Shin Mina Takes On Empress Navier in 'The Remarried Empress'

Actress Shin Min-a has transformed into Empress Navier in "The Remarried Empress." The first four episodes of the Disney+ original series premiered worldwide on Nov. 3.

The story begins when Navier (Shin), empress of the Eastern Empire, is told by her husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji-hoon), that he wants a divorce. Sovieshu has fallen for Rashta (Lee Se-young), a runaway slave.

Navier agrees to the divorce, but on one condition. She requests permission to marry Heinley (Lee Jong-suk), a prince of the Western Kingdom.

Navier carries herself with the dignity of an empress. On the outside, she never loses her composure. However, her husband's one-sided change of heart leaves her with a loneliness she has to endure on her own.

She puts her role as empress ahead of her personal feelings. When her ladies-in-waiting are upset that Rashta is entering the palace as a concubine, Navier tells them not to be shaken. She asks them to focus on preparing for the New Year's festival instead.

The festival is meant to show the Eastern Empire's standing after 100 years. Navier makes it clear that she will not accept the slightest of mistakes. Shin plays her with a calm, steady presence, showing a woman who keeps her duties first even while her emotions are complicated.

The series also shows Navier dealing with her grief alone. She cannot share her true feelings with anyone. In a space of her own, she finally faces the loneliness she has been holding in. Shin plays the scene with careful restraint.

"The Remarried Empress" runs 10 episodes in total on Disney+. Two new episodes are released each week.