On November 4, Lee Jong-suk posted several photos on social media with the caption, “Team The Remarried Empress~~ Sovie Star~~”
The photos showed Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk and Lee Se-young, who all star in The Remarried Empress, posing affectionately together. Lee Jong-suk smiled with his chin resting on his hand, while Lee Se-young beamed at the camera. Dressed in a black sleeveless top, Ju Ji-hoon struck a playful hand pose, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
What particularly caught viewers’ attention was Ju Ji-hoon’s skin tone. Sitting next to Lee Jong-suk, who was wearing a light cream-colored top, Ju Ji-hoon appeared noticeably darker by comparison. The difference in their complexions was also quite apparent in photos of all three actors taken in the same setting.
Previously, Ju Ji-hoon met viewers as Emperor Sovieshu of the Eastern Empire in the Disney+ original series The Remarried Empress, which premiered on November 3. However, an unexpected controversy over his complexion emerged shortly after the series was released.
Some viewers commented that Ju Ji-hoon’s face looked excessively dark and dull compared with those of the other actors. Even against the backdrop of lavish imperial costumes and bright settings, his skin tone appeared particularly dark, prompting questions about the makeup and lighting.
Several viewers also pointed out that the difference became even more noticeable in scenes featuring other cast members, including Shin Min-ah, Lee Jong-suk and Lee Se-young. Some even expressed concern, saying that Ju Ji-hoon’s complexion made him look tired.
On the other hand, some speculated that his darker appearance might be part of the character’s styling, reflecting Sovieshu’s fondness for outdoor activities and sports in the story. However, neither the production team nor Ju Ji-hoon’s agency has issued an official explanation regarding the discussion surrounding his skin tone.
Meanwhile, Lee Jong-suk’s newly released behind-the-scenes photos have brought renewed attention to Ju Ji-hoon’s noticeably darker complexion. However, photographs can also be affected by lighting conditions and camera settings, so they cannot be used to draw conclusions about his natural skin tone or health.
Meanwhile, The Remarried Empress is a romantic fantasy drama based on the popular web novel and webtoon of the same name. It follows Empress Navier (Shin Min-ah), who is informed by Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji-hoon) that he wants a divorce after falling for Rashta (Lee Se-young). Rather than simply accepting his decision, Navier demands permission to remarry Prince Heinrey (Lee Jong-suk) of the Western Kingdom.
Sources: Naver