What happens when a Kdrama fangirl wakes up inside her favorite romance novel, not as the heroine, but as a barely-noticed side character ? That is what KBS2 is trying to explore with the story of its new Kdrama, The First Night With the Duke.
The story of ‘The First Night With the Duke,’ follows a passionate book-loving college student who suddenly finds herself living as Cha Sun Chaek, (Seohyun) a side character in a historical romance novel. But here’s the twist: on her first night in this fictional world, she ends up in an accidental entanglement with the story’s male lead, Yi Beon.
The result? The plot of the original novel gets completely derailed.
Yi Beon, played by 2PM’s Taecyeon, is a cold, disciplined romantic lead who was destined to fall for the noblewoman Jo Eun Ae. But his growing attraction towards Cha Sun Chaek throws that script into disarray. A man once known for his emotional restraint suddenly becomes possessive, expressive, and deeply drawn to the woman who was never meant to be his match.
Seohyun is no stranger to playing characters caught between fate and fantasy. In Jinxed at First (2022) Kdrama, she played a woman with the mysterious ability to bring good fortune to anyone she touches, leading to a life of being hidden away from the world. That performance showed her ability to balance charm with emotional depth, a skill she brings back in The First Night With the Duke.
On the other hand, Taecyeon proved his range in the historical comedy-thriller Secret Royal Inspector & Joy (2021), where he played a secret government agent solving cases while dealing with chaotic partnerships and romantic distractions. His ability to portray stoic yet emotionally engaging characters makes him a fitting choice for the role of the obsessive yet softening Yi Beon.
Production of the show hasn’t been without its own drama. Filming at the historic Byeongsan Seowon stirred controversy when reports emerged that the crew caused damage to the UNESCO-listed site. KBS quickly issued an apology, putting an end to the controversy.
The First Night With the Duke isn’t your usual palace romance Kdrama. It explores what happens when fate is tampered with, when the “wrong” woman captures the heart of the leading man and the world must rearrange itself to accommodate a story that was never meant to be.
The First Night with the Duke will release on 11th June.
