The First Night with the Duke (Korean: 남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다) is a 2025 South Korean television series starring Seohyun, Ok Taec-yeon, Kwon Han-sol, Seo Bum-june, and Ji Hye-won. The series depicts the story of an ordinary college student's soul taking possession of the body of a minor character in a romance novel. It aired on KBS2 from June 11, to July 17, 2025, every Wednesday and Thursday at 21:50 (KST).[3]
A contemporary college student, known as "K", awakens unexpectedly inside her beloved historical romance book, upending her normal existence. Cha Seon-chaek, a minor noble character in the novel, is the person she has transmigrated into. Seon-chaek hails from a wealthy family and at first aspires to a simple, tranquil life, intending to watch the novel's plot unfold from the sidelines before eventually resuming her own life. But when she meets Lee Beon, the chilly, attractive, and seemingly compulsive male protagonist of the book, by chance while intoxicated, her intentions are utterly upended. Favoured by the King, Beon is a prince with royal ancestry who excels in martial arts. He has a tragic history as well. After this unanticipated "first night", Beon grows infatuated with Seon-chaek and demands to wed her. Given that Beon was meant to fall in love with Jo Eun-ae, the original female lead, this completely upends the plot of the original novel. Seon-chaek, still possessed by K, tries desperately to steer Beon back towards Eun-ae and restore the original plot, but no matter how hard she tries, Beon's affection consistently returns to her.
She is a supporting character who appears only in a single line in the protagonist's favorite novel; the second, a young woman who, due to an unfortunate incident, dropped out of university and whose only hobby in her grim daily life was reading a historical web novel.[1][4] She is the original Ripley de Liverpool's counterpart.[5]
He is the king's favorite nephew and the male protagonist of this world. He believes that if two people have spent their first night together, they should take responsibility for each other.[4][1] He is the original Zeronis Inglide's counterpart.[5]
Kwon Han-sol as Jo Eun-ae, she is the true female protagonist of the novel.[4][1]
He is the youngest member of Hongmungwan, the son of a prestigious and highly educated family, and the epitome of the upright and caring male lead. Gyeongseong-gun's only friend.[4][1]
Seo Hyun-chul as Cha Ho-yeol, Seon-chaek's father and Deok-jeong's husband. He is an upright subject who does not hesitate to speak frankly even in front of the king for the good of the country.[7]
Yoon Yoo-sun as Yoon Deok-jeong, the lady of the Cha family, mother of Seon-chaek and wife of Ho-yeol. She is a dignified and tidy woman, but she never loses her strength in the face of a crisis, as evidenced when a man rumored to be her daughter's matchmaker appears.[8][9]
Lee Sang-woon as Cha Jang-ho, older brother by Cha Seon-chaek, Du-ho and Se-ho; eldest son of Ho-yeol and Deok-jeong.[7]
Kim Shin-bi as Cha Du-ho, the medicine-obsessed second son of the Cha family.[7]
Yoon Jung-hoon as Cha Se-ho, the third son of the Cha family, an unpredictable eccentric with a warm, caring brotherly side.[10][11]
Oh Se-eun as Bang-ul, a servant with high-level secretarial skills who follows Seon-chaek's every move.[12]
Others
Song Young-jae as Haengrang-a-beom, a loyal servant of Gyeongseong-gun for many years.[7]
Yoon Tae-ha as Ma-yoon, a loyal follower and confidant of Gyeongseong-gun, to whom he swore loyalty. Following his orders, he pursues the mastermind behind the Black Death Group, a force that threatens the royal family.[13]
Joo Suk-tae as Seol-jong, the king in the novel, who was not originally in line to succeed to the throne and came to it after a purge.[7]
Nam Gi-ae as Queen Dowager (Dae-bi), the former king's first wife, when her only son, the crown prince, died, a bloody storm erupted in the royal family.[7]
Jung Hee-tae as Prime Minister Do Bae-myeong, brother-in-law of the Queen Dowager, father of Hwa-seon, for whom he is always worried.[14]
Jung Ho-bin as Jeong Moon-seok, a royal secretary according to the long-standing tradition of his prestigious family. He is conservative and controlling, and always disgruntled with his free-spirited son, Soo-gyeom.
Kim Young-woong as Jo Byeong-mu, a wealthy merchant who took Eun-ae in, saved her life, and made her his adopted daughter, and whose businesses benefited from her cunning.
