The enchanting world of “First Night With The Duke” continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of romance, fantasy, and time-travel elements. Episodes 3 and 4, which aired on June 18-19, 2025, on Viki, deliver significant character development and romantic tension that fans have been eagerly anticipating. This Korean drama follows the extraordinary journey of K, an ordinary college student who finds herself transported into her favorite romance novel as Cha Seon-chaek, a wealthy side character with simple aspirations.
However, her peaceful plans are disrupted when she inadvertently spends a night with the story’s male protagonist, Lee Beon, a charismatic prince with a mysterious past. As the episodes unfold, viewers witness Seon-chaek’s desperate attempts to restore the original storyline by playing matchmaker between Lee Beon and the intended female lead, Cho Eun-ae. Yet fate seems determined to weave a different narrative, one where Lee Beon’s heart increasingly belongs to Seon-chaek, culminating in her own emotional awakening by the end of episode 4.
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Seon-chaek’s Matchmaking Mission Goes Awry in Episode 3
Episode 3 opens with a dramatic shift between the real world and the novel’s universe, showcasing the dual existence that K must navigate. In her real life, K faces college drama when Ah-young’s boyfriend proposes, leading to accusations and public humiliation as Ah-young blames K for stealing her man. The tension escalates when Ah-young drenches K with water on campus, creating whispers and stares that follow her throughout the day. However, the real action begins when K transitions back into Seon-chaek’s world, where she awakens to find Lee Beon, portrayed by the talented Ok Taec-yeon, caring for her with genuine concern.
Lee Beon’s devotion becomes evident through his heroic actions, including a dangerous quest to retrieve a rare healing herb from the hillside. The prince’s encounter with a tiger while searching for the medicinal plant demonstrates his willingness to risk everything for Seon-chaek’s wellbeing. This romantic gesture, though unnoticed by Seon-chaek herself, reveals the depth of his growing feelings and sets the stage for the emotional conflicts to come.
The episode’s central plot revolves around Seon-chaek’s determined efforts to unite Lee Beon with Eun-ae, believing this will restore the original storyline. She orchestrates their meeting at Soo-gyeom’s exclusive club gathering, hoping to spark the romance that was meant to be. During the event, Seon-chaek showers Eun-ae with praise and creates opportunities for the two potential lovers to connect. However, her matchmaking attempts consistently fail, as Lee Beon remains politely distant from Eun-ae while his attention constantly drifts toward Seon-chaek.
The evening takes an unexpected turn when Soo-gyeom introduces a treasure hunt based on cryptic poem clues, adding an element of mystery and competition to the gathering. As the night progresses, several pivotal moments occur that further complicate Seon-chaek’s plans. Her attempts at espionage, using Soo-gyeom as a makeshift ladder to spy on Lee Beon and Eun-ae’s conversation, result in a comedic tumble that draws unwanted attention.
The episode reaches its climax when a fire breaks out at the venue, allowing Lee Beon to showcase his protective instincts by rescuing Seon-chaek while Soo-gyeom saves Eun-ae. The episode concludes with a breathtaking fireworks display, during which Lee Beon makes a profound declaration about Seon-chaek being ready to become his wife, foreshadowing the romantic developments to come.
Lee Beon’s Bold Proposal and Seon-chaek’s Emotional Awakening in Episode 4
Episode 4 intensifies the romantic tension while introducing new threats and complications to the evolving love story. The episode begins at the club gathering, where party games create a relaxed atmosphere that quickly transforms into chaos. Eun-ae’s sudden allergic reaction to a peach-flavored drink serves as the catalyst for a series of dramatic events. Red rashes spread across her skin, causing panic among the group and prompting Seon-chaek’s immediate response to help her friend. In her frantic attempt to fetch water, Seon-chaek accidentally knocks over a lit candle, igniting a fire that engulfs the residence and creates a dangerous situation for everyone present.
