Lee Jong Suk reveals he asked for one more month to prepare for his nude bird-to-human transformation scene in 'The Remarried Empress'

Fans of the Disney+ K‑drama ‘The Remarried Empress’ confront a mix of excitement and anxiety as the series promises high‑stakes drama while risking subscriber disappointment. The stake is clear: Disney+ hopes the early premiere boosts viewership, but any perceived shortfall could erode confidence in its Korean content slate. Anticipation builds around whether the show will meet the expectations set by its star‑packed lineup.

Lee Jong Suk disclosed to allkpop that he asked for an additional month to ready himself for a nude bird‑to‑human transformation sequence, a moment central to his character’s arc. The request aligns with the production’s decision to launch the series a day early on Disney+ and Hulu, as announced by Disney and reported by Forbes. Variety highlighted the casting of Shin Min‑a alongside Lee, underscoring the high‑profile talent invested in the project.

Early critical reactions are mixed. IGN notes that the drama takes big swings but falls short of its full potential, while Variety points to the strong performances of Shin Min‑a and Lee Jong‑suk. The open question for Disney+ is whether the extra month of preparation will translate into stronger audience reception and sustain subscriber growth amid a crowded streaming market.