Production team denies rumors that Lee Se-young's necklace was from Temu

The production team for the Disney+ series 'The Remarried Empress' clarified that a necklace worn by Lee Se-young was purchased from a local vintage shop in Europe, refuting online claims that the prop was a 2,100 won product from Temu.

A controversy has emerged regarding the necklace worn by actress Lee Se-young in the Disney+ original series 'The Remarried Empress,' with claims suggesting it was a "2,100 won Temu product." The jewelry, which helped complete the imperial atmosphere of the production, was suspected of being similar to products sold on the Chinese ultra-low-cost direct purchase platform Temu. However, the production team has drawn a line against online speculation, stating that the necklace was purchased from a local vintage shop in Europe.

The controversy began following the release of "Imperial Pictorial Stills" by the 'The Remarried Empress' team on the 9th, ahead of the release of episode 5. The released photos featured the four main protagonists: Shin Min-a as Empress Navier, Lee Se-young as the former runaway slave Rashta, Ju Ji-hoon as Emperor Sovieshu, and Lee Jong-suk as Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom. The luxurious costumes and accessories reflecting each character's status and personality captured attention, foreshadowing the intense imperial narrative of the work.

Among the cast, Lee Se-young's styling drew particular interest. Portraying Rashta, Lee Se-young wore a green color tube top dress, creating an atmosphere that was significantly more elegant and glamorous. The styling visually represented the character's transformation as she moved from her past status as a runaway slave to the center of the imperial court. However, the issue arose not from the clothing, but from the jewelry worn around her neck.

Claims spread through online communities and social media that the necklace, featuring a harmony of black stones and gold decorations, was strikingly similar to low-priced products sold on Temu. The controversy intensified as it was revealed that similar designs were indeed being sold on the platform for approximately 2,100 won. Some users questioned whether a major Disney+ production would provide imperial jewelry to its lead actors purchased from a Chinese ultra-low-cost platform.

The controversy ignited further when photos of the product identified as being in the 2,000 won range were compared side-by-side with the glamorous imperial costumes and accessories revealed. Beyond mere design similarities, reactions spread to questioning the production team's prop selection and the artistic completeness of the work. Given that this is a large-scale project aimed at a global release, the suspicion surrounding a single prop had the potential to impact the overall image of the production.

Upon verification, however, the claim that the product was purchased from Temu was found to be untrue. The 'The Remarried Empress' team clarified to OSEN that the necklace was a prop purchased from a local vintage shop in Europe and has no connection to Temu products. It appears that the actual purchase route could not be determined solely based on the similarities raised online. Ultimately, the provocative suspicion of a "2,100 won Temu necklace" was corrected by the production team's explanation.

Lee Se-young is receiving praise for her multi-dimensional portrayal of Rashta, a character who is both detestable and driven by desire, yet possesses a strange loveliness. She is evaluated to have maximized the character's charm by delicately revealing the character's social ascent, desires, and unstable psychology. This necklace controversy has turned into a mere happening, as attention was focused on the styling props rather than the actress's performance or the character itself.

'The Remarried Empress' is also achieving notable success in terms of viewership. Based on the viewing records for just the three days following its release on the 3rd, it became the most-watched local original content ever on Disney+ worldwide. It recorded number one among Korean titles released in over 50 global markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, demonstrating a powerful presence from the start.

Of particular note is that this achievement was reached while only episodes 1 through 4 had been released. As the work has drawn the interest of global viewers even before the full narrative unfolds, expectations are high for its future box office trajectory. With the absurd suspicion surrounding a single necklace settled as a minor incident, attention is focused on whether 'The Remarried Empress' can translate this buzz into long-term success.

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