The First Night with the Duke is a Korean tv show and standout k‑drama 2025 series. This Korean tv series follows a college student who wakes up in her favorite romance novel as Cha Seon‑chaek—an extra whose life is upended when she spends the first night with Prince Yi Beon. Starring Seohyun and Ok Taec‑yeon, it blends fantasy, palace intrigue, and romance. In this article, we break down the full plot, cast & characters, detailed episode release schedule, streaming platforms, and filming locations.
Plot Overview:
A modern university student—known only as “K”—finds herself inhabiting the body of Cha Seon‑chaek, a minor noblewoman in a historical fantasy. She plans to stay low, but a drunken encounter with Prince Yi Beon changes everything. He misinterprets their night together and insists on marriage. As K tries to steer Beon back to the original heroine, Cho Eun‑ae, the prince only becomes more attached. Now caught between fiction and fate, Seon‑chaek must decide where her heart truly lies.
Cast & Characters of ‘The First Night with the Duke’:
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Seohyun as Cha Seon‑chaek / K – the heroine-possessed extra whose life flips after her first night with the prince.
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Ok Taec‑yeon as Prince Yi Beon (Gyeongseong-gun) – royally bound male lead who takes responsibility after their night .
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Kwon Han‑sol as Cho Eun‑ae – original female lead, noble-hearted and her presence is now threatened.
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Seo Bum‑june as Jung Soo‑gyeom – kind civil servant and Yi Beon’s confidant.
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Ji Hye‑won as Do Hwa‑seon – antagonistic court lady aiming for the prince.
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Additional: Lee Tae‑sun, Seo Hyun‑chul, Yoon Yoo‑sun, Song Young‑jae, Yoon Tae‑ha, and others form the supporting ensemble from palace, family, and court circles.
All Episode Release Schedule of ‘The First Night with the Duke’:
A total of 12 episodes air Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:50 PM KST, on KBS2, starting June 11, 2025, and wrapping on July 17, 2025.
| Ep | Air Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 11 | Wed |
| 2 | June 12 | Thu |
| 3 | June 18 | Wed |
| 4 | June 19 | Thu |
| 5 | June 25 | Wed |
| 6 | June 26 | Thu |
| 7 | July 2 | Wed |
| 8 | July 3 | Thu |
| 9 | July 9 | Wed |
| 10 | July 10 | Thu |
| 11 | July 16 | Wed |
| 12 | July 17 | Thu |
When and Where to Stream?
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KBS2 (South Korea): airs at 21:50 KST every Wednesday and Thursday starting June 11.
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Rakuten Viki: streams the episodes simultaneously, with global access including 7:30 PM IST drops in India. Subtitles available with Viki Pass or free with ads.
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Also available on Viu and other regional Viki partners shortly after broadcast .
Filming Locations:
Filmed primarily in South Korea at Palaces and studio sets to recreate the royal court. Script readings and location shoots took place in Seoul, with production oversight by Studio N and Monster Union under directors Lee Woong‑hee and Kang Soo‑yeon.
