The First Night with the Duke

Cha Seon-chaek wakes up as a minor figure inside a popular novel she once read, fully aware of the plot beats she'd expected to play out. Rather than fading into the background, she crosses paths with Prince Kyungsung and ends up sharing an unexpected, single night with him. That encounter sparks awkward humor, real connection, and a series of small but consequential choices as Seon-chaek tests how much she can alter the story she remembers. Episodes follow the ripple effects at court and in the original narrative, showing how meta-knowledge reshapes loyalties, romances, and personal identities, and offers small surprises.

First aired in 2025, the series was created by Jeon Seon-yeong and directed by Lee Woong-hee. It adapts a web novel premise into a TV format and highlights a cast led by Seohyun and Ok Taec-yeon, and launched globally.

As of 2025 the show hasn't received major awards or nominations from institutions like the Emmys or Golden Globes. It has earned attention among viewers and critics, but major industry recognition, at least in Western ceremonies, has not been reported. It's still early, so awards season attention may follow.

Online fandom quickly embraced the lead pairing, sharing clips, fanart, and theories about how the story alters familiar tropes. Lines and scenes have been clipped across social platforms, and discussions about genre blending, consent, and meta storytelling have become common in fan communities, and subtitled clips boosted its international reach.

Critical and viewer response has trended positive, reflected in an 8.315/10 average from a small sample of votes. Reviewers note the show's mix of romantic comedy, drama, and speculative elements, and its interest in identity, fate, consent, and how stories influence behavior. Fans praise the leads' chemistry and smart humor.