The upcoming drama The Remarried Empress has hit a snag ahead of its premiere. When the first promotional stills were released, fans and viewers noticed a medal on Ju Ji‑hoon’s costume that closely resembled a Nazi-era decoration. The production team behind the series apologized for the oversight, and the incident raises important questions about historical awareness in K-drama costume design.
What Happened to the Remarried Empress Production
The drama, produced by Studio N for Disney+, revealed its first look images during an official promotional event in November 2025. In one still, Ju Ji-hoon is shown wearing a medal on his regal uniform. Immediately, several online users pointed out that the decoration looked nearly identical to the Third-Class Gold Service Medal awarded by the Nazi Party.
Within hours, comparisons circulated on fan forums and social media showing side-by-side images of the prop and the historical medal. Many expressed disappointment that such a similarity made it through pre-production checks.
The Official Response
On November 15, Studio N issued a formal statement acknowledging the error. According to the apology, the team stated that they “sincerely apologise for causing discomfort through our carelessness in reviewing [the prop in question].”
The production company added that they will replace the problematic photo and take “thorough measures to prevent a recurrence.” The image in question has been removed from Disney+’s official social media accounts.
They are also reportedly deliberating whether to reshoot the scene entirely or simply edit the medal out of the existing footage.
Why the Backlash?
Costume design in period dramas often borrows from military and ceremonial regalia. However, symbols associated with hateful regimes carry real historical weight. For many viewers, even an unintentional resemblance to Nazi insignia is unacceptable. In this case, the audience’s reaction was swift and harsh because the resemblance was striking enough to trigger alarm.
Aside from historical sensitivity, the incident underscores how global platforms like Disney+ are held to high standards. International audiences are quick to spot such missteps, and social media amplifies errors almost instantly. For a high-profile release, the optics of this costume controversy may impact the audience’s perception before the story even begins.
The Impact on the Drama’s Reputation
While the series itself has significant anticipation—based on the popular web novel of the same name—the controversy shifts the focus from storytelling to oversight. Fans of the source material may still tune in, but trust has eroded slightly. When production teams overlook visual details, it raises questions about the quality control across other parts of the show.
On the bright side, the quick apology and action may mitigate long-term damage. Viewers often judge how companies respond rather than hold onto the mistake itself forever. If Studio N handles this transparently and corrects the issue promptly, it may salvage goodwill.
Final Thoughts
In the end, what looked like a small costume detail became a global talking point. The production team of The Remarried Empress made the right move by apologising quickly and committing to corrective action. It is now their job to rebuild confidence and keep the spotlight focused on the story and characters rather than the controversy.
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