Lee Se Young reveals why she was drawn to playing the controversial villain Rashta in 'The Remarried Empress'

Actress Lee Se Young shared why she decided to take on the role of Rashta in the Disney+ series The Remarried Empress, revealing that the character's unusual mix of charm and flaws made her interested in trying something different.

On November 3, Lee Se Young attended the production press conference for The Remarried Empress at Conrad Seoul, alongside Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Suk, and director Jo Soo Won.

In the drama, Lee Se Young plays Rashta, a runaway slave whose life changes after she catches the attention of Emperor Sovieshu, played by Ju Ji Hoon. Her sudden rise in status places her at the center of the royal family's complicated relationships.

Rashta is known as one of the story's controversial characters, and the role marks a change for Lee Se Young, who has rarely portrayed villains in her acting career.

Explaining what attracted her to the character, Lee Se Young said, “She was a lovable villain, someone you dislike but can't completely hate. It was a type of character I hadn't shown before, so I found her appealing.”

The actress explained that she saw Rashta as an opportunity to show viewers a different side of her acting.

Another reason she accepted the project was the chance to reunite with director Jo Soo Won and work alongside the drama's leading cast.

“Director Jo Soo Won, whom I've worked with before, was involved, and by the time I received the offer, the other actors had already been cast. I really wanted to work with them,” she shared.

Lee Se Young added, “I thought I could show a new side of myself through Rashta. I was happy to work with the other actors on set.”

Through the role, Lee Se Young hopes to present a different image from her previous performances by portraying a character whose charming personality is mixed with questionable choices.

Meanwhile, The Remarried Empress is a fantasy romance drama based on the popular web novel and webtoon of the same name, which has gained an international following.

The series premiered on Disney+ on November 3 with its first four episodes. Two new episodes are scheduled to be released every Wednesday, for a total of 10 episodes.