Okay, be honest, how many times have you fallen head over heels for a Kdrama only to be hit with slow plots, cardboard characters, or that dreaded second lead syndrome? SAME. But guess what? KBS just said “not this time” with their new show The First Night With the Duke Kdrama… and it’s already giving everything it needs to give.
Let’s break down why this one’s worth your time (and your emotional damage).
A Ratings Glow-Up We Didn’t See Coming
So this drama premiered on June 11, 2025, and the very first episode hit a 3.3% nationwide rating. Sounds like just a number, right? But wait, KBS’s previous drama (Pump Up the Healthy Love) barely managed 1.0%. Yep, even the title couldn’t save that one.
So The First Night With the Duke showing up and pulling in those numbers? It’s the comeback story midweek dramas needed.
The Plot That Had Me Yelling
If you love romance webtoons, you probably already know The First Night With the Duke Webtoon. And if not, OMG, you’re in for a wild ride.
It starts with a modern-day college girl (they just call her “K”) who gets sucked into her favorite fantasy novel The Tyrant Is Obsessed. But here’s the twist: she doesn’t land the role of the heroine. Nope. She wakes up as Cha Sun Chaek, a total side character who was supposed to just stand in the background and mind her business.
Spoiler: she absolutely does NOT stay in the background.
One Drink, One Duke, and Too Much Drama
Imagine waking up after a wild night out… and there’s a DUKE in your bed. That’s what happens to Sun Chaek. One noblewomen’s wine night later, she wakes up next to Yi Beon, the obsessive male lead of the book.
He was supposed to fall for another girl. But now? He’s fully locked in on her. We’re talking “drop-everything-and-marry-me” level obsessed. Cha Sun Chaek is like, “Excuse me? I was just trying to survive this book.” But no, plot twist, girl. You are the plot now.
The Cast Is Chef’s Kiss
Seohyun is perfect as Cha Sun Chaek, funny, clever, and totally done with this mess.
Ok Taecyeon plays Duke Yi Beon and… wow. That man is intense. And confusing. But hot.
Kwon Han-sol as Jo Eun Ae? Gorgeous and tragically sidelined.
Seo Bum-june as the second male lead, prepare your heart.
Ji Hye-won is serving quiet villain energy and I live for it.
It’s giving historical Kdrama chaos, but with a fresh, laugh-out-loud twist.
Watch It Before Everyone Else Starts Spoiling It
Episodes drop every Wednesday and Thursday at 21:50 KST on KBS2, and you can stream them internationally on Viki. No excuses, this one’s worth staying up for.
So grab your snacks, text your drama group chat, and get ready.
Because if this premiere is anything to go by, the rest of the season is going to be one wild, romantic ride.