K-Drama Starring Seo Hyun & Ok Taecyeon, Once Criticized for Heritage Damage, Confirms Official Release Date
“The First Night with the Duke” Sets Its Release Date
KBS2’s upcoming Wednesday-Thursday drama “The First Night With the Duke” is set to premiere on June 11 at 9:50 PM (KST). The series is based on the popular web novel of the same name and tells the story of a seemingly ordinary college girl who suddenly finds herself possessing a minor character in a romance novel—and spending a night with the book’s intensely obsessive male lead.
Seohyun takes on the role of Cha Seon-chaek, the side character possessed by the soul of the college girl, while Ok Taecyeon plays Yi-beon, a royal family member and the novel’s male lead. Their fated encounter across dimensions teases a unique twist on the traditional fantasy romance.
The plot kicks into motion when the possessed Cha Seon-chaek unexpectedly spends a night with Yi-beon, derailing the original story’s path and sending events spiraling in unpredictable directions. Viewers can look forward to a wild, dopamine-fueled romance as the characters lose track of the intended plot and develop feelings that weren’t written into the script.
The newly released teaser poster adds to the excitement, showing Cha Seon-chaek (Seohyun) and Yi-beon (Taecyeon) exchanging a charged gaze beneath a twilight sky. With their faces close enough to feel each other’s breath, the image conveys a thrilling sense of intimacy and anticipation, raising expectations for their unconventional love story.
The production team stated, “Through the romance of Cha Seon-chaek and Yi-beon, who transcend time, dimensions, and fate, we hope to deliver a fantasy of escaping everyday life that modern viewers can relate to. We invite everyone to enjoy the humorous and dramatic butterfly effect caused by the detour of a side character.”
Damaging UNESCO Heritage Site
Previously, on December 30, 2024, a netizen visited Byeongsan Seowon around 3 PM and discovered that the site was being used as a filming location for “The First Night With the Duke.” The netizen observed around seven production vehicles and numerous staff members setting up equipment. Inside the site, they witnessed a concerning scene: props were scattered throughout the interior, and staff were hammering nails into the wooden pillars to hang lanterns—many of which were already affixed to the Mandaeru Pavilion.
When questioned, staff allegedly responded that filming was approved by Andong City and suggested the netizen contact the local authorities for confirmation. Upon reaching out, Andong’s Cultural Heritage Department acknowledged granting filming permission but expressed surprise about the damage, promising immediate removal of the installations.
However, on December 31, the netizen followed up, only to find that filming continued as planned. Disappointed by the lack of concrete action, the netizen reported the issue to both KBS and the Cultural Heritage Administration.
This incident raised larger concerns about the treatment of cultural heritage sites during filming. The netizen stated, “Even hammering a few nails requires caution in ordinary hanok houses, let alone in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.” They criticized KBS, a public broadcaster, for allowing such damage and called the situation “appalling.”
On January 2, photos taken by the netizen showing the alleged damage were shared online. The images sparked public outrage and highlighted the need for stricter regulations on filming at historical sites.
According to industry sources on January 3, Andong City, in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Administration, re-inspected the damage. The city planned to file a formal complaint against the production team after seeking legal counsel. Experts would later assess the necessary restoration work and possible administrative actions.
On January 14, HeraldPOP reported that KBS, Andong City, and the National Heritage Administration held a three-party meeting to discuss restoration measures and review the complaint filed by Andong City Hall.
According to officials from Andong City, the meeting was arranged after the city officially lodged a complaint against the drama production team. At the meeting, they discussed the incident and further steps for cultural restoration.
Regarding the complaint’s progress, an Andong City representative stated, “We have not yet received any report from the police.” However, KBS reportedly cooperated in the discussions about the damage and its restoration.
On January 16, the broadcasting industry reported that KBS had decided—after discussions with Andong City Hall and the National Heritage Administration—not to use any footage filmed at Byeongsan Seowon for “The First Night With the Duke.” This includes both footage shot in damaged areas and scenes filmed elsewhere within the site.
In an official apology, KBS stated:
We sincerely apologize for the incident involving the filming of “The First Night With the Duke” at Byeongsan Seowon in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where cultural heritage was damaged.
The network confirmed, “New nails were driven into the site at about ten locations to hang props, exerting pressure on the structure.” KBS added that it would “respect the results of the police investigation, as well as reviews by Andong City and the National Heritage Administration,” and “humbly accept the findings.”
Meanwhile, lead actress Seohyun’s recent injury has added to concerns. Photos of Seohyun using a cane at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards, which was held on December 31, 2024, have been circulating online, prompting worry among fans. Seohyun’s agency assured fans that she is recovering quickly.