While the fire emergency unfolds, Lee Beon takes decisive action in his personal life by visiting Seon-chaek’s family home. His formal request to her parents for permission to marry their daughter demonstrates his serious intentions and royal upbringing. He openly acknowledges their intimate night together, showing his commitment to taking responsibility for their relationship. However, Seon-chaek’s father firmly rejects the proposal, citing her young age and his opposition to his daughter marrying into the complex world of royalty. This rejection sets up a significant obstacle for the couple’s future happiness.
The episode delves deeper into Lee Beon’s tragic backstory through a series of poignant flashbacks that reveal the source of his emotional walls. Viewers learn about the horrific night when his entire clan was massacred, leaving young Lee Beon and his father at the mercy of his ruthless uncle. The prince’s decision to sacrifice his freedom and become his uncle’s pawn in exchange for his father’s life explains his current position and the burden he carries. These revelations help viewers understand why Seon-chaek’s acceptance and understanding of his true nature, as revealed in episode 1, moved him so deeply and began his emotional transformation.
Meanwhile, romantic complications multiply when Soo-gyeom approaches Seon-chaek with what initially appears to be a love confession. The misunderstanding creates momentary tension until he reveals his true purpose: seeking her support in pursuing Eun-ae. This development adds another layer to the complex web of relationships while showing how Seon-chaek’s matchmaking efforts may have unintended consequences.
The episode introduces a new antagonist in the form of Mark, a seemingly friendly foreign traveler who becomes the recipient of Seon-chaek’s characteristic kindness. She provides him with meals, clothing, and a comprehensive tour of the town, unaware that his friendly demeanor masks sinister intentions. Mark’s true identity as an agent working for the villainous Hwa-seon becomes apparent when Seon-chaek mysteriously collapses after their encounter, blood trickling from her lips as she succumbs to a deliberately introduced illness.
Quarantine Crisis and Royal Complications Transform the Love Story
The most emotionally charged sequences of episode 4 occur when Seon-chaek is rushed to a quarantine facility designed to isolate victims of the mysterious illness. The revelation that Mark has been systematically spreading this disease under Hwa-seon’s orders adds a layer of political intrigue and personal vendetta to the story. Lee Beon’s response to news of Seon-chaek’s condition reveals the true depth of his feelings as he abandons all royal protocol and propriety to reach her side.
His dramatic entrance, galloping past guards and breaking into the isolation ward, demonstrates a prince willing to risk his own life and position for love. Rather than maintaining a safe distance, Lee Beon remains with Seon-chaek throughout her illness, providing comfort and care that helps her survive the worst of her symptoms. This selfless act of devotion marks a turning point in their relationship, showing Seon-chaek the extent of his commitment while revealing his vulnerability.
The political machinations reach new heights when the Queen Mother intervenes in Lee Beon’s romantic life by demanding a nationwide bride selection process. Her formal request transforms a personal matter into a public spectacle, with the Ministry of Royal Genealogy posting notices throughout the capital announcing the search for Prince Lee’s future wife. The competition attracts numerous applicants, including both Eun-ae and the scheming Hwa-seon, setting up future conflicts and challenges for the main couple.
The episode’s emotional climax arrives when Seon-chaek learns about the bride selection process. Rather than feeling defeated or jealous, she makes a profound decision that reveals her own transformation. Her quiet resolution to dedicate her remaining time entirely to Lee Beon signifies her acceptance of her feelings and her willingness to fight for their love, regardless of the obstacles ahead. This moment marks her evolution from a passive character trying to maintain the original story to an active participant ready to write her own destiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Seon-chaek finally realize her feelings for Lee Beon in these episodes?
Yes, episode 4 marks a significant turning point where Seon-chaek acknowledges her feelings for Lee Beon. After witnessing his dedication during her illness and learning about the bride selection process, she makes the conscious decision to dedicate herself to him, signaling her emotional awakening and acceptance of their relationship rather than continuing to fight against it.
Q: What role does the mysterious illness play in the overall story?
The illness serves multiple narrative purposes: it’s a weapon used by the antagonist Hwa-seon through her agent Mark to eliminate Seon-chaek, it provides an opportunity for Lee Beon to demonstrate his devotion by risking his own safety to care for her, and it creates urgency in their relationship as Seon-chaek realizes how precious their time together might be.
