Lee Jong-suk to play mysterious bird in Disney+ fantasy series

Production stills released on the 26th for Disney+ original 'The Remarried Empress' reveal distinct visual designs for the Eastern Empire and Western Kingdom. The series, which begins releasing episodes on November 4, features Lee Jong-suk as Heinrey, a character who will appear in both human and bird forms.

Actor Lee Jong-suk will transform into a mysterious bird in the Disney+ original series 'The Remarried Empress.' As the series adds fantasy imagination to a glamorous romance and power struggles surrounding an imperial family, anticipation is growing for the reveal of Lee Jong-suk's visuals, which will be implemented not only in human form but also in the form of a bird. A key point of interest will be how vividly the attractive worldview of the original work is translated to the screen.

On the 26th, the production team of 'The Remarried Empress' released production stills that meticulously capture the spaces of the Eastern Empire and Western Kingdom, as well as the individual characteristics of the characters. Rather than merely conveying emotions and conflicts through dialogue and acting, the production focused on visually implementing the personalities and changing relationships of the characters through space, color, costumes, and props. The two kingdoms, designed with different atmospheres, explain the series' worldview while foreshadowing the tension of the unfolding story.

The Eastern Empire emphasizes a prosperous and stable atmosphere, centered on warm colors and lush nature. In contrast, the Western Kingdom creates a distinctly different impression from the Eastern Empire by utilizing cold tones and angular shapes. This goes beyond simply decorating different backgrounds; it is intended to visually reveal the characteristics of each nation and the environments in which the characters are situated. The process of these different spaces colliding and connecting is expected to show the power dynamics and emotional shifts within the work in a more three-dimensional way.

The interior of the imperial palace also features different colors and atmospheres for each character. The space for Navier, played by Shin Min-a, utilizes colors centered on red and yellow that gradually deepen, capturing both the dignity of the Queen and the loneliness residing within her. This projects the complex emotions of a character who appears to be a perfect Queen on the outside but faces a turning point in her life due to her husband's betrayal. The space for Sovieshu, played by Ju Ji-hoon, combines blue, green, and black to emphasize the authority of the Emperor and the weight of royal power.

Art director Lee Tae-hoon explained that while clearly distinguishing the worlds of each character, he maintained a balance so they remain organically connected within a single story. Director Jo Soo-won also stated that objects were used not merely as decorations, but as devices to increase the realism and immersion of the worldview. It was explained that by embedding the emotions and changing relationships of the characters into every costume and prop, the visual perfection of the fantasy world was elevated.

In particular, the changes in Navier's clothing are an element that visually demonstrates the romance in the work. When she is with Sovieshu, she displays the dignity of the Queen through glamorous and colorful attire, but when she faces Heinrey, played by Lee Jong-suk, her clothing changes to something more restrained and soft. Through these differences in clothing, the temperature of the relationships and the emotional shifts Navier experiences with the two men are expressed. Interest is also focused on how the glamorous exterior of the imperial palace will interlock with the wavering hearts of the characters within it.

Most eye-catching is the implementation of fantasy using visual special effects (VFX). To complete the bird Queen related to Heinrey, the production team studied the appearance and movements of actual birds. Considering the harmony with surrounding elements such as Heinrey's clothing, hair color, and eye color, the design ensures that the unrealistic existence is naturally accepted within the flow of the drama. The scenes where Lee Jong-suk appears in the form of a bird are expected to be a core element in visually implementing the unique fantasy charm of the original work.

'The Remarried Empress' begins when the perfect Queen Navier receives a divorce notice from her husband, Sovieshu. Sovieshu is captivated by Rashta, a former runaway slave, and instead of accepting the divorce, Navier expresses her intention to remarry Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom. In this process, the story unfolds as imperial power dynamics, the desires of the characters, betrayal, and new love become complexly intertwined. Attention is also drawn to the tense relationship dynamics created by Shin Min-a as Navier, Ju Ji-hoon as Sovieshu, Lee Jong-suk as Heinrey, and Lee Se-young as Rashta.

Expectations are rising for how convincingly 'The Remarried Empress,' featuring glamorous art, costumes, and fantasy technology, will implement the charm of the original work. The series will release episodes 1–4 on November 4, and will meet viewers with two episodes every Wednesday thereafter, totaling 10 episodes.

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