Ji Hyun Woo and Eugene confirmed starring in First Lady – new MBN political melodrama
Michelle Topham 
The Penthouse star Eugene (aka Kim Yoo Jin) and Beauty and Mr. Romantic male lead Ji Hyun Woo have been confirmed as co-starring in the upcoming MBN drama First Lady.
The casting confirmation was announced in South Korean entertainment news media earlier today.
Now, get ready for a drama packed with power and passion, and headed by a superb cast. One that, from its premise alone, sounds like could just be one of the K-drama hits of 2025.
What is First Lady about?
According to Korean news media, the high-stakes political thriller follows a president-elect who drops a bombshell on his soon-to-be First Lady: He wants a divorce.
Now, with just 67 days until inauguration, the couple’s explosive clash unleashes political schemes, hidden agendas, and dark family secrets—guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
A masterpiece six years in the making?
Written by Kim Hyung Wan (Dream High 2), who spent six years writing the K-drama’s script, First Lady promises a gripping, binge-worthy story crafted to perfection.
And with a star-studded cast of some of South Korea’s finest actors — Eugene, Ji Hyun Woo, and the previously announced Lee Min Young— this drama is set to be an unmissable spectacle.
The roles Eugene, Ji Hyun Woo and Lee Min Young will play
Eugene returns to dramas as Cha Su Yeon, a brilliant “kingmaker” whose world shatters when her husband, the president-elect she has helped get into power, demands a divorce.
Expect razor-sharp emotions, fierce determination, and a performance that will leave you breathless as she tries to turn the tables, and win back her husband’s heart.
The role will be Eugene’s first role, other than a guest role in Love to Hate You, since her lead in The Penthouse Season 3: War in Life in 2021. And that means it is something millions of fans have been looking forward to for a while now.
As for Ji Hyun Woo, he will transform into Hyun Min Cheol, a self-made president-elect with a tragic past. A man who stuns the nation by announcing he will be divorcing his wife right after winning the election.
Known for his heart-fluttering romance roles, and right off his main lead in the hit weekend drama Beauty and Mr. Romantic, Ji Hyun Woo could be about to show a darker, more intense side that may just redefine his entire career.
And then there is Lee Min Young (Love (Ft. Marriage and Divorce), who could steal the spotlight as Shin Hae Rin, the president-elect’s fiercely loyal secretary.
A woman who will stop at nothing to protect him. But what are her real motives? And what role will she play in bringing the presidential couple together, or tearing them apart?
With all three involved in a world of high-stakes politics, could the events unfolding bring down a president before he is even able to take the helm of the country?
And, more importantly, at least to two of the three people involved, will love survive the ultimate test of power?
A production powerhouse behind the scenes
Produced by the hit-making studios behind some of K-drama’s biggest successes — Studio Gi-dam, Artist Studio, Roadshow Plus — upcoming MBN drama First Lady is shaping up to be a game-changing blend of political intrigue, emotional drama, and addictive storytelling.
With its script reading wrapping up on April 13th and filming kicking off this month, if First Lady premieres in 2025 as is currently scheduled, it could be on track to be one of the year’s most talked-about Korean dramas.
Stay tuned, as we bring you updates in coming months here on Baozi Buns —because this is one political storm you won’t want to miss!
Plus, can I just add, isn’t it nice to see yet another romance-themed drama starring people in their 40s?
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