Summer binge: 'The First Night With The Duke' and why this historical K-drama is the romance you can't miss tonight

Dubai: If you have a favourite book you read over and over again, what would it be like to be a character in said book?

This is the premise of the new historical K-drama “The First Night with the Duke”. With only three of the planned 12 episodes out, the show is already generating buzz, with fans eagerly awaiting each release since it premiered on KBS2 on June 11, 2025.

Seohyun of 'Girls Generation' fame plays the college student who suddenly finds herself in ancient South Korea playing a minor character in her favourite historical romance.

While she stoically decides to enjoy the privilege of living the life of the rich noble woman Cha Sun Chaek, what she does not bargain for is the plot of her book to be derailed by her presence. Instead of watching the hero of the story, the handsome and charismatic Lee Beon (played by 2PM rapper Ok Taec-yeon) fall in love with the heroine, Sun Chaek finds herself to be the object of his interest.

In a rather funny twist, she desperately tries to set her treasured book back on track with the correct two leads but continues to fail in the face of Beon’s relentless determination to wed her, the side character instead.

We sympathises with her dilemma- imagine being flung back to 19th century England to your beloved Pride and Prejudice, only to have Mr. Darcy turned away from Elizabeth Bennet.

The remaining episodes are sure to be full of comedic and romantic twists and turns, only to be compounded by the charm and charisma the main leads bring to their respective characters.

Their on screen chemistry, clear from the first episode itself, has certainly hooked the viewers. Andy zar on Soompi writes, “No matter how much effort Sun Chaek makes, he [Yi Beon] easily dismisses her attempt to prevent their engagement.

And it would be a hateful thing to watch if it weren’t for their chemistry, which makes sparks fly out of the roof, making viewers giggle and love every time she ends up in his arms”.