Shin Mina’s elaborate gowns in Disney Plus’ The Remarried Empress have become the subject of an unexpected debate after viewers criticized the show’s costumes as cheap-looking, only to discover that some of the dresses cost thousands of dollars.
The fantasy romance series premiered its first four episodes on November 3rd. Based on a webtoon with nearly 3 billion cumulative views, the story follows Empress Navier (Shin Mina), whose husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji Hoon), demands a divorce after falling for runaway slave Rashta (Lee Se Young). Navier agrees on the condition that she be allowed to marry Prince Heinrey (Lee Jong Suk) of the Western Kingdom.
Following the premiere, some viewers expressed disappointment with the production’s elaborate court costumes and overall visual presentation, drawing comparisons to Netflix’s Bridgerton.
“The costumes look cheap, like something you’d see in a middle or high school drama club,” one viewer commented. Others criticized the actors’ hairstyles and dialogue delivery, arguing that the production lacked polish.
However, the prices of several gowns worn by Shin have since surfaced online, revealing that the costumes were far more expensive than some viewers had assumed.
A pale mint-green tulle gown with intricate embroidery and a matching bolero is reportedly a Georges Hobeika creation priced at $12,690. The Lebanese designer label is known for its eveningwear and couture designs.
Two other dresses are reportedly from British designer Jenny Packham. A light blue beaded gown worn with a tiara is priced at $4,356, while a black dress featuring sheer detailing and a flowing cape costs $3,784.
The price revelations prompted viewers to reconsider whether the problem lay with the costumes themselves or how they appeared on screen.
“I thought the dresses looked so poorly made, but they’re actually expensive,” one viewer wrote. Another commented, “The dresses are beautiful, but I think the lighting or filters are the problem.”
Some suggested that the intricate beadwork required stronger lighting to capture its details on camera, while others continued to criticize the show’s overall visual presentation.
The Remarried Empress consists of 10 episodes, with two new installments arriving every Wednesday on Disney Plus through November 25th.
>>Ju Ji Hoon’s Emperor Makeover in ‘The Remarried Empress’ Isn’t Quite What Fans Expected
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