Park Jeong-eon as the Queen Dowager’s head court lady (Ji Mil-sang-gung).
Lee Joo-won as Kkoma, a mysterious boy who appears in every dramatic moment Seon-chaek encounters.[7]
Special appearance
Kim Ah-young as Seol-gi, a shaman Seon-chaek often visits.[7]
Episodes
No.
Title
Original release date
1
"Episode 1"
June 11, 2025 (2025-06-11)
When I opened my eyes, I woke up as a minor character in a novel, the daughter of the Prime Minister, Seon-chaek (played by Seohyun)! For the time being, I plan to enjoy the luxurious life of a noblewoman and watch the heartbreaking romance between the male and female protagonists, Lee Beon (played by Ok Taecyeon) and Eun-ae (played by Kwon Han-sol), but for some reason, things are going differently from the original...[15]
2
"Episode 2"
June 12, 2025 (2025-06-12)
Unlike the original, the romance circuit of 'Lee Beon' is not directed towards 'Eun-ae (played by Kwon Han-sol)', but only towards 'Seon-chaek (played by Seohyun).' As the villainess 'Hwa-seon (played by Ji Hye-won)' begins to target her, 'Seon-chaek' soon goes beyond a supporting role...[16]
3
"Episode 3"
June 18, 2025 (2025-06-18)
'Seon-chaek (played by Seo Hyun)' tries to put the novel back on track by setting up a love triangle with the help of her sub-boyfriend 'Soo-gyeom (played by Seo Beom-jun)s Seonmunhoe, but the plan starts to go wrong and ends up only adding fuel to the fire of 'Lee-beons (played by Ok Taec-yeon) unlit heart...[17]
4
"Episode 4"
June 19, 2025 (2025-06-19)
The whole city is in an uproar over the news of the marriage between 'Lee Beon (played by Ok Taecyeon)' and the young lady of the state council, 'Seon-chaek (played by Seo Hyun)'. However, Lee Beon's only friend, 'Soo-gyeom (played by Seo Beom-jun)', comes to see 'Seon-chaek' and confesses his secret feelings...[18]
5
"Episode 5"
June 25, 2025 (2025-06-25)
Seon-chaek (Seo Hyun), who has decided to stake her true heart and destiny on Lee Beon (Ok Taecyeon), wants to challenge Lee Beon in the Samgan-taek of Gyeongseong-gun. Meanwhile, Soo-gyeom (Seo Beom-jun) receives the shocking news that Eun-ae (Kwon Han-sol) has been selected for the Samgan-taek...[19]
6
"Episode 6"
June 26, 2025 (2025-06-26)
'Lee Byun (played by Ok Taecyeon)' begins to question the royal family's involvement in his marriage, and as he pursues the 'Queen Dowager (played by Nam Ki-ae)' and 'Hwa-seon (played by Ji Hye-won)' family, he gets one step closer to uncovering the truth behind the conspiracy. Meanwhile, 'Soo-gyeom's (played by Seo Beom-joon) love for 'Eun-ae' (played by Kwon Han-sol) grows deeper by the day...[20]
7
"Episode 7"
July 2, 2025 (2025-07-02)
With the confession of love from Seon-chaek (played by Seo Hyun), Lee-beon (played by Ok Taec-yeon) becomes happier than ever. However, Seong-hyeon-gun Lee-gyu (played by Lee Tae-sun) appears in the city and provokes Lee-beon. Meanwhile, Su-gyeom (played by Seo Beom-joon), who realizes that love is something to be won, finally decides to tell Eun-ae (played by Kwon Han-sol) his true feelings...[21]
8
"Episode 8"
July 3, 2025 (2025-07-03)
'Seon-chaek (Seo Hyun)' and 'Lee-beon (Ok Taec-yeon)' suddenly become a Joseon version of Romeo and Juliet after being met with the strong opposition of 'Ho-yeol (Seo Hyun-chul)'. Meanwhile, 'Wang (Joo Suk-tae)' proposes a dangerous confrontation using the reunion of his two nephews 'Lee-beon' and 'Lee-gyu (Lee Tae-sun)' as an excuse...[22]
9
"Episode 9"
July 9, 2025 (2025-07-09)
In order to lead the government troops to find the missing 'Seon-chaek (Seo Hyun)', 'Lee-beon (Ok Taecyeon)' incurs the wrath of 'King (Joo Suk-tae)' and faces his fate of living as a royal hunting dog once again. The appearance of 'Lee Gyu (Lee Tae-seon)', a variable that did not appear in the original work, begins to shake up the lives of 'Seon-chaek', 'Lee-beon', 'Eun-ae (Kwon Han-sol)', and 'Soo-gyeom (Seo Beom-joon)' in an unexpected way...[23]
