The Remarried Empress 2026 Food: What They Eat + Cast
Ever watched a K-drama like The Remarried Empress 2026 and paused the screen just to see what’s on the plate? Me too! So I went through every episode of The Remarried Empress Korean drama to hunt down the food!
But here’s the catch! This drama is based on a web novel and webtoon, and it’s set in a European-style palace, not a traditional Korean one. So no kimchi or Korean dishes so far. Still, it’s a Korean-made drama, so a little Korean flavor sneaks in anyway. For example, there’s a French dessert that most Seoul cafes sell, and a Pink Marco’s Choco pretzel snack that Koreans love (even though it’s Italian!). I’ll add new dishes as more episodes come out. Stay tuned!
Oh, and one more thing! Shin Min-a, who plays Navier, was born in 1984, so she’s 42. But her skin is a perfect example of Korean glass skin. I’ll share her skin secrets below, so let’s get glass skin together!
What Is The Remarried Empress 2026?
The Remarried Empress Korean drama is a Disney+ original based on a hugely popular web novel by Alphatart, which also became a webtoon. The first four episodes arrived on November 3, 2026 (a day earlier than the originally announced date), and two new episodes drop every Wednesday after that, for 10 episodes in total.
Navier, the perfect empress of the Eastern Empire, is told by the emperor that he wants a divorce, because he has fallen for a runaway slave named Rashta. Navier accepts, but on one condition: she wants permission to remarry a prince from the Western Kingdom. That’s why it’s called The Remarried Empress.
Don’t expect hanboks or Joseon palaces
This is not about Korean traditional style. This world looks like a fusion of European rococo, so there’s plenty to enjoy, from glamorous ballrooms and lots of flowers to richly decorated gowns.
The Remarried Empress 2026 Cast: Who Plays Who
Wondering who’s who in the The Remarried Empress Korean drama? Here’s the quick cast guide.
| Actor | Character | Who they are |
|---|---|---|
| Shin Min-a | Navier | The perfect empress of the Eastern Empire |
| Ju Ji-hoon (also spelled Joo Ji-hoon) | Sovieshu | The emperor, Navier’s husband |
| Lee Jong-suk | Heinrey | First heir to the Western Kingdom, who can transform into a bird |
| Lee Se-young | Rashta | A runaway slave who wins the emperor’s heart |
Navier comes from the Trovi ducal family, which has produced empresses for generations. She was raised from childhood to become empress. Sovieshu grew up alongside her like a friend, then falls for Rashta after meeting her on a hunt. Heinrey is calm, charming, and quietly supportive of Navier. Rashta looks bright and sweet, but there’s a shadow behind that smile.
The Remarried Empress 2026 Food: What They Eat, Episode by Episode
Episode 1 of The remarried empress k-drama: No Food
Nothing to eat on screen in the first episode.
Episode 2 of The remarried empress 2026
Freeze-Dried Figs and Pink Chocolate Pretzels
Rashta snacks on beautifully arranged freeze-dried figs and pink chocolate pretzels. It’s a sweet, playful moment that suits her character.
Navier’s Bowl of Nuts and Seeds
As Navier remembers her past, she runs her fingers through a bowl of nuts and seeds. I could spot pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, and dried cranberries.
The Royal Dinner for Two: Navier and Sovieshu
Navier and Sovieshu share a quiet dinner at a very long table, just the two of them. Everything is plated to feel royal. A perfect plate, on a table far too long for two people.
- Sauce painted around the plate, with a touch of gold
- Mashed potatoes
- Beef tenderloin steak
- Dijon mustard
- Asparagus garnish
- Fresh raspberries
Episode 3 of The remarried empress Korean Drama: No Food
The ball scenes are all about gowns and glances. No food on screen.
Episode 4 of The Remarried Empress 2026 Disney+
This is my favorite food moment so far! Navier is changing clothes, and the pet owl on the table turns away shyly. Right beside it sit a plate of financiers and canelés. They’re French pastries, but you can find them in almost every Korean cafe.
Financiers and Canelés in Seoul: How Koreans Do French Baked Sweets
In Korean cafes, these little cakes are called gumeun-gwaja (baked sweets), and they’re everywhere. There’s one difference I always notice. French bakeries often prefer a soft, buttery texture where the butter melts through the cake. In Seoul, many people love them freshly baked, with a crisp, crackly outside. If you grew up with the French style, the Korean version might surprise you.
Here are two places to try financiers in Seoul:
1. Kuun (쿠운), Sinnonhyeon main branch
On Gangnam-daero in Seocho-gu, Kuun is one of the best-known names for baked sweets in Seoul. Try the hwangchi (yellow cheese) financier, which has a rich, cheddar-like flavor that Koreans love.
2. Etoile (에뚜왈)
Famous for crisp, chewy financiers and big, plump madeleines. There are two branches, Garosu-gil and Sinchon, and many people recommend Sinchon for financiers. Address: 3-3 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (1F, Room 105).
Shin Min-a’s Skincare Routine: How Navier Gets That Korean Glass Skin
Shin Min-a was born in 1984, but her skin is the perfect example of Korean glass skin. So what’s her secret? In an interview with ELLE Korea, she shared her routine, and it’s much simpler than you might expect. Here’s what she said.
- Quick note: Shin Min-a is a brand model for Lancôme, and this ELLE Korea video was sponsored by Lancôme. The Amazon links below are affiliate links.
- Source: ELLE Korea on YouTube, “Shin Min-a’s beauty secret” (October 2025). Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGB9dcW5214
1. Natural Makeup, Not Full Glam
She says she doesn’t really like full makeup. Instead, she prefers to keep everything looking natural: the skin, the eyebrows, and the lip color. She spends about 30 to 40 minutes getting ready, but that time goes into looking natural, not into complicated colors.
2. Barely Any Makeup on Days Off
Thick makeup makes it hard for skin to breathe and can clog pores. So on days when she isn’t working, she wears almost no makeup. She keeps a light kkuan-kku look (effortlessly put together, like you didn’t try too hard) so there’s no extra burden on her skin.
3. Gauze Cleansing for Sensitive Skin
Shin Min-a has sensitive skin, so in the video she explains a gentle cleansing method using baby gauze:
- Apply a rich-foam cleanser on your face for a first deep cleanse.
- Soak a baby gauze cloth in water and wring it out. Add foam cleanser to the gauze too, then wipe your face gently.
- After cleansing, apply plenty of moisture cream to fill your skin with hydration.
She finishes with generous moisture, paying attention to the hydration balance inside and out and keeping irritation low.
4. A Generous Layer of Serum Before Bed
At night, she says she applies Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Serum generously before sleeping.
5. Plenty of Sleep
When asked about her skin routine, she said she tries to get a lot of sleep. Good sleep is one of her own go-to habits.
Her Natural Lip Look: Lancôme Lip Idol Butter Glow No. 42 Rosy Coral
For that effortless look, she featured the Lancôme Lip Idol Butter Glow in No. 42 Rosy Coral in the same video.
