It is not common for a president-elect to demand a divorce right after winning an election. But that is exactly what happens in First Lady. Political dramas often focus on corruption, betrayal, or power struggles—but rarely do they begin with a personal crisis at the peak of victory.

‘First Lady’ breaks the mold by opening with an explosive premise: A president-elect, days away from his inauguration, demands a divorce from his wife. This twist isn’t just shocking—it’s a bold narrative choice that sets the stage for a deeper exploration of power, loyalty, and the cost of ambition.

Hyun Min Cheol, soon to be president, tells his wife Cha Su Yeon he wants to end their marriage. The timing is brutal. Only 67 days remain until his inauguration. She had just achieved the position she dreamed of, but the reality is nothing like she imagined.

Hyun Min Cheol is not from privilege. He grew up an orphan and worked his way up from being a laborer to the nation’s top office. His rise made him an admired figure. But the image of the perfect couple shatters as soon as the election ends. Beside him stands Sin Hae Rin, his closest secretary, who knows more about his life than most. Her presence becomes impossible to ignore.

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Divorce Before Inauguration

The story focuses on a triangle of power, loyalty, and betrayal. Cha Su Yeon is thrown into a fight she never asked for. Hyun Min Cheol is caught between public image and private choices. Sin Hae Rin holds secrets that could tip everything. Their relationships are tested in a climate where politics and personal life mix in dangerous ways.

MBN’s new Wednesday–Thursday drama, First Lady, brings these tensions to the screen. Written by Kim Hyung-wan, it comes after six years of preparation. His past works, like Dream High 2 and Hidden Identity, showed his skill for tight plots. The cast includes Eugene, Ji Hyun-woo, and Lee Min-young, along with Han Soo-ah, Shin So-yul, Kim Ki-bang, and Oh Seung-eun. These actors have the range to make each confrontation believable.

Poster Analysis

The teaser poster hints at the mood. Eugene, Ji Hyun-woo, and Lee Min-young stand in a party scene. The poster’s styling also nods to classic first-lady portraits — poised, elegant, and designed to project control. But the framing here subverts that tradition.

Instead of a united couple, we see fractured body language. It’s the kind of promotional material that invites over-analysis, and drama fans will be dissecting it for clues long before the first episode airs.

The lights are warm, the clothes are elegant, but their eyes tell another story. Eugene, as Cha Su Yeon, wears a pink sequined dress and holds a champagne glass. Her smile is perfect, yet her expression feels unsettled. Ji Hyun-woo, as Hyun Min Cheol, looks distant even while standing beside her. Lee Min-young, as Sin Hae Rin, stares with sharp focus, her thoughts hidden.

Political Drama Meets Personal War

The poster’s center line reads, “The moment when I should be the happiest, the greatest misfortune has come.” It sums up the heart of the series. Public victory does not mean personal peace. This is not just about love or marriage. It is about survival in a place where power moves faster than trust.

The production team says they wanted to show how power, love, and betrayal are linked in this story. That goal comes through in every detail. The spacing between characters in the poster, the way their eyes never meet — these are clues to the battles ahead. It is not just political intrigue; it is a test of how far people will go to protect themselves.

What makes First Lady interesting is how it mixes high politics with quiet family tension. Most political dramas focus on campaigns, scandals, or national crises. Here, the biggest crisis starts at home. And it plays out under the glare of the public eye. There is an unspoken question: if this is happening before the inauguration, what will happen after?

The First Lady Korean drama also feels timely. In an era where image often matters more than truth, this plot pushes viewers to think about what is real and what is staged. Hyun Min Cheol’s demand for divorce is not just a personal move. It changes the narrative that helped him win. For Cha Su Yeon, the fight is not only for her marriage but for her dignity in front of an entire nation.

Sin Hae Rin’s role will likely be one to watch. As the president-elect’s trusted aide, she could be an ally or a threat. The drama leaves space for her to shape events in ways the audience may not expect. Her calm presence in the poster suggests she understands more than she says.

Where To Watch ‘First Lady’?

• Episodes: 12
• Airs: Sep 24, 2025
• Airs On: Wednesday, Thursday
• Original Network: MBN
• Duration: 1 hr. 10 min.

Note: This drama is planned for 12 episodes (or possibly more). We’ll update the schedule if any changes are announced.

The collaboration between Studio Jidam, Artist Studio, and Roadshow Plus also raises expectations. These companies have reputations for creating dramas that look polished but also tell bold stories. With Kim Hyung-wan’s writing and Lee Ho-hyun’s direction, the show has the foundation to deliver both drama and depth.

First Lady Korean drama will premiere on September 24th. It will air twice a week on MBN. Whether it becomes a standout will depend on how well it balances the sharpness of political games with the rawness of private pain.

The first episodes will set the tone. If they land well, the mix of power struggle and family secrets could make this one of the more memorable dramas of the year.

Kavita Mishra

Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.

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