable onscreen, far more so than if he had been portrayed by a less restrained actor. Fox Hunt has a good balance of international financial intrigue and action. The plot also keeps the action grounded in reality, with neither the villain nor the good guys possessing convenient hacking skills. – John Lui Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