10
"Episode 10"
July 10, 2025 (2025-07-10)
As the body of the unknown man who kidnapped 'Seon-chaek (played by Seo Hyun)' surfaced, an uncomfortable atmosphere began to spread between 'Lee-beon (played by Ok Taec-yeon)' and 'Seon-chaek.' Meanwhile, 'Hwa-seon (played by Ji Hye-won)' begins to doggedly pursue the truth of the kidnapping case in order to prove her innocence...[24]
The series is written by Jeon Seon-young, directed by Lee Woong-hee, and co-produced by Studio N and Monster Union. It is based on the original Naver web novel series of the same name by Hwang Do-tol.[1]
Casting
According to an interview with Xports News on July 26, 2024, Ok Taecyeon and Seohyun were considering the lead roles.[33] On November 19, Ji Hye-won was confirmed to join the cast.[34] On the same day, Seo Bum-june was also confirmed to participate.[35] Then, on November 28, Seohyun, Ok, Kwon Han-sol, Seo, and Ji were confirmed to appear.[1]
Incidents during shooting
As of November 28, 2024 the series was in shooting phase.[citation needed] While filming, Seohyun suffered an accident to a leg that forced her to carry a cane for a while: with it she went to present the KBS Drama Awards on December 31, 2024.[36]
The day before, on December 30, 2024, architect Min Seo-hong visited Byeongsan Seowon, a Confucian academy in the vicinity of Andong where the series was being shot. Three days after his visit, he posted on his Facebook page that he had witnessed how the technical staff was damaging this historic site, declared a UNESCO World Heritage List, by fixing some ten streetlights with nails on the pillars. He later discovered that the Cultural Heritage Division of Andong City Hall had granted permission to film, but was unaware they were causing damage.[37] The Korean Broadcasting System apologized after its staff hammered five nails into the complex's Mandaeru Pavilion to hang lanterns as part of shooting for a drama production.[38] Subsequently, the city of Andong sued KBS for damaging cultural heritage and requested the destruction of all scenes shot in Byeongsan Seowon, before which the channel dismissed them. The incident likewise had criminal consequences for KBS staff. On February 10, 2025 the Gyeongbuk Andong Police Department announced that it had reported to the prosecutor's office three members of the utility team, accused of violating the Cultural Heritage Preservation and Utilization Act.[38] Following this incident, the National Heritage Administration announced on the 20th the preparation of theStandard Guidelines for Filming Permits in Nationally Designated Cultural Heritage Sites with which it is proposed to discipline use in future film or television shoots and prevent damage to heritage sites cultural.[39] On June 11, a press conference to introduce the production was held in Sindorim, Seoul, attended by director Lee Woong-hee and actors Seohyun, Ok Taecyeon, Kwon Han-sol, Seo Beom-jun, and Ji Hye-wo. During the conference, the director apologized again for the damage caused to the Byeongsan Seowon historical site during filming and confirmed that scenes filmed there had been canceled.[40]
Viewership
The First Night with the Duke : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
Season
Episode number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
532
579
463
639
N/A
608
N/A
N/A
466
427
N/A
542
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[41]
^Jang, Da-hee (April 16, 2025). '문화재 훼손' 서현-옥택연 '남주 첫날밤', 6월 11일 첫 방송 [공식] ['Cultural Heritage Damage' Seohyun-Ok Taecyeon 'The First Night with the Duke', First Broadcast on June 11 [Official]]. enews.imbc. Retrieved April 16, 2025 – via Naver.
