Lee Jong Suk Says He Almost Passed On "The Remarried Empress" Because Heinrey Was "Too Beautiful"

Lee Jong Suk | Photo: Xports News

Lee Jong Suk has revealed that he nearly turned down his role in The Remarried Empress, all because of how his character is described.

On November 3, Lee appeared as a guest on "Salon Drip," the YouTube talk show hosted by Jang Do Yeon on the TEO channel. He plays Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom in the Disney+ original series, which released its first four episodes the same day.

Lee said he already knew the character from the hit webtoon. "At first, I couldn't easily decide to do it," he said. "Heinrey is described as being so beautiful that people faint when they make eye contact with him. That made it really hard to say yes. It was a lot of pressure."

He even recommended other actors for the part. "I thought it needed someone who is genuinely beautiful and handsome," he explained. "I was curious how a drama like this would turn out, so I would have enjoyed watching someone else do it."

Lee Jong Suk on "Salon Drip" | Photo: YouTube TEO

In the end, it was director Jo Soo Won who changed his mind. The two had worked together on I Hear Your Voice and Pinocchio, and Jo first reached out several times asking for his advice. "I told him the drama would do well if they got Heinrey right, but deep down I thought it would be a really difficult role," Lee recalled. "I thought I'd reassured a worried director, but it turned out to be a trap." Jo finally convinced him by promising a role with limited screen time but a strong impact.

The role turned out to be more demanding than expected. Lee said he took horseback riding and waltz lessons, and although he expected to shoot mostly on sets, the team filmed on location in Germany, the Czech Republic and Jeju Island.

Based on the hugely popular Naver webtoon, The Remarried Empress stars Shin Min A as Empress Navier, alongside Ju Ji Hoon as Emperor Sovieshu and Lee Se Young as Rashta. The series is now streaming on Disney+.

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