Suzy & Kim Tae Ri Lead Next Wave of K-Romance Fantasy as "The Remarried Empress" Tops Disney+ in 12 Countries

With "The Remarried Empress" topping Disney+ charts around the world, Korea's next wave of Western-style romance fantasy dramas is already lining up, led by Suzy and Kim Tae Ri.

The Disney+ series, starring Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Suk and Lee Se Young, ranked No. 1 in the Disney+ TV show category in 12 countries just one day after its November 3 release. Based on a web novel and webtoon with 2.97 billion combined views worldwide, it is seen as the first time a flagship Korean romance fantasy IP has been fully adapted into live action, and its glamorous imperial setting is rarely seen in Korean dramas.

Suzy rules as Empress Latil in "Men of the Harem"

Suzy (Photo: MHN)

Next up is Netflix's "Men of the Harem", set for release in 2027. Based on Alphatart's web novel of the same name from Naver Series, the palace romance fantasy follows Latil, the empress of the Tarium Empire, who takes male concubines to protect her throne. The story flips the usual idea of an emperor with many consorts, and the original has passed 50 million downloads.

Suzy stars as Latil, with Shin Seung Ho, Dex, Lee Jong Won, Kim Dan, Yoo Jung Hoo, Jin Kyung and No Min Woo joining as her concubines. The series reunites director Lee Eung Bok ("Descendants of the Sun," "Goblin," "Mr. Sunshine") with writer Hwang Jin Young ("Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People," "Lovers").

Kim Tae Ri eyes a revenge romance fantasy

Kim Tae Ri (Photo: MHN)

Kim Tae Ri has also been positively considering the lead in "Sister, This Life I Am Queen", based on the Naver webtoon of the same name. The story follows Ariadne, who is abandoned by her fiancé, her sister, her parents and everyone else, then returns 15 years into the past to take revenge and become queen. Jo Han Gyeol and Moon Jin Sung are reported to play the two men in her life, and director Jung Dae Yoon ("W," "Reborn Rich") is attached to direct.

With "The Remarried Empress" still releasing new episodes, all eyes are on how it finishes, and on what direction it sets for the K-romance fantasy dramas that follow.

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