^ abcdKim Yang-su (2024-11-28). 서현x옥택연, 판타지 로맨스 호흡…KBS '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다' [Seohyun x Ok Taecyeon, fantasy romance chemistry... KBS 'The First Night with the Duke'] (in Korean). Joy News 24. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
^ ab서현·옥택연의 '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다', 남다른 시너지 낼까? [Will Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon's 'The First Night with the Duke' create a different synergy?] (in Korean). Max Movie. 2025-05-20. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
^Kim Yang-su (2025-06-10). '남주의 첫날밤' 이태선, FN엔터 전속계약⋯김성령·박하나 한솥밥 ['The First Night with the Duke' Lee Tae-seon, exclusive contract with FN Entertainment⋯Kim Sung-ryung and Park Ha-na are from the same pot] (in Korean). Joy News 24. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
^ abcdefghYang So-young (2025-06-02). 남주의 첫날밤' 서현 옥택연 얽히고설킨 운명은? ['The First Night with the Duke', what is the tangled fate of Seohyun and Ok Taecyeon?] (in Korean). MK Star Today. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
^Lee Kwang-soo (6 June 2025). '믿보배' 윤유선, 차선책 엄마 '윤덕정' 역 맡아 ['Trustworthy' Yoon Yoo-sun takes on the role of 'Yoon Deok-jeong', the second-best mother] (in Korean). Daily Sports Korea. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
^Lee Jun-soo (2025-06-05). 윤유선, '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다' 캐스팅…서현과 호흡 [Yoon Yoo-sun, chosen for 'The First Night with the Duke'... working with Seo Hyun] (in Korean). ET News. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
^Park So-jin (2025-05-30). 윤정훈, '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다' 캐스팅…완벽 변신 예고 [Yoon Jung-hoon, chosen for 'The First Night with the Duke'… Perfect Transformation Preview] (in Korean). MBN Star. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
^Lee Su-jin (2025-05-30). 윤정훈, '남주의 첫날밤' 합류…4차원 오빠로 유쾌한 변신 [Yoon Jung Hoon Joins 'The First Night with the Duke'… a Charming Transformation into an Older Brother of 4 dimensions] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
^Ida Gyum (2025-05-21). '피라미드게임' 오세은, '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다' 캐스팅 ['Pyramid Game', Oh Se-eun, 'The First Night with the Duke' casting] (in Korean). Mk Star Today. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
^Ahn Byeong-gil (2025-06-09). '남주의 첫날밤' 옥택연 옆 이 남자, 주목 윤태하! ['The First Night with the Duke' the Man Next to Ok Taecyeon, pay attention to Yoon Taeha!] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
^Kim Ga-young (2025-06-05). '남주의 첫날밤' 정희태, 내공甲 우의정 도배명 役 합류 ['The First Night with the Duke' Jung Hee-tae joins the role of Do Bae-myeong, the Prime Minister of the Royal Family] (in Korean). Edaily. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
^남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다 OST Part. 1 [The First Night with the Duke OST Part 1] (in Korean). Genie Music. MUSIC&NEW. June 12, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025 – via Melon.
^남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다 OST Part. 2 [The First Night with the Duke OST Part 2] (in Korean). Genie Music. MUSIC&NEW. June 19, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025 – via Melon.
^남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다 OST Part. 3 [The First Night with the Duke OST Part 3] (in Korean). Genie Music. MUSIC&NEW. June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025 – via Melon.
^남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다 OST Part. 4 [The First Night with the Duke OST Part 4] (in Korean). Genie Music. MUSIC&NEW. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025 – via Melon.
^Kim, Hyun-jung (July 26, 2024). [단독] 옥택연·서현, '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다' 주인공 호흡 [[Exclusive] Ok Taecyeon and Seohyun, 'Taking the Male Lead's First Night' Leading Roles] (in Korean). Xports News. Retrieved November 28, 2024 – via Naver.
^Ryu, Ye-ji (November 19, 2024). [단독] 지혜원, '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다' 캐스팅…옥택연♥서현과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Ji Hye-won, cast in 'I took the male protagonist's first night'… Working with Ok Taecyeon♥Seohyun] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Retrieved November 28, 2024 – via Naver.
^Park, Soo-in (November 19, 2024). '열혈사제2' 서범준, 차기작은 '남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다'[공식입장] [Seo Beom-jun of 'The Fiery Priest 2', next work is 'I took the male lead's first night' [Official position]] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved November 28, 2024 – via Naver.
^Son Young-ok (2025-03-21). "영화·드라마 촬영 때 문화유산에 '못박기' 금지된다" ['Nailing' cultural heritage sites prohibited during filming of movies and dramas] (in Korean). Kukmin Ilbo. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
