Seohyun, Taecyeon
Casting news is out for KBS’s upcoming romance fantasy The First Night With the Duke, introducing us to the cast that will bring this whirlwind tale to life. Based on the webnovel of the same name, which has also been adapted into a webtoon, the drama follows a minor extra whose life is thrown off-course when a modern soul takes control of her body. While the original work takes place in a Western setting, this adaptation transposes the characters into a sageuk fantasy.
Seohyun (Song of the Bandits) stars as the background character Cha Seon-chaek, who barely has any part to play in the romance novel she belongs to. Still, she has two things going for her: status and wealth, owing to her affluent family background. Content with her lot in life, all Seon-chaek wants is to live simply and peacefully — until the spirit of a modern college student gatecrashes into her body.
Swept up by the unexpected inhabitant, Seon-chaek ends up spending the night with the novel’s male lead. With that, the story’s trajectory is turned upside down, veering sharply into uncharted waters. Said hero is Lee Beon, played by Taecyeon (Heartbeat), and he’s a beloved relative of the king’s. Exceptional martial arts skills and a frigid demeanor characterize Beon, but his ice-cold heart melts for the lady he pledges his loyal love to.
Had Seon-chaek not entered the picture, the recipient of Beon’s affection would have been the novel’s leading lady Jo Eun-ae, played by Kwon Han-sol (Flex x Cop). As the adopted daughter of a merchant, her romance with Beon was supposed to be one that transcended social classes. Alas, this particular Candy isn’t getting her lucky break just yet.
Another character’s loveline has been disrupted due to Seon-chaek’s interference, and that’s the novel’s second male lead Jung Soo-gyeom. Played by Seo Beom-joon (The Fiery Priest 2), Soo-gyeom is a civil servant from a respected background, and he also happens to be Beon’s one and only friend. Though Soo-gyeom’s kind and affable personality has earned him the affection of countless ladies, his heart yearns solely for the heroine — but will that be Eun-ae, or Seon-chaek?
Either way, both ladies will have a rival to contend with. Ji Hye-won (Hierarchy) plays Do Hwa-seon, the villainess who dreams of marrying into the royal family through Beon. Hwa-seon will stop at nothing to achieve her goal, which means Seon-chaek can kiss her dream of an uneventful life goodbye. Still, perhaps it’s Seon-chaek’s earnest sincerity — and maybe a dash of possession-induced courage — that will allow her to heal Beon’s wounded heart. (Of course he has scars from his past, he’s the hero of a romance novel after all.)
Directed by PD Lee Woong-hee (My Perfect Stranger) with scripts by Jeon Sun-young, The First Night With the Duke is in the midst of filming for its twelve-episode run.
Kwon Han-sol, Seo Beom-joon, Ji Hye-won