Seohyun, a real-life college student, finds herself embodying a minor character in a romance novel.
Premiering on June 11, KBS2's new Wednesday-Thursday drama 'The First Night With the Duke' follows the story of an ordinary college student's soul inhabiting a minor character in a romance novel. This character spends a night with the novel's most obsessive male lead, leading to a 'no-brakes' fantasy romance that veers off course.
In the drama, Seohyun plays Cha Seon-chek, a minor character in a romance novel set in the Joseon Dynasty, who possesses both status and wealth. Living a life without presence as a minor character, Cha Seon-chek is reborn as a completely different person when the soul of K, a passionate reader of the novel, inhabits her.
Initially content to observe the main characters' stories from the sidelines, K becomes embroiled in unexpected events, gradually becoming a central figure in the novel. The question remains whether K, now in Cha Seon-chek's body, can restore the novel to its original path, and audiences are intrigued by the unpredictable journey of Cha Seon-chek with a modern twist.
The released photos sequentially capture the transformation from real-life college student K to the novel character Cha Seon-chek. K's expressionless face, wearing glasses and a hoodie while reading a web novel, reflects the monotony of her repetitive daily life. In contrast, Cha Seon-chek, now inhabited by K's soul, wears an intriguing smile, hinting at her rise from a minor character to a protagonist.
Particularly, attention is drawn to Seohyun's acting transformation as she delicately portrays the changes in K, Cha Seon-chek, and Cha Seon-chek after K's possession. Seohyun shared her reasons for choosing the role, stating, "I was drawn to the comedic yet tension-filled story between the characters and the charm of a character who is both lovable and at times bizarre."
Regarding the character of Cha Seon-chek, Seohyun explained, "In the modern world, she is hurt by people, but after being possessed by the novel, she quickly accepts the moment as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She is a character who grows through numerous experiences and challenges." This is because Cha Seon-chek, who dreamed of a new life, lives a completely opposite daily life after meeting K's soul.
Therefore, Seohyun prepared to distinguish between the three characters: real-life college student K, the pre-possession minor character Cha Seon-chek, and the post-possession protagonist Cha Seon-chek. She noted, "Modern K is a character with a pessimistic side but also human warmth. Pre-possession Cha Seon-chek is set as a character with emptiness in a monotonous life, and post-possession Cha Seon-chek is portrayed as someone who freely acts out things she couldn't do in reality, aware that it's a novel."
Seohyun's diverse acting, which will vividly portray these three characters, is anticipated in 'The First Night With the Duke,' premiering on June 11 at 9:50 PM.
Reported by Tae Yuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr