"Remarried Empress" and "Hypnosis" Set for 2026 Release
A Full-Fledged Model Linking Dramas, Merchandise, and Events
Disney+ is adapting proven webtoons into premium dramas. The company will release live-action adaptations of "Remarried Empress," which has accumulated 2.6 billion views, and the Naver webtoon "Hypnosis" in 2026. Both productions feature top Korean stars, with Korea taking the lead in production.
"Remarried Empress" is a grand romance fantasy epic starring Shin Minah, Joo Jihun, Lee Jongseok, and Lee Seyoung. The story follows Empress Navier of the Eastern Empire, who is informed of her divorce by the emperor after he falls for the runaway slave Rashta. Instead of resisting, she accepts the divorce on the condition that she remarry Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom. Studio N is in charge of production.
"Hypnosis" stars Suzy and Kim Sunho. Set in Gyeongseong in 1935, it is a mystery romance that follows painter Yoon Iho as he delves into the secrets of Song Jeonghwa, a woman shrouded in suspicion and rumors after remaining out of the public eye for over half a century.
Simultaneously Securing Fandom and Managing Risk
Dramas based on webtoons have the advantage of already having proven storylines. With an existing fan base, it is easier to generate initial buzz and reduce marketing costs. The low language barrier also makes it favorable for entry into global markets.
Competitor Netflix has already demonstrated the box office formula for webtoon adaptations with titles like "Sweet Home" and "Severe Trauma Center." Most entered the global top 10 immediately after release, with some leading to the production of additional seasons. Disney+ is refining this formula with original stories and top-tier casting.
"Remarried Empress" leverages the popular theme of imperial romance fantasy by casting four leading actors. "Hypnosis" differentiates itself by combining the historical backdrop of Gyeongseong during the Japanese occupation with mystery elements.
Building a Webtoon-Drama-IP Expansion System
Disney's interest in webtoon adaptations goes beyond simply securing proven source material. In Korea, webtoons have already become an industrialized creative ecosystem, with hundreds of new titles released each week and a system in place to refine stories based on real-time reader feedback. Disney is leveraging this ecosystem as a content supply source.
Even more important is the potential for IP expansion. Disney has experience building a One Source Multi Use (OSMU) system with Marvel and Star Wars, spanning movies, dramas, theme parks, and merchandise. Webtoon-based dramas can be expanded in the same way. If the drama succeeds, it can lead to character merchandise, themed events, games, and musicals.
In the case of "Remarried Empress," fan art and derivative works are already thriving worldwide. After the drama is released, there is potential for merchandise sales and fan events utilizing character IP. "Hypnosis," with its distinct 1930s Gyeongseong visual setting, offers ample opportunities for expansion into costumes, props, and more.
Carol Choi, Head of Original Content for Asia-Pacific, stated, "We will collaborate with next-generation creators and draw inspiration from diverse creative sources to lead audiences into new worlds." She implied that webtoons are becoming not just source material, but a creative wellspring for global content IP.
Webtoon Adaptations as a New Industry Model
Korea is the ideal environment for combining the webtoon ecosystem with Disney's IP expansion system. Thousands of webtoons are serialized each year, and reader data is accumulated by platform, providing clear evidence of which stories resonate.
Disney plans to select works from this pool with the potential to grow into global IP, adapt them into dramas, and, if successful, expand further into character merchandise, themed events, and games.
If this approach takes root, the webtoon-drama-IP expansion will be systematized as an industry model. Webtoon creators will become global IP creators, production companies will secure stable source material, and platforms will reduce risk with proven content. Disney stands to be the greatest beneficiary of this structure.
Ultimately, "Remarried Empress" and "Hypnosis" are the testing grounds to determine whether this model truly works. As the OTT market faces increasing demands for profitability, the combination of webtoons and OSMU may prove to be the most realistic breakthrough.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
