November 15, 2025

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Netflix and K-Drama Creators Announce The King’s Affection (2025): A Grand Return to Royal Intrigue and Forbidden Love

Seoul, South Korea — Four years after the success of the original drama, Netflix and KBS have officially announced The King’s Affection (2025), a highly anticipated continuation of the award-winning historical romance that captivated global audiences. Scheduled for an international release in late 2025, the film promises to expand the world of the original series with deeper political intrigue, more lavish period detail, and a love story tested by destiny itself.

A Royal Story Reborn

Set several years after the events of the 2021 series, The King’s Affection (2025) follows Crown Prince Lee Hwi and Jung Ji-woon, now facing new threats as the stability of the Joseon court begins to fracture. Though peace has returned to the kingdom, hidden factions, personal vendettas, and shifting alliances threaten to reveal dangerous truths about the throne.

In this new chapter, Lee Hwi — still guarding the secret of her true identity — must navigate a political crisis that forces her to confront her past while protecting her loved ones. Ji-woon, now serving as the royal physician, becomes entangled in a conspiracy that could endanger both the monarchy and the woman he has vowed to protect.

Producers describe the film as “a sweeping historical romance with the emotional depth of the original series but the scale and grandeur of a theatrical epic.”

The Beloved Cast Returns

Fans will be thrilled to see the return of the original leads:

• Park Eun-bin as Lee Hwi, delivering a more mature and commanding performance as a ruler torn between duty and love

• Rowoon as Jung Ji-woon, whose loyalty and devotion deepen as new political challenges arise

The cast also includes a new line-up of antagonists, court advisors, and rival royals, portrayed by rising talents from both film and television.

A Larger, More Cinematic Joseon

Unlike the series, the 2025 film embraces a cinematic scale. Filmed across Korea’s historical palaces, mountains, and coastal regions, the production boasts:

• larger battle set pieces

• intricate royal costumes

• expanded palace politics

• improved fight choreography

Set designers have recreated entire palace wings and village markets to bring Joseon’s world to life with more detail than ever before.

The film’s soundtrack features a blend of traditional Korean instrumentation and modern orchestral arrangements, further enhancing the emotional intensity of the story.

Themes of Identity, Power, and Unconditional Love

At its heart, The King’s Affection (2025) continues to explore the themes that made the original series so groundbreaking: gender identity, the cost of secrets, and the fragile balance between personal happiness and royal responsibility.

The film deepens Lee Hwi and Ji-woon’s relationship as they confront the realities of ruling a kingdom while protecting a love that defies the strict rules of their era.

Early reviewers who attended closed previews describe the film as “emotionally explosive,” “visually sumptuous,” and “one of the most ambitious sageuk productions of the decade.”

A Major Global Release

Building on the original show’s international fandom, Netflix is preparing a worldwide promotional campaign, including special screenings, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and cast interviews targeting audiences across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

With high expectations, a returning cast, and a richly layered story, The King’s Affection (2025) is already being hailed as one of the most anticipated Korean film releases of the year.