by Charming, self-aware, and utterly addictive, The First Night With the Duke brings the beloved isekai trope to Korean television with surprising sophistication. With Seohyun and TaecYeon leading this fantasy romance, KBS2 delivers a drama that’s both a love letter to romance novels and a clever subversion of their familiar patterns.
Profile of The First Night With the Duke K-drama 2025
- Title: The First Night With the Duke / I Took the Male Lead’s First Night (남주의 첫날밤을 가져버렸다)
- Director: Lee Woong-Hee
- Writer: Hwang Dotol (web novel), Jeon Sun-Young
- Network: KBS2
- Episodes: TBA
- Release Date: June 11, 2025 – Ongoing
- Runtime: Wednesday & Thursday 21:50
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Historical, Comedy
Plot: The First Night With the Duke
University student K (Seohyun) lives an ordinary life until she inexplicably finds herself transported into her favorite historical romance novel—as Cha Sun-Chaek, a minor noble’s daughter who just wants a quiet life. But when she accidentally spends a passionate night with the story’s brooding male lead, Duke Lee Beon (TaecYeon), everything spirals deliciously out of control.
Lee Beon is everything a romance hero should be: devastatingly handsome, martially gifted, and haunted by a tragic past. He’s supposed to fall for the novel’s heroine, Jo Eun-Ae (Kwon Han-Sol), but Sun-Chaek’s modern sensibilities and genuine compassion have derailed the entire plot. Now, no matter how desperately she tries to set up the “correct” couple, Lee Beon’s heart stubbornly refuses to follow the script—and keeps returning to the woman who showed him unexpected tenderness in his darkest moment.
Main Cast: The First Night With the Duke
- Seohyun as K/Cha Sun-Chaek – A modern woman trapped in a historical body, balancing contemporary wit with period propriety.
- TaecYeon as Lee Beon – The archetypal cold duke whose icy exterior melts for one unexpected woman.
- Kwon Han-Sol as Jo Eun-Ae – The novel’s original heroine, now navigating a changed destiny.
- Seo Bum-June as Jung Soo-Kyeom – Lee Beon’s loyal friend and voice of reason.
- Ji Hye-Won as Do Hwa-Sun – An ambitious woman whose royal marriage plans face unexpected competition.
Why You Should Watch The First Night With the Duke
- Meta-romance perfection – Cleverly plays with romance tropes while delivering genuine romantic moments.
- Seohyun’s comedic timing – Her fish-out-of-water performance balances humor with heartfelt emotion.
- TaecYeon’s swoon-worthy transformation – From 2PM idol to convincing period romance lead.
- Beautiful production values – Sumptuous costumes and sets that bring the historical world to life.
- Self-aware humor – The drama knows exactly what it is and has fun with genre expectations.
- Fresh take on isekai – Korean television’s sophisticated approach to the “transported to another world” concept.
Who Should Watch The First Night With the Duke?
- Fans of web novel adaptations and isekai stories
- Viewers who love meta-fictional humor and romance tropes done well
- Anyone seeking escapist fantasy with modern sensibilities
- Those who enjoyed Extraordinary You or W: Two Worlds
- Romance lovers looking for both comedy and genuine swoon moments
Final Verdict
The First Night With the Duke succeeds by embracing rather than fighting its source material’s inherent fantasy. Seohyun and TaecYeon’s chemistry crackles with both comedic timing and romantic tension, while the supporting cast adds depth to what could have been a simple premise.
This is isekai romance done right—smart enough to acknowledge its own absurdity while still making you root desperately for love to conquer all narrative logic.
