A modern scholar meets a brooding duke.
Prepare to be swept away by The First Night with the Duke, the 2025 Kdrama sensation that blends historical grandeur with modern wit. Starring Girls’ Generation’s Seo Hyun and 2PM’s Ok Taec Yeon, this romantic fantasy delivers all the swoon-worthy moments and dramatic tension that make Korean dramas so addictive.
Why This Kdrama Stands Out
Based on Hwang Do-tol’s hit Naver web novel, The First Night with the Duke brings its beloved time-slip romance to life with cinematic grandeur. When sharp-witted scholar Cha Seon Chaek (Seo Hyun) mysteriously wakes up in the Joseon era, she’s thrust into the world of the enigmatic Duke Lee Beon (Ok Taec Yeon)—where court intrigue and forbidden attraction collide.
Key Highlights:
Faithful Adaptation:
The drama expands on the web novel’s fan-favorite moments, including the duke’s icy demeanor melting under Seon Chaek’s modern charm.
Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy:
Seo Hyun’s delivery of lines like “Where’s my iced americano?” in Joseon dialect had viewers in stitches.
Slow-Burn Perfection:
The novel’s tense romantic buildup translates beautifully, with added scenes of the duke secretly protecting Seon Chaek from political schemes.
Visual Storytelling: The production team recreated 18th-century palace life down to historically accurate hairpins, while CGI subtly enhances the time-slip transitions.
Fan Reactions to the Adaptation:
“They kept the novel’s best scenes AND improved the ending! The duke’s confession under the plum blossoms? I rewound it 10 times.”
“Ok Taec Yeon’s micro-expressions when Seon Chaek breaks Joseon etiquette? Art.”
Behind the Scenes:
The cast trained with historians to master Joseon customs, while Seo Hyun worked with linguists to blend modern sarcasm with period speech patterns.
Meet the Stellar Cast
Seo Hyun as Cha Seon Chaek
- The Girls’ Generation star brings her signature charm to this leading role
- Previously wowed audiences in Moon Embracing the Sun musical
- Perfectly captures both the humor and heart of her time-displaced character
Ok Taec Yeon as Duke Lee Beon
- The 2PM member continues his successful acting career
- Brings depth to the seemingly cold but vulnerable duke
- His chemistry with Seo Hyun is electric
Visual Feast for Kdrama Lovers
Viu subscribers can enjoy exclusive HD wallpapers from other popular K-dramas like:
and more!
New designs are added weekly to keep your devices fresh!
Your Questions Answered
Q: When does The First Night with the Duke premiere?
A: The drama premiered on 11 June 2025 and is now available to stream on Viu!
Q: How many episodes are there?
A: There are 12 episodes. New episodes release on Viu every Thursday and Friday!
Q: What genre is this Kdrama?
A: It’s a historical (Sageuk)
romantic comedy with time-slip fantasy elements
Q: Where can I watch it?
A: Exclusively on Viu with English subtitles
Q: Is it worth watching?
A: Absolutely! With its unique premise, stellar cast, and beautiful production, it’s one of the best Korean dramas of 2025
Why You’ll Love This Drama
- Fresh take on time-slip: More than just a romance, it explores cultural clashes with humor and heart
- Strong female lead: Seo Hyun’s character is intelligent, resourceful and relatable
- Cinematic quality: The production values rival historical films
“The perfect blend of romance, comedy and historical drama – I couldn’t stop watching!”
Don’t Miss This Captivating Romance!
Whether you’re a longtime Kdrama fan or new to Korean TV shows, The First Night with the Duke offers something for everyone. With its irresistible leads, gorgeous visuals and compelling story, it’s no wonder this is one of the most popular Korean series this year.
Start streaming now on Viu – your perfect historical romance awaits!
